Boxing Day

 


I missed the Queen’s Speech. 
Dorothy, Mary and I met up with my sisters and in laws and we had a walk up Craig Fawr which is a limestone hill which overlooks Liverpool Bay.



Afterwards we ate turkey baps with cranberry and pigs in blankets ( a bab is a bread bun to btw) and swapped gifts.  



I was very fortunate as my sisters added a new scatter cushion and some John Lewis cutlery to my collection . 
I now have the ideal number of both! 

I made a gravy filled Shepherds pie, walked the dogs before Storm Bella hits home and
Wrote my blog half watching Calamity Jane 

Later on I will watch Korean zombie movie Peninsula which was another Christmas DVD  Gift, this one from my nephew.


Dorothy watched over me
And will do all day 


Her sadness continues 

74 comments:

  1. The Queen was looking surprisingly jaunty. Probably the after dinner sherry that did it, plus the relief of not having to have the family over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She does look incredibly happy , I’d admit

      Delete
  2. Love the Queen, it sounds like you had a delightful day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely way to spend part of Boxing Day with your sisters, climbing ancient Gop Hill and wordlessly remembering all those past Christmases when you were young. Not to forget old slobbery Winnie and the joy she gave you. Your post on December 9th was special.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol got everything wrong, but near enough lol

      Delete
  4. Merry Christmas John.

    Sending hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very pleased your Christmas was good. Today I need a hug. Yesterday I had to get 2 ambulances for my Mom. the first at 3.30 in the morning. They took her to A&E who discharged her 4 hours later. 4 hours after that I had to get another ambulance, the paramedics were shocked she had been discharged unable to stand unaided, with pain still rated 10/10, not having been able to eat for 3 days, with a temperature, chest infection and no Covid test. She's 92 and lives alone (though I'm close by). Today all they could tell me was 'I don't know', including to 'Will she be discharged tomorrow'. I'm trying not to think about it, because I just don't know what to do. Sorry to rant...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:43 pm

      Charlotte - I feel your pain...sending you best wishes and hope for the future.
      Paul

      Delete
    2. Your poor Mum may be dehydrated and needs further tests I would think just to rule out anything else going on so they can help her x

      Delete
    3. Push not to be be discharged,
      Be firm
      I’m so sorry you have to deal with all this

      Delete
    4. Barbara Anne8:11 pm

      Wishing you and your Mom well. Big hugs!

      Delete
    5. Covid regs make it difficult to find out what's going on (and it's Christmas, so probably fewer and overworked, staff) but I will push for her not to be discharged, thank you. x

      Delete
  6. Not heard of a bab before, family from 'up north' call them barm cakes or cobs, we just call them bread rolls 😀 Nice cushion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bap not ban...my mistake xx

      Delete
    2. Yep 😁 heard of that, hate predicted text.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous4:42 pm

    Merry Christmas John. We've all had one hell of a year. Let's hope we all have a happy and safe New Year.
    Paul

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Paul, we have I’m glad the year is almost over x

      Delete
  8. Love that picture of Dorothy ... so pensive looking! I am so hoping that the Thunder Shirt you have ordered for her, helps to relieve her anxiety and allows her to come out of her shell!
    Thanks, too, for saying what a "bab" is ... curious ... just like calling a cup a "bucket" for your coffee! And "cellotape" for scotchtape ... all curious to some of us [me] over here in the U.S.
    Well, John ... trudging towards New Year's Day ... onward and upward ... looking forward to sharing 2021 with you ... Albert, Mary, and dear Dorothy!!! I want her to be a brave little girl!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She watched over me all afternoon and has only curled up for a sleep after I closed the curtains to the world

      Delete
  9. I almost missed The Queen too-I was comforted by her words and took from it-All shall be well -I have mud mud mud here and when I'd finished chatting on the phone after watching Practical Magic my darling ones have shredded newspaper everywhere x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An afternoon movie is the a deal panacea to all ills

      Delete
  10. Sounds like you had a wonderful day/ Love the cushion reminds me of my drawing of Daughters gud Dug Truffles.
    Stay safe xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. We called them 'baps'.

    Poor little Dot, looking so forlorn like she hasn't got over it. I know that you won't let her get even more lonely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. the queen gave a most excellent speech. and you had a good day it seems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’ve just watched her, she looks sprightly

      Delete
  13. Yes. It’s all past now

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like an ideal day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Queen's Christmas greeting had both of my adult sons tearing up, and we're American. The youngest wondered why we can't have leaders like that here, and the oldest declared Her Majesty the world's Queen. It was a message the world needed to hear in 2020. Looks like you've had a nice holiday in spite of it all, as did we, and I wish you and your furry darlings all the best in the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her best address was her covid speech
      “ we will see our families again, we will see our friends again,, we will meet again”

      Delete
    2. It is difficult to see her as a leader because her roles are symbolic. She will be greatly missed when she is gone and although she has a title of Head of State she has no powers. I agree with John, her Covid address was best. If your sons were tearing up after this Christmas address they would have been sobbing at the Covid one.

