A very unusual year is coming to an end. But first, Christmas to look forward to

 December

We started decorating the house back in November, mainly to lift spirits, but also to bring a little festive cheer to friends and relatives around the globe. Our pop up trees were left in reserve going up over the first few days of the festive month of December. Many of our friends hadn’t heard of pop up trees. We purchased them many years back from B&Q and IKEA. They were perfect for our transient lifestyle, being gypsies, we were able to to take one with us wherever we go. The come complete with lights and decorations. Truly marvellous.

Although Judith has just shown me a video on Facebook of an amazing Christmas tree. It’s more than a tree, it’s a magical wonderland, with a train circumnavigating a village covered in snow. You have to see it to believe it. And now Judith wants one. So l now know what my future project consists of. Phew!!!!

The weather has definitely been wintery recently, with bouts of minus degrees and some snow. Unfortunately plenty of rain to dampen the spirits. Nevertheless, we have started walking into Dunoon, stopping off for lunch of fresh soup and giant prawn sandwiches at our local cafe, housed in the DIY shop. All very civilised, plenty of COVID precautions in place. The 7 x10 mile walk does us good, plenty of fresh sea air. Can’t wait for it to dry a little, then we can wall along the hill track. But it’s so muddy at present.

Plenty of bird life about, what with oyster catchers, curlew, eider ducks and terns.

Small flurry of snow overnight

The best thing about the festive season is watching nothing but Christmas movies on channel 5, the channel that seems to be dedicated to showing around-the-clock made-for-TV Christmas movies. Especially as there isn’t much else you can do when it’s black outside at 4pm, here in Scotland. And we are not allowed out due the restrictions surrounding Covid.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a hardship really. Lounging in a comfortable seat, glass of something, feet up on the proverbial pouffe in front of the roaring log fire. Watching the goggle box.

I don’t know if you’ve watched many made-for-TV Christmas movies. If you haven’t, I urge you to not waste any more of your life without them – they are a festive joy the equal of drinking a pint of eggnog for breakfast. Whatever eggnog is. l presume it’s an American version of the old fashioned Dutch import, Advacatt. Fashionable in the 60s as the main staple of a cocktail mix called snowball. Lemon juice, advocate and lemonade, overladen with bright red cocktail cherries. My mothers only alcoholic drink, although she only had it for the cherries. One drink would last her all night over in the club.

Back to the delight of made for Christmas movies, not to be confused by proper Christmas movies like, It’s a wonderful life staring James Stewart or Miracle on 34th street. Made for Christmas movies don’t have well know actors in them, they are low budget affairs. But they do have superb winter locations, normally a small town, bedecked in Christmas lights and covered in snow. The plots are are very simple. Two people have to manoeuvre through various obstacles to fall in lover, with the main underlying message that Christmas is absolutely marvellous. Specific recurring themes include, turning around failing seasonal businesses, being forced into insolvency. Falling for an old flame, who is now a widower/widow. Saving the family home full of memories whilst meeting an attractive newcomer into the town. But many are the workaholics who are sent from the big city to buy up a swathe of land and turn it into a ski village. Totally destroying the quaint unassuming town. Only to fall in love with the residents and one specific person. Having a mental fight between being promoted for the completion of the purchase and fulfilling their hearts desire. Usually the plot sees them achieve both aims to the plaudits of the local community.

So settle down with your hot chocolate in front of the fire, feet up. And immerse yourself into back to back movies. Give it a try. Don’t be a grinch.

Only three weeks to go before the great day. Think positively. You can still drink and eat to excess without any family and friends to laugh at you as you roll around on the floor attempting another silly game of charades.

Must say we are now in relaxation mode. Virtually all the jobs are done. The inspector was going to visit us in November to sign us off and issue us with our completion certificate. Unfortunately the day before is visit, he went down with COVID. So pleased it wasn’t the day after!

Anyway he came on Thursday, and everything was all tickity boo. So, once we pay some more money and complete the formal written request we will receive the certificate. Which in turn means we can at long last claim our vat back.

Headlines are split between COVID and Brexit. Both toxic. But it seems that Europe has decided to turn the screw to get even more from the divorce agreement. Unfortunately l can see us leaving without any deal. No one will come out of this well.

The good headlines cover the rolling out of a vaccine, although the logistics to proce enough and distribute around the globe is daunting.

Continue to add decorations and lights in celebration of the imminent arrival of Christmas. Such fun. Also being very naughty. Eating mince pies and the odd chocolate or two. Well it is Christmas.

Talking about excess, one of our friends sent me a link to a YouTube video explaining what you definitely shouldn’t eat if you want to live healthily. The top of the list was my sugared doughnuts which l tend to consume as a treat once a week.

Check it out, it’s interesting.

Dr Ekberg on the Worst foods to eat

https://youtu.be/k3EA7TPWDjU

So l have taken heed and for the past two weeks l have forgone my five raspberry filled sugared doughnuts. Which l admit we’re consumed on one day, in fact within a two hour session. Well they have to be eaten whilst fresh.

So last we l went for something not on the list.

Freshly ground coffee and a slice of double chocolate chip Panettone. Far healthier. And it lasted two days.

New section down the side of the house

As well as finishing off the garden room, building outside steps and up cycling furniture we have been enthralled with our latest purchase. A Automatic Wildlife camera which we have in the garden. We keep moving it into different areas, and the shots have been amazing. Deer, eating our flowers, heron, field mice and all manner of bird life. Fascinating.

Christmas menu’s - it’s time to try and decide what foods we are going to delve into over the Christmas period. Just ordered our fish from Loch Fyne. Oysters, smoked haddock flakes for a pie, giant scallops, oysters and a pair of kippers. All fresh and being delivered by van on their weekly circuit of Argyll.

Managed to get two large sides of trout and cured them for gravlax. Washed off and dried last night. Tasted it and it was sublime if l say so myself.

Finally a funny. And as per usual an image of me and our liquid sunshine.