A Blog Christmas CardπŸŽ„πŸŽ„πŸŽ„


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It's a quiet night so far at the hospice.
I've just written my Christmas cards and wrapped them into elastic banded bundles ---ones to hand deliver and ones to be posted.
The number of posted ones seem to diminish in number every year
I've just done a check of all of the patients with my trust pen torch....not so much The Lady of The Lamp .....more like The old fart with the torch.....
Everyone is peaceful and sleeping

Now...It's time to send my generic blog Christmas card
I picked the above photo because I think it sums up the past year for me
A bit sad, a bit emotional but a bit hopeful....
( BTW I did try to add two Christmas hats to the photo but got somewhat befuddled with the software!!)

Say what you will about the content of Going Gently ( And I have plenty of knockers!!! [ ohh arrhhh missus!]) I am constantly amazed that so many people pop in from time to time to read the ongoing saga of a middle aged Welsh homo and his eclectic brood of friends, fellow villagers and pets.
It's been a somewhat one sided year...one which has been noticeably lacking in humour, but I think I have hiked up the old bra straps and have raised, at least , a few titters along the way.

Thank you all for your contributions , support, humour, challenging, occasional bad temper, postcards , art works, questions and most importantly your kindnesses over the past year.
The blog has been a strange source of therapy for me, And it's weird to realise that so many people are occasionally plodding alongside as I trundle through life of a middle aged, newly single poof who is just getting back onto his two hairy and often aching legs again.

So I am wishing you a very Happy Christmas from Trelawnyd
I hope it's a good one for all of us....
Thank you for being there over 2019
And as the Golden Girls theme put it so eloquently
Thank You for being a friend.

135 comments:

  1. I wish peace for your mind, love for your heart and joy for your soul. Or something like that!!

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  2. Here's to a better year. And a year for remaining yourself. Battered, bruised and precious.

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  3. You're welcome. And you are certainly preferable to American television. Have a Good Holiday, you nice old working man. Listen to me! I'm sure I'm 20 years over you.

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  4. Merry Christmas, dear John. May Santa bring you a clean Walking Dead t shirt, and the new year bring you renewed happiness.

    lizzy

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  5. You can make the tiniest moment memorable with your writing, John - that's one thing that keeps me reading. And by now, after following your adventures for a few years, I also care how this story ultimately turns out. I hope 2020 treats you well.

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  6. Happy Christmas. You've made my days brighter with your blog and I thank you.

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  7. Merry Christmas. I read your blog most every day, don't want to miss an installment. The photo of you two in the Christmas card is priceless, I love the expressions on your faces. I believe 2020 will be a happier year for you.

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  8. happy xmas to you too. I hope 2020 is a wonderful year for you. xx

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  9. I wish you, and all the others who keep track of what you are up to, a very Merry Christmas and a calm and
    prosperous New Year! ❤ from Colorado!

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  10. Thank you for sharing your life. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  11. Merry Christmas John. May the new year 2020 be a true turning point and bring you much peace, love and a large dose of fun too. X

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  12. Thank you, John, for helping US more than you will ever know. Merry Christmas and the happiest of new years to you and the beasties from me and my beasties!

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  13. And a Merry Christmas to you as well.

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  14. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

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  15. That is a beautiful card. Merry Christmas to you and your gang.
    parsnip

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  16. father christmas brought you dottie a bit early, but a present nonetheless. she's a pretty girl.

    may 2020 be a good year for you, john and the furkids and all who live in the little welsh village.

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  17. I love that you share your life and your village with us. Wishing you all the very best for 2020. I have a feeling it will be a better one for you all round.

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  18. And a Merry Christmas to you and your critters too, John! (Your new girl is getting better in front of the camera - she's starting to grow into that celebrity life you're giving her!)

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  19. No, thank YOU John. xx

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  20. Merry Christmas from a very hot and smoky Queensland.

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  21. Don't often comment but follow you daily. Lovely photo I hope next year is kinder. Merry Christmas.

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  22. I’ve got a warm fuzzy feeling John.

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  23. That picture is wonderful! Dorothy has the sweetest face. Thank you for your kind wishes and I certainly give you back my wishes for you to have a warm and happy holiday season. I am hoping that 2020 (it is so weird to write that number as the year!) will be a better year for all of us!

