Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

Some years ago I noticed Star Wars ornaments for Christmas trees. I found this quite incongruous.

 

Nevertheless I accumulated several (focused on the "dark side"), and people presented me with more of them.  It is "festive" in a weird sort of way.

 

Without being sacrilegious, may I present the "Sithmas" tree:

 

 

The Tie fighters (which were gifts) do have sound effects when first powered up. The cockpits also change colours.

 

I have to admit my distribution of the red lights was imperfect. Here is is self-illuminated.

 

 

I was tempted by an entirely red miniature Christmas tree in a box mart this evening. It was far to flimsy to support the Sith, so I passed on it.

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

Foggy (not raining, not breezy) again today. From my morning walk today.  Not quite the Tawar-in-Drúedain but atmospheric - much more so in the fog. 

 

Quote

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

 

The trees are Douglas Fir. Named for David Douglas - a Scottish botanist from Scone.  A Portland High School is also named for him.

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by Ozexpatriate

[Erichill16]

Morning All,

Sleep is still very erratic and don’t think I’ve had much since getting my breakfast at 2.00am. Seems a bit hot n the bedroom but hat might be me as I’ve had theses sniffles for three weeks now.

Been busy since our return from the land down under, break in at work, looking after Syd, entertaining mil does some festive shopping and coping with jet lag.

Took eldest nephew to football match yesterday and saw our team finish with a lucky win topped off with an incredibly skillful (or luck) goal. 
Eyelids feeling heavy so I’ll try again for a bit of sleep.

Rbert 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Still a tad breezy outside. Bins have been emptied so they need to be brought back into their "loading" position.

 

No meaningful list of "must do" itemsvhas appeared yet beyond "cook Gammon for tea". Might make some pease pudding (which uses the gammon juices).

 

Herself and Dr Eldest Herbert are off to youngest Herbert's later to do curtain installation/modification duties. I may sneak some muddling time in...

 

It has been traditional to walk to the pub, catch up with friends etc on Christmas Eve. Hopefully that will happen again tonight. 

 

Have as good a Festive day as you can.

Stay safe!

Thoughts are with our missing and less than we'll ERs.

 

Baz

 

 

[jjb1970]

5 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

A little while ago there was a discussion about SYD - MEL being a busy air route. It's still in the top 10 but not close to number one.

 

CNN: The world’s busiest flight routes for 2023

 

 

KUL-SIN is the busiest international flight. The only European (region)/US airport to make the top 10 is LHR-JFK.

 

It's a bit like shipping, when you look at stats for trade flows it rams home changes in the global economy and trade over our lifetimes. 

 

In Singapore,  I think most people view Changi Airport as a hub for Singapore Airlines and one of the key waypoints for routes to Australia, but the 'big three' routes are Singapore to KL, Jakarta and Bangkok.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Still dark but dry at the moment although showers are imminent.   A mild and breezy day forecast. 11°C rising to 14°C possibly. 

Rugby watched yesterday afternoon and Quins managed to disappoint but the better team won.  More to watch later if I get a chance.

All is quiet here at the moment but I expect The Boss to shortly turn into some sort of whirling dervish as she gets things (that would include me)  underway for the festivities.  I expect my first task will be Shark driving and then basically to do whatever else is  requested ordered.

Just in case I don't get back here I'll take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you like to call it)  and hope that a good time is had wherever and however you celebrate,

She's up and about so it is now timetogettamoveon.

Have a good one, I'm pretty sure I will.

Bob.

[DaveF]

A dry but cloudy morning, 12C here, forecast to drop to 9C by dusk.  The wind is about gale force from the west but doesn't sound as gusty as it was during the night.

 

Today will have only 1 phone call, the ones to relatives will take place tomorrow.  Shortly I will be going to church, its my "day off" as it isn't a communion service so I can just be a member of the congregation.  I shall be going back for the midnight service which is a communion so I shall be serving, I had an e mail yesterday asking me to do some of the prayers as well.

 

Then there is a Christmas card to deliver and a bottle of wine to take to some friends.  Lunch will be something simple out of the freezer.  I am hoping the afternoon will be quiet so I can sit and read, I would also like a nap as I shall be very late to bed tonight, I doubt I'll be back from church until around 00.45 and I've got to be back there by 09.00 on Christmas Day.  It's the time of year when I am pleased I am not a vicar!

