Winter at the beach – 31 January 2010

We followed the sunshine to Ramsgate in Kent, which is due east from London. The winter is the ideal time to visit the seaside here, as the roads must be absolutely jammed in summer, with limited parking once the town is reached. Today the coastal town sparkled in the sunshine, and we enjoyed a pleasant walk around Ramsgate, and it's neighbour – Broadstairs.

Charles Dickens frequently stayed in Broadstairs, and wrote his novel Bleak House while staying in the house at the end of the cliffs. This town has a very pleasant traffic free beach promenade.

We finished the day at Margate, which rather lacks the appeal of it's neighbours. But tucked away behind the town is a shell grotto, which is interesting to visit. It was discovered in 1835, and no one knew of it's existence before then. There are some theories that suggest it dates back to Roman times, or maybe it was built by a secretive eccentric.

Thaxted - 30 January 2010

One of the delights of winter is walking on a frosty morning over wet farmland, frozen solid.

We needed to give our flat battery a good run, so decided to visit Thaxted,

Thaxted is totally delightful. A colourful High Street, with the painted pargetted and timber framed buildings leading the eye to the large, elaborate church, past a very stylish 14th century Guildhall. Behind the village is a windmill, still in working order.

Our 9 mile circular walk turned back at Great Easton, a smaller, but quite charming village, set around a green.

The day was mild, despite the frost, and stayed sunny all day; one of winter's gems.

Hammersmith – 17 January 2010

In contrast to yesterday, today was sunny, and even warmer, reaching a balmy 10deg.

A circular walk from Hammersmith, mostly along the Thames, was very enjoyable, until the camera battery ran out. So after admiring the recently cleaned church in Hammersmith, and the bridge, I was unable to record all the cox eights, out in the early morning, practicing. The river is lined with rowing clubs.

The walk went from Hammersmith to Barnes and back via Fulham Palace. This Tudor palace is now open to the public, a very quiet and tranquil place with a largely neglected garden, beside the Thames.

London Ice Festival - 16 January 2010

Last Saturday would have been an excellent day for the London Ice Festival, with the cold temperatures and crisp, fine sunny day. Unfortunately the Festival was today, and the weather turned a little warmer, but more to the point, very wet.

The five teams of carvers worked all day in rain, finishing the sculptures that were started yesterday. They started with 2m blocks of ice, with a theme of 'Cool Trading'.

Treasures in the V&A - 10 January 2010

Our Neighbourhood After Snow - 9 January 2010

From 'summer' to winter – 3 January 2010

Our final day in Crete was again beautifully warm and sunny. We were told by the rental car rep at the airport, that it was the warmest Christmas for 100 years. She was not impressed, but we have been delighted.

We spent the first half of the morning in Heraklion, at the Archaeological Museum. Unfortunately it only has a small display open at present, as the museum is being redeveloped. But the best of their artefacts are on display, and it is amazing to see items that have been recovered from the sites we visited.

Before returning to enjoy the sun on our apartment balcony, we detoured to see a renovated monastery nearby, which other guests had recommended. Apparently the bishop in charge was credited with many miracles, and money obviously poured in to redevelop the original monastery. The new monastery is amazing, but we were told the bishop is truly a man of God,and has moved away from the crowds to a more secluded monastery elsewhere in Crete.

The whole time we were in Crete, the warm 'summer' weather made us long for an ice-cream. But no one stocks them in the off season. So waiting in Athens for our un-hurried connection to London, we at last were able to have an ice-cream, before flying from the high 20s to the sleet and snow showers of London.