the shortest day

It was a very jolly festive gathering in Bristol yesterday. Katie and George drove through the snow from Manchester to get there, and made it only a little bit late.  Our great nephew Zac entertained everyone delightfully.  Nick and Kate's "bump" was much in evidence, but wisely decided not to arrive early. How wonderful to think that he/she will be joining in the fun next Christmas!  In fact, everyone was in good form for our indoor picnic, even Steve who had been feeling a bit sorry for himself with a cold in the run up to the event.


We erred on the side of caution and decided to come home afterwards, rather than stay with Jack.  Looks like it was a good decision in retrospect.  Bristol was snowed in today, so we might have had a few problems getting away. As it was we've had a productive shortest day - the last packets and cards posted, the Christmas bird bought (so don't worry Jack and Katie - there will be food on the table on Christmas Day!).  We even managed to fit in a good deed - finding a purse full to bursting and taking in into the lost property office at the Police Station. I do hope the young lady who lost it thinks to give them a call.


As a photographer, I would have loved to have woken up to a blanket of snow. Taking that hat off, I'm so relieved that we have managed to escape the worst of the weather, which has been closing in around us but not made life horribly difficult so far, other than icy pavements which are bad enough. Thank goodness we don't have to go to hospital for chemo tomorrow.  What a relief that's behind us for the foreseeable future.  My heart goes out to all those still going through the treatment in the festive season......


Not long now; things are coming together nicely.  Hope your plans are working out too, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  It's been so good to get all the Christmas cards and letters and to find out what you have all been up to - keep 'em coming!  And be careful out there....