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  24. Aw. Bless you, John. A very happy Christmas to you and all that you hold dear.
    May next year be filled with health and happiness for us all. Xx

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  25. thank you John for evreything from your small village to your lovely dogs

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  26. I don't know of anyone more deserving of sincere Xmas wishes and best hopes for 2020 than you and your 'family', JayGee - and which I'm more than happy to send you all. Thank you so much in return for your wishes to us, your very many fans.

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  27. Merry Christmas John x

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  28. A lovely card John. Wishing you and your furry family every happiness for 2020. x

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  29. It's only the 7th - bit early to say Happy Christmas by my reckoning - so happy rest of December and I'll wish you Yuletide Felicitations nearer the day (and can you come and write my cards please as I keep putting it off)

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  30. Wishing you and your furbabies a wonderful christmas and an even better 2020.
    Carol

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  31. I'm glad we've been therapeutic. I think we all recognise what a tough year you've had and we're wishing you a much better 2020. Onwards and upwards!

    A great photo. We'll just have to imagine the Christmas hats!

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  32. Merry Christmas, hope 2020 is a good year for you.

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  33. Anonymous8:47 am

    It's a nice photo and never be modestly humble. You really get something right with your blog, perhaps just some honesty massaged to almost palatable. That is overthinking it. You 'seem' to wear your heart on your sleeve, and people like that. Does that mean you are not a construct? I don't know. You seem nice and it all adds up for me.

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    1. I am a construct as we all are publically c

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  34. That's a lovely photo John, I'm imagining Dorothy in a net Tutu like my great nieces wear for photo printed Christmas cards.

    I wish you a happier year ahead and whatever it brings we will be right here with you x

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  35. Supporting you is easy - we have faith in you, and in your strength to haul up those bra straps. May next year be kinder to you!

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  36. ❤πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’•

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  37. Reading your blog is like watching an episode of All Creatures Great and Small. Its sometimes hilarious; sometimes sad; sometimes very heartwarming; always (fairly) innocent and just 'nice'. I love reading your stories and long may they continue. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New Year. xx

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  38. Bouncing those Xmas wishes right back to you John. "Going Gently" remains one of my "go to" blogs. 2019 has been an especially trying year for you but you have battled through like the true trooper you are. Happy Christmas Virtual Friend and all the best for 2020... Neil.

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    1. We have been blog mates a long long time Neil x

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  39. Therapy for more than yourself John. Some of us are going through bad times too and visiting your blog is for me a therapeutic few minutes in my otherwise overwhelming and never going to get better days.
    Every best wish, peace and love to you.

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    1. I am aware that I bang on too much. Others have problems too x

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    2. You definitely don't bang on too much!

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  40. I do not comment often but I read always, every day and enjoy your posts enormously.
    I am hoping that next year is going to be your year when everything comes together and fills you with joy.
    Briony
    x

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  41. Merry Christmas John, I love your honest posts and like so many others, I live in hope 2020 will be a happier year for you.

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  42. A happy Christmas and New Year to you and your critters from me too. I love the card. My card to you is also dog based as I felt it suited you.

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  43. Merry Christmas John from all who love you!

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  44. I always read your blog posts. Don't often comment as others have already said everything I would have done. I hope you have a good Christmas and a very happy New Year x

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  45. Happy Christmas John. You are a constant in an ever changing world. x

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  46. Merry Christmas and may 20/20 be merry and bright for you.

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  47. Awwwww..... Wishing you love and contentment, and a lot less stress, in 2020!

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  48. Keep in mind, not only is 2020 a new year, it's the beginning of a new decade! I hope it proves to be a wonderful new start for you. ❤

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    1. I was born in the 60s
      Gawd I feel old looking at the numbers

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  49. I wish you the merriest of xmas's john. i love your blog, it makes me think and it brightens my day.

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    1. It brightened my day for it being read

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  50. Wishing you better times in 2020 and hoping in this Christmas season, your quiet village, the choir, friends (including the virtual ones here) and your family, remind you of how many people care about you.

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  51. Anonymous2:13 pm

    And to you and yours as well. Linda in Tn.---USA

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  52. That is the very best picture ever.

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  53. Happy Christmas and thanks for sharing your life with us. Sad year though in the main. Here's hoping next year will bring joy. Love the picture always go round in black and white, it suits you!

