Seasonably vile...

Not a nice morning, the snow is falling in a strong wind, so it feels a bit colder than it did on recent calm days.
Apparently this snow is forecast to continue for a few hours so there might be a follow-up pic, but the milder air following is expected to turn it to rain and also start a gentle thaw. Suits me... As long as I can get back home to Hull tomorrow, in time for the parties, it'll be fine.


See what I mean? this lane is at right angles to the wind and look how its now drifting quite substantially. I also hear that there's a few of the local roads blocked and they all run east-west, across the wind direction.

Mmmm, brrrr

And its a winter wonderland, apparently. Not in my book, it isn't. Not much more fell on top of what there was yesterday, but its not too bad.

Last night -6.6C, colder than its been for quite a few years! So this morning isn't one to hang around in, is it?

More snow

After yesterday morning's there was little more falling. However, overnight saw many more snow showers and by breakfast there was a good couple of inches on the ground. In the photo, note disgruntled cat in the foreground!

Thankfully those who were planning on going walking in the North York Moors National Park have decided to not be so stupid, and instead are doing another walk nearer home.

Snow

First snow of the winter on the Yorkshire Wolds. Expect the scene to whiten considerably over the next 24 hours!

PS Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and now lets look forwards to a prosperous New Year...

Have a Happy holiday [Xmas to you all]

Just a brief note to all my readers to wish them the compliments of the festive season. Enjoy yourself, just don't forget the meaning of Christmas.

My Hull, my home: part 2

If you would believe a third of what you see/hear/read about Hull, you would think it was a bit of a poor place. However this view of Paragon Street, in the city centre belies that. Here we see the City Hall on the right, the recent venue for a Bob Geldof concert, with other 'names' in the offing.

Really this city is clearly better than painted! There's a thriving clubland scene, and the bands producing this music in these clubs very often go on to national success.

Part 3 tomorrow.

My Hull, my home

For those who read this blog and have never seen the delights of Hull (and there are some), here a short series of photos of the city.

Early one morning along one of the main shopping streets, Whitefriargate. Probably when the city is at its best and most atmospheric... This next couple of weeks will see these streets chock-a-bloc with people intend on spending more than is good for them.

More tomorrow.

Another day, and its back....!

Ever done something and not known how you've managed to do it?

Last Sunday, I was sat here, at the computer, just idling the afternoon away (nothing new there then!) and I thought 'Hmm that ring feels tight'. So I looked and somehow I'd managed to bend the plain silver band on the inside of the finger. I cannot recall how I did it, nor is there any mark on the finger either.

As a consequence I had to take it to be straightened at the jewellers, and I got it back this lunchtime. After the work, a good clean and polish made it look like almost new (well it wasn't new when we bought it in the first place!). I'm just glad to have it back as it felt weird not to have it there, after getting used to it in the first place.

Of course its now the "Spend pots of money" season, and of course I've to buy a little something for Ally's girls now. Talk about a fish out of water!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ouch, arrgh, and other painful sounds....

That is the last time I do a walk like Saturday's. I'm sticking to summer walking after that one, and that's it.

Rudolph's Romp, a 23 mile circuit of the southern Yorkshire Wolds to be completed within 10 hours. Not too difficult you might think. HA! You'd be dead wrong. Slipping and sliding through mud that was ankle deep in places, sliding UPHILL, slipping downhill, need I go on??? Well neither did I after 16 miles, feck that for a game of soldiers I thought. Most bits between the hips and ankles were complaining actively so no sense in making them worse.

Thankfully no photos exist, and if you'd filmed it, you would have had to speed it up to get normal walking pace. Mind you at least I knew when to quit, someone I know quit then restarted again, even though her knees were giving her serious trouble. Some people never learn do they? When you have bad knees, and they're giving you pain, you stop right? Not according to this stubborn mule, apparently. No doubt when she reads this I'll catch some trouble, but I said it to their face at the end so I'll take it on the chin.

Proper barmpot...!

Back again

Ok right, back now from a really good holiday! Fully refreshed and ready to face the horrors and joys of December, weather, festivities and all. Whoopee-doo!

Just don't mention the Old Orleans Restaurant in Ealing, Baileys Irish Cream and Kronenbourg 1664 beer to me, at least not in the same sentence, cos it'll remind me of a crazy night that's probably best left alone! That was Friday night. The day itself was good, despite it being bitterly cold. Well, cold for Britain anyway. I spend most of the morning doing my fave thing when in London, just riding the underground. Hell, not everyones idea of a fun time but it was out of the weather and a comfortable seat. Scenery ain't much though.... After doing a bit of shopping during the afternoon, the aformentioned places and beverages appear.

Saturday was spent with the family, quick shopping in the morning, then the youngest's Xmas bazaar around lunchtime. Went to the movies with Ally and the girls in the afternoon, to catch 'Nanny McPhee' which was enjoyable and funny too. The evening, we went out to the Captain Morgan pub in Hayes, and met up with some of Ally's friends. (Hi Cara!) Then made our way home, and then..... (not saying the rest!).

After breakfast on Sunday, we did the tourist bit down Oxford Street till about 3pm, then picked up the girls from Sarah's (Ally's sister), where we'd left them on Saturday night, to get them ready for a party at 5 ish. After they got home later, it was a quiet evening in.

Monday, I came home. Exciting, wasn't it! :)

Its now Thursday and the only thing on the diary is a 23 mile jaunt around the local footpaths on Saturday, called Rudolph's Romp. I mean, what names they give these events...