18.01.01-13. January in England

2018 started out smooth and relaxing. Baby Brynne slept almost all day in her new deluxe swing chair (after several days of active visiting with family and friends) while Curt, Sarah and I had a couch day watching the 6 hour BBC miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.  Very British and perfect for me since I did the same with Kelly and her family last year on Christmas Day. Good annual tradition!

On Jan 3 we embarked on Brynne's first overnight road trip. We picked up Curt after work and dark  (the sun sets here this time of year at 4:15 PM) and drove 90 minutes through the highly regarded Peaks District to Judy and Dave's house for a quick overnight visit.  Next day after lunch we continued on to Papa Pete's house in the highly regarded Lakes District. 

The first night Pete served us up a proper English pork roast complete with cracklin and roast potatoes. Curt has been raving about the potatoes and I agree, so I wrote down the cooking instructions for both (new to me) dishes, and plan on giving them a try at home.

Our one full day in the Lakes District was pleasant weather so we went out to enjoy. Driving in two cars to accommodate our baby load and Pete's schedule, I got a first class tour guide through the lakes.  Here we stopped for a close up look at Coniston Water where they swim in the summer 

On the way to one of Pete's easy day hike places.  Brynne was a hit on the trail, but walking on damp rocks was tricky for Curt with her in the sling so we made it this far up - maybe half way from the car park. 

Here I am on the same trail looking down 

The next day was beautiful and cold. Before we left for home, we took a family hike in Pete's neighborhood along narrow roads

through fields of sheep 

which are part of the public pathways found all over the country for people to enjoy the land.

Next day, back in Sheffield, I went with Moira 

to the Kellam Island Museum.  Sheffield is famous as a steel making town. Here is a huge steel making vat displayed at the entrance. 

Once inside, we spent the morning fully dressed in a cold warehouse museum that offered a very interesting narrative of the growth of Sheffield since the 1700's. 

This is a statue made of cutlery - one branch of the steel industry and a famous landmark in Sheffield. 

 

On the days at home I spent my time enjoying Brynne's company

 and sewing more decorative cushions for the house. Besides the original plaid cushion, I made two for their bedroom and two for Brynne's room 

which Sarah is starting to focus on now that the newborn days and Holidays are over. 

On Curt's next off work day, we took a road trip to Nottingham, home of Robin Hood and company. We visited the remains of the castle 

and took a tour of the actual underground caves which ended, conveniently at the oldest pub in England, Ye Old Road to Jerusalem 

for a bit of refreshment and an exciting diaper change. 

On my last full day in Sheffield we walked to "the allotment" to take a look at the progress Curt has made since my visit on Dec 2 when I 

arrived. 

While Brynne slept in the wheelbarrow 

Then we went to a local pub to have a Saturday night and farewell visit with Heather, John and buddy Bird. 

I'm all packed and ready to leave via taxi at 7:15 tomorrow A