The Aftermath of Christmas

The planning for what we would have for our Christmas dinner was meticulously thought through a week before the festive day. 

Starter: Baked Camembert, meats antipasto, smoked salmon, cream cheese,  warm baguette.

Main: Roast Beef, Roast Turkey Crown, Honey Roasted Ham, Yorkshire pudding, Brussel sprouts, butternut, roasted potatoes, pigs in blankets,

Dessert: Pavlova, sticky toffee, apple crumble.

Plans change and the Turkey was substituted for roast chicken, Matilda does not eat anything but chicken, so it was chicken roasted in a bag. The Brussels became broccoli and the pigs in blankets, we entirely forgot. The Pavlova never materialised but we did have a dough-type Christmas tree covered in Nutella. The rest was cooked to perfection and thoroughly enjoyed by Susan, Michael, Robert, Matilda, and I. Lady Lauren of the Bell-Browns was otherwise engaged in Bell-Brown affairs of state. Gary had escaped to the country, somewhere else.

As Christmas days go, this was right at the top. Our day started with a swim with all of us except Matilda, It was too cold and we needed an official photographer. Gemma Fay and her current boyfriend joined us with their energetic dog called Poggle. All in all an enjoyable swim and then home to breakfast and the giving out of presents, so many presents but good fun. The one present that stood out was a box of chocolates Susan received with a net weight of 1.5 kg, now that is a box of chocolates that might just last a while.

Games were played, some won and some lost but all enjoyed, no tears, all very competitive but in a good spirit. The weather was not that great but we did manage to get out for a walk at the beach. The previous evening we had seen a beautiful sunset, alas on the day it was cloudy, seems to have been cloudy for the last two weeks, so that sunset was a gift.

King Charles gave the traditional Christmas message and from what I understood it was focused on “Listening”. Maybe a subtle hint to the politicians who listen to no one and never answer a question with any conviction or truth. On the other hand, it might have been for the BBC interviews, who continually talk over anyone they are interviewing. Charles, neither will listen, but I do admire your optimism.

Over the past year, we have said goodbye to many people of stage and cinema, music and sport. The one that stood out for me was French singer-songwriter, known for her melancholy ballads, Françoise Hardy, her most famous songs included All the Girls and Boys (Tous les garçons et les filles), It Hurts to Say Goodbye (Comment te dire adieu) and My Friend the Rose (Mon amie la rose). In my youth I thought she had the sexiest voice and looks, I was totally in love with her, but alas she did not know me, so the love affair was one-sided. 

The other one worth noting was Donald Sutherland. Canadian actor well known in the war films Kelly's Heroes and The Dirty Dozen. We will never forget his famous line from Kelly’s Hero’s. 

“Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?” 

“What day is it?” Susan asked driving to the beach for a swim. Susan did remark this morning that it is quite nice to not know what day it was, it was Sunday, but that was not the point. Christmas was on a Wednesday, which to me felt like a Sunday, thereby throwing my natural balance off and I, also wondered, what day it was when she asked the question.

Talking of driving, I hate it when Susan is not with me, I don’t know when to brake, when to pass or where to park.

News from down under is that Matthew Dickens is studying to be a teacher, yep, major career change and I do believe a very wise one. He can relate to people of all generations and has the patience to listen and understand. That is a gift and given time he will excel. Best of luck Matt, England needs good teachers, just a thought.

The Car

The other news from down under is that the same Matthew has replaced his ageing Dacia pickup with a KGM Rexton 2.2l diesel. They are not into electrical vehicles as a mode of transport yet. Matthew says that this flagship vehicle represents more in every aspect. Styled inside and out with graceful detailing that complements its rugged off-road capability. It has an intriguing blend of capable workhorse that can carry, pull and wallow through mud, whilst offering comfort, safety and style. His words not mine but as I do not drive one, he would know best. Angela loves it but then she loves everything Matt does, so, not an unbiased opinion. Happy motoring Matthew. 

Lady Lauren has just experienced the best of our public transport. She gave her driver the week off to enjoy the festive time with his family and decided to do what many peasants do and took the train from Nottingham to Bournemouth on Friday. The first part of the journey was fine, then the connecting train was cancelled. Had a two-hour wait for the next one. “Sorry this train will be a little late, we just need a driver.”

What is wrong with our public transport? Just a few months ago the government was promising us they would sort the problems out. What did they do, they gave them a wage increase, thus rewarding failure, are all those in public service cretins, Robert seems to think so and he works for the tax collection office, HMRC.

