Cold start - but a Rest Day

This view from Felley across towards Derbyshire is one which we shall miss when we move. The M1 access point is about 200 yards to the right of the picture. And behind you is a lovely view of Moorgreen Reservoir and Eastwood.

This was taken around 9am because the light was attractive and I took 5 shots side by side; with a panorama in mind. The result wasn't good so I ditched it. There is much to learn about the programme and I certainly haven't mastered it yet. Later in the day I had the idea that I could take a series of 'portrait' shots of a building and panorama-ise them so as to produce a wide photo that looked as if it had been taken with an expensive old tip&tilt architectural camera. The programme wouldn't go along with the notion and insisted on telling me that I had insufficient disc-space and to reduce the resolution of the images. None of it true! It seems that the programme only likes 'landscapes'. Ah well ! Yet another bright idea 'shot up the ar**'.

Dawn broke in a sharp frost and it has remained cold for most of the day and the hot & hearty Minestrone I made at lunchtime was most welcome with hot part-baked rolls fresh out of the oven. By coincidence Ray had made soup and part-baked baguettes for their lunch, up there in Yorkshire. 'Great minds think alike', or cliches to that effect. After lunch we nipped over to InStore in Heanor because Yvonne has to make up a pass-the-parcel for Millicent's first birthday party on Sunday. And it is the best shop around here for cheap little prezzies to unwrap. If Millicent decides to play, she will be perfectly happy with the wrapping-paper. Toddlers usually are and she is now officially a 'toddler' having walked 3 whole steps on Sunday we understand.

In the evening we went to the monthly meeting of the Mansfield National Trust branch. It was the AGM and Yvonne found, much to her surprise, that she is on the committee. Not having stood for election or anything so democratic, it was news to her. She had vowed not to serve on any more committees but actually feels now that she will enjoy it. They are a smashing group and we firmly intend to remain members even after we have moved. Arnold > Mansfield is maybe a mile less than Brinsley > Mansfield anyway. After the AGM (total time 25 minutes - brilliant chairmanship) there was a presentation by the property-manager at Hardwick Hall. She did it via a laptop, Powerpoint and a digital projector. Wow !! Ain't things good these days ? We had recorded Brian Sewell so we've got that to look forward to. Another hard frost expected during the night. And the supermarkets have been selling people bedding-plants.

Not a word from anyone as to how Beryl is !! But I guess eventually someone will tell us.