Early Risers.

[TheQ]

Afternoon one and Awl, 

Duty phone call to my parents made,  the family that lives nearby will be attending them,  except those suffering from the flu.  

Ben the now snoring Collie, has enjoyed the beach where it was doggy central. 

Dinner is defrosting 

Time for the traditional Christmas day event.. 

The afternoon snooze... 

[Dave Hunt]

A happy middle of the day from me (or whatever part of the earth's rotation relative to the sun it is for you). So far Jill and I have had coffee and chocolates in bed followed by me preparing a smoked salmon and scrambled egg brunch with Buck's Fizz for us, Dad, No. 1 son and a good friend of ours. Currently the Big Dinner is being assembled while we await the arrival of No. 2 son, DiL and granddaughter from deepest Surrey. So far all without any major catastrophes or confrontations. Once the meal for the five thousand eight of us has been consumed it will be opening presents for the small pink terrorist and after the clean up operation is finished I'll be making a valiant attempt to reduce the stock of Welsh wobblemaking water that I have accumulated. Apart from that there are no plans except that I am going to put a ban on any electricity being applied to the haunted fish tank.

 

Take Baz's excellent advice regarding carpe-ing the rest of the day.

 

Dave

[45156]

Starter consumed, dog would not walk - decided to lie on the pavement and wouldn't move until I turned back - this is a habit of hers, and normally happens if she had a long walk earlier, which she did.  Chicken now in to cook, veg will be going on shortly, and the main consumed,  30747 is currently downstairs and seems to be watching something - no idea what, as there really is nothing on any of the 70 or so channels that masquerade as TV nowadays (yes I know there's many more on satellite and cable, and on demand, and.....but even 70 is about 65 more than I need).

 

Edit

 

30747 bought me a Christmas jumper from a charity shop, and washed it carefully by hand, then a short spin.  Whet neither of us knew at the time was that the little knobbles on it were actually LEDs, and when I put it on, I found a battery box inside by the label - so I got some cheap coin cells, and tried to fit them in, but the spin had damaged one of the wires, so there was I sitting about 10.30 with a soldering iron trying to reconnect the connection - success, and I am now all lit up like a Christmas tree - but with brand new batteries in, it is very very bright.

Edited December 25, 2019 by 45156

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just about to start preparing Christmas dinner. Everything lined up and ready to go just have to switch appliances on.

[Debs.]

12 minutes ago, 45156 said:

 

30747 bought me a Christmas jumper from a charity shop, and washed it carefully by hand, then a short spin.  Whet neither of us knew at the time was that the little knobbles on it were actually LEDs, and when I put it on, I found a battery box inside by the label - so I got some cheap coin cells, and tried to fit them in, but the spin had damaged one of the wires, so there was I sitting about 10.30 with a soldering iron trying to reconnect the connection - success, and I am now all lit up like a Christmas tree - but with brand new batteries in, it is very very bright.

I've heard of battery conditioners, but that's stretching the Comfort  thing a bit, Stuart! .....Well done though! 

Edited December 25, 2019 by Debs.

[Tony_S]

We have been for a walk. Not far but uphill all the way back. Hill as in south Essex hill rather than hill in the more hilly parts of the country. Chatted to (over the road) neighbours, their visitors, got invited to drinks tomorrow. It is really quiet in Benfleet. Perhaps most people are invited elsewhere today. “Traditionally “ we have hosted Christmas for the extended family but now we go over to wherever the tiny nieces are when they visit MiL in Enfield. They are arriving next weekend. 
Useful tasks I have been tasked with today. Sort out coffee machine (needed cleaning program running) , carve turkey (later, it is “resting”). Turkey carving isn’t difficult as it is only a crown with one wing. There will be an invitation to another traditional Christmas dinner in the New Year. Nephew Paul’s girlfriend is Austrian (although they live in Germany). She is with her family over Christmas but is looking forward to trying all the traditional food when she arrives.  The other nephew’s girlfriend ( who is returning to Brighton now to work tonight) is Romanian Orthodox so gets to celebrate Christmas later. All an excuse for festive meals over an extended period. 
Tony

[BSW01]

Good afternoon everyone 

 

We got up a lot later than we'd planned and so the day started later by an hour or so. But we did have breakfast in bed, we really should be using bowls by now. 

 

Phone calls to the off spring have been made/received and plenty of chatting has occurred. 

 

Christmas dinner has been eaten and we are about to flop on the sofa and probably do some eye lid inspection. 

 

Enjoy the day. 

[45156]

Mains now consumed - it was delicious, and it was also incedibly cheap thanks to Aldi and Lidl - the chicken was under a fiver, and will do for another meal tomorrow, ALL the veg, barring the cabbage, came in at 15p - mini roasting potatoes, sprouts, parsnips, swede - and all roasted or boiled beautifully.

[Coombe Barton]

47 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

difficult as it is only a crown with one wing

So what's on the other side, a prayer?

[Andrew P]

Breakfast, = Check.

 

Presents opened,=Check.

 

An hour BANASHISED to the Shed to keep out of the way,= Check.

