Walking in the Woods

I have decided that a walk in the woods on Boxing Day may become a new family tradition. Well a couple tradition, anyway, seeing as there are only two of us.

Batsford Arboretum is about 15 miles away from where we live and although I have had plans all year to go, we only made it yesterday. My intention had been to go each season, to photograph the changes, particularly in Autumn but there were still pictures to be taken yesterday.

There were loads of people out and about, enjoying the mulled wine on offer and the mild weather. Children with new bikes and trikes, dogs enjoying the leaves and adults sporting their new christmas jumpers (or hats in my case)

Ah yes, the old 'extend your arm and take a photo of ourselves' trick. I admit to looking a little worse for wear in the photo, although am blaming it on lack of make up, rather than over indulgence of wine the previous day. Or was it champagne?

I could tell a big fib and say that this is our house, but alas, it is just a fabulous place which looks as if it has been dropped in the middle of the woods. They have the most amazing view, and the porch is beautifully decorated with pots and planters, and bird feeders. It made me think of Hansel and Gretel, although was sadly lacking in gingerbread. It must have been lovely to wake up in a location like that on Christmas morning. Or any morning, come to that.

Or this place, which I think belongs to the Batsford family, although more research is needed on my part. It is right on the edge of the estate and is beautiful. We could just make out hundreds of twinkling lights through the leaded windows, there must have been a big family gathering, given the number of cars outside. How the other half live!