Beautiful Wytch

As it is almost into minus shopping days to the 25th, I decided to open the shop even though its Sunday. I was not looking forward to doing it and would rather have had a snooze in bed. However, after dragging myself through the fog and ice, I arrived at the Wytch Cutting in Malvern to be greeted with a spectacular view of Bredon Hill poking out through the Dragon's breath that had descended into the valley below. What with the Solstice sunrise yesterday and this display of Mother at her best, I feel full of good expectations for the days ahead.

A Merry Yule and the Solstice sunrise.

I have just got back from the British Camp on the Malvern Hills after watching the Solstice sunrise. I got there at about 7AM to find the whole place in pitch darkness with a heavy fog. Finding my way to the top was eventful to say the least and twice I nearly fell A over T down the hills. My visibility was down to about 3 foot and, having forgotten my hat, freezing as well. I think the first photo of the pathway shows how bad it was. I reached the top and hailed the four watchtowers, hoping that it would warm up and clear a little in time for the sunrise. Just before sunrise I met two people called Anne & Jane who introduced themselves and waited alongside me. The wind by now was picking up and I could feel one side of my body getting number and wetter by the second. Then, slowly, the fog began to clear and a tinge of pink spread across the skyline. We weren't able to see the sun on the horizon but all the same the colours were beautiful. The fog began to lift and the sky was a deep blue behind us. By 9AM we thought we had seen the best of it and retired to lower ground and shared some of Anne's most excellent coffee. All in all, a nice sunrise and, more importantly, a feeling of grounding and a new beginning to the year. It was nice meeting Anne & Jane who, by the way, are from London originally and maybe I shall see them again, either at the shop or on the Hills.

A Merry Solstice to everyone and a Happy New Year.

Too tired to blog!

How time flies, but I don't know about the fun bit. What with the nights drawing in and lack of sleep, I am feeling very tired of late. Tree and I have been out and about a bit which takes its toll (It's me age you see). On Friday we went to a "murder mystery night" over in Ross on Wye. I had the character of Sheik Aleg and Tree was Candy Strunk, I think. Anyway, we all had to get into character, some more than most, and the game ended with me guessing the murderer correctly. It was Harry Houdidme. Its in the name if you think about it.

Saturday night we went bowling with Elliott, Kate, Mike, Torzee and Sandra. It's funny how Elliott, who hated when I taught him in the Y.B.C ( Young Bowlers Club), is now loving a game and correcting everyone else. A chip off the old block!! I enjoyed spending time with him AND having a bit of competition for a change!

Sunday saw Tree and I going to Westonbirt Arboretum to source more wood for signs, which seem to be in more demand than the mirrors at the moment, and to have a bit of a break really. I was so tired by then that I slept all the way home in the back of the car.