The Tree of Nightmares

So during my holiday channel surfing I did watch a good bit of Wizard of Oz, and maybe that was still on my mind when I saw this massive tree. Doesn’t it look like it has arms? I swear I wasn’t out foraging for magic mushrooms when I noticed this.

In My Own Backyard

When we lived at our other house I had a walking routine that went through some fields and in the distance I could see this large building, and I’ve been curious ever since about what it was. Thanks to the amazing Google Earth I was able to track it down as a hotel called Latimer Place and on my walk I found a way to get closer. The building was called Latimer Manor in 1615 and was a manor house of a large farm. So it’s not in my backyard, more like about a 30 minute walk away, but beautiful just the same.

Back to Reality

It’s Sunday and I’m savouring that last day of vacation before heading back to work tomorrow. January at work is going to be particularly brutal so I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for this.  I took a long walk today and took my camera with me this time. 

The Benetton Sweater Tree

I had to take a picture of the Christmas tree in the window display at United Colors of Benetton.  Back in 1985 there was nothing I wanted more than a Benetton sweater! 

As Good as Homemade?

Last night we went to London for a belated anniversary dinner. When friends have come to visit they ask for restaurant recommendations in London and I’ve got nothing to offer them. If they don’t want to eat standing up like at the various markets or train stations as I tend to do, I’ve got nothing but just a few places that I’ve personally visited. When we were trying to decide where to eat H wanted to go to one of the one star Michelin restaurants in London. He followed this request with something like I’m not turning into a snob, I’d just like to see presentation, etc. at another fine dining restaurant. That was fine with me. The problem of course was finding a restaurant that was not closed due to the holiday. We finally found a place open for dinner in Mayfair called Wild Honey.


It wasn’t horrible but it left a lot to be desired. The presentation was not particularly nice and in the end, I think we were both surprised that they had attained Michelin status. H had venison, which had a nice flavour. H didn’t like the accompaniment of curly kale. If you closed your eyes and took a bite of the kale, it was okay but the way it was shaped on the platter reminded me of well, it just didn’t look pretty. The presentation of my duck dish was also pretty poor. A on the other hand, enjoyed everything she had. Okay, so maybe we are becoming food snobs...

Even though it was freezing last night it was fun just to get dressed up and go into London and see the Christmas lights together one last time, even if it wasn't as good as what's made right in our own kitchen.

New Year's Day Style

You don’t see many people in snow boots here even if it’s snowing. Most of the time they are in their wellies and I imagine that’s because it doesn’t snow that often, but also having boots you can just rinse off come in handy. I’ve been wearing mine on my walks this break because from moment to moment you don’t know if you’re going to be walking in mud, ice, snow, or a combination of all three.


By the traffic on the trails today you can tell the Brits love a good New Year’s Day Walk. In the morning it was below freezing , but the sun was shining bright and it began to warm up. I had on my standby favourite red sweater pictured here which is as dressy as I’ve gotten since I’ve been on vacation. My wellies were caked with mud by the time I got home. I ventured out to a different trail and I was kicking myself for not having my camera because the land around me was truly beautiful.

Older women in England still dress in a formal style that you don’t see every day in the U.S. I’ve noticed them on the bus, with their rolling shopping bags in smart shoes, nylons, and proper tweed skirt. They look so refined with every hair in place and their handbags tucked into the crook of their arms even if the market is their only destination. As I was walking today I came across two of these handsomely dressed ladies on the trails. They each had on a wool overcoat with a Christmas corsage, a nice wool skirt, and nylons looking like they were headed to church. I glanced down at their feet and noticed they had on muddy hiking boots and knew that this was their annual New Year’s Day walk. They made me smile.

The Perfect View

A, her friend, and I were home in time to watch the fireworks in our PJs.