A dull start to the day, but that soon changed, and the sky showed off our mahonia very nicely.
The sun shone through the pane of glass above our front door, through the stained glass in the hallway all the way to this log basket at the back of the house to colour this log
In the back garden, our silver birch caught the sun on its top branches.
I spent a fair chunk of the morning with my hands up the inside of our stove pipe - cleaning it out and then putting fire cement around the inside of the joins on the "S" bend. I though that I had cured our smoky smell, but my joy was short lived - after 10 minutes it was back again. So I got back on to the people who fitted it to come back and sort it out for us. Later on, Su suggested that I got out with Bella while the sun was still fairly high in the sky - so up we went to Brockham End. The sheep are out grazing in the field - they need their woolly coats as it's really cold up there!
But it was really sunny and bright as well, which compensated for the chill.
Into the woods which were not too boggy underfoot.
Lots of glimpses of the sun poking out from behind clouds and through the trees.
Looking out to the South over the Avon valley.
It was a beautiful light, illuminating the soggy fields.
Looking out over Wick, towards North Bristol and on to Wales. There were more photo opportunities, but my phone decided to start crashing on me again - I fear that its days are numbered...
This day a year ago, I was (surprise!) up at Brockham End - playing with the panoramic app on my iPhone.
An early start to the day - earlier than necessary as I found out when I read my email, since Left At The Lights' practice was called off due to Bob's bug ('nuff said). Still, saw the pretty early morning skies at the back of the house.
And at the front of the house.
The morning continued to be sunny - such a treat after all the rain of November, October and earlier...
I worked on replacing one of the speakers on my iPhone that has been playing up, but could not get the last part removed. So, I admitted defeat and put it all back together - it works fine, apart from the fact that the speaker has now packed up completely so I cannot hear it ring any more (although I can hear calls through the other speaker or the earbuds)! Went to UWE after lunch - saw these bubbling clouds on the way out of the house.
Had to prepare for a session of dissertation Progress Reviews, which reacquainted me with the joys of the institutional photocopier. This one took mercy on me, and only threatened to break down…
Five hours later, after Digital Media Project presentations and marking, escaped home to Su's delicious Far Eastern inspired meal. Much appreciated after 5 hours straight student contact today. I have also today been asked if I can teach the rest of the Media, Business and Publishing module next Semester - it will pay for another holiday! Su and I talked earlier about how it seems as though nothing has changed - but we feel very different after the last couple of years, so who knows what we might decide to do next!
This day a year ago, I had recovered from my migraine onslaught and we took off for the beach at Brean. An afternoon of dramatic weather, and glorious skies.
Out with Bella this morning, wondered if I had found the resting place of broken trowels.
It was a wet walk, after a dry start to the day - as shown by the raindrops on this branch.
Drip drop…
A very old VW Beetle, still going strong.
Spent the middle of the day getting prepared for a busy day at UWE tomorrow - two final year progress sessions with students to organise. Took Bella for her afternoon walk, past this temporarily plugged hole - it has only been like this for over a year…
By this afternoon, the rain had stopped and the skies had brightened to put on a tremendous display. This one looked like a Magritte painting
Evidence on this gate of a birthday party not long ago?
Pretty seed heads on this castor oil plant (?).
Another great view- looking East.
Looking West into the sunset.
Looking over to Solsbury Hill.
This fuchsia is still hanging on - just about.
How to decorate your neighbours' garage door - call for "Dare"!
I keep seeing this car around with its personalised numberplate - it is a Chrysler Crossfire (and I bet I know the surname of the owner…)
This day a year ago, I was struck down with a migraine and took to my bed. Su took Bella for a walk up at the racecourse and wrote the blog that day, showing off her lovely photographs.
Another sunny start to the day, with a glorious sunrise at the front of the house.
Gentle skies at the back of the house.
The sun coming through the blinds at the front of the house
Taking Bella out for her morning walk, I was taken by these clouds.
Impressive cloud formations in every direction.
A recently trimmed hedge.
The frost had left its traces on the leaf litter.
This afternoon, we treated ourselves to a visit to Bristol. Noticed this tagging on the outside of an old warehouse - figured the artists must have lowered themselves down from the roof to do it!
Our destination was Dynasty for a dim sum lunch.
Their fish pond in the entrance - people throw money in there for some reason - tipping the fish?
We made a bit of a dent in their menu, and left feeling fuller and very happy.
This day a year ago, I came home to find the front room taken over by Enviromesh - like an installation by Christo!
Woke up to the most beautiful morning. The view from the back of the house was stunning.
The valley was full of mist, and the roofs were covered in frost.
The mist was even thicker further down the valley looking over towards Solsbury Hill.
Su was feeling a bit better than she has for the last week, so it was time to go out for a jaunt and get some fresh air. Chew Valley Lake looked beautiful - this was just we'd been treated to a fly-past of half a dozen swans.
Looking north towards Denny Island.
We tootled down through Somerset. It was really misty as we came over the hill down towards Cheddar and Axbridge - the effect of the sun's heat on the flood waters we saw stretched in front of us on the levels. These were the only extensive flood waters we saw, as we then headed seawards to arrive at sunny Brean Beach.
Brean Down looked good in the sunshine.
We had a quick bite to eat in the National Trust cafe - being quite bemused by this pair of ducks in wellington boots.
Then it was along the bottom of Brean Down and chatting to these heifers, before being beguiled by the sight of a family of swans walking across a field.
At the bottom of Brean Down, its claim to fame - featuring Keira Knightley and Cate Blanchett.
On the top of the down looking South West.
Across the bay towards the edge of Weston-Super-Mare, seeing the very clearly defined river path through the mud.
We sat in the sun on a bench for a while, with our shadows in a nearby tree.
Another abandoned glove for my collection spotted in the car park.
This day a year ago, the skies were also dramatic - this from my afternoon walk with Bella.
The sun shone through the pane of glass above our front door, through the stained glass in the hallway all the way to this log basket at the back of the house to colour this log
In the back garden, our silver birch caught the sun on its top branches. 
I spent a fair chunk of the morning with my hands up the inside of our stove pipe - cleaning it out and then putting fire cement around the inside of the joins on the "S" bend. I though that I had cured our smoky smell, but my joy was short lived - after 10 minutes it was back again. So I got back on to the people who fitted it to come back and sort it out for us. Later on, Su suggested that I got out with Bella while the sun was still fairly high in the sky - so up we went to Brockham End. The sheep are out grazing in the field - they need their woolly coats as it's really cold up there!
But it was really sunny and bright as well, which compensated for the chill. 
Into the woods which were not too boggy underfoot. 
Lots of glimpses of the sun poking out from behind clouds and through the trees.
Looking out to the South over the Avon valley. 
It was a beautiful light, illuminating the soggy fields. 
Looking out over Wick, towards North Bristol and on to Wales. There were more photo opportunities, but my phone decided to start crashing on me again - I fear that its days are numbered... 
This day a year ago, I was (surprise!) up at Brockham End - playing with the panoramic app on my iPhone.
