Well Hello Old adventure blog, What a turn of events hey, haven't been prompted to put up a post for Christmas and January until now... Must work harder at doing some adventuring I suppose. Would hate to think we had grown all sedentary and boring... But its winter and lets just say hibernating has been tempting. We have done a bit of property hunting, spent time in Leeds city doing the shoops, arcades, bars and of course going to the German Christmas markets and getting our annual stollen and chocolate grog flavoured marshmallows, lunched at some pubs and gone to a party or two but really, adventures? You'll have to decide.
Gail of course, being the prime earner here had a reward of a company xmas party with her new friends at the Hartlepool and North Tees Hospital
Our own Christmas party was a little less grand but the presents were good, for the first time in our time here Gail's employer sent us a xmas hamper of foody delights and xmas cheer.
Boxing day saw us revisit one of our local pubs for a couple of quiet ales next to a welcome radiator. Gail's new , bought at a Leeds Street Market, rustic leather bag from Morocco, Xmas present is evident here so I know it was after xmas day.... not that I don't have total recall of every thing we do on every day we do it.... reminder to self, must turn on the date stamp in the camera.
New Years eve we met up with Rob and Angela for a few ales, a long awaited catch up conversation and then......
.....Off to JaFlong's for a slap up curry meal with Clare and Paul before returning home for a few fireworks and quiet wines, New Years day from what I recall was rather subdued.
And yes it snowed a bit in January, this is about 6 inches over night.
Okay I have given up all pretence of trying to recall the other pubs and places we went to without the camera but we did visit West Tanfield again because one of their two pubs was offering a deal for lunch, We went on a Tuesday.
Following are pics of the pub, the food was good, the souffle delicious if a bit burnt on top and the pork mains were ample fare . We deferred the puddings as there was another pub in town for that.
Outside the pub was a field and in the field a couple of cute little pit donkeys, or as the owner/donkey rescue lady described them, Cornish beach donkeys, I don't really care which, but look at their short legs will you? Gail was smitten but as they didn't like human males I walked away so they would come and play with Gail.
Gail was very happy and has taken many many donkey photos
Knowing she would catch me up eventually , remember there was pudding still to be had, I thought I'd see if the old tower was open and if we could get up inside. It was, We could, we did.
Looking down from inside the tower the pudding pub is the last building next to the bridge. The tower is salvaged but a ruin, scenic though I'm sure you'll agree, and only about 30 minutes from Wetherby. Which is scenic also to be fair.
The pudding pub
Looking back from the bridge to the towers, the taller one is the church tower. We didn't climb that. One flight of silly steep steps a day is the rule of the knee. This is he river Ure and it was in rush after the thaw and endless rains. Have I mentioned the rain? 19 months of it? Every day? No? .....well, let me tell you......ok, maybe later.
Given however that this part of the day was dry and brisk, okay, windy and cold, the best views were enjoyed from here inside the Bull pub with a drink and a hot pudding. So, sorry to say, as far as adventures go that's about it for the picturesque bits........
I alluded in an earlier blog that we were considering our options and this was one we considered in Leeds, a 2br 2 bath apartment next to the trains and canals of the city. Auction in February so we will see if it doesn't get to silly money we may put in a bid, it's rented well, would make a profit but only if buyers are put off by the fact that it is a re-possession and the risks of buying are a bit higher..... All good fun. Its the one with the light on above the blue foyer. view and main living pics below.
And so other than all the stuff I forget we did because we are hibernating, and other pub lunches don't really count as adventures, we'll call that a wrap for January. In Feb we are heading down to Richmond, Cambridge, Cheltnam and maybe even Surrey.... The gods only know what will come of that adventure but hopefully some wondrous things.
Our own Christmas party was a little less grand but the presents were good, for the first time in our time here Gail's employer sent us a xmas hamper of foody delights and xmas cheer. 
Gail was very happy and has taken many many donkey photos
I alluded in an earlier blog that we were considering our options and this was one we considered in Leeds, a 2br 2 bath apartment next to the trains and canals of the city. Auction in February so we will see if it doesn't get to silly money we may put in a bid, it's rented well, would make a profit but only if buyers are put off by the fact that it is a re-possession and the risks of buying are a bit higher..... All good fun. Its the one with the light on above the blue foyer. view and main living pics below.
