Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.

 

Awful night's sleep - lack of - as we don't do Christmas dinner not sure what was going on but I'm shattered.

 

Off to John's (The owning Mr Trackshack) for lunch then a kip is on the cards I think!  It is chucking it down here and very windy, so no chance of a walk. Mrs NHN is having a deep tissue massage (lady is Jewish so works all over the holiday after Hanukkah) so I would normally walk for an hour while she gets battered, but not today!

 

[Kingzance]

Doctors and Nurses - how retro. I seem to remember playing that as a child. And regarding how GDB managed to inflict a need for dressings, I use a device with diamond coated sprung steel fingers and a decent hand guard to sharpen my tools. Stop that smirking at the back.

 

I/we survived yesterday in a less damaged state than the honourable member from Sutton it would appear. Having allowed SWMBO to follow a certain Essex boy's recipe for cauliflower cheese to go with our turkey, his glazed carrots (good) and spuds (also good), I agree with others that we can easily understand why his catering empire failed. Eight plus dog arrived around 2:30 when they had been kicked out of the pub (yes, that includes the 7 year old twins, the 9 year old challenge and the sometimes moody pre-teen plus their parents, No1 grandson and son (who couldn't resist a swift couple). The one course they managed was over by around 3:45 with everyone admitting they were flup. Presents then followed, much excess being in evidence from all sides and no I didn't get handkerchiefs, socks, underpants or anything that could offend our Awl-seeing (hope you're getting better ma'am).

 

The pudding course was served around 5:30 when guests had digested sufficient of the main course to make room. Most guests departed by 8:30 and said they had had a good time - only if they indicate that they want to repeat that next year will we know for sure. Some telephone calls were then made, a few were sadly to people who had less of a positive day than us. We then settled to watch a suggestion from Son on the Netflix channel called "Friday Night Dinner". All three of us enjoyed it so it does bridge the generation gap.

 

It was Pissinitdarn when the village fun run was due to start, I'm not sure how many masochists there are in the area. I prefer to remain in the warm, dry confines of KZ Towers. Son-in-law has taken two grandchildren to the new White Hart Lane as he got three tickets and seems to be giving up on Arsenal - No2 grandson refused to go as he remains a die-hard gunners supporter. When they get back, we will once more provide sustenance for them all. Meanwhile, daughter is packing the necessary for their ski break on which they depart tomorrow, leaving dog with us.

 

Although I am unable to post the link on here due to its format, I will leave you with a description of a 20sec video about preserving the secrecy of elements of Christmas that was sent to me by my son early on Christmas day: 
A young girl wanders into her lounge to see Father Christmas placing presents around the tree. Her expression changes to one of happy surprise as she says "Santa!". He chuckles and responds "No witnesses" before pulling out a small pistol and shooting her.

On that festive note, I shall disappear to grab another cupajava.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

As Phil mentioned it has stopped raining. I thought it may have started again but it is the spray from a neighbour power washing his mountain bike. He is also muddy so I suspect he has already returned from a ride.  I think we are heading off for a walk soon, not somewhere muddy though. 
I can’t imagine we are going into any shops. The newspaper had been delivered so no need to pop in to collect it. Since she has retired I handed over responsibility for dealing with the newsagent to Aditi. I found any transaction , even paying my bill to be so chaotic a process I would leave feeling quite stressed. 
Tony
 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone

 

Another lie-in this morning but we were up earlier than yesterday. There's not a lot on the cards for today, we did think about going for a walk, but the rain has put paid to that idea. Sheila is planning to do some ironing, so I'll have to think of something else today, ooh, what could that be I wonder?

 

Enjoy the day, back later

 

 

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Debs. said:

Bob, what are you doing; on Christmas day as well!......give yourself a break!

That's the last thing he wants to give himself.

 

Remember,  this is GDB  we are referring to!

[grandadbob]

'Ello again,

I have returned. Nicki has just kindly changed the dressing for me whilst saying "Although I work in a hospital I'm not actually a nurse!" It is quite a deep cut and bled profusely at the time and I'm lucky that I don't seem to have done any serious damage. I have been forbidden to go anywhere near anything sharp or pointed or do anything except sit quietly and watch others do the work. You lot might be very good at taking the p!ss but believe me, so are my family. I'm not going to hear the last of this for quite a while. As I type there is much discussion about finding me a suitable care home!

