Home for Christmas.

Back home again after a wonderful time in the UK, although not all went to plan.
There was a bit of a hiccup when the Senior Partner needed to pay an emergency visit to the dentist because of a wobbly crown and a couple of things slipped off the agenda, but we thoroughly enjoyed everything else.
The ferry crossing on Thursday wasn't as bad as we had expected and we made it to our hotel without mishap.
On Saturday morning there was some snow on the ground but it didn't impede our onward journey to Hereford Cathedral for the Advent Market and Carols for Shoppers at midday.

Hereford Cathedral

We estimated that there were over a thousand souls gathered together inside this magnificent place of worship.
The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford made us all welcome and informed us that in the ten years of Carols for Shoppers services this was the biggest congregation yet.

Life size wire mesh sculptures of the
Three Wise Men
part of a Nativity scene inside Hereford Cathedral

So many in fact that the overflow from the nave had filled the side aisles and the transept too!

The Hereford Church Singers opened the festivities by singing "Ding Dong Merrily On High" which was swiftly followed by the Congregational Carol "Once In Royal David's City".

We also sang "O Little Town Of Bethelem"; "Whilst Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"; "O Come All Ye Faithfull"; "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" and concluded with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".
The  Hereford Church Singers and the Herefordshire Junior Singing Club also sang several lesser known Carols which were interspersed by Bible Readings recounting the story of Jesus' birth.

After the Carol Service we headed to Ledbury to the apartment that we had rented for two nights.

Here's where I digress a little, bear with me please!
I announced in this blog post in early January that my word for 2011 was "de-clutter" and that is why all of this

found it's way to here.

The St Michael's Hospice Charity Shop, conveniently located two floors beneath the apartment in Ledbury's Homend, I'd call that serendipity!

The comfortable apartment living room,
 complete with
a very pretty Christmas tree and a
challenging thought!

As there was no wifi available at the apartment I was unable to visit all my favourite blogs but just as soon as everything is back to normal around here, hopefully tomorrow at the latest, I'll be calling round to catch up with everyone during the final run up to Christmas Eve.
ho ho ho!!!

Enjoying Herefordshire.

Whilst Mr Ben and Miss Fleur are being totally spoiled and cosseted at home by Aunty June, Mr B and I are spending two weeks here in the UK exploring the beautiful county of Herefordshire, famous for its Historic Black and White villages.
Shepherds Rest at Hill Farm a small, cosy cottage for two, high on a hill in the village of Much Marcle situated close to the market town of Ledbury, is our base this week.

We are surrounded by wide open fields, it's like being at home but with sheep not cows, it is a working farm after all.
All around are apple orchards and the village is home to Westons Cider established in 1880 and still making cider the traditional way.

Market House, Ledbury.

Today we went shopping in Ledbury where I took this photo of the 17th century black & white Market House in the centre of town.
Originally it was the towns grain store and it is still used for council meetings.
It was completed in 1653 by John Abel, the "Kings Carpenter".

Tomorrow we're off to visit Hampton Court Castle and Gardens for the British Red Cross Great Spring Gardening Event, stay tuned for pix!