23rd December: Christmas Eve Eve and the Great Snow

Picture 1: Snowflakes on Jess's back!

Picture 2: In the last couple of months, Orlando has started licking Jess's back to try to get her to play. She tolerates this usually.

Picture 3: The sad story of an Orlando sliding off a step!

Picture 4: Orlando was having a conversation with a neighbouring dog!

Picture 5: You may pet me!

Picture 6: the day started with opening cards, and this perfect one from the wonderful lady who lived at Stempster before us! 

Picture 7: the after effects of Storm Pia, but with a sprinkling of snow!

Picture 8: the start of a winter wonderland!

Picture 9: If you look closely, you can see a spaniel on this one!

Picture 10: Orlando has read the sign on the door and now needs to be admitted!

Picture 11: Oh dear.

Picture 12: Looking down over the cottage garden...

Picture 13: And out towards the wind farm...

Picture 14: Then across the lawn..

Picture 15: And the kitchen garden!

Picture 16: We never usually win anything, so Rusty has been a very important part of our Christmas since we won him at Homebase in 2013!

Picture 17: Orlando refusing to shake the snow off!

Picture 18: "I may be tiny but I have a big voice!"

Picture 19: the spruce tree being weighed down by all the snow!

Picture 20: Stempster House looking picturesque in the snow!

Picture 21: The Christmas cactus in all its glory behind all the glory of the nativity... The snow outside just makes it even better!

Picture 22: The robin was not quite sure about the bird feeder! He did have a go, though!

Picture 23: It is, of course, necessary to make the most of snow when it arrives... That means snowballs!