Honey Is Made From Dead Bees

Trying out blogging from my Nokia

This week we were lucky enough to have a new wood burning stove fitted just in time for the cold winter nights. We said goodbye to our first little stove (a Charnwood 4) when we moved house. We have missed it terribly… well on cold nights anyway! This time we have a bigger stove in our front room rather than the dinning room and it is doing a great job as autumn fades away.

It feels like a little luxury but is practical in that it is a renewable (carbon neutral) energy source and we get the wood for free from various sources. It is almost entirely waste wood too.

Look who we bumped into on the way home last night!

Other than the cold wind, it did not seem too autumnal on an afternoon cycle with Alex. Our eyes were peeled for wildlife and this was our best snap of the day!

Back to local history it seems! Next to Carnoustie is Barry and Barry has had a water powered mill for around 5 centuries. More info at wikipedia. Last year a local group managed to ‘Save Barry Mill‘ from closure. This was partly fund-raising but also getting people attending. A number of events were organised including a couple of music nights. Last year was great fun so Marta and I looked forward to a night of ‘music/poetry/comedy’. A different format and it worked well. Of course my Flip Camera came along too and below is a collection of highlights of the second half of the evening.

Time to sum up the year that has nearly gone and to have a peak ahead at 2009. 2008 was the year we didn’t manage to sell the house and move – that’s my personal credit crunch story. The boys are now all at the same Nursery and School, Marta has been doing lots of craft and I started a new job in the spring. We’ve all had a splendid Christmas and been able to spend time with many family and friends.

In 2009 we will hopefully have a bigger house one way or another. Right now, I am setting some smaller goals for 2009. Podcasting has been one of best ‘things’ I picked up in the past few years and I have been able to effortlessly entertain and educate myself in many areas. It has put me off main stream media. I definitely want to watch more video podcasts rather than TV. So much so that I am pondering a iPod (if I can every pick which model!). I have finally given in and use iTunes for media. It’s a handy one for the front room PC and life is easier if I keep theme the same. I would like to consider some outdoor pursuits but even today’s slightly sunny weather can’t get me in the mood.

Maybe spring will bring the inspiration for exercise…

Needless to say the boys and dog were very excited. Dandy and I dashed along the beach…