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We're down in Pin Mill to be with the family over New Year.

The weather is dry and clear on these winter days and the village is looking good, especially when the tide is in.

Matt is working New Year's eve and Jack has to return to Birmingham soon so we celebrate New Year early with a meal out at the pub.

Our second morning dawned bright and sunny so I head out for a quick walk to enjoy the views and exercise our dogs.

This is the view up river from the track next to the Sailing Club.

A stretch of the legs takes me up river to the houseboat.

The one on the left used to be livable, even rented out at times, but it fell into disrepair and a new boat is now moored alongside.

Looking back at Pin Mill Bay and the River Orwell

as it makes its way to the east coast and the open sea beyond Harwich.

Back in the village and there's still frost on the rooftops of the house behind the village green.

The sun makes a more colourful display of boats in King's Boatyard.

It is about 9am and low tide in the river . . . when the water recedes it's mud all the way.

The others will be up and getting breakfast so I head back.

A full boatyard, hardly surprising at this time of year as people store and work on their boats.

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With everyone together this evening we decide this would be the best time for a meal at the pub.

The Butt and Oyster is as classic on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Note: the shortage of beer taps . . . instead there's Adnams real ale barrels ready and waiting to be tapped behind the bar.

The decor reflects the maritime heritage of the village and of the pub.

The way to our table has been suitably garlanded for Christmas.

Luke loves the decorations.

Cathy and her boys . . . plus Sam's friend Tom at the opposite end of the table.

Gareth and Rhian and our other grandson Luke.

At two and three quarters he's into big plates . . . even though he might not finish it all.

Five of our six grandsons, Alexander kindly sitting to make Ann feel taller.

Back home the games are out.

The other game of the moment was 'Monopoly Deal'.

Think Monopoly without  the board, swap cards in turn, pay and claim rent and make up three sets of properties to win.

The rules are a little complicated, as Sam found when he tried to explain them to Dylan !

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Next day we head out with some of the family for some gentle exercise

across the fields in the direction of Wolverston Marina.

There are several boats out on the water, this one motoring slowly down stream against the rising tide.

This motor cruiser glides past the other direction.

It is carried up river faster than it expected by that same incoming tide.

The view of the Orwell Bridge is clearer this afternoon . . . the clarity is also helped by us being closer than yesterday.

Heading back to base now.

When we get home the haze has cleared, the sun is brighter and the tide is in.

The road across the front will flood on a four metre tide . . . today it was about 4.1 mtrs so it would have been tricky walking across in shoes.

On high spring tides it can be so deep that it is impossible to drive across to the boatyard and Cathy's house.

The clear skies continued through to dusk.

The moon and the evening star (Venus) are out, but without the cloud of last night's sunset we don't get the red skies this evening.

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