It has been a dull and miserable day with a biting wind. It was dry first thing but the rain was bucketing down before too long. I spent most of the morning doing general household chores which we have neglected a bit because there is so much shed stuff everywhere and none of us are the most enthusiastic fans of housework! I went off to see the hut around lunch time, it was very wet and grey and the picture of the bay and castle looks as if it was taken in monochrome.

This one was taken from outside the hut, the lights had come on although that is not obvious from the picture, it was only about 1.30 pm!

I have worked out that I can lock myself into the hut so did just that as I had got a bit cold and wet on the way down. I have a couple of blankets there and made myself a hot chocolate. Took this picture from my rain free snug.

A picture with a touch of colour on my way home.

Back near the shops it was almost dry, but lights on and it was still only about 2.45 pm!

I quite like the effect of the grey tone pictures, so many different pictures of the bay in the different weather conditions.No particular plans for the rest of the day but maybe some craft.

Last night I finished decorating the lovely tea light holders Mike made and began decorating the cheap mixing bowls I got instead of flower pots! This morning I finished them off and got my miniature drill out to make drainage holes in the bottoms. Then I went out and planted the bulbs in them. I will make labels as obviously they will look as if they are just a pot of soil because the bazaar it next Saturday.

I hope that people like the fact that I have decorated the tea lights but I still have some plain ones left from last year.

The tree decorations look nice now they are threaded up.

I made some quick colouring sheets to take to the craft afternoon and Darren took me there after the first two sets of the Davis Cup match, really pleased Andy won his game and GB got the cup. I obviously didn't take pictures of the children this afternoon but the very boring table ready for the first group!

The craft sessions went well if a little hectic and very noisy! I cooked dinner for us this evening and have managed to get to the tv for the Strictly results show.

Yesterday evening I looked at the local maps and made myself a list of street names with a plan of finding my way to the Cinder Track without going into town to get to the beginning of the track at Sainsbury's. When I walked a way along it a while ago it seemed that a lot of the access routes to the track involve steps which I cannot manage with the weight of the bike. Anyway, I found my was onto the track, parts of it are not in good order and one place was very muddy.but mostly it was okay, just made the carrier rattle a bit!

The litter receptacles in the town are all black but for some reason along the track they are painted pillar box red!

I have heard Sandy talk about Gallow's Close many times, but had no idea where it was. I still wouldn't be able to find my way there on the roads, but at least I saw the play centre there!

I went under this bridge and then consulted the map as there appeared to be an exit that wasn't steps, back on the roads I seemed to be quite high up.

This was the view before I started on my way back down to the town along the roads.

This afternoon I have been sorting through all the cracker stuff to get it ready for the craft afternoon tomorrow. I have done some instruction sheets and will also demonstrate. Just a picture on here of some of the materials.

Making crackers with 30 small children but in four separate groups. Watching the Murray brothers playing doubles in the Davis Cup final at the moment.

Yesterday evening I went 'baby sitting Tina', her phrase, she had a wedding rehearsal at the church. I took a small sketch book and my Lee Child book, as I had nearly finished it. I waited in the church while they had choir practice and then Tina and I went to the shop before we came home. I did a bit ore painting on the Christmas tree decorations, in fact finished painting on both sides. Today I have attached ribbon hangers so another job done. The sketch last night is not of a large area, I decided to have a go at a window and try to get the perspective right.

This morning I walked into town as for the life of me I could not be sure there were bike racks. I thought there were some near the post office but wouldn't have made a bet on it. There are indeed racks there, I can only have walked past them several hundred times!! Don't think I have ever actually seen a bike there though. I got a nice red, very soft dressing gown in Debenhans at a nicely reduced price. I then went to the ceramic studio because Sandy had sent a text asking if I could do some Santa plates for them. What she actually wanted was outline drawings on plates of a reindeer and a Santa to be taken to a group of disabled adults for them to paint. Had quite a production line going, drew then first then used the ceramic paint to outline them.

Took that after the first ten then did ten more, I was there for a couple of hours. A slightly closer picture of the two different designs.

I cooked dinner for us this evening and then made jellies with Tina for the Advent craft afternoon on Sunday. Then we worked for a bit on the crafts, I was cutting pretend toilet rolls up as I am using them to make crackers with the children at the Advent event. I will make up samples and cut the crepe paper ready for the day tomorrow.

