Christmas #1

Christmas is here once again, and here are the photos to prove it... Firstly the winter village scene made by me and Bren on Christmas Eve... (cut outs provided, in case I duped you into thinking we had constructed all those little houses from raw cardboard!). Then some mince pies, constructed by me - mincemeat courtesy of daughter Emma, pastry courtesy of Jus-Rol. Thirdly Leon (nine years old) using his new touch screen phone to call his friend whilst holding his Wii control in the other hand. I think when I was nine my Christmas present was The Kit Carson Annual... how times change. More family arriving tomorrow for continued festive fun.

Another party...

Last weekend, despite the unpredictable weather, we ventured forth to that Romford to go to a party. Emma and Phil have a party every year before Christmas and we wanted to be there! Safe journey down, despite frozen screen washers, with a 5.5 hours journey as opposed to the usual 4.5. The journey was well worth it and we had a brilliant time and also got back safe and sound. Here are the ladies in the kitchen rustling up some goodies.... of which there were many and various... thank you Emma!

Celebrations included musical 'spots' by various individuals, including Megan (almost 13!) and Poppy. Her version of Silent Night, helped by grandma, were enough to bring a very large lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. You could have heard a pin drop from those assembled, as Poppy impressed her talents upon us. Beautiful!

Northumbrian Scribes Christmas party

Last weekend I attended the Northumbrian Scribes Christmas party. Christmas card exchanges, a giant jig-saw, a quiz and raffle, as well as a sumptuous feast, were all served up by and for the assembled scribes. Great festive fun was had by all! Go here for more pictures.

CLAS submission

I'm sending in my submission for the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society 'Certificate in Calligraphy'. This is a first level assessment and certification for those who would like their calligraphy assessed against national standards. It is the first step on the CLAS 'Ladder of Progress' which will lead on to three levels of the National Diploma in Calligraphy. For my assessment I had to write one whole alphabet and a piece of eight line prose in a large nib, and the same piece of prose with a small nib, which I chose to write in a Formal Italic script.

Stormy clouds over Cramlingtonvilleshire....

A trip to the Toon....

In Newcastle today for some time away from the computer and work. First stop lunch at The Coffee Rooms.... lovely mushroom soup and a bap. Not used to the old-fangled waitress service I finished up and then walked out without paying my bill! (I returned as soon as I realised my error, me being a lad with mother's honesty values solidly in place.) The Christmas Market was in full swing at Greys Monument...

Then, heading towards The Biscuit Factory to pick up a print I won in a prize draw, I spotted these gorgeous panels at a nearby building site.

This is the site of one of the earliest dispensaries in Newcastle. Now sandwiched between a jobbing printer and a computer accessory store I wonder about its chances of survival as the demolition progresses along the street. Further down I snapped this shot of a place I used to work, now due for demolition and redevelopment. New tat replacing old tat I should imagine!