Other Local Animals...

We’ve spent a lot of time during lockdown at the farm down the street, which has continued to get upgraded including adding these colorful birdhouses.

The miniature donkeys don’t usually catch our attention... 

...although sometimes it’s hard not to notice them. 

The goats have the most adorable barn.

Kati was surprised to find a dog in the otherwise empty chicken pen.

We sniggered when we saw this pig statue letting it all hang out in the frontyard of a house in our neighborhood.

 

Christmas in Holland...

Jimmy and I were thrilled to be invited to Sally and John’s for a traditional British Christmas dinner. This was the first year that they’d spent Christmas in Holland as they always go to the UK to be with their families, but that wasn’t possible this year due to all of the travel restrictions. 

We had a delicious dinner of turkey with lots of veggies.

Sally got the grand prize in her Christmas cracker: a mini whoopee cushion.

John lit the Brandy-soaked Christmas pudding...

...which made for a good show and a yummy dessert.

We looked pretty silly wearing our cracker hats while waiting for our train home.

 

Christmas in Exeter...

On Christmas morning, we had another family video call. I managed to send a box of goodies to the girls just before delivery to the UK became embroiled in border controls and extra tariffs due to Brexit.

That afternoon, Veronica and Ashlynn went to the University of Exeter campus for some lovely formal self-portraits. 

Still amazes me how two such goofy-looking parents managed to create such beautiful creatures.

They stayed dressed up for their Christmas dinner, consisting of sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and assorted roasted veggies...

…complete with Christmas crackers.
 

Christmas Eve...

The girls did their final hike on the South West Coast Path on Christmas Eve.

How cool is this coastal waterfall at Scabbacomb Sands!

It was a beautiful day for hiking from Kingswear to Brixham.

That evening Ashlynn DJed again for SubCity, a freeform radio station of the University of Glasgow and we listened to her show at Carlin and Kent’s. It was very cool that Ashlynn worked with Brett’s sister, who is an artist, to come up with the artwork. She opened A Very Crabby Christmas Show with a very touching thanks to Jimmy and me for helping to foster her love of music and to Jimmy in particular for introducing her to electronic music. 

It was great celebrating with Carlin, Kent and Mark, as always. 

 

Sisters Hiking the South West Coast Path...

Veronica was thrilled to introduce Ashlynn to the South West Coast Path over three separate outings.

Each time they took a train and bus to different starting points.

If you look closely, you should be able to see a rainbow on the right side.

Ashlynn was especially happy to spot a seal. 

Once again Veronica didn’t let December temps stop her from donning her red gown for some self-portraits. 

On this foggy day, the girls hiked 7.1 miles (11.4K) and wrote their own blog post about the adventure.

Remember this photo of Ashlynn wearing running shoes while hiking as foreshadowing of what’s to come on a hike about 10 days later. 

 

Meanwhile in Exeter...

Veronica was thrilled to show Ashlynn around more of Exeter...

…and nearby Totnes. As you can see many of their outings involved eating...

...including going to the Firehouse for their incredible vegan pizza served on the patio. This turned out to be Veronica’s last in-restaurant meal in Exeter as another lockdown started shortly afterwards that only allowed restaurants to serve takeout and lasted until she had to leave in mid-March.

Another thing Veronica introduced to her little sister was how to embroider, something I got into during university as well. 

They tried to at least get out for a walk on each dry day. 

One restaurant set up tents for their guests, which made a nice backdrop for photos. Per coronavirus restrictions, the girls couldn’t order alcohol because they weren’t ordering a meal, so they settled for alcohol-free mulled wine.