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  54. Hummingbird2:32 pm

    Your blog is my absolute favorite and I read it every day and always click on "older post" to make sure I don't miss any! I think everyone has a life worth recording. You MUST write a book about your life. I also think your saga would make for a great TV series-as long as you are one of the writers.
    Have a very Happy Christmas and may 2020 be the year of John.
    From a middle aged, straight, married, mother living in a rural area near Seattle.

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    1. I visited Seattle once
      It was wet. But lovely

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  55. Good wishes for the approaching Winter Solstice season and the swing around the sun for another puzzling, troubling, interesting, mixed-up, muddled, good, bad, bright and boring year.

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    1. Andrew I think more recently my blog has become rather boring
      Should I sex it up?

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    2. Not for me please. Substantially more than sufficient sex-talk in here already. In case you misunderstood, my use of "boring" in the mix was just reflecting its role in the mix of life in general, not a comment about your blog.

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    3. I agree with Andrew, more than enough sex talk in here already. Any more would be a big turn off

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  56. Your blog is always interesting and thoughtful, John -- just like you! Best Christmas wishes!

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    1. I think I should sex it up more

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    2. No ... Mavis does that for you! 😊

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  57. I know exactly what youmean about a blog being therapy John - I got through my annus horibilis thanks to my blog friends (not least of them you, who got me through some very hard days) - I can feel you coming out the other side.
    Here's to a brilliant 2020 for you and your brood.

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  58. Thank YOU John for brightening my day.You are a much loved man and I'm sure the perfect partner will appear in your life when the time is right.Your darling furry friends adore you too.Enjoy your Christmas in a way that is best for you.I don't have a typical Christmas any longer but enjoy it in my way.Sending more good wishes and love your way x

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  59. Onwards and upwards John!

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  60. You /this made me cry ��
    This blog,you , the pups , laughs and tears , has been a part of my every day life for so long, I lost count.
    I just know that I am better for it...you and the pups...me and my cats :)
    Wishing you only Happiness....
    C

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  61. From another constant reader, seldom commenter--whose day doesn't seem complete without the news from Trelawnyd--I'm not sure what your magic is, but maybe it's a little like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a guide to how to see the world in a good way, through thick and thin. (Well, mostly.) So thank YOU, and my heartfelt wishes for a happy Christmas and a better New Year.

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  62. Wishing you a peaceful happy Christmas and a prosperous settled content New Year. Maybe some extra loving. Thanks for your blog x

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  63. Barbara Anne4:28 pm

    I, too, find my daily visits wherever you take us are a delight, often a chuckle, frequently thoughtful, and always interesting. You, your beloved critter crew, your neighbors, and your friends who comment here have widened my world in a most pleasant way and I thank you one and all.

    Dorothy looks settled into her new home with you, Albert, Mary, and Winnie. A good summation of the year, indeed.

    May you have a joyous Christmas and find much happiness and deep satisfaction in all that the new year brings.

    Hugs!

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    1. Always interesting?
      That's pushing it x

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  64. Anonymous5:05 pm

    Hello friend (never met), most days l think 'oh, wonder what John is up to today?' and turn to your blog, to read in the same way as l would chat to a nice neighbour or closeish friend. Both of these seem to be a bit thin on the ground these days, yeah, l know l am picky. BUT, in you l have found a good 'un. So thank you for all you say and do, you gladden my heart and l'm glad l 'know' you.
    Keep on keeping on babe, maybe we will go shopping (involving a thirst quenching bar visit as well) one day.
    Bless you darlin'
    Stay warm, safe and well
    Best love to the gang 'spesh Albert, one feisty dude there, just as l like my men! Haha.
    Tess xx

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    1. Albert is presently playing with the electronic bin in the kitchen

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    2. Anonymous6:26 pm

      Course he is, might be some old inedible food in the he can try, then sick up!

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  65. Many of us, I think, have had our own annus horriblus, and if we learn anything from it, it is to support others when they get hit. Your honesty will have helped a lot of people.

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  66. Best wishes for a peaceful holiday season. I love your blog.

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  67. I love catching up with you and your animals each day, thank you for sharing with us. Wishin you a lovely Christmas and a positive New Year xxx

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  68. Thank you John for being so honest and open. Like many of the aforementioned bloggers I look for your blog daily to read. Wishing you all the very best for the upcoming year and hope you have a Merrier Christmas this year.XXXXX

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  69. Thankyou for carrying on blogging.
    Hoping you have a happy time..and keep warm and fairly dry!
    The internet has enabled us all to keep in touch, with all the moving about and gaining new connections...but it is still good to send some cards to keep the posties (and card designers!) going.

