Final time with Anya and family

This morning Anya, Louis and Isobel were here soon after 10 am and we set off to walk through the town and down to the sea front.  Dry, and as the day went on became quite bright and it was much milder. We clambered down some ridiculously steep steps and had a wander on the beach for a bit. No wet legs this time thankfully.

A really nice picture of Anya and Darren, a fairly rare happening!

Another shot of the sea as I liked the shining puddle of water!

We went to the little cafe that is open all year except for Christmas Day. We all had a hot drink and Isobel had a Mr Moo's ice cream.

We then made our way to the arcade to use my years worth of 2ps. I took photos, Darren will be pleased that the one I took of him was too dark.....

We walked back to town, had lunch at Mellar's cafe and then back here. Loo visits and then they were off to Peterborough. It had been a really lovely visit and they all are taken with Hornsea.
Soon after they left I went out and decided to try and tidy up the top end of the  lawn in the front garden. Not easy as the plants have been left for years and have taken a firm hold. But I cleaned some up and managed to get most of the reduced bulbs I had bought in.

There is a scary amount of work to be done, but I will tackle it a bit at a time.
Will finish by withing anybody who reads this a happy and healthy 2018.

Garden centre and crafting

Darren had to take his car to Hull early as it was in for repair so Tina and I drove into Hull to meet up with him and bring him home. We called in at Hobbycraft before heading back. We didn't come right home as we were meeting Anya and family at the garden centre. We had a good look round, a huge place with lots of after Christmas bargains to look at. Also great Christmas decorations. Anya and Isobel in front of the polar bear band.

Isobel on with the large gorilla, I took one of her many years ago that was similar, that was at Waterside in Peterborough I think.

Then a selection with the large polar bear, Darren and Isobel were pretending to be grumpy in the last one!!

We all had a very nice lunch there, quite early so we were in before the rush, it gets incredibly busy. I came back with Darren and Tina, Anya and Louis dropped off Isobel a little after we got in. I had bought a selection for the foam clay and silk clay and we had lots of different items to choose from to decorate. We had a really lovely few hours, telly on in the background and we were very engrossed.

We were very pleased with our results.

Anya and Louis came in for a while and had a snack and then they made their way back to the holiday home. We will be seeing then again for a while in the morning which will be lovely.

Showing the family around

This morning I made a few jam tarts and prepared dinner for later before the family came for a wander around the town and then to go and see Tina's churches. It was sleeting first thing and was very cold and rained for most of the day, but it didn't stop us doing what we had planned. Some shops were still closed but Anya and Louis enjoyed browsing in the ones we did visit, they really like the town. We had the most amazing luxury hot chocolate in the Craft Cafe.

This great sign is outside the pet shop!

Isobel wanted to see the sea again so she and Louis went on ahead and we strolled in that direction at a more leisurely pace. When we were nearing the front they were signalling for us to turn round. When they got to us Isobel was soaked through, they had been watching the high tide, ran to miss a very large wave and Isobel got sprayed! She was not upset but we needed to get back quickly as she would soon become very chilled. Louis went back to their holiday home for more clothes so I got lunch indoors before we were due to meet Tina and do a tour of the churches.There had been a wedding in St Nicholas's and as the weather was so bad they were having photographs in the church. We all looked at the Christmas trees which were still on display, and Anya went to the house to get some food for Tina as it was will gone two and she had been out of the house since just after 8 am. The crib at St Nicholas's is under the alter, which is quite unusual. Isobel was honoured to be allowed to try out Tina's special seat in the church.

We went to Skipsea church first, I haven't been inside that one before myself. A very old Norman church built in the 1100's.

Some pretty nice sky shots from outside, I have missed those!

When we got back the family relaxed and I got dinner sorted. They were having a game of Christmas Monopoly!

Another game after dinner, a bit of tv and then the family went back to their digs.

Freeport family trip

Charlie was waiting for me this morning and got on my small leather chair, making him seem even bigger than he actually is!

I went into the church with Tina to be second person on site while she caught up with some paperwork in there. Took a couple of pictures of the same window at different times, amazing how the light outside alters what you see.

The family arrived later in the morning and after a tour of the garden we went to Hornsea Freeport.

We went into lots of shops and bought quite a lot as well, then we all had a very nice lunch. Had to wait a while as it was very busy, but we were ready for a rest and weren't in a hurry. Darren headed off home as Tina needed him as second person at a wedding rehearsal. The rest of us went into Bugtopia. Butterflies , a few birds and stick insects. It was a cold day so the insects weren't too active, but it was fun trying to spot the stick insects.

I asked Isobel if I could take a picture of her by this sculpture!

Not many butterflies about and I couldn't get very close, but got a couple of reasonable shots.

A couple with budgies, the second one they were on Louis's arm.

Then to the play area, Anya went in with Isobel and then I was talked into partaking!

Then fairly pleased to be out again!

We came back here for a bit and then all went out for fish and chips, very nice it was too.

Back here for mince pies, cake or shortbread, and then the family set off back to their holiday home.

Clay play and family fun

I bought some silk clay and foam clay yesterday but didn't buy anything new to practice with it on. But remembered I had some terracotta ornaments that I had bought there a couple of weeks ago.

The clays are very smooth so leave no residue on your hands, but they will take a little getting used to.

This morning Darren took me to the post office in Skipsea, then we had a bit of a drive and had coffee and cake at the garden centre. I bought some reduced bulbs and a silly after dinner game for later. We had a lot of rain in the night and we do have a puddle again outside, but our efforts have reduced it considerably.

Back home it was preparation for dinner and getting ready for the family arriving for 'second Christmas' later. They had a good journey and arrived in good time. The meal went pretty well and we played some bingo and charade games before dessert. Then presents and more fun later.

They headed off to their holiday home about 8 pm and will visit again tomorrow and see the house and more importantly the garden in daylight..