Humbug

What, you were expecting more? You should know by now that I'm far too lazy to keep up with posting. Besides, the only news I have to report is that I got the flu for Christmas and bronchitis for New Year's. I expect I'll still be coughing next month when I go home.

Despite being ill Christmas was lovely. We spent the week down in Somerset with John's mom. She lives in the village of Washford. Yes a village. With well-worn footpaths through the countryside. And thatched cottages. And a post office that's only open half days. Fresh air and birds other than seagulls and pigeons. The nearest shopping is about six miles off. That doesn't seem far in Pensacola terms, but when you appear to be in the middle of nowhere six miles is like another world. I recommend looking at a satellite map of the area. The patchwork of fields is awesome.

Washford is approximately two miles by foot from the coast of the Bristol Channel. We took a wooded path along the river to the seaside town of Watchet. These coastal towns are quiet and empty this time of year, but during the summer they become crowded with vacationers. It was misty and grey, but even so the scenery was beautiful.

http://www.standrewoldcleeve.com/ We went to an evening carol service at this church. The pictures on this website don't do it justice. Unfortunately when we visited during the day the church was locked, but I've got some nice pictures of the outside and the churchyard.

John finds the countryside rather boring as there is nothing to do, but I could have stayed there for the rest of my holiday. I liked the walks along the coast and farmland, green grass and fresh air, sheep and rabbits and other unseen beasties rustling in the brush, trees and songbirds and babbling brooks. I would be quite happy to sit and watch the grass grow there.