First of all, a belated happy New Year. Wishing you the best of health and happiness.

We’re experiencing typical winter weather and not seeing too much of the sun. Not that we’re complaining nor not expecting low temperatures, snow, and frosts. The surrounding hills and countryside look wonderful in the snow or heavy frost. The Pennines to the east have been topped with snow and, in the last few days, the clouds have been looking quite dramatic. Sometimes, just driving to Penrith is so beautiful with snow-capped Blencathra in the distance.

Pennine hills and house in Eden Valley, Cumbria

At nearby Acorn Bank, a National Trust property, thousands of snowdrops are starting to flower. The grounds are open for Snowdrop Weekends on 4 & 5 February. A few days ago, I walked past the property, continued along Crowdundle Beck and under the sandstone railway viaduct.

As we grow older, the more time we seem to spend collecting prescriptions and attending appointments at the local health centre at or at hospitals in Carlisle or Penrith. I am due to have a medical procedure ( a hernia) in hospital in the near future. In the meantime, I need to be careful about standing still for a long time and avoiding too strenuous exercise. The main disappointment, though, is the postponement of our next visit to Mozambique, as I was advised to be careful physically for six weeks afterwards.

We have made some progress with adapting the house to our satisfaction. A new bed has been ordered for the guest room/study which contains my desk and computer equipment. An electrician is booked for various alterations to our upstairs living room, and curtains have arrived for the doorway in the hall. It’s all go!

One of the advantages of living in Cumbria is having Tom and his family close by – plenty of impromptu get-togethers but nothing on a regular basis. Yesterday, for example, we met Tom and Tara at a local pub for lunch and a chat. We can help them out when April and Cooper need to be at different places at the same time, or if their transport is out of action.

At the weekend, Annabel was excited by RSPB’s (Royal Society for the Prevention of Birds) Big Garden Bird Watch. She wonders how the birds know that it’s today? (Please send your suggestions to annabelhollis8@gmail.com!) A cup of coffee and a pair of binoculars and they all disappear! At least she’s spotted goldfinches and starlings; but no golden eagles this year.

A couple of days ago, we drove into Carlisle to shop at Dunhelm. After lunch we visited the cathedral, which was an interesting experience. The local sandstone was easy on the eye and some aspects of the interior were quite stunning. Inside, the cathedral is quite ornate and has some interesting items.

One of my main pastimes is taking photographs and keeping my photo collection updated. I regularly delete a third to a half of new photos. Long gone are the days of sending film cassettes to a processor and receiving transparencies (slides) or prints and negatives in the post. I also spend a considerable time reviewing my back catalogue, and either deleting the more mundane or improving the more promising ones.

A couple of evenings ago, Sam called us on Whatsapp. He related their recent adventures in Mozambique and how the children’s schooling and potential examinations were panning out. It will be good to see them back home in the not too distant future.