The Dixon/Morris Christmas Party

Steve and Patricia invited us round to their house for Christmas eats and drinks last night.  Patricia had done a fantastic buffet and there was plenty of booze on offer.  Unfortunately, I'm not drinking and have no appetite because I'm still ill - bummer.  I did partake of a snowball because I'd never had one before - very nice, might have to invest in a bottle of advocaat.

Clint & Emma, George & Andy and Martin & Charlotte were also there although M&C went quite early as M was at work today.  As well as the usual banter and laughing we watched the DVD from when we were all in Munich and we also did a couple of quizzes and discussed appropriate (and some inappropriate) names for ladies furry gardens.  Merry Christmas and God bless us every one!

Christmas day with the Family

It's been three days since either of us left the house but we've made it out for Christmas Day.  K & I started at home with our presents but we didn't get through them all before we had to get ready to go round to the Hickertons for more presents and then lunch.  Penny had put on a fine spread for all (seven) of us - and Pete was the only one who didn't have a cold!

After lunch Martin and Philip went for a walk, the girls watched "Noel's Christmas Presents" and I did anything but watch "Noel's Christmas Presents"!  Luckily I had plenty of new books to occupy me.

At around five, K and I went round to my Mum's for the evening.  Lou, Pat, Olli and Grandad were all there and relaxing after their big lunch.  Olli was passed around and even sat on my knee despite my worries about giving him my cold.  Dad gave Grandad a lift home and then we did yet more presents!

I've had so many presents, I must have been a very good boy this year.

Oh no! Laid up for Christmas!

No sooner was the nativity play out of the way than K's back decided to give up on her.  It's always the same when she's been stressed and unable to exercise because she's busy.  We went to Paul and Suzie's yesterday afternoon and she tried all sorts of positions but it just got steadily worse by the end of the day she could hardly get back in the car and this morning she can't walk unaided.  I'm guiding her along for toilet trips etc but she walks like Mrs Overall.  To cap it all, I've picked up a bug from somewhere and have a temperature in the 100s.  It's like the blind leading the blind.  Roll on Christmas!

All Saints' Nativity - Youth Group and Seekers

It was All Saints' Church family service today and Keren and Pete had organised a performance of a nativity play - with added comedy.  The children from the Youth Group, ably assisted by some Seekers stars, performed in front of a packed church and did a great job.

As well as the play, Charlotte and Martin had organised the singing of festive songs and it was a really nice way to welcome in the festive period.

Well done to all the kids and the adults too!

The A-Z Book Club

Martin's idea - to read 26 books alphabetically by author, each author must be new to the reader.  It's a great way to try new stuff or to catch up on some that have slipped through the net.

Christmas in Amersham

The Hickertons all headed down to Amersham over the weekend for the annual party with the Chases.  K & I were very kindly put up by Emma, Tariq and Leila and we enjoyed a curry with them on Saturday night.

Sunday proved to be somewhat different to what was planned.  Max had had an accident and broken his jaw so S & Q were back and forth to the hospital and couldn't really be expected to host a houseful of people for lunch at the same time.  So, instead, we joined them for presents and a drink before going to the pub for lunch with Carla and Gary.  It wasn't what was planned but it was still good fun and I hear that Max is on the mend.  We'll have to arrange a replacement date in early 2010.

Ling Moor KS2 Christmas Production

I was very honoured to be representing the Governing Body this afternoon at Ling Moor's production of 'An Out Of This World Christmas'.

It was the first time I'd been to a school play since I'd been in one and I thought it was brilliant!  The kids, teachers, TAs and parents had obviously worked really hard and gave a very polished and funny performance in front of a packed hall.

As well as the expected references to the traditional nativity, we had appearances from Bruce Forsyth, Simon Cowell and Jedward!  It was great.

Danwood Quiz Eight

Friday night was Danwood Quiz Eight at the Royal Naval Club in Lincoln.  Keren wasn't very well so I was ably assisted by M&C who did a great job of marking and keeping everyone in line.

As with the previous quizzes, it was a bit of a mixture, some easy rounds, some hard but I think the balance was about right.  We had around 20 teams of four and the winners were from our MPS section.

Unfortunately, there were some people who were using their phones to browse the web - and they weren't very discreet about it which wound up some of the other competitors.  I'm almost resigned to this form of cheating now as I don't think there's much I can do about it.  However, I've emailed everyone that played and told them that if it happens at the next quiz it will be the last.  I don't care about the cheating but I'm not prepared to deal with the complaints!

Weekend with the Houghton/Blackburns

Having a very enjoyable weekend with Jo, Tony & Ivy.  Came down after work on Friday, traffic was easy and we got here in about 2 and a half hours.  Ivy was already in bed, J & T had a pizza ready for us and we watched a bit of telly and had a couple of bevvies before bed.

On Saturday, Tony and I played golf at his local course, Haste Hill.  I played OK, better than usual but Tony's a bit too good for me and he beat me by one hole.  I needed a five on the last for a 99, which would have been only my third score under 100.  Was on the green in three but then three-putted for a six and a nice round ton.  On Saturday night, we watched Strictly, had a takeaway curry and played Balderdash.  We know how to live!

Today we're all off to a pub in Sarratt for lunch with Emma, Tariq and Leila.

1,017 miles later, we're home

The journey from Tobermory to Moffat was very easy.  We arrived at Craignure just as a ferry was loading, it was two hours earlier than the one that we'd booked but we had a word and it didn't matter so we hopped on.  We were sad to be saying goodbye to Mull but our holiday wasn't yet over as we had one more night to go on the way home.  Apart from some roadworks around Glasgow, there were no hold-ups and we arrived in Moffat (Dumfriesshire) at about 3:30pm.  The hotel was getting on a bit but it was OK and the town looked quite nice.

After checking in we went for a walk around town to check out where we could eat dinner.  We had a couple of pints and a game of cards in the Buccleuch Arms and then decided that the best option would be to eat back at the Balmoral then have an early night - which is what we did.  Unfortunately, the rest of Moffat was up for a party and, our room being at the front, we were privy to their music, singing, and shouting.  Thank the Lord for ear plugs - they saved the day (or night).

It's Rememberance Sunday today and there was a commemorative ceremony outside Moffat Town Hall, complete with pipers.  As the Town Hall was dead opposite our hotel we had a good view of the preparations but we left before the ceremonies started.  The drive back to Lincoln was long but there were no traffic problems and we arrived home again at about 3:30pm.

Thank you Scotland for a great holiday.  Looking forward to work tomorrow.