Christmas Day

It all started with early morning breakfast and it wasn't quite light outside.

I set up my fold-up table with a Christmas cloth and lit some candles

and my tiny Christmas tree

all to wish you a very

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

The Christmas elves came to the party

The Christmas Garland is in place

A little gnome joined me this year -

he just walked in and settled himself on the 2020 Temperature Blanket

which isn't quite finished.

A beautiful bauble arrived from England from a kind and generous

photography friend.

The little house lights up inside. 

Isn't it beautiful?

Here is the second lovely bauble: a forest scene which I set among 

pine branches and added some fairy lights.

We've had some beautiful sunsets

This one was taken in my neighbourhood.

One day, we even had a sprinkling of snow - followed by rain!

I prepared the Christmas stockings for my daughter and my grandson!

We met up in my nearby park to have some family time

and open our presents!

Quite a special Christmas this year

but fun all the same - just different!

A lovely touch to our little gathering, a lady appeared out of nowhere

bringing with her some cookies, lychees and a mandarin orange.

She said that we looked 'adorable' sitting there exchanging gifts in the open air!

Wasn't that a touching gesture?

We're guessing that she lives in one of the apartments overlooking the park!

This year, Swarovski came out with a beautiful crystal star

with an Aurora Borealis colour effect.

It's to celebrate their 25th Anniversary.

The first flower on my Amaryllis named Aphrodite started to open

The next day, two flowers opened up completely and they're still blooming now

one week later.

It wouldn't be Christmas without the cookies. 

These are everyone's favourites: Viennese Crescents.

So if your alone or with family

may your Christmas be merry!

I've been having a beautiful relaxing time:

watching classical old films,

listening to Christmas Carols

cooking a traditional roast chicken with cranberry sauce and my daughter's  stuffing!

and I haven't felt alone for one minute!

At 4 pm, I'm going to enjoy a Zoom meeting with my family!

See you all again very soon!

I'll leave you to listen this joyful Sussex Carol:

The Lausanne Walking Event 2017

Doesn't this look exciting?

A flash tee-shirt, a medal and a number bib with my name on it!

It all started with this poster!

What about if I took part in this sports' event?

I've already done this quarter marathon, which is 10.54 km (6.55 miles) twice,

but that was ten years' ago!

Why not again this year?

The sheer thought made me want to do it and I started training right away,

doing a minimum of 10.000 steps a day and mostly doing much more!

The spring weather was perfect: dry, sunny, not too hot.

I walked just everywhere!

I mentioned my intentions to my daughter, who is a regular runner

who usually does running events.

She thought about my participation this year and said that she would join me!

Great!

We've never done this together before!

The morning of the big day, I prepared a homemade Birchermuesli

which I made by mixing organic oats, almonds and raisins, 

soaked overnight in almond or rice milk.

At the last minute, I added sliced banana and fresh raspberries.

A good energy-giving preparation for our power walking!

Here we are

fresh and full of energy before the quarter marathon!

Here is the walking group at the starting point waiting to get into our stride.

On the downhill part we could even chat!

Coming in over the arrival line!

I did it!

It was great!

I can feel all the little bones in my feet!

Timing: 1 hour 41 minutes!

I wanted to do it in less than 1hr45!

Better timing than I imagined.

The last time I did this walking event I did it in 1hr32.

The route was a slightly different one this time with more uphill parts

and I'm also ten years older with less time spent training!

Here we both are after finishing, wearing our medals and feeling elated and happy!

We had a special healthy, late lunch at one of the restaurants

special dishes had been prepared for the day.

A detox smoothie and a vegetarian platter.

Delicious!

Here is the outside terrace of the restaurant, empty when we left.

We all know the benefits of walking. 

Have you ever tried Power Walking?

It's invigorating and mood-enhancing and great for our health.

I'm going to continue getting out, even when it's raining!

We are finally getting some rain after an early spring and I just love

using my colourful umbrellas, like the one you see above.

In fact, I love umbrellas!

I'm enclosing the link to a short video below

VIDEO

from the official Lausanne Sports' Event.

It's really worth watching to get a feel of the fun and exciting atmosphere.

My daughter and I can be seen coming in towards the finishing line

in the second video clip and also the third one right after the advertisement!

Turn up your sound for the accompanying uplifting music

and lovely scenes of the city in which I live!

***

A Life Well Remembered: A Story

When I was twelve and my brother six, my mother left to make a new life for herself,

without us.

My father became a single parent.

Every day of my adult life, I am thankful that my brother and I were brought up by my dad.

It wasn't always easy, especially during our teen years,

but dad did his best to be the best dad he could be.

I consider myself lucky as I have inherited my dad's positive and upbeat attitude,

his love and enthusiasm for life and his caring nature.

Dad was full of fun and was always there for me when I needed him.

When I became a mother to three lovely children, 

I realized the true value of my dad's upbringing.

There isn't a day goes by when I don't think of the father I was given,

how lucky I was and how I shall always be truly thankful.

I'll never forget all he did for me 

and I'll never forget that smile of his

and his wonderful twinkling blue eyes.

Photo:

Two photos of Dad, a book of poems he gave to me,

his Parker fountain pen, which I still use,

and a handkerchief with his initial, J for John, which he once left when he came to stay

and which I laundered and kept in memory of him.

His writing in a birthday card he sent to me.

***

Joining Sarah at Paisley Rain Boots and Lee at Sea Blue Lens

for Scene & Story