 

I got the housework done yesterday and the washing can wait until after Boxing Day, I think I have enough clean clothes to last.

 

I'll wish you all a Merry Christmas a day early  as I'll probably forget at teatime and may not get a chance to post in the morning.

 

David

[jamie92208]

9 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

... which you're loving doing ...

Yes it's very hard

 

Jamie

[Erichill16]

Sounds are coming from the kitchen, I think  I’d better make an appearance, sprouts don’t peal themselves!

Edited December 25, 2023 by Erichill16

[Hroth]

2 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

Sounds are coming from the kitchen, I think  I’d better make an appearance, sprouts don’t peal themselves!

 

Sprouts don't appeal.... 🤪

 

Enjoy!

 

[Gwiwer]

Good morning. 
 

It is wet, windy and ‘orrible outside. It is toast, marmalade and muggertea inside. 
 

Dr. SWMBO plans to attend the midnight service tonight. I plan to …. hmm …. what do I plan to do?  
 

It appears that 1X01 will run tonight despite staff shortages and ginger-beering works. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:S73184/2023-12-24/detailed
 

Happy Hogswatch. 

[RobAllen]

Next batch of mince pies in the oven. Mother-in-Law is arriving later today, and I purchased extra sherry yesterday…

 

 Merry Christmas all.

Edited December 24, 2023 by RobAllen

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I slept well last night although Arthur Itis and Si Attica seem to be waiting to pounce. I haven't been out to check as to whether the chimney cowl is from my chimney or not but there is a noise coming from next doors attic. It sounds like water dripping onto a wooden board but is very regular, about 2.5 seconds between 'drips'. It's certainly not in my attic because the boiler and pipework (and the chimney) are at the other end of the attic. All the houses in the terrace are 'handed' the same so their boiler and pipework + chimney is on the other side of the dividing wall. I'll have a word with the tenants when I go out later and ask them to contact their landlord.

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from the former colliery site. I've been outnumbered this morning, 5 women one girl and me. I did give my daughter in law an early Christmas present.  A book about the railway line that ran through the village that has lots of photos of how the area used to look.  Aren't I thoughtful. Some friends came over and we all had an American breakfast, pancakes, scrambled egg, bacon and maple, syrup.  The older girls have all gone shopping so Beth and I are Emily sitting. 

 

Jamie

Edited December 24, 2023 by jamie92208

[grandadbob]

Well that's not a bad start.  The Boss cooked breakfast and then asked nicely if I "wouldn't mind assisting with the housework" so the ablutions have been cleaned and the house has been Sharked.  I have been released from duties and it has been suggested that I take myself off to The Shed for a while.   Don't mind if I do....after a muggatea.

Edited December 24, 2023 by grandadbob

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A dull, wet and cloudy start to the day here in the northwest corner of England, but thankfully the wind has stopped blowing, but according to the sea weed twirlers, there may be a chance of more later. There’s not a lot planned for today, Sheila is busy getting the house cleaned, why I’m not sure as it’s just the two of us tomorrow, but then what do I know? So, I’m going spend the day pottering about doing nothing in particular, unless requested otherwise. 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian 

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. Christmas dinner, or part of it, has been removed from the freezer to the fridge to defrost. Defrosted too quickly the ice as it melts leaves some meats waterlogged. Once drained off the water/blood mix makes a good basis for the gravy. Today's lunch will be egg and chips, I have plenty of eggs and some of them have to be used soon. 

[woodenhead]

Christmas Dinner eaten!

 

What's that I hear you say, but it's Christmas Eve, you can't have Christmas Dinner before Christmas Day, well you can in the Woodenhead household 😁

 

Big chicken and all the trimmings last night, the remains will be a curry tomorrow and now I can simply relax for the next 3 days.

 

Another benefit of doing it early and I was reminded of this on Thursday when some freshly purchased mince had to go straight back to Aldi - that you cannot fix a dodgy bird on Christmas day but you can on any other day.

 

And as we all celebrate Christmas in our own ways, I read this today and it's a reminder that things used to be a lot worse for people, life wasn't better in the past https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67809153

[iL Dottore]

Tragically, I must report that my Christmas has been ruined!

