16th December Christmas Munch. Burbage Woods Visitor Centre.

                                                      "Rockin' around the Christmas tree 

                                                              At the Christmas party hop, 
                                                                         Mistletoe hung where you can see, 
                                                                                 Every couple tries to stop, "

We were listening to Brenda Lee when we arrived at the Burbage Woods Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, it was so grey it was difficult to see any Christmas trees.

                                                 
Was it going to get any thicker today - well no, because the weather forecast said so.

Plenty of smiles as we prepared for a short walk before the Christmas Munch.

Hats on parade.

And ear muffs

Time for a couple of smashing  group photos just before the off.

Hat adjusting

                                   Somebody said that we should wear something daft so we did. 

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
but have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
And when you walk down the street
Say Hello to friends you know
and everyone you meet

At this point somebody thought that the weather forecast mentioned that sun shine was still a possibility - mmm maybe not!

The foggy weather was it seems why a long time ago a very famous reindeer came out and helped Santa.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history"

                   
 Looks a bit deserted down the line and even more so across the fields.

You know us walkers like a bit of gosssip now and again so have you heard the latest.

                                                             I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
                                                                                  Underneath the mistletoe last night
                                                                                         She didn't see me creep
                                                                                                 Down the stairs to have a peep
                                                                                                         She thought that I was tucked up
                                                                                                                  In my bedroom, fast asleep

                                                                     then I saw mommy tickle Santa Claus
                                                                       Underneath his beard so snowy white
                                                                            Oh, what a laugh it would have been
                                                                                          If Daddy had only seen
                                                                                                  Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night

After passing the horse riders we only had a short way to go  to our half way point.

Just as we got to the half way point a couple of elves turned up on their way to the Visitor Centre. We arranged to catch up there - had to look around the farm shop first.

After checking out the farm shop we set off for our Christmas Munch back at the Visitor Centre.

A bit of mud but

we went this way

On a mission now - it was starting to get a bit on the chilly side.

                                              

No cooking today.

Walkers and non walkers on the day met at the Visitor Centre. We were all ready for our Christmas Munch.

So pleased to see walkers bringing their partners and walkers we'd not seen for a while having a good old catch up. 

Then just as the mains finished out came puddings.

Surprise, surprise you're on camera.

               Thank you all for the wonderful gifts and to everyone who helps to make our group  so special.

Sadly, after battling a long illness one of our walkers passed away earlier in the week. Our thoughts are with his family particularly at this special time of the year. He was such a lovely man, a true gentleman and we miss him greatly.  But he wouldn't want us to be sad.

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
and two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
know how he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that
old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head
he began to dance around.
O, Frosty the snowman
was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh
and play just the same as you and me.
Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpetty thump thump,
thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow

One of our walkers brought along some of his photographic work for us to enjoy.  Amazing pictures, some scenic but mostly wild life.

Our thanks to Acorns Coffee Shop at the Visitors Centre for looking after us so well again.


Next week, the 23rd December we meet at the usual place for a local short walk, dependant on the weather. See you then.