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  70. You couldn't have posted a more fitting picture of yourself, a day in the life of John the Dogs, perfect.
    From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for my daily blog read, it is the first I read in the morning and the last I read at night. I have laughed with you and cried, your honesty and humour are contagious.
    Your friendship have encouraged, enlightened, and have brightened my days throughout this past year.
    Wishing you a Happy Christmas, and a New Year filled with much love, peace, good health and happiness.
    ~Jo
    xxx

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    1. You have been along for the journey many years now jo
      And these words made me cry
      Thank you

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    2. Aww,*hugs*.
      You're the best !
      xx

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  71. I would also like to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best wishes for the upcoming year! It is a pleasure to be one of your many faithful followers.

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  72. It's a good picture. It is very you x

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  73. I wished I worked with you. You are a breath of fresh air. I am sending good vibes for 2020.

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  74. A little late to the party, but wishing you a very merry Christmas and a much better new year. Had to shovel 8 inches of snow this morning in -8C weather. Supposed to go to -20C tonight. Off to chop some wood for the stove. Moose stew for dinner...and no, I am not making this up.
    Barb

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  75. What a lovely card John I hope this doesn't mean that you aren't posting the daily blog until after christmas you have been a constant daily read like emails from a friend, wishing you all the best and get out and enjoy yourself John there are better days ahead.

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  76. Just catching up John. I read your blog every day... it is my dose of happiness. I love the picture of Dorothy and you, she looks like she loves to get in with the action. I too wish you a very Happy Christmas and as others have said all best wishes for the upcoming year.

    Jo in Auckland

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  77. Yorkshire Liz8:21 am

    Just look at all the wonderful and genuine comments, John Grey and see how you are not only loved but appreciated. And if we can't tell you how much we all love you at Christmas, when can we?
    It has been a bad year, but it will get better, it is getting better. Keep running up that hill, even if it means we all grab those bra straps and haul you along with us. He ain't heavy, he's my dog wrangler! God bless sweetheart.

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  78. Thank you John for being there in the morning to start my day. Love your posts, love Jan Bx.

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  79. Janine T5:22 pm

    Thank YOU John..despite your challenging year,you have plodded on with grace and dignity ,if understandably, tinged with sadness,but still 'entertained' us!You can see from all the comments,your blog land friends are at your side.May the year to come bring you some peace and joy.Merry Christmas!Janine(Red Dragon)

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  80. Thank you John for sharing your life with us. I am glad you are staying in the village as they clearly love you. And I am happy to read whatever you want to share. By the way if you ever come to the Thanet part of Kent please post before hand and if you want to I would like to meet up and buy you a coffee. Broadstairs is nice as is Ramsgate, Margate, Birchington...well you get the gist, most of the Isle of Thanet gets a bad press sometimes but it’s like everywhere it has some lovely places too. I can see why Turner painted here as the sunset the other day out my window just after I got home was spectacular. Typically as soon as I rushed outside with my phone on my walking stick the colour had faded a bit. I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that you have a nice day no matter who you chose to share it with. Sally from Kent

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    1. Sally I think me visiting Broadstairs is a trip that never will happen xxx

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  81. Aww John we are a shadowy chorus of well wishers - most of us can't be there in person but we always are in spirit and sometimes in word too. xo

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  82. And merry Christmas to all in Trelawnyd! Your blog helps me understand what life in a village would be like -- so different from my urban existence here, and yet, in some ways, very similar. I've really enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters (both human and not) and I look forward to more reading in the future!

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  83. Long may you post! And while I am at it--I hope 2020 is a banner year.

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  84. Oh gawd ,... I'm so late to this particular party. WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO.

    I think the Christmas fairy delivered your best gift for the year early this year. Dotty is your little saviour.

    Oh and if you hoick those bra straps up any higher you are going to have even more double chins ;-)

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  85. Happy Christmas John! I enjoy your blog and hope the New Year brings much happiness.

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  86. Happy Christmas, wonderful Internet friend! Some people you never see or perhaps see but barely interact with, but your life is better knowing they are in the world. You are one.

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  87. love and hugs to you John :D Theanne/YayaSnaps in Florida USA

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