Sunset Treks in the Snow...

These were photos of the sunset yesterday as I trekked the 8 mile round trip to work and back. The photos are lovely but don't convey just 'how cold' it was as soon as I stopped moving. With the sun reflecting on the snow, the landscape took on a pink hue and the sky was streaked by swaithes of duck egg blues, oranges and reds! just a great day to be alive and made for a memorable Christmas Eve this year!
Judging by the weatherforecast, this is just the 'start' of the winter 'cold snap' hitting the UK.

Enjoying Cafe Society in Belfast

Following the Peace Process in Ulster I've seen many new cafes open and this little one is one of my favs which I visited recently! Nice chewing the fat with friends, drinking coffee and watching the world go by :)

Home in Ireland

Just braved the worst snows in 25 years over there to see family before Xmas. Went to the Continental Market with my mum (outside the City Hall), then off for drinks and Chowder at Bittle's Bar in Victoria Street. A great little bar in a building that's very like the Flat Iron in NYC!!
Took a few shots of the house CS LEWIS lived in as a young boy and where the old wardrobe and his garden inspired him later to write THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE!! the fact that there was snow on the ground certainly gave it a Narniaeque glow to the place! and you can just see how the surrounding snowy woods must have inspired his young imagination!! He then went onto my old school as a student.
A flying visit, but had a great time with friends and family!!

My favourite Art Deco Cinema...

Which is in Belfast. Having just returned from 'the Province,' I went to watch a movie at 'the flicks' the other night. THE STRAND PICTURE HOUSE is the last old Art Deco 'streamline' cinema operating as 'a cinema' in Ireland now. Long may it continue!!
Shame they aren't showing 'It's a Wonderful Life' there for the Yuletide season.

OPERATION NARNIA

Further heavy snowfalls across the UK have meant treacherous road conditions, and in my personal situation, a car that is snowed in. So, the only thing for it is to trek the 8 mile round trip to work, as much of my work is scattered over a rural area of fields networked by little country lanes. Picturesque in the snow, but leathal for the unsuspecting motorist! So it was on with the gaiters, boots, waterproofs and layers to keep the biting cold at bay, that has plummeted at times to minus 20. For me it adds an extra challenge to the workday and a bit more physicallity which just seems to spice things up nicely! Be boring if things ran to plan 'all' the time.

White Tie is the White Stuff in a White Wonderland...

This weather is too good to miss out on having some chilled cocktails and friends around in this frozen wonderland filled with 'the white stuff.' So the Narnia Cocktail Bar is declared open. Dress, White Tie of course!!

The SNOW is snowing...the fire is GLOWING...

WITH TEMPERATURES plummeting to minus 20 up here on the Scottish Border counties and roads transformed into sheets of ice that would challenge Torvil and Dean, Winter has truely come to Britain with a 'punch' this year!!
Positives are that it does look like a scene from a CS Lewis novel and the snow drifts outside are ideal for chilling 'the drink,' or making snow angels..!!!...but the downside is that the roads are lethal, as are the temperatures for those that are vulnerable and don't take precautions against it.
Even my little 'pint sized' boys are feeling it and needing jackets and insulation against this 'early' cold SNAP!!
So, it's been on with the open fires, on with the sheepskin flying jacket and on with the mulled wine warming over the stove!! yum!! (medicinal of course).

Welcome to PADDY'S WINTER WONDERLAND COCKTAIL LOUNGE!!

1930's Bakelite Radio for 21st Century listening !

I'm the lucky owner of a late 30's American Bakelite Radio that unusually for it's age is extremely compact and sealed (not open at the back). Has 7 valves that glow and hum giving that lovely warm scent of heated dust and Bakelite ...!
It has also had a jack plug put in that allows me to hook up my iPod or iPhone and play vintage tracks and programs via the 30's valves!! Have just re-guilded/re-gilted the GILFILLAN motif and signature (a well known manufacturer of the 30's and 40's ), which has just restored some of its' former glory back. Will polish the Bakelite and it'll be almost like NEW!! (But with that patina that only 70+ years can give something!).
So, 30's technology meets 2010 pioneering Apple technology ! Amazing listening to Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington through this grand old lady!