Mike was here at 9 am and we went for breakfast at the local cafe, then we took a walk into town to the post office and for a general wander around. We then went to Sainsbury's, I needed some shopping but we also needed to move the car.(Parking restrictions for those of you who haven't been here!) We weren't ready for lunch so we took a walk along the Cinder Track, but not too far. there is some new graffiti on the walls which was very attractive.

As we walked along there were painting in new places, can be very interesting I think, but a shame that others feel it necessary to add comments!

We came home and my new bookcase had been delivered. That was quick as I was expecting it on Friday at the earliest. Mike very kindly has assembled it for me this afternoon and it fits where I wanted it to go so my measuring was okay!

We may go down to the beach for midnight. we will see how we feel. But a Very Happy New Year to anyone who reads this.

This morning Tina and I went shopping fairly early, had breakfast before we shopped. The Tina parked near Sinclairs so that I could go and look at the round chest of drawers that took my fancy yesterday. It was still there and I bought it! The men got it into the boot and Tina got it out, and upstairs for me, although she really shouldn't have as it it pretty heavy! I have tried two or three positions, settled for now and I really love it!

I went for a walk into the town, Tina had told me that the bird feed was a good price in Wilkinsons. I was really tired when I got back, the cat wanted a lap, so I ended up watching Goodnight Mr Tom complete with Colonel sitting on me. Since then I have spent a couple of hours painting a bauble for Tina's great niece. Mike is visiting tomorrow so no doubt we will be out and about.

A bright and frosty day today. I took the trolley and walked into town as I needed some toiletries and thought I might look to see what bargains could be found. Talking of bargains, I bought a great bag reduced in price in Whitby on Saturday.

I discovered where the library is, and as I was in that part of the town walked up to The Crescent and took a picture of the blue footbridge through the trees. I think there is even a yacht to be seen if you look closely!

The Crescent has a fenced off area where you can walk and sit in the nice weather, it is a quiet area and today it was frosty and bright.

Back home the visiting wood pigeon has worked out that it can land on the newest bird feeder, it even eats out of the actual tube sometimes although usually finds enough in the tray! Not exactly the bird it was intended to attract, but the sparrows and starlings do land on it too!

This afternoon I wrote a few letters and then started on some of the pottery painting I had brought home while the studio was closed. Now my bedroom is like a mini ceramics studio!!

Today Anya and family picked me up and we headed off to Bridlington. A bright and sunny day today, but plenty of ice in the car park when we arrived. First trip was to see the sea!

We had dinner at a nice carvery and then went to the shopping arcade to see if we could find the pop up shop that was full of old penny arcade machines that Anya had read about. We found it, and we had a lovely time in there. £1 bought you 15 old pennies to play on the machines.

A couple more, the funny angled one was the best of the pics Anya took of me, quite funky really!

Then we went to the lovely barn conversion holiday home that they are staying in. An eco friendly building with it's own little wind turbine in the garden, Absolutely gorgeous, and a nice view from the windows as well.

We played a couple of games and had tea there before Louis bought me back home. A really lovely day.

This morning Anya and family picked me up and we made our way to Whitby. Although dry here there had been snow on the moors.

I had worn a new, expensive jumper, I had bought in York and by the time we arrived at Whitby I was starting to itch. Isobel was cold so we ended up buying clothes and leaving the shop wearing them!! These doves made a change from pigeons and seagulls!

We had lunch at a very smart restaurant.

Isobel did not want her picture taken!!

We had a lovely wander around and it stayed dry. A shame this next picture is not in focus but you can see Isobel in her new trousers and hat.

It was rain and sleet on the journey back. We had time for a quick drink and then Darren dropped us off at the theatre to see the Frozen Sing Along film. That was very enjoyable, and we walked back afterwards. Isobel had been going to stay with me tonight, but she decided she wanted to go back to the cottage with her mum and dad. I will see them all again tomorrow.

The day started off a bit frosty and dull, but the promised rain didn't arrive. I went out for a walk, went down to the sea the new way, put a lot of strain on my knees going down though, so maybe not such a good discovery. Took a picture of some keen Boxing Day people.

Walked back via the park and took an 'arty' picture!

Anya and family arrived just before three and I had prepared dinner to be ready for 3.30 so time for a cuppa and chat before we ate. I bought some crackers when we were in Peterborough that had a cardboard reindeer in each one and a silly game to play with them. It was quite a lot of fun and Louis won! We played Chinese whispers, which was very silly, I think a certain daughter of mine was purposely telling me the wrong message!!

Anya and Isobel lit the candles on Tina's cake, I know, a day late, but we ate too much yesterday!

Had the flash turned off so didn't actually catch her blowing them out!

We had a game of 'Kids Charades', which again was silly but fun. Then a game of Scrabble Junior for some!

The family have headed off to their cottage near Bridlington now, so a quiet evening in store this end!

