The chaos and nonsense that is Christmas

Our customary visit to The Globe on Christmas Eve was not going to be a late one this year, apart from not wishing to waste money due to my redundancy, we didn't want to be feeling rough or tired for the big day.
It's just great bumping into old friends, Gary's friends, Olly's friends et al. The vibe was just tremendous and the beer good. Though I stuck to their xmas beer, Turkey Trauma. If I was picky I'd say they needed more bar staff on  as it took Gary about 20 minutes to get our first drink, it thinned out eventually but could have been better. I could wax lyrical about chatting to Oliver's best buddy Ben & his girlfriend Beth, to Ross and Rhianna to Rory, Ian,  Amy, Kathy & Jean but I won't, safe to say it was a great evening. Our early night?...…..we were there until chucking out time  and nearly got chucked out we were there so long. So much for a plan, well, it is Christmas!

Well the big day arrived, got the turkey on about 10, Gary did a sumptuous brekky of scrambled egg, avocado and toast (should have been smoked salmon as well but it didn't defrost in time), and Tim & I took Ida & Chilli for a walk. It was all going so well but somehow times went down the karzi and dinner was about an hour and a half later than advertised!  Not that it was a big deal to be honest. A few well placed homemade sausage rolls and dips and veg and crisps kept everyone happy, but then this isn't a restaurant, you'll get dinner when its bloody ready!
Round the table this year was Ella & Julian, Gary & Ellie, Olly & Laura, Tim, Beren and us,this year on a five legged table by way of a change as Tara managed to break one off earlier on in the month. This table isn't destined to become an heirloom, it won't last!! Joking aside it all worked really well and it was good fun. Plenty of food, including a delicious couple of gammons cooked in coke of all things from G&E and some very good lemon cheesecakes courtesy of O&L. The making of which must be seen as there is a sort of alchemy to it! ( ask them!) all seemed to meet with approval as alot of it went but everyone was too full for Christmas pud, so we never got as far as lighting it (my Dad's speciality, as the scorch marks on their ceiling will testify!!) or the home made mince pies.

 Crackers , Christmas that is, not cheese, were opened and jokes groaned at, we adjourned to the comfy seats and games proceeded and went on for the rest of the evening, the TV didn't get a look in! Ella and Julian and Tim went mid evening,as unfortunately Julian has been under the weather somewhat but it had been a fab day in all respects.
 I went for a long walk with Ida, Gary & Ellie on Boxing Day & Beren set off for home, its a good two hour journey. Also and met Olly and Laura the next two days to walk  Ida and Laura's family dog, Lexi.
It's been a funny Christmas. In some ways I've been wishing myself past it only so I can get going with interviews to get a new job in the New Year and on a sadder note I find that a cousins husband who though I have never met, we have spoken probably for hours over the past few years about genealogy, is losing his battle with prostate cancer and now on palliative care. It's a strange world and its funny when life gives you a kick up the arse you understand there are others in much worse situations. Its a leveller.

It's New Years Eve and we are on the cusp of a new decade, though strangely Alec & Laura in Australia are already in the New year,and Paul & Kate went off and got married in the Lake District! About time! 
What crap can get thrown at us this year!? None I hope. Its been a bloody good Christmas and if you know me at all you'll know I just love having my family around me, being daft, eating and drinking and laughing. Long may this continue, it makes me happy.

Olly and his friends going to the darts at the Ally Pally

Alec in Oz

Reggie, Ida & Chilli

Paul and Kate

An idiots guide to an Idiot: Birthday

An idiots guide to an Idiot: Birthday: I had another birthday at the beginning of December as you'll know if you read the previous blog. We had a cracking weekend in Oxford an...

Birthday

I had another birthday at the beginning of December as you'll know if you read the previous blog. We had a cracking weekend in Oxford and saw Absolute Bowie to boot.
What I didn't know was that T had arranged everyone to come round on Friday 6th evening (the day before my birthday). This was just brilliant! Gary, Ellie, Olly, Laura, Ella, Julian & Tim turned up and we all ordered a very nice Indian takeaway.
I should explain the Scottish tam o shanter with added hair that I am wearing. We try to buy each other a totally useless  & naff presie & I think Tara hit the jackpot with this hat and added tartan braces!

   Paul and Kate came over for lunch a couple of weeks later so we gathered all who was available as we do. A very pleasant afternoon with added hats and nonsense! You can't beat it!