Yesterday evening I had a bit of a 'dishaaster darling' to echo Craig on Strictly! Mike made a selection of great wooden pieces for me to decorate for the bazaar so thought I would set to and make a start .

I was feeling a little stresses as my ankle had been quite painful during the day and I was a bit tired as well. I had bought some craft paints in Wilkinson's and opened up the aqua, went to stir it, and tipped it over. I hadn't covered my patchwork table cover, probably the favourite thing I have made for myself, and although the paints are water based and I got washing immediately, the paint hasn't disappeared! I now have the plastic sheet on the table, I know, shutting the gate when the horse has bolted comes to mind! Anyway, I did make a start last night and have done a bit more today. Three of the shapes had to be painted all over as I got the aqua over them as well as the cloth and me!

While Mike was here he also put up some silly hooks for me which I bought at Ikea. The wall is very hard that is why I had nothing on there up until now.

Today I got the bike out and cycled along to the south bay to see what maps I could get at the Tourist Information Centre. When I got there it is closed from Monday to Friday! But at least I did a longer ride on the bike and came back through the town. I went out for lunch with Darren and Tina, which was nice and they dropped me off at the ceramic studio so that I could collect the plate and mug that I had painted. I am pleased with how they turned out, will try and add pictures but am having trouble attaching them at the moment.

Then I went in and enjoyed a cake and crochet session at the craft shop. I went into town again on my way home to change the map that I got yesterday as I had picked up the wrong area of Yorkshire! The blip seems to have resolved itself so can hopefully put the picture of the mug on as well now.

Sandra was very pleased as it is a present for her sister, that is why the first line has different wording.

Another breakfast at the cafe to start the day, we have been regulars this week! Then Mike and I took the bike down to the front. We tried getting the bike up the steps to the hut, I will not be able to do it on my own, but at least I tried with somebody else there who could manage it!

We took a walk on the beach, the tide was well out which was a bonus. I spotted this different bird, thought it was an avocet but when I looked it up found that it isn't, so not sure what it is, maybe someone will let me know!

We saw quite a lot of people digging for something on the beach, maybe worms, but we were not sure.

A picture of Mike on the beach, will he think he looks like a poser again?

A nice shot of the castle with the tide out.

We had a drink sitting outside the hut after out amble on the beach, then we took the bike along to the promenade. I rode along to the large man statue and back and then Mike had a go on the bike. Here he is on the way back.

And when he came to a stop.

I rode the bike home and Mike took a brisk walk back. After a quick rest indoors and having a chat with Tina Mike finished packing the car and dropped me off in town as he set off home. I got a few bits in town and when I got home I removed my tree from the shed by cutting off the trapped branch. I have some prune sealant so have protected the cut and then planted it up in the pot I bought yesterday. I have sited it in the front garden for now, and am keeping my finger crossed that it copes with the shock!

Mike and I went for breakfast again this morning and then we helped Tina out by making the sandwiches for her lunchtime meeting. Then we headed off out, first stop the Stained Glass Centre. Mike was really impressed and would like to go and do a course there in the new year. I still took some pictures as there is so much to see. This one has us taking pictures of the mirrors in a mirror!

I thought this lamp was particularly lovely.

I like anything with seahorses on so I was taken with this mirror.

This 3D flower was very different.

Then of course I had my coaster to collect, which I am pleased with.

We had a drink in the tea room there and then took a trip to Dean's garden centre. Mike wanted some more of their very nice pickle and of course  we had the cheese scones with blue cheese and pickle for lunch. I also bought a new large plant pot for the tree that is at present partly wedged under the shed, hopefully I will be able to save it but the pot was smashed. Then we called in at Halfords so that I could buy an approved lock for the bike. I have a D lock but it is not on the improved list that you need for the insurance. We looked in the other stores near Halfords before we came back here. The new storage cupboard had arrived, sadly one of the doors is broken but Darren and Mike stuck it enough to be used and then they finished getting stuff out of the shed. So quite a busy day, I have made a cottage pie for dinner which we will have a bit later.