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas. Today has been glorious again, I am sure our luck won't hold much longer. It was a bit grey and wet when we got up but soon cleared. Last night I decided to try and use the water colours, just three colours, and not draw anything first. I haven't read much of the watercolour book yet but a limited palette seems the way to go! So just a brush and paints, a bit looser that my usual stuff, but a start.

This morning we opened presents before I went for a walk and Tina went to church.

I walked down to the sea again, so beautiful there, I will never tire of it, although I think you may tire of the endless photos!! I did take an awful lot. Liked the reflections on this one.

I walked on the beach again and there must have been 50 or more dog walkers along the bay, but a big area so not particularly near any. Two wider vistas, then no more sea and sky today!

The sun was catching the spray in front of the castle, making that area appear misty, but it was almost impossible to catch with my camera. I walked up the cliff path to come home, and realised that it was a much better route than the one I usually take to walk down to the sea. Still finding my way around! We had one of the M & S special packs for dinner, much of the stress removed so we had a lovely meal and have eaten way to much, dessert may not even happen today. Had a Skype session with the family in America, so all in all a lovely day. Now I can settle down for Strictly and Call the Midwife later!

Christmas Eve has arrived and it was a beautiful bright, crisp winter day. I went up to the ceramic studio to see Sandy and Donna and to collect the plate. I don't think it is quite as I expected and I can see where I could have painted it differently to make it look more like ribbons, but the effect is striking anyway!

I walked back along the cliff top and took a morning Christmas Eve photo!

Had lunch with Tina then I took a walk down to the sea as it was a lovely day, and who knows how many more we will get for a while. I don't usually walk on the beach, I leave that to the dog owners, but today I did as the tide was out. I, of course, took a lot of photos but will just post three!

This afternoon I have spent hours trying out Mary Berry recipes, one fairly successfully and one not!! Going to watch a Lewis now, probably going to the midnight service with Darren later. I hope everyone that reads this has a brilliant Christmas and a healthy, happy 2015.

Tina and I were having breakfast at Sainsbury's just after 7.30 am, and from what we have heard from friends and family Scarborough is not as shopping crazy as some of the country. The shop was not heaving and we didn't queue for long, really not different to usual shopping. After we had unpacked I took a walk into town, again, no long waits of hordes of people in the shops I went into. I went to look at the sea, as it was a very grey December day today.

The sea looked very dark and quite calm compared to some days recently. I took a couple more pictures, these are of the South bay, which is packed in holiday time.

It began to rain on my way back, but it was quite light so I got damp rather that soaked! Then I sat down and ended up with the cat on my chest while I half watched Chicken run, sneezing because the cat hair was under my nose! I have been shifting furniture about a bit to try and make my bedroom a little less cluttered. Need to start getting rid of more stuff I think! It turned really wet and very grey earlier, so will put a delightfully out of focus photo on the blog, taken from the bedroom window!

Quite a busy day today. I was at the community centre for 10 am and Zoe arrived with three of her sons, Edward as usual with his support worker, and another lady with her grand-daughter. They all made paper Christmas decorations or cards. I worked with a lad called Thomas who was pleased with items he made. I asked everyone if they minded their photos being taken and they were all happy to.

I had some lunch then headed straight off to the ceramic studio to help Sandy with a party for 15 children! That was a hectic couple of hours, I did start a couple of children off but I mostly made drinks for the mums and did the endless clearing away. After they had painted their items all the tables had to be cleared and wiped ready for the food. I helped get the studio back to normal afterwards then went over the road to the hairdresser for a sit down and hair cut! I called back into the studio when I was washed and trimmed as they had had some one off bisque ornaments and I wanted to book one for myself so went in to pay for it. It will be the next challenge and may well take as long as the plate. Donna and Sandy had talked about it when they got them and had said they hoped I would decide to do one!

She is about a foot high, but if I take my time should be lovely.

It has been windy and cold out today. I have stayed in as I have a cough and a bit of a cold, so trying to dose up and clear it. I bought some material, quite expensive with an own print, a few weeks back, intending to make a pyjama case and a second case for my evening relaxing clothes. I decided to make them today and thought I would put a material frill round. Not a good idea really as I have never been overly successful at doing the two lines of stitches and gathering them up. I usually find the thread won't pull up at all or it breaks before I am finished! So they took me longer that I had anticipated, and the second one isn't big enough for the fleece I wear in the evenings! But they look okay as long as close inspection isn't required.

It is the carol service at church tonight, won't be able to sing along much but may go with Tina anyway.

I developed a cough yesterday and then it became a bit of a cold, so I asked Darren if he would drive me to Sainsbury's and I would walk back. We did a bit of shopping then went our own ways. I headed for the ceramics studio where I intended to finish the plate ready for firing. I took a picture of a different church on my walk.

Then a picture of this car advertising the Balti restaurant which makes me smile every time I pass it.

Spent almost another couple of hours on the plate, not at all sure the highlights will work but should know one way or the other before Christmas!

Home now with plenty of cough and cold cures! I am snuggled in my indoor comfy clothes and looking forward to the Strictly final.