Eternal Refuge

As I said, Claire and I enjoyed our trip to Killerton to see it celebrating Christmas ... so I share the celebrations -
















As I said we had lovely weather, so nice to walk round some of the grounds ans see some of the Christmas games set up for the children.

This tree came down in the storms ... but to me it looked like some giant animal that was on the move







One of the Victorian Christmas cards -

I know I didn't get here yesterday, but had one of those "odd" days.

I started the day with a dental appointment. I have ended up changing dentists, as my last dentist really freaked me out in the last appointment. So I have gone to the one my brother goes to, because as kids we were both scared of dental appointments, and he is now happy to go. So it is an expensive practice - but something I need to get sorted.

I went really to look at getting a small front plate replaced ... but ended up with the "bad news, worse news" before we can do that! Apparently I have a major problem with another front tooth, which needs work first ... but that's not the worse news! One of my wisdom teeth has died ... and round the root there is a slight build up of fluid ... so I really, really need to get that removed.

So I am booked for the filling, and waiting the extraction appointment.

I then went to look at getting a new contract on my mobile phone - I only ever have a basic contract, but even that got complicated, as they found that my address wasn't registered ... I have only lived there 13 years! So that was eventually sorted out.

But, it all took time.

Earlier this morning I went to a town in mid Devon to meet up with Toni & Pete ... we haven't managed to meet up much recently. It seems whenever I was free they were busy ... and the opposite. So we met up for lunch and to exchange Christmas gifts ... so, under the tree I have quite a few nice bits and pieces to undo next week. (Thank you, Santa)

Tomorrow Claire and I are going out for lunch and a walk round the local Stately Home to see their Christmas decorations. As Claire doesn't want to be late back I will hopefully get to catch up with you all ... and maybe share some photos. (or maybe not!)

Still I haven't yet fifnished editing the London photos, and I have ast work to do ... so








17. Have you ever seen a ventriloquist act?
No

18. In 1839 John William Draper took the first portrait photograph of a female face made in US. Do you like having your photo taken?
I hate having my photo taken.
The only reason I have photos taken when I am on holiday is to show I was actually there.




Hope your Christmas plans are going well

It wasn't till I got the "reply messages" via email that i realised that somehow, yesterday I never added a title.  Where was my brain, yesterday?

Well my car repair got changed around yesterday in the end.  Although Toyota quoted me a slightly cheeper price, when I eventually got through to bookings they said the earliest they could make it was mid January!!  I asked what I was expected until then - and they just said "use a taxi" ... so, I have to admit it, I just hung up!  So I called the AA, and they came out this morning ... and I ended up joining as there was a special offer and I am hoping to travel a bit more next year.  My car is over 8 years old, so it was a sensible choice!

I managed to get most of my Christmas plans done, so am beginning to feel a bit more positive!

But, as I want to get a bit more finished ... and maybe even some housework done ... so ....





13. Have you ever been given a gift voucher? Did you remember to use it?
Tim and Claire always buy me a gift, and a gift-card ... and, yes, I remember to spend it!




Right, see you all tomorrow

Having survived the storm ... and the family party (!) ... I thought that yesterday would be a "nice day".

I had a 3 1/2 hour clinic shift in the morning, a chest x-ray in the afternoon, and then in the evning I was meeting Tim & Claire for a Christmas Concert at the Cathedral.

The clinic lasted an hour longer ... and we had 2 patients booked to the same appointment time.  To add to the fun, we had 2 teenage boys (who were actually OK, in the end), a 5 year old (who was great, but his mum was bored, so that was a problem), and our last patient had dementia (so every other word was German) but luckily had a carer, because it turned out he was disabled, as well (he should never have been booked for the appointment).  So it was a mixed group of gentlemen ... the only advantage was that the time disappeared rapidly.

Anyway, an hour late home, so I had to grab something to eat before heading out for my X-ray.  It was done at one of the outlying hospitals, and it meant I got there, was checked in, and done ... all within 10 minutes.  Walked back to the car ... and .... nothing!  As I don't drive much these days I no longer have breakdown cover.  The great thing was that I almost didn't pick up the phone or purse, as I was meant to be in and out quickly.  So ... Mr Google saved the day.  A very nice local company arrived about 40 mins later, complete with tow-truck, in case.  But it turned out to be the battery.  However when I finish typing this I must start looking to get a new one, as he thinks the problem is it's age (8+ years).

So I was later home than planned ... and due to the ongoing bugs I wanted a snooze, so that was more of a 40-winks cat-nap ... then food, and back out.

Normally I walk into Exeter, but decided to catch the bi=us for most of the journey ... but it was then nice to walk down the high street and see the lights -








And, so to the Cathedral ... as you can see we have a Christmas Market.

Just in front of the Cathedral  .... it's actually life-sized.

The newly opened cloisters (on my way to the loo!)






It was a really good time - 4 carols that we all sang ... one, Ding Dong Merrily On High, the conductor split the Cathedral in 2 to see which side sung better ... I was on the winning side (I think Tim was a great help here!!)

The choir sang a collection of carols, old & new ... and we also had a couple of organ solos.  So, yes, after my fraught day, it was a lovely evening.

Then walked home.

Once home I was glad to receive a mesage from a friend of mine who lives in Malibu ... I had been super worried as I saw that much of the area is being evacuated for wild fires (not something I would expect this time of year). So the day certainly finished on a high.

Great evening.

This morning I tried to book another doctor's appointment, but as there were only a couple of doctors in I couldn't get an appointment ... when I had a call-back I don't think the doctor had actually looked at my notes. She just said that I needed an appointment and to try tomorrow ... and that Dr H was in so I could continue with him ... so I pointed out that I hadn't seen Dr H for 9 years! She just said "oh". Luckily I am pretty stable - if not, I would have gone to the hospital, which would have been annoying, but necessary. So i will try tomorrow.

