The maximum temperature here today is 10C, minimum -3⁰C. Blue skies. Wind 22km/h South-Easterly winds with gusts up to 42 km/h. Dry at present but rain is forecast from Friday for every day as far as the forecast goes!!!
I thought that I would have more time to blog in winter, it seems I was mistaken but I could not let December vanish without saying Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas and wishing you all a much improved 2022.
Here are a few of the photos I have taken since my last post, they are very random but I do take one photo every day as I post it on Blipfoto.com under the name of Charente if any of you are interested. One photo a day is relatively easy most of the time!
11/12/2021 Sunset.
04/12/2021 European Robin (Erithacus rubecula).
06/12/21 Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata) and cotoneaster berries.
11/12/2021 Seeds from one of the Acer trees possibly (Acer pseudoplatanus).
13/12/2021 The winter garden.
15/12/2021 Another view after we spent the day sweeping up leaves.
14/12/2021 A young Common Blackbird (Turdus merula).
17/12/2021 A rose survivor despite the frosts.
19/12/2021 Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) on the windowsill
20/12/2021 a day late for the full moon. It was misty on the 19th.
22/12/2021 Tonight's sunset.
A photo from a few years back but so apt for this time of the year. Another Bluetit.
I am still using the old camera and the old Nikon 55 -300mm telephoto lens. The spare part for the Tamron (that I broke in my fall) is available, but with Christmas looming everything is going very slowly. I live in hopes that I will have it early next year
Take care everybody, keep well and please stay safe in these difficult times.
My local list of wildflowers. (91 Species 02/12/2021).
See also my
I am glad all is well with you, Diane. Happy holidays! Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie, I hope next year I may be able to organise a bit more spare time to blog!!! Have a wonderful 2022. Diane
DeleteBeautiful post. Never seen the seeds before. Stunning sunsets. Wishing you happy holidays too. Stay warm and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Nancy, yes staying safe is what out life revolves around these days. Just as we think we can get out for a bit thanks go wrong again. Have a fab time over the holidays and all the best for 2022. Diane
DeleteAll the very best to you and Nigel, Diane. Let's all hope for a wonderful New Year with COVID behind us! Many hugs. David
ReplyDeleteThanks David I certainly hope that COVID gets behind us but it seems to be a long time battle. Hugs to you both and stay safe. Diane
DeleteHi Diane - I"m getting to catch up too ... but it's always a pleasure to hear from you and to see the photos - I love them ... both Bluetits, that sunset, and then the Acer seeds - fascinating ... and of course your home and garden in pristine condition - the leaves suddenly fell here.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy and peaceful time together and in the village - cheers Hilary
Thanks Hilary we had planned on just the two of us for Christmas, but friends have had to cancel their trip to the UK to see the grand children so they are coming here instead. We have more than enough to eat so hopefully we can eat, drink and be merry, they will stay overnight so no driving involved to go home. They have been as careful as we have re COVD so all should be well. Hope you can enjoy Christmas, take care cheers Diane
DeleteAwesome pictures
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajani and hope you have a good time over the holidays. Keep safe Diane
DeleteSorry to hear you fell....I understand that happening. Its crazy. Sorry about the broken lens. Hoping Santa is good to you. Loving the pics....and Merriest Christmas to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam and a very Happy Christmas to you, your family and the fur babies. Hope you have a good one, cheers Diane
DeleteWonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Thanks Maria, I wish you all the very best for 2022 may it improve over the last couple of years!! Cheers Diane
DeleteHats off to you. I try to take at least one photo a day. That first sunset shot is brilliant and the last one is no slouch either! The Acer tree seeds shot is very artistic. That Bluetit looks to be joyously dancing in the snow.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Thanks Gaelyn, I sometimes end up with an emergency Blip on Blipfoto, but I always manage something. It is such a great community and I am finding it easier than blogging!! I have tried so many time to gat a good shot of the Acer and this is the first time I have managed!! Happy happy Christmas to you as well. Cheers D and N
DeleteExquisite photos, Diane, but a strong contender for 'favourite' has to be the Acer seeds.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you still do not have your favourite lens back from repair. I hope you can retrieve it soon in a safe manner.
My very best wishes to you and Nigel for Christmas and the New Year - - - Richard
Thanks Richard. It is daft as it is only the small piece that holds the UV filter. Cost is about £5 but they want £35 for postage. When they finally get their act together, which I hope will happen soon after Christmas, we will ask for it to be sent to a friend in the UK who will then send it on to us. I have tried many times to get a shot of the Acer seeds this is the first time I have succeeded.
DeleteHope you have a great Christmas and may 2022 be some what better than the last couple of years.
Cheers and very best wishes to you and the family, Diane
Fabulous photos. Sorry to hear that you had a fall. Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane, At least I am on the mend though the leg is still swollen! I hope you also had a good Christmas and we wish you all the best for 2022. T'other Diane
DeleteThose are such striking colours in the sunset.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much we do get some great sunset at this time of the year. Cheers Diane
DeleteHope you had a lovely Christmas over there! The photos are beautiful, as ever! I love the birds, sunset and full moon! good luck with the idea of more frequent blogging next year, hope you manage to make it happen! Also on my list to do...
ReplyDeleteWe had a lovely day. Friends who had to cancel their trip to the UK at the last minute because of COVID rules came to us, we had a fab day and they stayed over to brunch on Sunday. Frequent blogging just seems to get more difficult all the time! I am trying. Happy 2022 and safe travel. Diane
DeleteSo enjoyable Diane, thank you very much for sharing all these wonderful photos! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise and a Happy New year to you as well. Cheers Diane
Delete