Learning in the u3a movement

One of my favourite places near Belfast is the Montalto Estate. This bench is where I head first to capture the beautiful view down the lake to the house with hopefully a good reflection and I would sit here for a while planning the rest of my visit. It is so peaceful and the view is constantly changing with the weather and the seasons

I thought quite hard about My Favourite Thing - coal fires in winter, autumn leaves, family, but in the end I settled on 'Sun, Sea and Sand' - or even just any walk along a lovely long beach, but not quite regardless of weather!

I’ve certainly baked more this year than ever before, and chocolate cupcakes are my favourite bake, with buttercream icing of course!

Five of my favourite things - Caesar - my beanie bear - 19 years old, and showing his age; a trig point; distant views; being out for a walk and reaching the top of a hill. What more could a lass want....!

This still life has favourite objects which I have tried to bring together into a harmonious whole to represent three generations of people whom I have loved. The colours reflected by the mother-of-pearl inlay in the black lacquered platter fascinated me as a young child during WWII when my mother, sister and I lived with her parents whilst my father was away serving in the RAF. We were reunited as a family when he was demobbed, bringing the copper rose-water jug back from Egypt, it's warm glow reminds me of a happy childhood. The little dish and vase were both made by my young engineer husband in the sixties. I have enjoyed arranging garden flowers in it throughout our married life. The beauty and taste of fruit, once so scarce, is an ongoing delight.

Izzi, my scruffy Cocker Spaniel who drinks water anywhere except from her bowl, is a really big favourite. Then there's water, in most forms such as sea, lakes, rivers, on tap; you name it, and the watering can with its links to gardening. It was a lucky shot!

During the War, Dad was a qualified secretary using his typing skills to type up army orders, write his own poetry and concert party scripts. When unsure of my own career path he advised - secretarial skills are always in demand. How right he was, and I followed his example. I am delighted to own his old faithful typewriter. It meant so much to him and now is my most treasured possession.

Three of my favourite things - mountains, blue sky days and a large bar of fruit & nut. After lockdown restrictions eased I headed to one of my favourite places, the spectacular Corrie Fee in Glen Doll and on to Mayar, one of our local Munro’s. Half of the chocolate had just been, the other half was in my rucksack for a treat on the summit

An uplifting favourite could be found here

My favourite thing - A Kingfisher; a beautiful bird a joy to behold.

My favourite thing is my camera. During the lockdown I have been able to walk to my local riverside park to photograph Maldon, my home town.

My favourite thing is a place. Lake Ullswater in the Lake District has become my sanctuary. The light is always changing and this shot revealed itself for a few minutes when I was thinking of calling it a day.

Sefton Coastal Path 19th Nov 2020... never seen such a perfect rainbow; people started to applaud... very beautiful, quite moving...

Cheesecake and fruit berries...with a hint of cream. One of my favourite puddings. I have yet to meet a calorie I don’t like.

My favourite thing throughout this lockdown has been this family of swans. I’ve visited them many times in our local park and have watched them grow from hatchlings to independent-minded adolescents. This is a rare and special shot of the mother and the children together.