Right - let's get on ...






11. In 1913 the "Mona Lisa" was recovered two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum – have you ever seen the Mona Lisa painting in Paris?
I went to Paris when I was 15 ... art galleries were not top of the agenda!!! It's on the bucket list, though.




Right, let me try and catch up with you all x

Wow, I have received my first Christmas Card, however, I haven't really thought Christmas yet, as I have a few other things going on.

In fact I have 3 of my nephew's birthdays this weekend/early next week ... I have to go out tomorrow and get some shopping done, otherwise I will have to send them "I.O.U.s" .  Hopefully I will get out to the city first thing in the morning tomorrow.

It was nice being back in clinic this morning ... realised it is 9 months since I was last there, but ironically I am now booked again for Wednesday morning.

But until then, let's try and get some photos done ... or even some icons made

Last week I did post a few icons over on DW -

The first set is for Your_favourites with a theme of Favourite Historical Event
As you know, my grandfather served in WW!, and over the years I have followed in his footsteps across Flanders fields. So, I bring you 4 WWI icons, all taken from the mini-series ANZACS

. . .

And, Best Wishes For 2024

I hope you all had a good weekend - mine was a nice lazy one, with even the Saturday afternoon/evening work shift going well.

I did sit up to see in the New Year, watching the fireworks on the TV. I have only missed one year of doing that, so nice to keep up the traditions.

Now we are into 2024 ... and so far, no news!

Actually I went shopping this morning, and when I came back I had a short walk ... 2 reasons -

• Firstly I really do want to get back into regular walks, both to enjoy the area & fresh air, but also as exercise.


• Secondly I have decided not to do the Question Meme this year, but am going to try and post at least one photo per day, and as you can see here, sometimes more.

So here are a couple of extras from yesterday -

A new ornament that one of my nephews gave me for Christmas ... Thanks Tom

Yes, I lit candles for dinner, and here is me having blown them out.


And now a stroll today ... looking both up towards my house, and then down








And, round the corner the local Men's Cub has redecorated -



So let's see how the challenge goes.

For those who read an old post of mine in October ... yes I ended up buying a new camera.  And the really super thing is that it's so much lighter, so hopefully this will make the challenge much easier!

So, let's get on and get a late lunch.  Hopefully I will catch up with you all later

This set of icons is made for Round 55 of monthlyinspo  over at DW, with a theme of "Winter Solstice"

I decided to used favourite Christmas films ....
The Holly and the Ivy   -   1, 12
Little Shop around the Corner   -   5, 6, 8
White Christmas   -  7, 13, 15
Miracle on 34th Street    -  14
The Bishop’s Wife   -  2, 4, 10
I’ll be home for Christmas   -  3, 9, 11

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15

As ever, all are snaggable, but credit would be appreciated. The credits are available over at my icon journal - d4s_icons

Happy Christmas ... to all my friends, and to all those you love

Yes, my shift yesterday was nice ... actually most of the enquiries were made by nice people ... but the real classic was that for an hour there was a "scratch" band playing Christmas Carols ... they were all members of staff, and the tone & tuning was truly amazing (and I speak as someone who has been a member of a high level band, and also a classical orchestra).  I really enjoyed singing along and was happy to walk a few steps to speak to people who were still asking questions.

However once home I was really tired, so had a very early night ... I have learned the lesson (almost) over the last 3 years, that sometimes I need to switch off.

So, today washing is already hanging ... and i have to give the kitchen a good clean, as well as baking a cake.  I also hope to get out to the local National Trust property to see the Christmas decs, but if not will go next week.

I aim to get back here later whatever, but before I do that, I will finish here, just in case I don't ... and as tomorrow is a sunday (and in actual fact I am working), then Christmas Day I will only log on to say Happy Christmas.  Boxing Day I am at Nick & Brenda's ... I had aimed to stay overnight, but am in clinic on the Wednesday morning.

So -




23 – Roots Day: How much do you know about your own family history? Do you know the names of your great grandparents? Have any of your ancestors been a part of any significant historical events?
Great Grandparents ….
Dad’s side ….
John & Sarah ... he was a policeman in Lincolnshire
? & ? (can't remember!) ... he was in the Merchant Navy, and they lived in Essex
Mum's side ....
John & Sarah (just realised the same names!) .... he was a leather dealer in UK, USA, & Canada (where my grandmother was born)
William & Jane .... he was a "gentleman", a farm & pub owner in Northamptonshire.  (My granddad used to laugh and see he was born in the Baker's Arms (Yes, the name of one of the 3 pubs he owned)
This is Mum's mum's mother (Sarah)

Other than WWI & WWII, I don’t know.

24 – Christmas Eve: Christmas Eve is filled with both religious and nonreligious traditions and a variety of foods. What are some of your holiday traditions? How did they begin?
Church is the primary focus, as for me Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus ... God's Son.  Born in a stable in Bethlehem, with shepherds as His first visitors.
But, yes, it is great to spend time with family & friends ... and a great excuse to contact people, for example one friend and I write newsy letters to catch up (we met in 1978).

25 – Pumpkin Pie Day: Pumpkin pie, yes or no?
NO

26 – Whiner's Day: National Whiner’s Day is here to encourage people to appreciate what they have instead of complaining about what they don’t! What do you have to be thankful for today?
So much - I am alive, I have a roof over my head & food on the table ... and money in the bank.  I have family, I live in a lovely city .... just so, so much.




Catch up on the 27th, if not before x