This morning I went to have breakfast with Darren and Mike and then Mike and I took a walk into town. I had some packages to send off and we had a list of other bits and pieces to get. The wind was very cold so we did have a couple of drinks out and visited several charity shops. When we got back I thought it was time to have another go on the bike so Mike and I took a walk down to the pavement that runs along the side of the park and is pretty wide. It did hurt my knees a bit, but I felt pretty stable which was good.

That was me off down the hill, didn't use the assist for that but had it on low on the way back and it was very easy! I have got to work out a safe way of getting on and off though!

Mike had a go on the bike and really enjoyed it, when he has another go I will get a picture of him, will he wear the pink helmet? We went to Sainsbury's with Darren, again we had a list of things to get and we had lunch there as well. We also had a good look round in case we wanted to double up any Nectar points. When we got back and had unpacked the shopping Mike and I took a walk down to the beach hut to have a drink. Mike really liked it down there and was surprised how cosy it seemed.

On the way there we passed this crab type cherry picker, we didn't envy that guy, the wind was absolutely bitter!

 A shot of Mike looking out to the sea from the hut.

Then a shot taken by Mike with my camera using the low light feature.

It has seemed like quite a full day. I should have said that after those cycle pictures I did ride the bike round the lake in the park and felt much more confident with it.

The snow had stayed on the ground over night and the path to the house was a bit like an ice rink this morning. Mike had an interrupted journey but was still here in good time for us to go with Tina to the church. She was delivering the sermon today and Mike has been keen to 'see her in action' for some time now. It was an enjoyable service, although they don't have any of the traditional hymns that I know these days, which is a shame. Tina was staying for a second service so Mike and I walked back along the cliff top so that we could see the sea. The wind was quite bitter, but it was dry until we were home. Darren and Mike were going to go out and do a bit in the shed after Mike and I got the plastic storage cupboard upright and back where it belonged, but it then started to hail again! Tina was home about 1 pm and we went and had dinner at the cafe just up the road. When we got back Darren opened up the garage for us to see in time, he had already removed some of the stuff before this picture!

Oh deary me, where to start, and where to put it all! This was where it has been and the base frame. Mike was amazed that it had not been fixed or anchored in any way.

What was the lawn is now like a very muddy fen so the guys got started on the clearing and Tina and I took boxes and stuff from them at the back door and tried to find homes for it.

Some wet had got into the shed and there was no way it was all coming inside, so Tina and I went off to B & Q to get a tarpaulin to use inside the shed when they had finished for the day. Mike was the one inside, being very careful as he was on the wall of the shed rather that the floor, but he is now the lightest of all of us so the best one for that job! It is much better in there now and they covered this stuff with the tarpaulin after the picture.

Mike and I have watch a film called Stepping Out this afternoon with Liza Minnelli then we watched the Strictly results show.

Where to begin, what a day! Hard to believe I was walking along the sea front in the sun yesterday, even though the wind was cold it was lovely. The wind during the night was very wild, not that that in itself is unusual up here. At about 4 am I came to with a start because there was a massive bang. Sounded a bit like thunder but too abrupt and anyway there wasn't a storm in progress. I really thought perhaps the chimney had been blow off or something but didn't hear anything breaking after the bang. When I got up and looked out of the bedroom window it was obvious what I had heard. Darren's very large shed was upended on the lawn!

Not a clear picture as the outsides of my windows don't get cleaned! Darren is there by the door, but everything is twisted, and anyway the weather has remained wet and windy for the day so not much we can do until things settle down. A couple of plant pots with my tamarix tree and some lavender are underneath there somewhere! Another picture from downstairs.

Darren had to put his car in for repair today and Tina was driving to the garage to bring him home. I needed to go into town to collect something so she dropped me off on the way. Walking back the wind was bitter, time to get the gloves out. Darren said that a car up on Columbus Ravine had been damaged by a falling tree, so I went up to have a look.

The wind kept blowing and it rained on and off, then it began to hail and it was settling to add insult to injury!

Then it began to snow and that has settled. It has stopped now but it hasn't thawed yet.

I have been finishing off another snowflake decoration which now seems to have been a most appropriate pass time.

Needless to say I didn't go out on the bike today but did get it insured! Mike is due to come up tomorrow so hope the weather improves a bit.