Anyway apart from that incident yesterday was a terrific day. As I suspected there was a lot of time spent ripping paper and I've had to reprimand wife, children and grandchildren for the amount spent on me. I seem to have acquired one new loco, a new detail sander, 2 bottles of malt whisky,  a bottle of cognac, some House of Commons whisky, 3 bottles of wine, a couple of DVDs, a gift voucher and various other odds and ends.

Christmas lunch was superb but then with The Boss in charge I would expect nothing else. Son Steve took charge of lighting the Christmas pudding just in case I set fire to the house! After that various quizzes and games were played to round off a lovely day.

A very large breakfast was consumed earlier and the younger members of the family are watching a film. I'm about to have a beer and will spend the afternoon doing nottalot.

Enjoy the rest of the day folks and in the words of  Sgt. Phil Esterhaus  "Let's be careful out there."

 

Hmmm, I should've thought of that yesterday. 

Edited December 26, 2019 by grandadbob

[roundhouse]

GDB I hope you have have a no claims protection personal insurance similar to cars!

 

I would say fingers crossed but probably not a good thing to do at the moment.

 

Luckily the rain is keeping me clear of any potential injury with the tree loppers so sitting it out in the pub opposite other half’s mums. 

 

They have a nice xmas ale plus Harvey’s Old so I am happy but will have to safely get back across the road for lunch shortly.

 

Have a good day all.

[AndyB]

3 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

So someone gave you a first aid kit for Christmas and you just HAD to try it out? 

He probably got a paper cut on the wrapping paper. 

[AndyB]

Afternoon all. And it's a damp one here today. The relaxing day I hoped for started with a snooze and lie in till about 8.30. Mid morning saw me assembling a small laser cut kit. A pint of Hogsback TEA accompanied this. 

A tradition started by my parents was that Santa Claus would leave a present for each person balanced  inside the Christmas tree itself, which would be opened on Boxing Day. This was just in case us youngsters felt it was a bit "flat" the day after Christmas. Our youngest has just started to root around, nosing for his tree present. 

[grandadbob]

More beer being consumed and lunch is being prepared.. Ham is being sliced (not by me) and also "There may be trouble  (more) Turkey ahead."  Wine will shortly be poured

All this enjoying yourself is very tiring! 

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Late on parade, as I was up at half past six, as 30747 wanted to "pop into the Next Sale" - well the men's sale was RUBBISH, though I did get a new set of lounge wear which was not there in my size when I first looked, but was about fifteen minutes later - somebody probably put it back.  We did better in Boots, where the sale aisles were reaming a few minutes after the doors opened, and I also got a new pair of shoes in Clarks sale - my feet appear to have stretched as in this particular shop and style, I usually take an 8.5, but now appear to need a 9. 

 

Good to see the return of the lesser spotted Debs - hope that you are well, and able to dispense that pawkish wit of yours a bit more often.  Also the awl appears to be needed in some quarters.  GDB, sorry about your thumb.  Neil - hope that you manage to get caught up on the sleep.  Everybody else, generic greetings are as usual on offer.

 

Pork chops today, with what's left of the starter from yesterday already consumed, then the rest of the pudding for afters.

 

Been working on the sewing box again - some of the varnish is very stubborn and is proving a challengs to the probably not strong enough paint remover bought in Screwfix - will try to get some stronger stuff tomorrow.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[TheQ]

Afternoon awl, 

It got very cold this morning you could feel the temperature in the house drop, so the outside temperature must have done so dramatically. 

 

Down at the moorings I arrived just in time to order my bacon butties and turn round with a Muggacoffee to see my sailing compatriot arrive in his car.. Dad driving. 

Getting  across the foot bridge was difficult for him.  we couldnt use the pontoon bridge as the very high water  made it unsafe. One of us stood in front and behind him if he slipped. 

The island was slightly soggy with water on the surface,  however the walkways were dry.  The bacon butties were ready just as we arrived in the clubhouse. 

 

Sadly his sisters husbands sailing failed, due to equipment breakage even before untying. There was however a very good turnout both sailing and socially. 

It got very cold at times in the clubhouse,  with people opening doors coming in and out,  even with the heaters on and the clubhouse packed. 

The rum,  ginger wine, orange juice etc drink went down very well, along with hot sausage rolls and mince pies. 

 

It started raining during the Second race,  we were glad to be inside, my sailing compatriot's sister won a bottle of wine in the raffle.  

I bought a book "The History of the Yeoman class 1969-2019 " our boat is featured 3 times and we are in the background a couple more times.  I'm also one of many in another picture.. Well I was a class chairman at the time. 

