As predicted Saturday was hectic. I took Robbie to the barbers. I had my haircut, and then left Robbie in the chair whilst I went off to Woolies to get some gift vouchers. This in itself was something or a more complicated exercise than it should have been, but I will put aside that frustration for another day. I returned to the barbers expecting to see Robbie’s hair tidied and shorn of a few feet of hair, and then to pass over some of my hard earned money in return. However, a ‘hot’ debate ensued about which hair had actually been cut. I was not happy, I reckon the I was charged about 50p a hair.

In the afternoon the church tree was lit and we went carol singing in the village, and then all congregated in the village hall for mulled wine.  Tricia and I then had to dash back to get the house ready for the dinner party we were hosting. The idea was to run it to a Dickensian theme, so the house was literally decked in holly annd ivy, and the menu was based on items from a Victorian cook book. The centre piece of the table was a tiered fruit plate, decked with ivy, which Nikki did. We had a terrific evening. Good company and a late night.

I got up this morning and tidied away and washed up much of the previous evening, whilst Tricia was at church with Ellie. At 11am, I was tired and went back to bed for an hour. Then it was back up, and we all went over to my old home town to meet up with my Mum and Dad, who took us out to lunch. It was good to catch up as we haven’t seen them for a while. After lunch we went back and had a cup of tea, and mum lit the 3rd candle on her advent wreath. My brother Stephen dropped in as well (whilst on duty).

On the way back, we could see the extent to which people have decorated the outside of their houses. Driving through High Wycombe however, we saw this house, which will most likely not be beaten. Replete with snow making machine!

On getting home, Ellie was packed off to bed, and Tricia and I watched the last part of Cranford. Unfortunately, I have had to pull Ninja out of the decorated Cristmas tree. He started to chew on a fairy light. This is going to be a problem.

Ghosts of Christmas past. Part 3.

Taken one Christmas morning in the 70’s. My father passing out the presents, with my eager and expectant brother Mark sat in close attendance.

Off to bed now. Work tomorrow.