Ye Olde Red Barn

We've just spent our first full day home from the country. It was a good getaway, but after 9 sleeps and parts of 10 days, we were ready for a return to an abode of greater comfort. These older bodies seem to demand more and more consideration.

We started out with 8 people crowding the place for a few days and then it was just down to Sue and me. Both scenarios had their good points. The kids waited on us wonderfully while they were there, cooking all of the meals — splendidly I might add — and washing all dishes. But we also enjoyed the quietude when it was just down to the golden oldies.

I have lots of pictures, so I will post more in days to come, but here are some of the red barn. I can't resist snapping this structure from various angles on each and every visit. This time was no exception.

Sometimes, I just step out onto the little stoop at the side of the cottage and snap away. On this morning, the sun was out nicely, which was seldom true during this stay.I decided to leave the edges of other buildings in the picture as a bit of a frame.

This shot is from the same vantage point, but I really zoomed in.

It looks different from the same spot on a cloudy and snowy day.

I took this while trudging around on my snowshoes. Sue did a watercolour from a view much like this many years ago, except I don't think the little tree in the frame had been born yet.

Also taken on another snowshoe tromp. I really like this one.

I like it in black & white too — maybe even more.

I have never taken this shot before. I was down on the frozen river. It is highly unlikely that I will ever see this view again, for, even if we do get back in winter, the ice on the river isn't always as reliable as it was this time — thanks to the polar vortex.

That's it for now. Belated Happy New Year to you all.