And still the cold weather goes on and on and on . . . . . . . . . .

One very cold robin

The twice daily changing of the ice-making water bowl - FUN!

Snow Snaps

The freezing weather forced John undercover into the workshop where he created some nestboxes for the Springtime . .

John's stack of nestboxes!

Frosty milk bottles

Frozen tree tops sparkle in the morning sun

The Stiperstones in their cloak of white

Beautiful scenery along the lane

Our Cardoons blasted with snow from the North

Winter sunrise over the Stiperstones

Snow surprise

Even though the Winter has arrived early the goats don't seem to mind

Violet and Primrose - "Can you please let us out"

Not sure the hens approve though

But their food tastes much better than ours

This is fun - we love the snow!

It may be cold but the scenery is beautiful here

In the garden our weeping birch looks lovely in the snow but my poor polytunnel

Singing from the Souls of Your Feet

Last weekend, 27th-28th November, saw Polly Bolton's first visit to Gleanings. Her voice is magic and her teaching incredible. Nearly everyone managed to get here, despite the snow! Well done to you all - what a brave lot! John did have to help out with his 4x4 but it all adds to the fun, doesn't it? The weather didn't put Polly off as she has volunteered to return to Gleanings next year and run a day "Singing for the Terrified" so if you think you can't sing let Polly show you how.

Everyone gathered in the warm by the logburner and sang their little socks off.

 They even braved the snowy weather for a photo shoot in the winter sunshine

Mum and daughter together for a photo after Anna decided to take a brisk walk

Willow Baskets Square and Round

The weekend of 13th-14th November saw the return of Pippa Scott teaching the art of square willow basket making. Everyone did so well that on the second day they also made a round basket.

Starting from the bottom

You work your way up

Pippa will keep you on the right track

And you can create some wonderful results

Open Mic

Open mic pals meet at Gleanings every other Monday evening and what a great atmosphere and what incredible talent there is out there!

Beginners Out! Experts In!

The next day, Sunday 31st, was the turn of the more experienced melodeon players. Rees took them through their paces with East Anglian Tunes - lovely!

East Anglian Experts?

Roger & Marjana in deep concentration

Andy - "How did that go?"

Sunset serenade

Taster Day on Melodeons with the amazing Rees Wesson

Plenty of Choice

Rees strutting his stuff at evening session

Beautiful weather

Taking the air

Rees in serious mode - if that's possible

What a fantastic day it was on Saturday, 30th October. Gleanings was packed with over a dozen eager people wanting to get their hands on one of Mr Wesson's instruments!