Good morning Boxing Day Saturday

[Ally]

Good morning.

I had the loveliest day with dad yesterday. He's such good company and we get on so well it's a pleasure to be here.

Don and the twins rang. They were cooking dinner together and it sounded hilarious.

Uncle Stanley and Ryan called round and we chatted for ages at the gate.

John and Betty next door dropped presents round and had even bought me something. I'm not one for celebrity perfumes but it was a Michael Buble one and I really like it!
Their 10 year old grandson Carson (mum adored him) also dropped gifts in.

Dad had loads of telephone calls throughout the day from his brothers and various friends which made me think how loved and thought of he is.

Although this Christmas is completely different to what I imagined I've been left with lots of memories to cherish.

Today an old school friend of mine is gate calling. We're in tier 4 now so she's going via essential shopping at tesco.

Have a great day.

Update on sis and Mark. They made it to Folkestone yesterday. There were many detours and 3 stops to check their covid forms. Michele said it was really sad to see all the lorries parked up. But they got the chunnel and booked into their hotel in Calais. They set off this morning for the long drive to their tiny hamlet in the depths of France.
I have a very relived sister.

[JanB]

Morning Ally, morning everyone

Lovely, sunny morning, Bit chilly though

Glad you had a good day yesterday Ally and your sister and brother in law have made it back - almost - safely

We also had a lovely day finished off with some lovely Portuguese type cakes, courtesy of Jan and her mum in law. We'd popped down there for a drink or two in the early evening.

Back to cook our steak, chops and onion rings. And for once, Pingo did some lovely steaks

Today is cleaning and getting ready for the birthday meal for Chris tonight. The tables will be properly distanced and Lucy is bring a lemon posset and Jan is bringing something special. She wouldn't tell me what, but probably a cake. She makes superb cakes

Have a good day everyone, whatever you're doing xx

[cruiser2]

Good morning Ally & anybody else who is up.

Had an early morning call this morning. Our house alarm went off at 3.00 a.m. Will leave it off until we can contact the alarm company, hopefully
on Monday morning.
It is dull and has been raining in the night.
Had several phone calls yesterday but no visitors.
Just relaxiog again today.
Alyy, is there any snow where you are with your dad?
Have a good day everybody.

[Ally]

If there was snow cruiser I'd soon mention it!

[Osc]

Morning all, it’s dull here, looks cold and damp. We had a brilliant day yesterday, lots of fun and laughter, a family day to remember. Edward cooked a delicious dinner. Very little clearing up to be done, just need to wash the glasses, put away the Christmas table mats etc. and give the kitchen worktop a good wash. Otherwise we plan to do virtually nothing - I am knitting a hat that I want finish, and read. We will feast on leftovers, cake and mince pies. I got some great books as presents so there is a nice to-be-read pile by my bed.

I’m very saddened by the bomb in Nashville, my favourite US city. Scarily, where it went off is on 2nd Ave, and literally about 50 yards from where we stayed in 2016.

[cromwell]

Good morning all. Dull here too.
I'm not sure what the day holds apart from recovering from eating too much yesterday. We will keep things nice and simple today.
Who would want to place a bomb in the middle of Nashville? There are some seriously disturbed people in the world.
I think going for a paper will be the highlight of the day. I don't know how my body will withstand that dizzying rush of adrenaline, but there you are.
Have a good day all.

[meriad]

hello all

Well that's another Christmas more or less over and what a lovely few days it was. 24th Christmas eve was a bit of a busy day for me as we have an ongoing work IT issue that took up some time; but I finally managed to bake some Christmas cookies and then get things ready for Karl and Nadine and the kids to come over here for Christmas Eve dinner. We had a lovely evening and then Christmas day was at theirs and probably one of the most relaxed days I've had in a long long while. Because it was only us we focused on chill and relax vs stressing about a perfectly set table etc. Today is just chilling at home and having a look online at a few things I've been wanting to buy for some time but not had the time. And I've just been outside for a bit trying to ensure that the gazebo I have up over the chicken run will survive Storm Bella that's expected to hit tonight. I cannot take it down and put it back up on my own so I'm just hoping that the tying down I've done will keep it in place - if not I'll have to deal with the consequences tomorrow morning and go gazebo hunting in the neighbourhood

Ally, so glad Michelle and Mark finally made it to France; what a journey for them. And as you say - so so heart breaking for the lorry drivers Governments really need to come up with quicker solutions if they make decisions like they did.

Hope everyone else is keeping well and staying warm and safe indoors xxx

[jenniren]

Afternoon all

HAPPY BOXING DAY

Glad it's working out for your sister Ally.

We had a lovely day yesterday, Z,M and the boys video messaged us at 12 which was fun and I cooked a proper Christmas dinner, turkey with all the trimmings yummy. The evening's tv was good too, because of covid they weren't able to do the usual Strictly Christmas show so they did a show with the top 20 dances voted for by the public. It was really good, each dance was shown in full, a real treat. Then it was one of my favourites Call the Midwife.

Not much happening today, eldest daughter M is video calling in an hours time which will be lovely. It's left over turkey with bubble and squeak and pickles for dinner later.

Hope you all have a good day, stay safe xx

[Kaz]

Good afternoon everyone

Our day was really good too I spoke to both my boys who were fine, then my sister, D arrived for lunch and all went perfectly. It was a very chilled out day Today we're round at D's, I bought a loads of foodie bits and pieces and we've just had a lovely lunch

I'm glad everyone seems to have had a good Christmas

Love to all xxx

[Gal2]

Been a quiet day for us today - done nothing apart from me trying to get the laptop camera to work so we could do a family zoom at 3pm - and I also got a speaker similar to the one we have at work to listen to Spotify through - but I can't get it to connect to my wifi!! I am SO done with technology today!!! Edited - I managed to get the camera to work!!

Kaz lovley to know you spoke to the boys - I've been VERY lucky to have Jen in the house on C Eve, the first time she's been here since last Christmas!! Sooo good to see her - we didn't hug but my God that was hard!!! And we wore masks throughout. I'll probably arrange to meet her for a takeout coffee next week sometime.

Ally so glad your sister manage to make it home!! And that you are enjoying your time with your dad xx If it's snow you want, you'd have had plenty to keep you going here yesterday and Thursday!!! TOO MUCH for me tbh. But it's all gone now.

Enjoy what's left of Boxing Day folks xx