​The tree lights through the bottom of my glass as I polished off my hawthorn berry brandy. Happy New Year!

​Part of a fabulous tile mosaic in the Metrocentre.

​A pretty Christmas decoration in Northallerton.

Sunday, December 28,2025

​I invited some neighbours round for drinks, nibbles and natters. It was an excellent evening, and an event that will be repeated.

Saturday, December 27, 2025

​Took Sally out on the Leadgate walk at Lanchester. It drizzled for a while, then the sun came out, and Sally was pleased because we got our 10,000 steps in.

​The dales above Stanhope just before sunset.

​Had a superb day with Sally, turkey and all the trimmings, but this was the photo of the day. Piggie Mr Blue Skye, caught mid mouthful, with food on his face. He’s been eating all day, turkey, sausage, cat food, custard and cheese. He’s loved every minute.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

​A very cold Hartlepool with blustery winds and choppy waves.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

​Sally and I visited Cragside with their record breaking Christmas tree, and then popped over into Coldstream in Scotland for a pint.

​The famous aluminium sheeps in Sadberge, looking resplendent in their festive finery.

​wandering around the shops and Christmas lights at Dalton Park before Sally and I watched Avatar 3 at the pictures.

​The mantle piece in the lounge, some of my Christmas decorations.

​I have so much to do, yet Mr Blue Skye is all wrapped up and fast asleep on my lap. Guess I’ll have to wait until he’s hungry and wakes up.

Thursday, December 18, 2025

​A sculpture in Sunderland town centre, showing the Ice Queen on one side, and the Ice King on the other side.

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

The festive roundabout at Spennymoor.

 I’ve been wanting to display my old concert tickets for a long time, and today found this little side table with a glass top. I got a lot the tickets under the glass but still have quite a few left that will require another method of presentation.

 Brontë in her Christmas jumper this very soggy morning as we walked through Hamsterley Forest before our Christmas lunch.

 Not the usual mode of transport you’d expect to see on someone’s driveway. It was in excellent condition.

 Slipping and sliding on our very muddy walk this morning, yet everyone managed to stay upright.

 This homemade beef stew, with fresh local veggies was delicious. Which is just as well as I’ll be eating it for the next two days.

 The decorations in the chapel at Ushaw Moor Historica House. 

 Watching The Chase with Mr Blue Skye.

 An abstract view of my Christmas tree.

 These stone bars at Hamsterley Forest are to help the salmon when they are spawning. This is the first time I’ve seen them gushing like this, but we have had a lot of rain lately.

 This was the queue at the local farmer’s table this morning at 8:15 at Sedgefield market. My bag full of veggies was only £7, and when I left 30 minutes later, the queue was 3 times as long. His veggies are superb.

 Standing on a 16th century bridge overlooking Devil’s Water near Hexham.

 The morning light was interesting this morning, just outside Stockton-on-Tees. 

 I found this little chap going the wrong way in Bushop Auckland; the Christmas Market is behind him.

 A herd of Christmas deers on a roundabout in Durham.

 Walking towards the horizon with the Consett walking group this morning. 

 Taylors, our local butcher, showcasing their prime cuts in their Christmas window. 

 On a wet and muddy walk with a group this morning, with plenty of soggy and slippery leaves on the path. Our regular dog, Angus, loved the muddy trails.

 Due to everything being so expensive now, many cuts of. Eat have security tags on them. A sad sign of the times.

 It’s been a rough week, so I unpacked this little tree to cheer me up. The rest of the decorations will follow soon.

 I had to stop and take a photo of this street in Darlo as I walked across it. It reminded me of Philly, with the cars parked in the middle of the street.

 Some of my neighbour’s vintage Christmas cards. She has about a thousand of these.

 This is my Derek Fowler, Honey Bruins, lamp from my childhood. I’ve not found another one the same on the internet, only similar. I would stare at it for hours while lying in bed.

 I’ve never seen these before. This was in an A&E, likely because of the long waits people have.

 The sun setting from my attic window. Those clouds are settling in ready for the rain expected tomorrow. 

 Snow was still clinging to shaded areas on our walk around Harpley this morning.

 Checking out the beautiful library, at Ushaw Moor Historic House, usually closed to the public, but opened today with tickets. We weren’t allowed to touch anything, but it was incredible just seeing these fabulous ancient tomes.

 Another snowy day, and the setting sun’s colors were caught in the crystal hanging in my lounge window.

 The first snow of the season. This is the cherry tree in the little park by my house just after it began this morning.

 I’ve always loved this retro looking industrial tower in Middlesbrough, so had to stop and snap a photo, especially with all the smoke spewing skywards. 

 I can’t eat a single meal without having to fight off this heathen. His face and paws force their way into every plate. He has no self respect.

 Loved this veterans tribute at the church as I passed through Kirk Merrington today.

 Trying out an abstract photo on my phone. I think it worked pretty well.

 The U.S. Mint ended the production of pennies yesterday, so I’m glad I hung onto my glass bank brick jammed full of them.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

 At the Durham Lumiere Festival. This bicycle wheel installation was my favourite.

 Mr Blue Skye, absolutely disgusted that I had the cheek and audacity to offer him a bite of my banana. Obviously, I won’t dare do it again.