Another very cold weekend. Yesterday was cold and foggy. We went over to Erwood where there is a craft centre to scope out some possible Christmas presents, but were not successful. Took a rather meandering route home which was beautiful and wild, with the hedges still thick with hoarfrost, looking quite spooky in the mist.

This morning, we went over to the Elan Valley through Newbridge-on-Wye, in a bitterly cold but sparkling morning. Walked alongside Caban Coch Reservoir, which we seemed to have to ourselves, apart from a lone mountain biker who was incredibly wearing shorts!! We were wrapped up in fleeces, hats, scarves and vests. Saw some gorse in bloom and was reminded of the saying "Kissing's in season when gorse is in bloom", and suited the action to the word. Got back to the car and ambled home. Saw icicles and red kites. Up here of course it is their stronghold, and I am already getting used to seeing them as a normal part of the bird life. I attach some photos of the walk - I think they make the move to mid Wales self-explanatory. Out very shortly to a matinee performance of Brideshead Revisited. It hasn't had the best reviews but will be interesting to see what they've done with it.