Festive season- family , friends , food ....thoughts with those in the northern floods

                                  Milky sun in a streaky cloudy sky provided wonderful conditions for a Hove seaside walk today  (official Boxing Day) . And we were not alone in striding out with the dog; three generations and a small ball. 

                                    

                                  

         

                                    

                                    

                

All the while I was strongly aware of friends ,colleagues and thousands unknown to me , struggling against the waters that have burst banks in Lancashire and Yorkshire, bringing a hasty end to festivities. In some places, Christmas was ruined before it began. For others, formal holiday has given way to urgent volunteering or made real the truism that in some roles, you are never really off duty. 

I am very appreciative of a blowy bright , sun in the seaside sky day with my father and eldest son .

The week has seen a succession of festive meals , friendly gatherings and walks. Merry the dog has been living up to her name, enjoying the company and attention. 

                                   

     

       Another walk.......another ball chase for Merry 

      

    

    And it's just as well we have Merry to walk , because like most at this time of the year , we have been enjoying too much tasty food. 

    Roasties and Yorkshires for everyone 

                     

    Parsnip&hazlenut roulade for the three out of seven veggies at Christmas dinner 

                              

                               

    Father Christmas and Snowdog & Snowman atop the Christmas cake 

Mind, on Christmas Eve Eve the wind blew and the rain poured . My first choice colour was especially seasonal . 

                                 

And then on Christmas Eve the stockings were filled by the hearth and we didn't have anyone under 24 in the house! At what age do you stop the stocking tradition? 

                                 

I hope you too have spent time with loved ones, sharing food ,games, gifts and a cheering glass of something tasty. And perhaps you will have shared a visit to the panto or theatre. For us, we had consecutive days of festive treats . On Boxing Day we were blown away by Pirates of the Caribina in Flown at Brighton's Dome - a mash up of circus skills, original music and tastes of storytelling . It was a total delight an an awesome spectacle from dedicated , talented , highly trained performers with a passion for their art and considerable mastery of physics and geometry . 

 

    The stage set for Flown 

And as if that weren't enough , Sunday 27th saw us in Chichester at the Festival theatre enjoying their Youth theatre production of A Christmas Carol. This brilliant story telling production was pacey, packed with puppetry, terrific acting and marvellous singing. The enthusiastic house showed noisy appreciation for the show and we were delighted with our West Sussex jaunt. What's more we returned to be treated to a home cooked meal by my visiting son and his girlfriend - tasty and spicey and nothing required of us at all! 

    The stage set for A Christmas Carol

I am now preparing for an end to a challenging year of too much loss ; thank goodness for the love of partner, family and friends. Thank you all.  I am weighing up how well I did with my resolutions, conjuring up my new ones and anticipating the next year. I hope any readers have also enjoyed a fine Christmas time , and will have a wonderful New Year.