In December we generally go into
hibernation mode with squirrel-like forays out for shopping and the occasional
spot of fun.
One such spot of fun was a visit
to the Nottingham Contemporary. We were treated to a walk through an array of
poles and a display of large photograms by Raphael Hefti. We also saw videos from
Anieszka Polska who, according to the read-out on my computer may still be
alive, having been born in Poland in 1985.
Canons Ashby 3rd December
Of great fascination to me was a secret chamber. I guessed that it was Masonic, but this is speculation. See
link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-21577807
Internment 10th December
The following week, again in good
weather, we set off for Milton Keynes to join Margaret and Martin for the
interment of Nan Pickard’s ashes. Tim joined us, in his official capacity, and
led a short service by the headstone.
After enjoying lunch together at
‘The Old Beams’ we returned to view the stone in place and leave a Christmas
wreath.
Week Commencing 15th December
The Haven church was the venue
for a concert given by ‘The One Voice Community Choir’. It was well attended
and a very professional piece of entertainment.
On Thursday it was the newly
formed ‘Haven Eagles’ Christmas party. For some reason I was obliged to lead,
having spent my life avoiding such responsibility. I can only hope it went
well.
Later that evening there was a
phone call from my co-leader of the Friday dance at the New Stapleford
Community Centre. He told me that he was unwell and could not lead our
Christmas buffet dance.
Hurriedly, on Friday morning I
dug out a play list that I used last Christmas and adapted it to be used on
Friday evening. It was the first time that I had run such an event, but Irene
and I were quickly guided into getting the prizes for the ‘Spot Waltz’ (Thank
goodness for the new Co-op next door.) and I was initiated into the intricacies
of administering the game.
I hope that all 37 of our guests
enjoyed the dance.
On Saturday morning I woke up
full of a heavy head cold. Irene said that it was something like my school teaching
days when after a busy Christmas week at school I was ill for my own holiday.
We had to cancel dinner with
Jan and Lawrence as we didn’t want to pass germs on to baby Jennifer. We went to the carol service in the afternoon. I struggled through what should have been
a happy occasion.
Preparations for Christmas went
on with Irene getting in a state over how to cook the duck. But we had fun with
our friends Paul and Mary when they came over for a lunch of lamb on Christmas
Eve. This was followed by, what is almost a tradition, going to the Christingle at St Giles Church in Sandiacre.
Then came Christmas day. In the expectation
of there being few presents the two of us soon filled the room with lots of
wrapping paper. We are grateful to all our family and friends who remembered us
this year. Joni and Fiona joined us to share the Christmas duck and then we
played board games. They had bought one over about the Mona Lisa. Each person
had a board and by buying experts completed the rear of the board with cards showing gems. The value of the gems was then added up. We then played our new
train game before they left and I watched ‘Doctor Who’.
On Boxing Day we went down to Tim
and family. We had a lovely roast dinner followed by the lighting and eating of
the Christmas pudding. Then we did the family photos, followed by a word game
before setting back home. It was good that we left early. We drove through a
blizzard on the top of the National Forest and arrived home just before the
snow began to settle.
In the morning snow lay on the
ground and we walked over to the park and finished up taking photographs in the
back garden. Joni and Fiona arrived for lunch, which was a good opportunity to
update their family photo. While they were with us they investigated our TV,
phone and Broadband package. They found it wanting and rang Virgin. As a result
we will have a ‘Tivo’ box and 50 meg broadband by New Years Eve.
The snow was still lying on the
ground frozen on Sunday so we walked to church to join the few that had braved
the conditions. Jan, Lawrence and Jennifer came over in the afternoon. This was
time for catching up and Bible study. Jennifer sat up, with help, and for the
first time we watched her focusing in on the things.
We watched the Bond film, ‘Die
Another Day’ followed by ‘Miranda’.
This morning, Monday, Jenny from
next door rang the bell to enthuse about the snow crystals. I succumbed and went
out to take some exciting pictures.
 |
| On this picture there is a crystal that looks like an hexagonal tube lacking one rectangular face. |
In the afternoon we had a railway time. Irene carried on with her gardens, adding things like swings and seats. I worked on the pavement and fencing leading out of town.
Being Tuesday we went off shopping. This meant taking Joni and Fiona's steps in the car. We decided on a simple Asda shop before calling in on Joni to drop off the steps and have coffee with him. At lunch we had our own 'proper' coffee. It was surprisingly quick and easy to do. It tasted good too. Now we are doing some bits around the house.
The year ended in a suitably festive way. We attended the New Years Eve dance at the community centre and bought 2014 to a close with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
