Today so far.

I popped down to M & S for a few last minute vegs. Even at 8.30am it was heaving.

Our kitchen tiler arrived this morning to measure-up. He's broken his hand BOXING.

About 3 days ago I spotted a new neighbour had left her keys in the front door lock. I knocked on the door and told her. This morning I noticed that she'd done it again, so again I knocked on the door and told her. Silly gal.

                                

I spotted this graffiti on the way back from M & S. I don't usually like this sort of thing, but I do rather like this. 

I feel it's going to be a good day. Don't forget to watch Carols from Kings at 6.25 pm on BBC2. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Smithy and Gavin's Christmas sing-a-long

'Gavin and Stacey' was one of the BBC's best sit-coms of recent times. It had an amazing cast, and the script was genuinely funny. Here are two of the characters having a pre Christmas sing-song; James Corden, the driver, later went on to host a US TV show. 

Go on; join in!

Allo, Allo; what 'av we ear?

It was on this day in 1888, that the painter Vincent Van Gogh famously cut off his own ear.

The story apparently is as follows. Vincent had read somewhere that his brother Theo was engaged to be married, and out of frustration that he was about to lose his 'best and most important friend', he sliced off a good part of his left ear.

He then wrapped it in paper and went to his local brothel, where he gave it to a cleaning girl, Gabrielle. He then returned home to bed and very nearly bled to death overnight.

So, today we remember poor Vincent, and his ear; I don't suppose he did a great deal of Christmas celebrating that year.

Happy-ish Christmas.

George Bernard Shaw famously said "Britain and the US are two countries separated by a common language".

Another thing that separates us must be this Christmas card from Mr Thomas Massie, a US Republican Congressman from Kentucky. The idea of any British politician overtly demonstrating such a bizarre obsession is unimaginable. 

Boris might possibly feature his dog Dilyn wearing a Santa hat, but his whole family toting assault rifles; never! 

I'm not in the slightest bit religious, but isn't Christmas supposed to celebrate the birth of Christ? I wonder what HE would have thought of Mr Massie's Christmas card?

 

Ye Olde Longcase Clocke

I don't OWN this clock; I'm simply a custodian.

When I was 'given' it, by my Aunt in London, I was told in no uncertain terms that it wasn't mine to do with as I please, but it would simply be in my possession before passing it on to the next generation; who would need to be told the same thing. A small Oak corner cupboard came with the same instructions.

And the reason for all this? Well, the clock was made for my family, and has been passed down ever since. I've only had it 'serviced' once, and was told that the mechanism is dated 1735.

The dial is marked 'Debnam Newport'. This is one 'Charles Debnam' of Newport, Saffron Walden, which is near where my ancestors farmed. They owned a small amount of land including a part of Wicken Fen; which later became the first property owned by The National Trust.

It's not a fancy Longcase clock, in fact it's very simple and rustic. It doesn't keep very good time, as much as I try to correct it. I have to wind it every morning, and I often wonder how they regulated the time in the 'old days'. I suppose if someone came to the house with a pocket watch, it could be regulated, otherwise they would have lived by whatever inaccurate time it told. Maybe they set it to the village Church clock or bells.

I love sitting in the quiet of my sitting room with just the ticking of the clock for company. That tick has accompanied many generations of my family, and I hope it will continue for generations to come. I have turned off the chime, as it's not particularly pleasant. With a sprig of Holly and some tinsel on top it has a remarkably seasonal feel about it.

Longcase clocks are out of favour at the moment. A clock such as this can be bought for a mere £200 these days; some 40 years ago you could have added another zero. 

Carols at St Nix.

Yesterday evening I did something that I haven't done for decades; I went to church.

As you can see by the above, it was the evening of our nearby church's service of 'Lessons and Carols', and this year I was determined to go.

There were lit candles around the capitals of the huge stone pillars, and we all held small lighted candles. There was a beautiful atmosphere, and the singing was fine. We sang Once in royal David's city,  Unto us a child is born, Silent night, Ding dong merrily, O come all ye faithful, and Hark the herald-angels. The others also sang one or two that I didn't know; I abstained. For a small church the quality of the singing was very good, but maybe the choir's inventive descants were a tad optimistic!

The service lasted about an hour; just right. I had a pleasant chat with Fr Dominic on leaving, and we returned home to a welcoming glass of wine and a simple supper.

I'm now looking forward to 'Carols from Kings' on Christmas Eve.

I hope to go again next year; I enjoyed it.

 

It's Official!

Christmas season 2021 has officially started chez Cro; the red ribbon was cut two days ago.

The front bay window now sports a 'magnificent' flashing tree decked with trinkets of gold and silver, there are garlands of lights around our dining room, and the kitchen cupboards are filled with mince pies, plum puddings, and Belgian chocolates. There's no mistaking it; we're in for plenty of belt-loosening and indigestion.

I am now allowing myself to feel 'festive'. Presents have been bought, meals planned, and the wine is on order. We even go carol singing in the church tonight.

I'm looking forward to it all. But, I'm also looking forward to it being over. I love all the festivities, but I also love my peace and quiet.

Whether our intended guests will be either allowed, or wise, to join us for the Turkey-Fest on the big day remains to be seen. Things are not looking good!