​Driving behind this bin lorry made me chuckle. In America, you see stuffed toys and dolls tied to their carts, but I’d forgotten how the English always find the ladies underwear. I circled the hanging bra on the right.

​An angry sea today at Horden, where I spent a couple of hours picking up rocks and sea glass in the rain. 

​He’s been up to something, with that look on his face, but I haven’t found out yet…

​These Highland cows are a permanent fixture at Rowlands Gill, where we began our walk today. They had plenty of hay, but that mud!

​A morning on Horden Beach, chatting with a few locals and collecting sea glass.

​Had a wander around the 12th Century ruins of Finchdale Priory in the rain today.

​I often pass this gorgeous little gatehouse with its ornate cemetery gates. I’d love to take this photo with snow.

​Just started this jigsaw puzzle, and wondering if I’ll finish it. I haven’t done one of these for decades!

​I left the Christmas branches up, swapped out the lights and decorated for Easter. 

​The descent to Sycamore Gap. The newly sprouting trunk is within the fenced area, left of photo, next to Hadrian’s Wall.

​The pond at Egglestone Hall Gardens. 

​The Miner’s Lamp memorial at Bowburn, to commemorate the miners there and all County Durham.

​Crumpets for tea! Boursin cheese on one, butter and Marmite on another, and just butter on the third. I’d scoffed half of the Boursin beauty before I took this photo.

​This is at the bottom of my road, the old railway line which once served the coal mine and iron works. 

​Robin Hood’s Bay. Lovely to visit out of the tourist season, when only locals walked the streets.

​Mr Blue Skye snuggled up against my leg.

​Gibson’s Cave in Teesdale, You can walk behind the falls but I didn’t want to be wet for the rest of the day.

​Down at Seaham Harbour, hoping for some big waves with the lighthouse, but the wind was coming in from the wrong direction. I’ll try again another day. 

​Tricksie Treat loves Winterwatch. Here, she’s captivated by the Goldcrest. It’s obviously edge of the seat viewing.

​Soggy and foggy fields in Witton Gilbert as I made my way to a farm shop.

​Getting used to the chandelier in the lounge. Definitely looks better with the Edison bulb.

​One of my neighbours left this absolute unit of a parsnip from his allotment on my gate. What a beauty. Knife for scale. 

​Looking towards Craster, walking from Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland.

​Walking up into the fog at Hamsterley Forest.

​Beautiful countryside just outside Northallerton. 

​Sandra and I went to the Dick Whittington pantomime at Beamish. It was pretty funny. Oh no, it wasn’t!

​Lovely late afternoon light just outside West Cornforth this afternoon.

​Post box toppers are a big thing in England, and this one featuring Vera has plenty of fans already after being installed yesterday.

​The heated throw arrived today, and Mr Blue Skye couldn’t work out where the warmth was coming from. We are both enjoying it immensely.

​Hanging out with Peter this afternoon, and also Neville, Adrian and George, who all worked on my house, came for a visit too. It was a fun few hours.

​This area of grass in Seaham is now a famous Mole Sanctuary. It was originally a joke with a home made sign, which then began garnering reviews on TripAdvisor, which in turn led to the council putting up official signs, and the sanctuary remains. A broken sign has disappeared, I’m hoping the council is replacing it.

​We had 1.5” snow this morning, which has since been washed away by rain and strong winds. Despite the awful weather, my rose climber has insisted on sending out a few rosebuds. Incredible.

​A beautiful walk this morning, following the Hareshaw Burn in Bellingham, Northumberland. This was the final waterfall along the trail.

​I was last at this old quarry near home, now an SSSI, in early summer, and was amazed today to see it so barren with barely any foliage. Roll on spring!

​A much smaller group this morning for the Ushaw Moor walk. It was freezing cold as we admired this view across the Deerness valley. Note the cloud inversion in the background. 

​The orangery at Gibside, where Andy and I walked over 5 miles, with a few inclines.

​Got to love a bargain. A hearty stew in the slow cooker made from reduced  price chicken and veggies. It went down well on this icy cold day.

​Not many of us this morning on our sub-zero walk. Hamsterley Forest was peaceful with snow still present in a few areas. Brontë led the way as usual.

​My beautiful void, posing by the Christmas tree.

​The Christmas decorations will be coming down soon, but I may leave this tree up, sans angels and crystals.

​And so Christmas comes to an end as Sally leaves to drive south back to her home. It was magical having her here.

​Mr Blue Skye dozing and waiting, for me to finish watching tv, so we can go to bed.