Comfortably Christmas

Woken up at 5.30 by ‘im outdoors who went to bed at 7pm so is full of beans.

“Kids” (20 and 18) barge in, having eviscerated their own stockings, bearing mine which is filled with stuff I bought myself.

Present opening with ‘im outdoors trying to look as if he knew what was in all the ones “we” bought.

He’s very happy with his wireless enabled electric blanket and merino wool cycling pants.

I’m blown away by his sneaky purchase of a rather beautiful bit of sculpture made by our friend and local wood craftsman.

Slap up breakfast of eggs Benedict and full fry cooked by senior daughter – eaten, not to my planned soundtrack of lovely Christmas carols but to rather less relaxing strains of junior daughters choice of “Dominic the Donkey” and “Santa’s a Scotsman”

Traditional ascent (with dogs) of our local favourite mountain with a picnic at the top comprising home made sausage rolls, made by daughters, together with Polish honey vodka and Romanian “chocolate salami” gifted by lovely European friends, not yet driven away from UK by impending Brexit.

Non Christmas, early evening, Christmas dinner of broccoli soup, salmon en croute and pavlova.

Roaring fire, snoozing/farting dogs and humans.

Perfect.