Good Cheer

Sod has been at it again, evil bugger. Just can't resist making life difficult, can he. I came home from last minute shopping in Fram just before the first Christmas guest arrived, and put the car in the garage out of the way of the other three cars to follow. I put my shopping bags on the drive, and went back into the garage to get a few double adaptors to accommodate all the chargers that would be moving in and needing sockets. Then I came out of the garage, pushed home the padlock on the door as usual, and went about my last-minute preparations indoors. Cue forwards a day, and out I went to the garage to get one of the six four-packs of bottled sparkling water. But where were my keys? Oh, the house was hunted through high and low, the bins were emptied, the garden was scoured, to no avail. There was no way into the garage. The men went out, together and severally, and they sucked their teeth and tried to undo screws, and then they came back in and sighed sadly and said it was no go, no go at all. Well, that was a red rag to a bull. When they were all otherwise occupied I went out with my hammer and chisel and screwdriver, determined to prove them wrong. I had to. We needed water!!! Immediately I broke a chisel. But then I spotted the bolt's weak spot and I went at it with the hammer, backwards and forwards until, bingo! - I smashed the loop on the bolt, and it came undone. And there inside were my keys. Oh they were all proud of me, and I milked my big moment for all it was worth. And we had water. Such a change from all that champagne.

Nothing went wrong after that. Hugo was the cynosure of all eyes, and lapped up the attention. He is so loved! He slept in the garden room with me and stole no food, though he was fed plenty I noticed. He had great walks, along the beach, up on the cliffs, through the woods, around the fields. He sat under tables in pubs, and squashed onto laps in cars. And he loved it all.We had such a good time over the seven days they were here. The pile of presents under the tree was frankly embarrassing, and it took over two hours for them all to opened one by one to enthusiastic comments from everyone. We finally had lunch at 7pm. And I now have to wean myself off alcohol, sugar, chocolate and company. But I've still got Hugo.

A delicious excess

Tiger boy

What am I Mummy?

Some of our best walks were in the college sports field when Hugo went berserk with delight and careened about everywhere. And this morning that was where we headed for our final walk with the last two visitors. All that heavy rain has swollen the stream that borders the field on three sides, and it tumbled along recklessly, tumultously. I love that sort of water, it excites me. And it had the same effect on the dog as he rocketed around chasing other pooches and haring back to us, bouncing in the air from time to time as he ran. Nothing is more guaranteed to make us all smile.

Now it's all over for another year, but it was a really fun time. I have sheets and duvet covers and pillow cases to wash and iron, towels to launder and tumble dry soft, hoovering to be done, and dusting, and bathrooms to clean. I can honestly say I revel in the thought, a huge distraction and a pleasure in itself as I put my house back to rights. It has stretched its friendly walls to embrace us all, my family, the best of people. I love them all.