Today is the shortest day. Winter solstice has arrived. We’re not quite at the moment when he sun is poised exactly at the midpoint but we’re close enough. We had a bit of a discussion over breakfast about how Christmas replaced solstice celebrations.
I began the day with an early alarm call and dragged myself out of bed quite promptly. Just as well, for I had barely got a pot of coffee on the go before the doorbell rang. Granddaughter Number One and friend had arrived with a huge box of yarn. She proposed to donate as much as possible of this to her small Southern cousin in the hope of encouraging knitting in that bit of the family.
The Southern branch ff the family was heading back south to continue Christmas celebrations at the other end of the country. And suddenly breakfast turned into another huge family occasion as my daughter and the rest of the grandchildren turned up to say goodbye to the Southerners. I think we had every coffee cup in the house on the kitchen table, in a range of different sizes. And I lost track of how many pots of coffee I brewed. It’s a good job I laid in stocks.
Later, when everyone had departed, we tackled the washing up, and i put things back in their rightful places - it’s amazing how inventive visitors can be in their putting away of pots and dishes! A stack of tea towels went into the washing machine and I whizzed the vacuum cleaner over almost every floor surface.
Calm has been restored … until we begin again on Christmas Day.
At some point yesterday afternoon our son and his wife sneaked off for quiet drink in one of the local pubs. Another Christmas tradition! Almost everyone sneaks off for a quiet drink at some point over the Christmas period. But according to this article quite a lot of pubs have put up signs indicating that Labour Party MPs are banned. It’s a protest against tax rises. So much for the season of good will!
Yesterday we were blessed with a cold crisp day for a sunny walk around the local reservoir. Today the cloud has descended and I really wouldn’t advise travelling too far. I suspect the Southern Branch of the family will be having a dull journey homewards. So it goes!
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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