Cat naps

First day at home and on UK time - always a bit of a challenge to stay awake until the end of the day.

We took our cue from the cats with a couple of short naps..

Time to go home!

All ready to go, Christmas begins here...

Festive baubles at Dulles...

Winter at Great Falls

Today we visited Great Falls. 

 It was obvious, even from the car park, that the water level was much higher and the speed much faster than in previous visits as it could be seen and heard through the trees.

It was very cold and grey and there were flurries of snow.  Very few visitors!

The one that got away..

On the way to David's office this morning we saw an unusual sight..

There were a number of crows 'buzzing' a very big bird which eventually settled on the top of a mobile mast.

The big bird was, we think, a Bald Eagle but at this distance it is difficult to prove, but it had the very distinctive white head and white tail.

This is what it would look like if close up.,

Christmas Decs - large and small

The extreme cold of yesterday had given way by this morning to very heavy rain in Boston and so while David went to his meeting I took the metro to the Prudential Centre - a large shopping mall below the very tall Prudential tower.

The Christmas decorations there were just huge - there is nothing in this picture to show the size of these baubles but each one was around 6 ft tall.

This evening, back in Reston, we went out for dinner with Juliet who has just arrived to stay for a few days.  The Christmas tree and other trees around the town centre are lit up now - with thousands of tiny lights..

Skating at Frog Pond

In the summer we photographed the fishing frogs, basking in the sun at the edge of Frog Pond on Boston Common.

Today it was a different kettle of fish!  Well below freezing and trying to snow and the frogs are now overlooking a skating rink..

Not too many skaters today, just too cold!

The skating scene shown in the window of Boston's Macy's store was more inviting, as was the adjacent 'Nutcracker' window..

(reflections have made the photos a little difficult to see). 

Back in the park I was taken by the number of squirrels and how chubby they looked.  They were very tame and very keen to find out what was in my bag.  

They reminded me of the squirrels in the snow in Montreal who were also very big.  Whether it is due to the cold and they lay down an extra fat layer, or because many people take pity on them and feed them, it is difficult to say.

The first one who approached ran straight up my leg to see what was going and others came and looked at me optimistically..

Nothing doing, unfortunately, maybe tomorrow.

Morning sun & evening freeze..

After such a wet, misty and grey day yesterday, it was good to wake up to a morning of crisp, clear air and sunshine - albeit a little on the fresh side.

The big wheel and other attractions at National Harbour were bathed in light and no doubt the views from the top of the wheel would have been spectacular, but we needed to head home as we were leaving for the airport to fly to Boston at midday.

It is extremely cold here in Boston this evening and due to drop to -7 during the night.  The wind is blowing from the North and so, although we walked into the centre of town this evening, it was too cold to take our gloves off for any photos!