Winter in the New Forest really doesn't get much better than this.
Up early for breakfast in Lyndhurst, the ground white with frost and clear blue skies, positively lifts the soul.
Shame that we've had rain pretty much every day sine these pics were taken.
Merry Christmas
The lobster pot Christmas tree, on the town quay Emsworth looking splendid as usual.
Local church St John's at Locks Heath held a Christmas tree festival, local schools and club were invited to decorate trees with a theme. I didn't count how many trees there were but the church and the church hall alongside were full of wonderfully decorated trees. To add to the event local musicians were on hand and refreshments were being served on a cold and dark Saturday afternoon.
Suitably decorated in musical theme The Joy of Singing by the Sheppard Singers.
Probably a good reminder as we go into Christmas and the all too usual over indulgence, St John's Slimming World tree, probably will pick up a few new members in the new year :O)
Celebrations vs Heroes by the Churchwardens, bit of a play on words as both are chocolates, a good way to celebrate our heroes
This was really lovely, you could write a dedication or memory to someone on a paper star and hang it on the tree which was very popular as can be seen.
Local Beaver troop (where Joseph got started with Scouts) - you can't help but smile.
The cold spell that has been around for almost two weeks is coming to an end. With the wind swinging around from the north to the south replacing the cold with warm air from the Mediterranean and north Africa temperatures were set to rise from all day sub 0 degrees C rising over the weekend to reach as high as 12 degrees C today.
Unless we have another cold spell this might be the last we see of the cold landscape for a while.
Above the ponds at Holly Hill, in the foreground presumably the constant motion of the water has kept the surface clear while the upper pond is solid.
Ice capped mud on the little creek by Brooklands.
Following the Itchen Way out of town are the remains of Wolvesey Castle, know as the Old Bishop's Palace. Now in ruin but sympathetically stabilised. The original site dates back to 970 and was briefly fortified during the later years of Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester around 1126.
The Itchen trail follows delightful water meadow out beyond the city limits.
The water is fast flowing and crystal clear filtered as it is by the chalk hills of the south downs.
The cathedral is a major landmark, visible from the surrounding hills and is perhaps one of the finest medieval cathedrals in England and even Europe. I'm sure the cost of upkeep is huge but I do have an issue with the church charging £10 for entry, that seems very counter to it's purpose.
A fine settled day for a ride along the coast from Gilkicker, Stokes Say, Lee on Solent and finally stopping off at Hillhead. Two local fleets were out sailing in the light airs, looking westward Hillhead SC
And looking eastward Salterns SC
One of the last rides of the season before I put the bike away for the winter, I don't like cleaning and polishing much so keeping the winter dirt and especially road salt off the bike is a good way to go.
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