Steam tree

The steam was illuminated by the early morning sun as seen from Dallam Park this morning. The day began frosty and ended damp and drizzly.

In between we went on a Christmas shopping expedition to Ulverston, a town that has been miraculously spared any of the big chain stores. And to get there from Arnside involves one of the best railway journeys in England. The independent shops make an ideal hunting ground for presents for Wifie.

But how is it that there is barely more than two weeks to Christmas? Every year I seem to be less prepared than the last. By contrast, Wifie is always well prepared, she begins her Christmas shopping in January. But then I am not as bad as my Dad, who was one of those men who really did do all their shopping on Christmas Eve. These days he has discovered the internet, so hardly needs to leave the house.

ps a year ago was the big 500, which means I have managed to blip on only 2 out of 3 days in the last year. Must do better.