Lauren should have arrived at 3 pm but alas, only arrived at 6 pm. Public transport is something I will be very cautious of, like politicians, you can never believe them.

On a lighter note, Rain, wind and snow warning in the lead-up to Hogmanay. Well, that will put a damper on our New Year swim.

New Years Eve

Susan has a mission, clean the house, wash the bedding and take down the decorations. All very well but can be quite time-consuming and I find when this happens, I can not really relax, maybe the feeling that I should be helping, but I did not want to get in the way. We took the old mat out of the lounge and unwrapped and laid the new mat. It is a light grey and has a deep pile, so super soft to walk on. Susan was not convinced but the deed is done so I think she should put her granny pants on and accept the inevitable.

The problem with washing the bedding is to get that fitted sheet on again. The people who make fitted sheets need to sit down with the people who make mattresses and get on the same page. Making the bed shouldn't be like putting a swimming cap over a fridge.

Vodka Shots

The cake is binned

The painting in question

We all went to The Middle Smiths for dinner. Gary and Claudia had prepared a superb meal of Chicken Wings, BBQ ribs and thick-cut chips. The wine flowed and from the heartiness shown by Claudia when we arrived, I would imagine the wine was flowing long before we arrived. Claudia has a lovely painting on her wall which goes with the colour scheme she has for her lounge, quite a revealing painting for an Italian girl, bordering on soft porn but the colours did match the rest of her decor. 

After a rowdy game of Secret Santa, we took our leave. 

New Years Day

Woke late and only left for the beach at 10:15 am. The weather was bad, 65 mph gale and rain. Walking into the wind was a challenge and at times you did well, to just stand upright, until the gust stopped, did feel like we were been tossed about like a small sailing boat in a storm. We finally made the shelter of the wall at the Haven beach and Lauren wanted a photo of us before and after we had had our swim. Rough waters and loads of spray, we stayed in for what seemed like a long while but was not more than 4 minutes. We all posed for this photo, a reminder to us of the conditions and the thrill of beating the odds. Reminds me of the famous words by Winston Churchill,

"We shall fight on the beaches, we will fight them on the shores, we shall never surrender”

Before

After

Lauren's puzzle

The walk back was the crowning joy as the wind was pushing us all the way and the rain had stopped. The main beach had reasonable size waves but they were left alone, not even the hardier of surfers were interested. All in all a good start to the New Year, Lauren and Robert must be commended, this was a swim not for the faint-hearted, pity we had no other takers, this is one swim we will not forget in a hurry. Susan did comment. “I thought you guys were made of sterner stuff, what’s a bit of wind”.

The Poo photo incident

There was a moment when we thought Lauren had overindulged on Mulled Wine, she took this photo of Jenson doing his morning poo. I do think it left Jenson slightly traumatised as since the event in question, he does glance around nervously to make sure Lauren is nowhere to be seen and only then does he have that much-needed ablution.

As we neared the end of our walk back, we were fortunate enough to see the Bubble Lady on the beach.

Old Harry Rocks

We took a walk to Old Harry Rocks from the Bakers Arms at Studland on a rare clear, sunny day. Lauren had never been to Old Harry and we did need to get out and enjoy the sunshine, even the slight breeze or air temperature of 3 degrees C did not seem to matter. It is interesting that the walk feels quite long but is only 2 km one way, walking back is somehow quicker. Took some good photos as you can see, Lauren did photo-bomb most of the photos, she was just so excited to be at Old Harry Rocks. 

You might ask, what is the story behind Old Harry Rocks? One legend says that the Devil (traditionally known euphemistically as "Old Harry") slept on the rocks. Another local legend says that the rocks were named after Harry Paye, the infamous Poole pirate, whose ship hid behind the rocks awaiting passing merchantmen.

Needless to say, the rock is very old and formed about 66 million years ago. Until recently, well 10,000 years ago, there was a ridge that joined the Isle of Wight with Dorset's Isle of Purbeck. Over time this ridge was worn away by the sea and we only have the remains, of Old Harry and The Needles on the Isle of Wight. I always check that Old Harry Rocks are still standing after a storm, looks fragile but I think they are made of sterner stuff.

Robert and Lauren have left and that is the end of the holidays, all we have to show is the puzzle mat left on the dining room table, I will take it off but just need a little time.

Happy New Year to all of you.