Happy Lunar New Year. Some zodiac animals. An iconic building from my childhood.

Welcome to the Year of the Snake, which begins today according to the Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang.

Facebook reminded me recently that 5 years ago I crocheted these little creatures for the Year of the Rat, at the request, I seem to remember, of my daughter who thought it would be a good present for her half-Chinese offspring.

And so a tradition began, with oxen the following year

then tigers,

rabbits 

and dragons. 

This year we have snakes.

Manchester city centre is already decorated with masses of red paper lanterns and there will be events over the weekend, including a procession with the traditional dragon. 

Let’s hope the sun shines for them

When I was a child, one of the familiar landmarks as we walked to school or went on family walks was the Round House at Hillside, Southport, not far from the Royal Birkdale Golf Club. I was always intrigued by the design and would have loved to get a look inside it, to see how they organised the walls of rooms in a circular building like that. The occasion never arose. 

Someone sent me a pair of photos of the Round House, one during construction back in 1926

and one as it is nowadays.

There is a story, almost a legend, that one year when an important (to the golfing world anyway) event was taking place at the Royal Birkdale, the CocaCola company had the idea of painting the building to look like a can of Coke. They are said to have offered the owners a large sum money, which was turned down. Quite right too! That part of town was far too select for such things!

Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!