Happy Christmas and welcome to 2012

Planning, saving, Advent, excitement, baking, shopping, queuing, wrapping, sewing, cleaning, spare beds, air beds, tree, decorations, tissue-paper, cards, baubles, letters, ribbon, stockings, tinsel, ,sausages, guests, pork, turkey, stuffing, trifle, cheese, pudding, John Rutter, candles, crackers, carols, nativity, holly, presents, chocolate, nuts, Slade, films, photos, Morecambe and Wise, mince-pies, Christmas cake, Downton Abbey, Dr Who, red wine, white wine, mulled wine, port, brandy, Single Malt, cold cuts, more cheese, pickles, friends, family, laughter, Boxing Day, party, phone calls, soup, emails, dog walks, geocaches, bloated, irritable, tiredness, feeling full, late-nights, lie-ins, New Year, washing, pine-needles, back-to-work blues, diet, detox, thank-you letters, relief!!!!!

Elf n'safety

Yesterday, I had a quiet chuckle when I saw the paper “star” pinned to the top of a Christmas tree in a common room.  Some festive folk had decorated the tree with the usual trappings but obviously without the prior consent of the “elves of safety”  It had obviously been touch and go as to whether the tree was allowed at all; thank goodness there were no movement sensors in the room or the tinsel fluttering in the gale blowing from the ill fitting windows might have activated them.  As it was, the fairy lights had to go! Merry Christmas!

Stay at home Sarah

Ordinarily I’m quite a sociable person but in winter, my hibernatory tendencies kick in.  I enjoy the long dark nights when we’re at home all evening, drawing the curtains as soon as we come in from walking Molly. Despite recognising there’s an anti –social element of shutting the world and the weather out, it’s lovely to create a cosy environment to read, sew or watch TV.  But so often we find ourselves needing to be elsewhere. That means leaving the snug nest that is home and venturing out into the chilly darkness. And sometimes I feel quite resentful. Like tonight!

For those in Peril on the Sea

The wind has been blowing a hoolie in Carlisle today but looking at the footage of the storm battering the Outer Hebrides, we have got off comparatively lightly. I couldn’t help but think of Cnoceisgan, protected to the rear by a large natural rock feature, resisting this storm, as it has resisted others over the past 300 years.  For purely selfish reasons, I’d love to witness a truly wild coastal storm, with crashing waves whipped into a frenzy by the shrieking wind, but my selfish dreams take no account of “those in peril on the sea”. May they keep safe.

Evening on the Tyne

On the way home the other evening, I decided to stop off and pick up a drive-by geocache close to the River Tyne.  I parked up in the layby and for once there were only a couple of joggers on the cycle path. I nipped out of the car, grabbed the cache and then peered over the railings at the river stretching away in front of me. The low tide had revealed a decaying boat wreck immediately below. The derelict carcass was softly illuminated by the lights along the Keelman’s Way creating a beautiful, tranquil view curving around the meander.   

Frozen Planet

We’ve been enthralled watching the stunning BBC FrozenPlanet series narrated by Sir David Attenborough.  The high quality and sensitivity of the filming reflects the professionalism of the wildlife team and showcases  all that is good about the BBC.  Each programme includes a short piece which gives an insight into the filming techniques deployed. The “Winter” episode featured an affecting and powerful struggle between a she wolf and a bison, captured by chance, by a camera man on the ground.  It was a brutal but incredibly moving illustration of the fight for survival in the harshest regions of the world.

Senior Shopping Scenarios

I’ve nothing but respect for our Senior Citizens but I’m wondering why they choose to shop over lunch time when weekday workers are trying to fit in jobs during lunch breaks.  Today, I queued at the Post Office for 40 minutes as I had a parcel to weigh.  For a considerable period, the queue was outside.  In order to stave off boredom and distract myself from the cold chill in my feet, I conducted an unscientific poll.  Of 24 would be customers, 19 of them were elderly people who could shop at other, less busy, times.  My question is Why?

Big Freeze

Our weather has finally turned wintry. In fact, I saw my first car with snow on the roof this morning.  I needed to wear gloves on my bike and could have done with a face mask to keep the cold air out of my lungs. But despite the downsides of icy cold weather, it’s infinitely preferable to the warm, wet conditions we’ve had of late.  I recently found myself walking across a field which was so heavily waterlogged and badly poached, I was in serious danger of losing my wellies with every step I took. Bring on the big freeze!

Christmas Cheer...or not

I finished making the Christmas cards and “year book” this weekend (it’s really a 1 page news letter but year book sounds soooo pretentious and I do enjoy a touch of irony) so I’m feeling very chipper.  I know others will have shopped, written and wrapped weeks ago but that isn’t how I operate. In all honesty, I’m not a Christmassy person when that means shopping for expensive presents and general over-indulgence.  I love having a tree, which we decorate on Christmas Eve and relaxing with my family but Christmas as a commercial excuse for excess is a complete turn-off.