Yuletide Village Prep


The Prof has taken the car to Snowdonia for his department Christmas soiree this evening. He won't be back until tomorrow night ( This btw was the cause of Sunday's ROW ( row as in spat and not in rowing a bloody boat) as we had originally arranged to have dinner with the affable despots)
So today, in bloody awful weather, I sorted all of the village Christmas jobs out.
50 cards were hand delivered ( With a bouncy and increasingly well behaved Mary in tow) and gifts were passed on to Auntie Glad, Animal  helper Pat, our neighbours down the lane ( Sailor John, The Barkers and Trendy Carol) and to Trellis ( the artist formally known as Mrs Trellis)
I tried to  keep socializing to a minimum as everyone is busy at this time, but I was buttonholed by policeman Ian, who told me a rather harrowing story about his new dog Lily going missing for five hours the other day and caught by Pippa B, who launched into a vociferous debate about badger culling.
Subsequently I got soaked in the winter rain.
I collected holly from Pat ( animal helper's ) garden and she kindly gave us a beautifully wrapped cake and when I got home Bernard the German , popped in with a gift of some homemade jams and sweets.
Gifts from Animal helper Pat and Bernard the German


It's these little gestures that make you feel just that little bit more Christmasy .
This afternoon, there was a brief sunny period in the grotty weather, so I made ham sandwiches from leftovers and the dogs and I shared a late lunch sat on a bench in the new churchyard.
Now I am not a grave visitor, so I was surprised to see a steady stream of people arrive with Christmas wreaths in hand . I counted over 80 wreaths in total ,all placed with care on a large selection of graves,
It's a nice tradition.
Back home, I decorated the mantle ( which just lends itself to Christmas) hung the cards and cleaned up the poo which william had thoughtfully deposited ten inches up on The Prof's office door ( why does he do that?)
Tonight in lieu of dinner at the despots' , I shall have a mulled wine with Victoria Coren Mitchell and " Only Connect"
I'm rather looking forward to it.

48 comments:

  1. I'll be thinking of you during 'Only Connect', an unmissable watch in this 'household' - preceded by the equally compulsory ('celebrity' at the moment) University Challenge.
    Relax during the prog and try to put aside current trials, giving yourself a welcome break from your busy pre-Xmas schedule.

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    1. Victoria corren mitchell......the thinking mans crumpet

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  2. Isn't it wonderful when you get time for visits and lovely handmade gifts. Enjoy your evening and I hope you have dried off by now!

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  3. Anonymous5:31 pm

    What a lovely picture your words created. They put me in a little more of a Christmasy mood, and I thank you.

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  4. Sounds like a delightful day, taking a moment to enjoy lunch with the pups sounds like a great time.

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  5. a xmas lunch with the pups sounds wonderful!

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  6. Wot - no consolatory Scotch egg?

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  7. Question: "the poo which William had thoughtfully deposited ten inches up on The Prof's office door (why does he do that?)"

    Answer: Because he can't get it any higher, obviously.

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  8. Theres a reply there about the dogs bollocks

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  9. Glad that you had time to chill out with the picnic lunch and the pups.
    Is William trying to tell the Prof. something - is it his comment on the fact that he'd left you car-less today - or something far more sinister ???

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  10. There you are you see - that little row (nothing to do with oars as you say, although they could make a good weapon given the right circumstances)cleared the air nicely and now you are quite enjoying you little break.

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  11. I'm missing a concert I'd arranged to go to tonight because of a yucky cold. I'll be sucking lozenges and watching telly too!

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  12. What a nice Santa on the mantel! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your house.

    Homemade food gifts - nothing quite like it.

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  13. I was just going to comment on your Santa but Jenny beat me to it. He's rather lovely.

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  14. Happy Christmas to you all and keep up the good work (writing the blog that is) My cheeks haven't stopped aching from all the laughing you elicit from me.

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  15. It all sounds just right... Including the pre - Christmas row x

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  16. What a very festive mantel... our mantel is my favourite place to decorate since none of the pooches can reach it.

    Glad the row is over and that having to hoof it produced some lovely encounters; I myself would walk naked through the snow to avoid one. That, of course, always provides fodder for a row so there you are, better just to get it over with.

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    1. We usually have a tree.... But now we have mary

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    2. We always had trees but now I have 2 cats. I bought a little fake one though, I couldn't stand a Christmas alone AND no tree !!
      The cats ignore it. It is sweet. in the dark with the little lights .. If I squint.. it looks real.

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    3. Will Mary wear a skirt and/or tree topper to imitate a tree then?

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  17. Seeing how far you can shit up a door should be an Olympic event. I bet The Duke of Edinburgh would be the gold medallist. You and The Prof would be in the coxless pairs according to Jason Orange.

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    1. bwhahahahahaha! I love you for this!

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    2. You have a fan YPTHATS A FIRST X

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  18. One can only hope that you don't come down with a cold after your deliveries sans car. (Ammo for next row)
    Well put, John - "We usually have a tree.... But now we have mary"

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  19. It all sounds very enticing...

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  20. the cottage is looking spiffy for the holidays!

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  21. I got a question! I got a question. Victoria, Victoria, I am slowly connecting! I got a question. And I got it right!

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    1. I would be happy with half her brains and one of her boobs!

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  22. I wish I had a tenth of your spirit and energy for the holidays.

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    1. You have ....it in bucket loads old gal x

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  23. Keep hold of your "Trellis". It could become the next Banksy! Our sprollie also likes to poop with his bum up things- thankfully it's usually a tree.

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  24. For a moment there I saw "bloody awful mood" rather than "bloody awful weather".

    So what exactly is in the three bottles?

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    1. Nick its some strange infused alcohol

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  25. Of course I haven't forgotten you! You've prompted me to open Internet Explorer rather than reading you on Google Chrome, so hopefully this 'publishes.' Your weather sounds a bit like ours - drenching cold rain today after a 38 degree Celsius scorcher yesterday. All cheer to you and your family xox

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  26. Your blogs lately have been very comforting. I wish they came with music :D

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  27. Sorry about the spat but making up is always so much fun.

    You live in heaven! Except for William's bad habit.

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  28. 10 inches UP the door??? LOLOL
    maybe william is taking your side in the row.
    pooping well is the best revenge.
    happy christmas john!

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  29. I'm smitten with your Father Christmas.
    Lots to do there in the village, and yet you always seem to remember everything down to the last detail.
    Sending Happy Christmas wishes your way, I've so enjoyed popping in to your world and smiling everyday.
    ~Jo

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  30. Sometimes the quiet days leading up to Christmas are the best. Even if it was filled with rain.
    Monday is/was Son's Birthday , dinner the day before, lots of presents from thehamish, dinner out on his day. Nice conversation with his Sister, her partner and her Mum. It was just the best.
    I hope you received your card, Weaver only received hers today.
    They were mailed weeks ago.

    Merry Christmas.
    cheers, gayle and thehamish

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  31. Er, didn't someone go up to London just recently without The Prof ? The village holds such a lot of good things for the carless for a couple of days. I hope The Despots were OK without you.

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  32. There are so many parts of your life I would love to experience. Then there's the poo.

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  33. I love that you hand delivered the cards and personally gave Christmas greetings to your friends and neighbors. That truly is a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday.

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