 

On the way back,  The fields were glossy with the rain water sitting on top.. 

 

I'm now lying on the sofa warming my feet,  watching twin peaks Dolly Parton recorded last night.. 

Edited December 26, 2019 by TheQ

[tigerburnie]

Afternoon all, pleasant Xmas day with family in Perth, sleep over with grandsons and a nice drive back on almost empty roads in the frosty sunshine, hills in the distance covered in snow again adding to the festive feel. Back home and fire lit, some port consumed with a couple of hot sausage rolls for lunch, feet up watching Minions movie, perfect, oh and it's quiet at last...……………………….

[PeterBB]

Hope everybody had a great Christmas.  For us the first on our own ever ... fortunately so since we have both been somewhat 'under the weather' and didn't want to pass on anything to a 5/12 grandson - the first time both of us simultaneously ill in over 30 years and have been for a fortnight or so now.  Superb cooking was however enjoyed yesterday with no over-eating - how SWMBO managed it I have no idea but she is flat out now.  Star present was something that does more than allow texts and telephone calls - even photographs and it appears can even navigate if set-up.  It needs something called a SIM - one a lot smaller than the 10 year plus predecessor that is apparently 'far too big' to fit.  This will come in the post so it may be sometime before I find out just what this can do but I am told that I will aways be able to be found!

 

Hope everybody has a great New Year.

 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Nipped down to Tess Coes lunchtime for the papers, bread and milk. Didn't need anything else and the locusts had already emptied the shelves marked 'reduced to clear' anyway. Just had a bit of eyelid inspection and now tea is brewing, be back later.

[The Lurker]

Christmas greetings all from a Sidcup which has been grey and wet although the rain did not stop us from getting out for a walk earlier. The day itself started with a cooked breakfast and moved through bellinis on to an excellent meal cooked by Mrs Lurker and MiL. Just when we thought we could never eat again, cheese and biccies appeared. Today has been less indulgent;l leftovers and salad and chips! The jungle book is largely being ignored on the telly at present! The in laws are arguing over the crossword in one of the red tops- apparently “Blixen” was the name of the reindeer’s. Who’d a thunk it?

[New Haven Neil]

Survived a really nice lunch with John & Anne without over eating, blood sugar under control, back home with the burner lit, so all well in the world around here - even the rain has reduced to drizzle and the wind is off.

 

All I need now is a good nights sleep.  Oh and a play with the trains would help.

[Happy Hippo]

We seemed to take all day to get the house ready for the arrival of daughter and grandchildren.

 

Last year they arrived and didn't go back until mid Jan/

 

I'm hoping for a sentence with a little more remission this time!

[AndyB]

So a date for your diary Mike, GDB,81c.....

1st and 2nd Feb. 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Junior Herbert  has been, eaten, drunk  slept and now has gone back to his abode.

Dr Eldest Herbert is going home tomorrow courtesy of her indoors.

I have done notalot today. Great!

 

Shopping yomorrow after that..it is, as Roundhouse says..beeroclock.

 

GDB..just hope that the thumb is ok.

 

Positive thoughts to all who need our support at this time.

Baz

[Andrew P]

Now we have senseless morons letting off Rockets out the back of our Road.

 

Not your normal Woosh Bang, but loud enough to actually feel it through your feet indoors.

 

Wife and Dog are petrified.

[Coombe Barton]

The Wenceslas Pizza, deep pan, crisp and even.

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/sounds-of-the-season-26-st-stephen-deep-pan-crisp-and-even/

 

 

Edited December 26, 2019 by Coombe Barton

[grandadbob]

Andy, we had that last night about 10.00. It stopped when I hollered out of the back door something along the lines of "What f###### silly moron is letting off fireworks at this time on Christmas Day!" I think it's a new family a few doors away round the corner  who also have a yappy dog that is left in the garden for long periods and doesn't stop barking. Very soon words of advice will be given about that as well.

 

Peace & Goodwill to all men etc. 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2019 by grandadbob

[BoD]

10 minutes ago, Andrew P said:

Now we have senseless morons letting off Rockets out the back of our Road.

 

Not your normal Woosh Bang, but loud enough to actually feel it through your feet indoors.

 

Wife and Dog are petrified.

Give the dog a cuddle.

[leopardml2341]

11 minutes ago, BoD said:

Give the dog a cuddle.

What about (the) 'wife' ?