"Gone away is the blue bird ...

... here to stay is the new bird ..."

Christmas preparations are fully under way here - I've been making yet more bread, as well as buying presents, and stocking up on loose leaf tea, and the all important  freshly roasted coffee beans.  

I started looking at the images from my recent trip, but I'm still working my way through the first 2 days worth from the Cloud Forest, - I've not even got to the Galapagos yet.

This morning we joined our neighbour R for a very enjoyable coffee - he's 95 and while he's slowed down a fair bit, there's no sign whatsoever of any of his marbles having been temporarily misplaced.  He is still able to live on his own next door (his wife died a few years ago now), and walks to the shops etc.  He's played the organ for years in various local parishes but he's sadly decided that he's going to have to "let that go now"(!).  I can't imagine that my genes are going to be that good - but he is very impressive for his age.