23. Last Post at the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium

Every night at 8pm precisely the last post is sounded in Ypres to remember the dead of the Great War. It has happened every night since 1927 - the only exception was during the German occupation of the town in WWII. Traffic is stopped and silence falls on the crowds.

It is a moving ceremony where anyone can participate and lay a wreath or tribute to those who died. The names of nearly 55,000 men who died before August 1917 and whose resting place is unknown are inscribed in the memorial. I attended on Sunday 19th April 2015.

Further details are on the Last Post website

22. Memorial Benches of Christchurch Park

Walking around Christchurch Park yesterday, I casually noticed that many of the wooden benches had names carved in them, I thought there must be some stories behind them, so today I went back to the park and started to make a list and photograph them. 

After an hour I had covered about 3/4 of the park and taken over 40 photos! Obviously that would be too long for a post on this blog - so I have set up a new blog to catalogue them all called Memorial Benches in Christchurch Park!

21. Exotic Meats

I'm not much of a meat eater, but when I saw Kangaroo meatballs and Ostrich burgers in the freezer at Iceland I had to try them out!

And the verdict? 

Well, Libby and I both liked the ostrich burgers, Jared and Lydia preferred the kangaroo meatballs and Steven wasn't impressed by either!

20. Raise £100 towards the new Blue Cross shelter at Wherstead

I have been selling my hand made birthday and Christmas cards at work and have raised £100 towards Burts Big Build - the appeal by the blue Cross for £3m to build a new re-homing Centre at Wherstead. 

2 of our cats (Millie and Moxxi) came from the over-crowded Centre at Felixstowe, so I know how needed a new facility is needed for Suffolk.

I'm glad that I have been able to make a small contribution - but there is still along way to go if you would like to make a donation too!

19. Harry Potter Studio Tour

A trip with Jared and Lydia on Christmas Eve to experience the magic of Harry Potter! 

Interesting to find out how the films were made, the props and costumes they used and how the special effects were put together. 

I had to wear my Christmas Witches hat - which was much admired by the staff. 

The model of Hogwards school at the end of the tour, covered in snow was amazing - as were the prices in the gift shop!!!!

18. Made My Own Christmas Wreath

Yesterday I went to a willow weaving wreath workshop (try saying that in a hurry!). We made the frame and the hanger for the wreath from weaving strips of willow into circles and then wove fresh pieces of foliage and berries into the frame to each make a unique and different wreath.

It took and 45 minutes and this is the finished article

I might add some ribbons and baubles now to match my xmas decorations. The willow frame can be reused in future years with just fresh holly, leaves and berries added each year

The workshop was hosted by Realise Futures - a great organisation that helps people into paid employment and gain new skills. Each Friday they come to the offices of Mid Suffolk District Council at Needham Market and sell their fresh locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants.

ps This week my poppy of experience number 2 arrived safe and sound!

17. Try out some new Ciders!

Not a hard one for me because I love cider! I spotted these new ciders when shopping and had to try them out. I am a big fan of Aspalls and they describe the Harry Sparrow cyder as 'Medium dry and sessionable with a floral aroma and cedar overtones of apples' .... I describe it as 'very drinkable'!

The Bulmers Indian Summer cider is a lower alcohol version that is "a unique cider with a subtle spice, made with apples and a hint of ginger and cardamom". I enjoyed this one too and would buy both of the ciders again.