As I have mentioned elsewhere, Christmas is BIG at Sandford.
It rained and rained in December and it flooded ...
... outside the gates.
And it flooded in Winscombe but, North Somerset was lucky as we had a lot less flooding than elsewhere.
It was wet On the Strawberry ...
... Line, but it stood up really well. Before it was resurfaced in 2019 this would have been virtually impassible on a road bike or for a pedestrian not in wellies.
Somebody put up this notice on the Strawberry Line. We, the volunteers, were asked to take it down as it wasn't 'official'. Reluctantly, we did so, but it reappeared shortly afterwards! I posted about it on NextDoor and I think it had more replies than anything ever posted before - over 50 and, nearly all, strongly in favour.
The new Strawberry Line section is getting plenty of punters.
Post-box 'hat' in Wrington.
Waiting for the bus - the 125 which DOES come.
View over Wrington.
Us residents tested a few bottles of wine ...
We had a singer, Emma, entertain us at the 'Cocktails and Canapés' party. 'Our' table were told off for bad behaviour. Result!
I looked smart (for once).
And us residents tested a few more bottles ...
John & Dave (residents) played for us in the bar, which was super. Nothing fancy, but good 'Lounge Music'.
St Monica started some work on The Station Master's House which will be used as temporary accommodation for Filipino & Malaysian carers starting here at the end of January. 24 altogether in two tranches.
Christine led the Carol Service ...
... with Occasional Brass (who were rather loud and played s l o w l y).
For Christmas I was given a Flying Scotsman tin of fudge (by Darren) and, no, I have not eaten all the fudge yet! Margaret was given this shampoo by Belinda which was apt but not appreciated by the recipient label-wise!
I received 2 x pairs of cycling socks (from Shelagh & Val) and several other things too. What a lucky old chap!
For the last knockings of 2023, I started the major task of sweeping up all the leaves now they have fallen off the trees. It is endless grief, having a garden!