Books, Birds and Burgers

Saturday - we went to our favourite secondhand book sale. It was tipping down so we couldn't set outside the hall as usual with our coffee but stayed inside instead and were given free mince pies. We didn't buy as many books as usual, but still came away with a few bargains. Next it was off to our usual charity shop where I picked up a nice skirt for £3.50. Then over to mum and dads for lunch and a dice game or two and finally over to our friends Wendy and Mick to see their garden Christmas lights (and them of course). We didn't stay long as Wendy was shattered having cooked hundreds of Christmas dinners this week at the factory where she works as a chef.

Today we met Peter's brother Keith and sister in law Anne at the London Wetlands Centre. The weather wasn't brill but we didn't get too wet as it was a short walk between hides. We saw some interesting birds, including a Water Rail, spotted by Anne which definitely wins the award for best bird spotted of the day! There were some amusing moments especially the hide where the seats were so high that you couldn't see through the narrow windows in the hide! You either had to stand up and peep over the top or crouch down to child height. We had a nice lunch in the restaurant and this offered a much needed warm up as it was rather cold outside. We finished the day off with a mooch around the gift shop (but none of us bought anything) and then an exchange of Christmas presents in the car park. We've already had a bit of a prod at ours but we won't open them until the day honest !!! It was lovely to see you Keith and Anne - as you say, maybe we can meet up in the summer for a warmer birding experience :-)

Getting out of London wasn't too bad and we enjoyed spotting the Christmas lights in shops and gardens. We stopped at the motorway services for a burger so that we didn't have to cook when we got home.

This evening we are thawing out in front of the TV - it's been a good weekend - just a shame it's back to work tomorrow.....