 

Against all professional advice, Mrs iD has decided we WILL have turkey and sadly all I can do ameliorate the situation is to cook a turkey breast sous-vide and serve it with steamed mini-zucchini and carrots, a potato dish of some kind (probably Pommels Dauphinoise) a fortified white onion sauce (hurrah for VSOP brandy say I) and stuffing.

 

Fortunately, Christmas Day will not be completely grim:! Brussels Sprouts are conspicuous by their absence and for pudding we have a proper Christmas Pud and “skoolboy” custard. Plus, in the evening when Mrs iD is getting her gnashers into the inevitable cold turkey and stuffing sandwiches, I have some blini, a tin of caviar (plus traditional accompaniments) and a rather decent Polish vodka to enjoy.

 

I have been trying for years to have Mrs iD forego Christmas for Saturnalia (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia) but she’s being unreasonably resistant to change. 
 

I mean, really!, who would prefer to eat a dry, tasteless turkey with the less desirable elements of the family over roasted pig and sausages, winter root vegetables fried in oil, fresh fruits, nuts and all sorts of drinks (and plenty of them) and, of course, the cavorting.

 

There’s just no helping some people!

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by iL Dottore
Wording

[Sidecar Racer]

12 hours ago, Hroth said:

 

I'd have plonked another strawberry upright in the cream....

 

 

I know, I can't be taken anywhere!

 

 

 You can but only  twice , and the second time is to apologize .

[petethemole]

Mornin' awl,  I am over my upset but still feel run down with no appetite.  Late last night Martyn went down with it and is still suffering.  When I went downstairs a faint voice from Mrs mole's room said "I take back all I said".  She had blamed my suffering on elements of my diet that she disapproves of and won't eat, mainly dairy, alcohol and spicy food.  Now she also has it and accepts that it's a bug we've picked up.  As the last man standing I now have loads to do.

 

Stay elfy everybody and may Old Father Christmas bring you something you like.

 

FreeVintageArt.com

Edited December 24, 2023 by petethemole
picture didn't load

[PhilJ W]

42 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Tragically, I must report that my Christmas has been ruined!

Against all professional advice, Mrs iD has decided we WILL have turkey and sadly all I can do ameliorate the situation is to cook a turkey breast sous-vide and serve it with steamed mini-zucchini and carrots, a potato dish of some kind (probably Pommels Dauphinoise) a fortified white onion sauce (hurrah for VSOP brandy say I) and stuffing.

Fortunately, Christmas Day will not be completely grim:! Brussels Sprouts are conspicuous by their absence and for pudding we have a proper Christmas Pud and “skoolboy” custard. Plus, in the evening when Mrs iD is getting her gnashers into the inevitable cold turkey and stuffing sandwiches, I have some blini, a tin of caviar (plus traditional accompaniments) and a rather decent Polish vodka to enjoy.

I have been trying for years to have Mrs iD forego Christmas for Saturnalia (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia) but she’s being unreasonably resistant to change. 

I mean, really!, who would prefer to eat a dry, tasteless turkey with the less desirable elements of the family over roasted pig and sausages, winter root vegetables fried in oil, fresh fruits, nuts and all sorts of drinks (and plenty of them) and, of course, the cavorting.

There’s just no helping some people!

I feel for you @iL Dottore I have the luxury of having whatever I like for Christmas dinner. My choice is venison, (if you don't mind eating Rudolph). A lot healthier than the interbred monstrosities the mother nature would not allow to exist. The venison I eat comes from culling wild herds but has to travel down from Scotland. 

[Tony_S]

5 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

, (if you don't mind eating Rudolph)

I think it is more likely to be Bambi than Rudolf.  

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

decided we WILL have turkey

I would be perfectly happy with egg and chips on Christmas Day but Aditi does like the turkey based meal with as many accompaniments both pork product and vegetable that will sit on the plate.  We will vacuum pack and freeze any surplus. You could also do that, and MrsID could enjoy turkey at other times of the year too. 
 

[jamie92208]

We are just about to have venison sausage sandwiches also probably Bambi. Tomorrow be

I've been told that it's beef but as mother and daughter are doing the cooking I am redundant. All being well there will be railway books to read. 

 

Jamie

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by jamie92208