November, December

When you hit November things start to slide rapidly towards Christmas; the next months disappear in a frenzy of shopping for presents and groceries.

  November started quietly with some sort of flu which kept me bedridden for several days and exhausted afterwards. 

Short walks near home got my energy back  in time for an exciting trip north. My daughter and boyfriend got engaged while on holiday in Italy and shortly afterwards an engagement blessing was held at Oldham Mandir. It's a beautiful building but I hadn't taken my phone along so the only photo I have is this taken by  husband. This time, fortunately, I had help with my sari and looked much more respectable, though I hardly dare move in it. The wedding won't be till 2027 but I'm beginning to think that time will be needed for planning!

Then it was time to get into the festive mood with trips to Christmas markets and illuminated houses and gardens = Calke Abbey, Chatsworth, Kedleston Hall, and Haddon Hall

This year I have a couple of advent calendars to help keep track of the days - a jigsaw puzzle (one small section each day) and a more traditional open-the-window style of a Pieter Breugel snowy scene.




Christmas has still sneaked up somehow unannounced with last minute shopping and present-wrapping.