Christmas Christmas day. Slightly fitful sleep at Lorraine's house, with squares of bright moonlight falling onto the walls through the velux windows. Up to a slice of toast or two with Lorraine and Pat and Maureen. Still felt incredibly full after last night's meal at Anton and Anna's house. Lorraine made a hasty mackerel pate, and got the turkey in the oven. Then, via a slightly forlorn Calliope, folded Sam into the car and drove off to see Beth at Mark's family. The Gandey family kind and welcoming as usual. Slightly embarrassingly, however, we had forgotten the presents we'd bought for them. Nevertheless Richard plied me with nice cold Guinness for second breakfast. Good to see Mark looking less peaky than when I last saw him suffering from food poisoning. Then back to Lorraine's house, general running about getting things ready. Pausing to open presents. I got a boxed set of Frasier DVDs, a smart fleece, wine glasses from Lorraine, a fascinating new Encyclo...
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No rest for the wicked London again. Walking out through the gates of the graveyard, near where the kids smoke their weed, I was beset by such a strong smell of earth it stopped me in my tracks. A concrete post had just been pulled out of the earth, bringing with it a rich, wonderful smelling soil with it. A Proustian moment, taking me back to times when I have smelled freshly dug earth. Work was fairly tiresome but still okay. Had lunch with Betsy in Plum. She is the best thing about this spot of agency freelance. A person to add to your collection. Also saw Matty boy for a bit. He is just about to set off to Antarctica with his father, for a manly and bonding holiday. I left work promptly as I had more referencing work for my nice pharma client to do. Also rebooked Mum's flight ticket, which I had misbooked the day before. Meanwhile Lorraine had brought around one of her gorgeous chicken curries and cooked some rice, and we had a nice supper watching the wonderful Wallace and Gr...
Christmas day Woke up early at Lorraine's house. Beth, who is 17 going on 7, loudly and comically insisted everyone get up for the opening of presents. A cup of tea then into big present opening session, with Beth, Lorraine, and Lorraine's folks Pat and Maureen. Santa was good to me this year (and not angered by my impersonation of him earlier in the month). Lorraine got me an adjustable beard trimmer, and a digital radio, Beth and Sam got me the new Alice Russel CD, Lorraine's folks a nice cup and shaving gel, Anton, Anna and the bairns got me a Spork (a combination fork, spoon and knife) for outdoors purposes, and self inflating cushion for when we're walking and need somewhere to squat, a book on Brighton Architecture and walks, and some coasters made from the centres of old LPs. All jolly good stuff. After a big breakfast, and people chatting to various family members by phone (I spoke to Mum and Mase), we all drove off to Beth's boyfriend Mark's house. A wa...