Walk to Oxenhope & Phil's gig with Lucy

It's almost becoming a tradition, the walk from Bingly to Oxenhope with Mo and Ian. This time no Tine for obvious reasons!

It was a beautiful day and this bus stop caught my eye, just like the one in Royston Vasey (don't worry if that is meaningless to you)!

The beer festival was in the train shed again but we arrived too early and had to wait for our first pint

We had time to appreciate the old steam engines though!

A water tower like on our model railway when we were young!

The train from Oxenhope to Keighley, half price to old age codgers with a bus pass!

 We were very excited to go to Nottingham to watch Philippe in Lucy Spraggan's backing band

Proud parents, sister & girlfriend all there to witness the concert

I hope I'm not in trouble for 'borrowing' this photo from the official photographer. Thank you anyway!

The full line-up with Lucy, the band and the back-up crew. What an amazing night! 

And if you'd like a look at the tour bus...

Walk to Saltaire

Tine wasn't as mobile as usual during our stay in the UK, but it was a good excuse for me to get a lift back up the hill to our château in the caravan park!

Destination: Saltaire village, nestled in the Aire valley

The caravan park: no wonder we love the views from up there

And look what's new: a mud-free footpath down through the field...

...but will it be as mud-free when we visit again before Christmas?

Continuing my walk alongside the Shipley Glen tramway...

...and over the River Aire footbridge, the ducks looking for lunch on the weir... 

...and one day there's even a peckish heron.

Made it to Saltaire...

...with its bus-barges and swans.

'Don't Tell Titus' is the name of our regular coffee shop in the village and Tine's waiting there for Kate & me, showing off how she can manage without her stick! 

Northumberland

Last time we visited Northumberland, Les was house-hunting in Hexham. We loved her new home and we now have a destination with many fantastic sites on the doorstep.

For example Chesters Fort, one of the many Roman forts by Hadrian's Wall... 

...with its beautiful setting overlooking the River Tyne.

This was the Roman Baths area...

...with its amazing system of water channels...

...and odd visitors in the sauna...

...and in the changing area for the bath.

A short drive away we introduced Les to Brunton Turret...

...formerly a look-out tower along the wall

Next day we drove to Allendale but it was bitterly cold. Even so I had to stop to take this photo of rolls of hay, all ready for winter feed.

Hexham itself and a lovely walk along the Tyne

Back to Les's: George, Eve & Arthur completely at home...

...Les & Anna too (and guess whose socks they are)!

Back to Dronfield

It was only a few weeks since we'd seen Alfie & Betty here in La Tranche but as usual we'd noticed big changes.

Alfie is getting more confident in the local playpark...

...and Betty's enjoying it too!

We took Alfie to school on several days. What an idyllic setting just a few minutes' walk from the Hills' house.

Another day, another park

This one's just been revamped with a fantastic selection of activities for the youngsters

'The Rocket' as Alfie calls the interesting structure in Dronfield centre

If you hadn't noticed earlier, it was definitely autumn!

Alfie had his 5th birthday whilst we were there, and we had fun at his party in a local venue

Lots of fun to be had on the bouncy castle...

...and blowing out the candles on his birthday cake...

...with an eager-to-taste audience!

And what about this monster planets cake?

It really tasted as good as it looked...

...but how on earth (ha ha) is this possible?!

Nadine was later asked to make a Hallowe'en cake

What talent, but sadly we didn't get to sample this one!

Transformations at Hevingham

We left Stansted for an overnight stay near friends Edith & John in Norfolk. I think you can see why we didn't stop at the house!

We've many happy memories of breaks here over the years

Tine helped knock the original wall down to create the playroom, now being rebuilt

Our friends now have a lovely new bedroom...

...and a shower room/toilet upstairs. Before...

...and after. 

French windows lead out from the new playroom to the garden. Grandsons Freddie & Bertie on sentry duty!

And here we have the new look. Fantastic!

Thankyou for the last three photos, Edith. Stolen from our messaging!