      Delete
    3. I revisited the covid speech last night and geared up spagain, she pitched it perfectly

      Delete
    4. I'd imagine any of her speeches, including the Christmas one, are better than ours this year, "Our darkest days are ahead of us." [from the President-elect]. Hope inspires. Hope unites. Her role may be symbolic only, but seems essential. At least from our corner of the world.

      Delete
    5. If you had lived through the turmoil of our past four years caused by the Brexit Referendum, EM, you would understand where I am coming from. Much as we may unite behind our Queen and love and respect her (although there are also those who do not want the Monarchy) she has been utterly powerless to do anything.

      Delete
    6. Aren't we all? Hope keeps us going. In spite of everything. May the New Year bring a little more of it.

      Delete
  16. It sounds like the perfect day. I do love your new pillow! Merry Christmas, John!

    ReplyDelete
  17. My mother used to make a habit of watching the Queen's speech. The tradition didn't carry on with me and mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try watching her covid speech tonight. It still rings wonderfully

      Delete
  18. You've got an adorable pillow. And, of course, so is Dorothy. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She’s so sad and needy at the moment

      Delete
  19. I’m watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on tv at the moment
    It’s story of fellowship resonates

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I cried at the end when I saw it at the pictures!

      Delete
    2. I cried all the way through ...it’s message of the need for fellowship resonates with me and blogging

      Delete
    3. I remember crying quite a lot during the film too and then sobbing at the end! It was at quite a low point in my life and the fellowship did resonate, yes. I can't watch it again.

      Delete
    4. It’s just finished and the sense of fellowship we have , will be the subject to tomorrow’s post ...

      Delete
    5. We'll all be sobbing our hearts out!

      Delete
  20. Barbara Anne8:07 pm

    I loved The Guernsesy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and I cried at the end, too.
    It sounds like you've had a wonderful day and am so glad you could meet up with family to swap gifts and perhaps hug (while holding your breath!). Love your new cushion and I know the new movie from your nephew is right up your alley. Enjoy!
    Today I've made a frittata and a corn pudding. Yum!

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not being able to hug felt odd and at odds with the day

      Delete
  21. Is 'turkey baps' your nick-name?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your day with your sisters sounds wonderful. I love that pillow and the matching throw! I've never heard of a Korean zombie movie - your nephew knows you well! Dorothy is learning to watch over and take care of her Daddy. She's a good girl and you are helping her to grow. Have a peaceful and relaxing day.

    ReplyDelete
  23. For your sake and for hers, I hope that Dorothy one day becomes a little bit more trusting of the world. I wonder what has happened to her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She’s a damaged soul , but more often than not now , I catch her relaxing when everyone’s not looking xxx

      Delete
  24. Looks like a nice hill to walk up. I don't know it at all. It reminded me of my favourite little hill overlooking the sea - Moel y Gest on the edge of Porthmadog.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Queen's Covid speech was spot on. The best worldwide. Walking with your family and exchanging gifts must have been a joyful time for all. Love your new pillow and throw. Sweet Dorothy - I have great hope for her becoming more at ease for 2021.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That video has to be much better than the best speech, but everyone is praising the speech so much, I have to find it.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is worth finding. xx

      Delete
  27. Lily was like that after Gerty died, that's why I got Seig, after that her grief went away.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hope some calm comes to your loving home. It's been a helluva a year and we all need some solace and warmth.
    Your new pillow and throw are just charming.
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  29. The heart goes out to Dorothy.I so hope she will be happier soon.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Poor Dorothy. I hope she comes around soon. As for that cushion, your sisters have the best taste and it's so perfect for you. By the way, I spoke with the Queen and she said she forgives you for missing her live presentation this year. Or maybe it was "A" queen I spoke with. I'm never quite sure. They all use "THE."

    ReplyDelete
  31. I hope Dorothy settles into your loving care and can relax X

    ReplyDelete
  32. Poor Dorothy - her sadness shows in every hair.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh gosh she really does have a sadness about her and a sense of real loss. I hope her growing friendship with Albert helps them both.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hope Dorothy feels better soon. Happy you had family around you.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear John, Your blog has stopped working. Hope it is just my computer, or you need a short break from everything. Thinking of you, sending love and virtual hug x

    ReplyDelete
  36. Dorothy's photo could stand as a visual metaphor for 2020. A sad and heart-sore world. x

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes