Christmas at home

Christmas at Jackies brothers. LtoR: Brian, Pauline, Ron, Veronica, Charles, Jonathan, Lucy. Caroline and Jackie

And with that Christmas and the New Year are over. Christmas was a flurry of family, we went down to my brother, Lucy and Charles and Caroline on Christmas Day. Jonathan had collected mum, and Lucy’s parents on the 22nd when we went down to Bishampton, so there was a good crowd. After a lovely day we took mum home and returned to Cookie and Cracker who were very pleased to see us, but they would have been if we’d only been gone half an hour!

Very muddy Cracker and Cookie doglets on one of their walks

Boxing Day was at Steph and Sam’s so another family event with their kids, Rory and Ivy. Along with Denise and Paul and Nick and Jessica. Another delicious, huge, meal, followed by carol singing which I’m sure the neighbours loved. We made our escape before the buffet was served, to go and see our dogs, though we didn’t get away empty handed, we didn’t eat it that night!

Carol singing outside the Ounce public house in Bishampton on Christmas Eve

Our lovely home owners had been very generous and left us vouchers for both the Blue Lagoon, an Indian restaurant in Evesham, and the Regal Cinema which is one of those with sofas, and chairs and tables for food and drink, so that was another two meals I didn’t have to think about. Two thoroughly enjoyable trips out. The day in between Brian had a checkup at the QE with his skin specialist. I wasn’t going to go, until a chat with Abi took us to see her on the way back. Sooty, our bestest black cat had been at the vets since Boxing Day, but was going to come home until it was ‘time’! We had to take the opportunity to say our farewell to her and give Abi the biggest of hugs. So glad we did as ‘time’ was sooner than expected and she was put to sleep the following afternoon. RIP Soots xx

Keith and Donna, Cookie and Crackers 'mum and dad' all dolled up on their holiday, while we look after C&C

Dr. Shah had decided she wanted a biopsy of a ‘thing’ on Brian’s arm, we couldn’t see this happening until the New Year so he was most surprised when he got a call on Thursday morning, as we were having coffee and scones with Angela, Donna and Keith’s friend who had very kindly invited us round. They would have liked him in that afternoon, but we were booked at the cinema, “tomorrow morning?” He didn’t feel he could turn them down again so while I was walking the dogs and starting on our final preparations for leaving, he was dashing back up to Birmingham. We carefully timed it so he would be back about the same time as I was back with the dogs, as bathing had been required every day as every dog walk had involved mud. There was no way to avoid it, if we wanted to let them off the lead, which we did as watching them dash about is a joy, they were going to be muddy. Bathing now involves the kitchen sink as the outside tap fell off in the cold weather, so although they are very good it’s still easier with two!

My mince pies baked and ready for the mince pie competition on Boxing Day

We waited till D&K’s plane had taken off before leaving, back to mums. And here we are. It’s been quite restrained, the ‘last curry of the year’ and the planned NYE party having both been cancelled because Helen had Covid. Yesterday we mostly booked a cruise from Southampton and back, into the Med, with mum in January. I say mostly as just before paying, the line went dead and I couldn’t get through as they were then shut till the 3rd of January, so fingers crossed we will be able to complete the booking! Today we ambled up to the Crown to watch the Morris Dancing and the Mummers play, a long-standing Alvechurch tradition. Tonight we’ll be back there as we are meeting John for a pint or two. It’s Sunday club, so usually boys only, but I’ve asked, and am allowed to go. I might regret it, we shall see!

Carol singing on Boxing Day at Steph and Sams. LtoR: Jackie, Nick, Jessica, Denise, Paul, Rory and Ivy

Sams in charge of the music, Steph alongside

The mince pie competition is on. On the left, samples of each (entries by Brian, Rory and Ivy, Denise and Nick and Jessica) are cut up ready for blind tasting, a sample of each entry displayed for marks for appearance. It's very serious, this!

Ivy and Rory marking the appearance section. Mine's 'C' top left in this photo

Final marks displayed on an Excel spreadsheet and displayed on the TV by Sam (can't beat a good spreadsheet!). Rory and Ivy won the appearance, I came second. For taste, I came joint first with Nick and Jessica. Adding the scores, Rory and Ivy came first, I came second with Nick and Jessica one point behind. Regrettably Denise, my sister came last which will give her a complex. It has to be said that the taste section was incredibly tight, they all tasted delicious so, don't have a complex sis, they were all fabulous. Didn't we all do well!

Ivy and Rory (the Aston Villa FC kit was a present from Nick and Jessica and Rory was soooo excited) get their first prize - a chocolate santa

Brian and Nick receive runner up prizes

I took this photo of Pauline, Jackies mum on Christmas Day, isn't it fabulous! What do you think of it so far, Pauline? 'Rubbish'

And what do you think Cookie? 'I'm going casual'

Who's a pretty boy then Cracker?

Morris dancing on New Years Day in Alvechurch. A peculiarly British tradition, they are a very active group in Alvechurch and surroundings, both in terms of energy and numbers. Light hearted, friendly, energetic, fun to watch - and eccentric! How great it is to be British!   

It was followed by a short play which included a review of the year with no holds barred

HAPPY NEW YEAR