Day 93 - Halford Bridge

Today our journey up the Fosseway to Leamington was a sunny one, although with plenty of evidence in the fields of heavy rain and floods.

We stopped just before Halford (near Shipton on Stour) to look at the old bridge which used to carry the road.  The water level under the arches of the bridge was very high.

The new bridge and road is built on a different scale.

Day 92 - Bath Abbey in the rain

Another wet and rainy day in Bath.  We called in at the end of the afternoon and got rather wet..

Day 91 - Preparing for the Super Bowl!

The  NFL Super Bowl 2014 takes place at 6.30 local time on Sunday 2 February, the day that we return to the US.  The match, between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos is eagerly anticipated and there is much speculation about just how cold or snowy it may be at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Online magazines are full of ideas for suitable snacks to enjoy during the match but my favourite is this one from the US version of Good Housekeeping.

The 'pitch' is guacamole and the array of snacks around the side (presumably representing the capacity crowd) are for dipping!  All washed down with a can of soda, representing the stadium structure.

And to finish?  You might like to try one of these..

(All photos courtesy of Good Housekeeping Magazine/Hearst Newspapers).

Day 90 - Back at the University

The campus was not looking its best in the drizzle today but it was great to meet up with many University friends and exchange news.

This afternoon a visit to Claire and Jonathan (and Jessie) for tea and this evening a trip to the Old House at Home for an excellent meal and catch up with Alison made the day complete!

Day 89 - Out and About

After a lovely day meeting up with Juliet and family in Devizes and catching up with news, it was great to see Andrew and Jan for an excellent supper.

I had not met Teasel before.  At four months she is very playful and very beautiful with her glossy coat and bright, watchful, eyes.

Her housemate, Misty, is equally lovely and very partial to the odd treat..

Day 88 - Winter Garden

It has been raining - very heavy showers - on and off all day.  At the end of the afternoon there was some watery sunshine and I was able to take these few shots in the garden at Stonefield.

There are many snowdrops, almost out.

Siberian iris in a pot on the balcony seem to be ahead of themselves.

A lovely scented Daphne is just coming into flower.

and finally several varieties of hellebore are doing well but difficult to photograph with their hanging heads.

Day 87 - Back to the West Country

After another wet and windy journey down the Fosseway, David set off for Toulouse from Bristol Airport and I headed to see Maggie for a quick coffee.

For a short while the rain stopped and the sun came out, beautifully lighting these two handsome boys who kindly posed for me.  (The look of apparent adoration from Sox is actually a plea for some of the excellent home-made flapjack that had just been handed to me!).

After a little greeting and jostling for position they settled into a pose fit for a chocolate box..

Sox then decided nothing was doing and headed off to a warmer place.

Where he soon had company again..