Return to Newmillerdam

Between Christmas and New Year we decided to meet Nadine, the children and Philippe at Newmillerdam Country Park, not far from Wakefield.

The weather was good despite earlier rain

Alfie was in his element...

...Betty too (here enjoying the children's trail of wooden statues).

There are some magnificent trees to be seen...

...and mushrooms too...

...even squirrels (nearly always grey in Yorkshire).

Now what are these two long-haired hippies up to?

Ah, la bataille royale!

All this, followed by a pub lunch. Who could ask for more?

At the caravan and walking with old friends

We drove back from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park to find it had snowed up on Baildon Moor!

Only a thin layer…

…but inside Christmas was still evident!

We spent a lovely afternoon with old friends Meryl & Dave…

We met in Ilkley and went on a search for ‘stanza stones’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanza_Stones_Trail)

Lovely Meryl…

…and one of the stanza stones.

I can’t remember if these were taken before or after picnic lunch!

Back at the caravan park

Sunrise…

…dusk…

…and sunset. Beautiful!

Boxing Day at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (2)

 After dark it wasn’t the live animals that people came to see!

We see lots of peacocks at Crook Farm but not as illuminated as these!

The frogs were definite favourites…

…with good reflective views over the lake.

We just made out some of the real polar bears in the afternoon: these were more ‘on show’.

I don’t think we saw prehistoric creatures in the afternoon but Alfie is still mad keen on them.

There was even a beautifully lit disco floor. Now where’s John Travolta when you need him?

Tine’s trying to fool us into thinking she’s an angel: the jury’s out there!

Finally the underwater section with Nemo…

…a very chilled whale…

…and a fabulous octopus.

Boxing Day at Yorkshire Wildlife Park (1)

(Pour les français Boxing Day est le 26 décembre et un jour férié.)

Nadine booked us tickets to visit the YWP to see the illuminations. For a little extra we could arrive early and visit some of the animal pounds.

It was cold, grey and windy but the sealions didn’t seem to mind…

…especially when one of the keepers blew his whistle…

…and they all traipsed up for a fishy treat.

Blink and you’ll miss them: beavers…

…red pandas snoozing in the trees…

…and everyone’s favourites, giraffes.

Mustn’t forget this VERY strange creature keeping Betty amused!

Christmas Day

Negative Covid tests meant our isolation was over (although it took longer than expected as it was the weekend). 

Philippe was the perfect host so we treated him to lunch out once we had our freedom.

Back at Phil's, Cuddles is doing an excellent impression of a doorstop

Christmas morning and there are two very excited children in Dronfield...

...one of them enjoying dressing up in Frozen character costumes.

Who'd have thought we'd be in a hot tub on Christmas Day?!

Cheers everyone!

Look what Father Christmas brought for Alfie...

...and Sacha too, back in La Tranche.

Presents opened & food eaten: it's time for bed in pyjamas that Monique & Jean sent

Mamie & Papy needed a bit of fresh air (and some steps!) so a walk into Dronfield was just the job (especially as we found a pub open for a festive pint)!

New restaurant in town

We don’t often eat out be we wanted to sample La Tranche’s latest restaurant, Les Fondus de Popote.

And look, it’s right next to the Starfish!

In the evening…

…and by night.

There’s a mountain cabin feel to it…

…and a menu to match. My beef fondue was excellent.

One for future blackmail? Guy playing out whilst Isabelle was away for the weekend!

Another day and I’m showing off my individual cheese soufflé skills

To finish, a dusk-time shot over the sea. Wonderful!

That’s it for La Tranche for a few more posts as we’ve done all the paperwork again and heading back to Yorkshire/Derbyshire for Christmas & New Year. See you there!