Tiddly-pom!

[shewhomust]

We were invited by the chatelaine of Brancepeth Castle to her annual New Year's Day coffee and bread and cheese and make a contribution to charity if you feel like it. And first thing this morning we weren't sure, but the sun was shining and we thought we'd risk it. We arrived without mishap. The guests were gathered in the great hall, clustered around the fires burning one at each end of the room (with a Christmas tree reaching up to towards the ceiling in the middle), and we admired each other's boots and travels and courage. After a couple of hours, durham_rambler pointed out more snow was falling, and we beat a hasty retreat (with a little help to get the car moving, but once we had a grip on fresh snow we were fine).

Having been out of the house, however briefly, leaves me feeling much more positive about the year!

Comments

[karinmollberg.livejournal.com]

Seems an excellent place to gather to gather some hope for the future. I mean, its been there a while, hasn´t it?!

I only had me an only cigar in the fog, thereby adding to it. Works every time. Now for champagne! Oh dear, it isn´t six o´clock, yet. But I can wait.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I mean, its been there a while, hasn´t it?!

Well, there's been a castle there for quite a while, but most of what you see is nineteenth century!

Oh dear, it isn´t six o´clock, yet. But I can wait.

Oh, you can drink champagne at any time (if you're lucky enough to have some!).

[cinderberry.livejournal.com]

Goodness. You are very, very brave people.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I hope you're laughing at me. I do know that this weather is NOTHING.

[cinderberry.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm genuinely impressed. The drive to Brancepeth has always been somewhat challenging to me, even without the snow!

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

What a lovely way to see the NY in. This looks like a fabulous building.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

It is wonderful, and also - because it is very definitely lived in - has great charm.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

We've got over our snow for now and seems like it's your turn. It looks pretty but I hate driving in it. Glad you had a good time and Happy New Year!

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

That photo made me smile in a way that few would. ;-D

(and if I haven't done so, I wish you the bestest New Year ever)

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you - for both of those things.

When will we see some photos of your new home?

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

We have photos that were used in the listing, but since they are of someone else's furniture and trappings, we figured that we'd wait until the house was well and truly ours before posting. We close on 20 January.

I'm still trying to decide to wait until we actually have *furniture* before taking all the photos.