 

Dog walked, = Check.

 

Wine opened, = Check,

 

Lunch consumed, = Check.

 

Rear of eyelids inspected, = Check.

 

That means it must be Trifle 'O' clock.

[Andrew P]

A SPECIAL THANKS to Andy and Phil, in response to their Greetings above, and to wish them a

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Well the venue for lunch was Port St. Mary, all the way down to the south of Fraggle Rock.  Yes, turkey sandwiches.  

 

An hour with friend Jayne was time well spent this morning, the first Christmas she has been able to cope with visitors since she lost Gary five years ago.  Emotional, but braving it now.  She's such a nice girl, her devotion to Gary is still marvellous to see.

 

The day has become somewhat marred by Mrs NHN's sister phoning to unload family woes on her, partner/20 y/o daughter/her trouble has been brewing for sometime, well 20 years really......it has exploded at the worst time of year.  Thankfully they are in Cornwall, this would be very taxing if they were local as we would be getting drawn in.  Counselling session still ongoing on the phone, for sometime.  

 

Luckily Mrs NHN is a tough cookie and can handle all this, and thankfully our relationship is as strong as ever, these happenings do make you look inboard to see if you are as thoughtful and supportive as you think you are.

 

All the above makes me reiterate what I said yesterday - a lot of folk around that need our emotional support today, thoughts are directed to anyone in need of a supportive shoulder.

[newbryford]

9 hours ago, TheQ said:

 

Crumpets and coffee for breakfast... 

 

 

Warburtons crumpets purchased at the "local" Iceland/Waitrose.....

Toasted and eaten.

 

Then a 15 minute drive to partake in my first ever charity "swim" [*]

 

I'm just out of shot - most of the participants wore Santa costumes/

 

Junior (with blue swimsuit) and myself waving are at the centre.

 

Atlantic temperature was about 15 degrees. Air temp about 20.

It was a bit chilly on first entering, but the warmth of the folks there compensated for it.

 

Time for a pre-prepped turkey joint and some (more) beef.

 

Hope you've had a good one.

 

Cheers,

Mick

[*] not a swim, but at least up to chest level

[Barry O]

Dinner prepared and eaten.

(Still pogged! )

Wine....drunk

 

Crimes against humanity. ..played

 

Game of thrones whisky...being sipped...

 

Yes, today is a day where a lot of people need our support.

Baz

[The Stationmaster]

Good evening all.  Sorry to hear that some have had their problems but good to hear that most of our number have managed to have a pleasant day.  We duly ate our Christmas Dinner while watching Her Majesty broadcast to us all so you can tell what the time the roast chicken and roast pork reached our dining table; the trifle is currently hiding in the fridge (but I know where it is!  ).

 

And a little Christmas ditty from Mrs Stationmaster, originally shared with her quiz group -

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by The Stationmaster

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had a great Christmas dinner and managed to cook it without any mishaps or even mis-timing. Using the dry fryer as a mini fan oven worked a treat and the baked spuds and parsnips were perfect, and done in twelve minutes which was about the time it took to grill the salmon steak. The green veg (no sprouts) only took three minutes in the microwave and Christmas dinner was ready to be served. No Christmas pud has been eaten yet as I was well full up.

[Coombe Barton]

Better than expected

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/12/25/sounds-of-the-season-25-christmas-day-better-than-expected/

[AndyB]

Evenin all. 

The youngest stirred around 02.20 this morning, spotted that Santa had been and left a stocking. In years past this would have resulted in a very early start to the day. Thankfully not this time and the day didn't start till well after 06.30.

 

Two trips to the nursing home to see mum today, intermingled with present opening and cooking lunch here. 

At the request of our eldest we're finishing the day watching the Xmas edition of "To the Manor Born" from 1979. 

Tomorrow will consist of investigating our gifts in greater detail. I've a number of kits to assemble and the eldest has a 3d 890-piece model of Downton Abbey to make. Swmbo received a GCHQ puzzle book. 

Boxing Day has always been my favourite as it's more relaxed. 

Night awl. 

[brianusa]

No pix at Christmas!  Got a problem, need help please.  Can't upload pictures from Nikon camera since change to W10.  This previously uploaded automatically to Pictures.  Heck of a time for this to happen!

      Brian.

[Ozexpatriate]

12 minutes ago, brianusa said:

Can't upload pictures from Nikon camera since change to W10

(I replied to this post and it vapourised.)

 

Brian, Win10 "should" recognize your camera. It does recognize my 'phone and pops up a notification that I have alternative options. I have to click on the notification. The Win10 "pictures" app is very different and I find it flakey.

 

At worst you may have to visit the Nikon website to look for a Win10 compatible download program. 

[Ozexpatriate]

I am impressed by the number of breakfasts in bed this Christmas morning.

 

My morning is complete: Breakfast (scones for me, cinnamon rolls for son and daughter-in-law) and, after presents, second breakfast (bagels with lox, aka smoked salmon). Coffee with both. We then watched a Christmas movie I had not seen before. My son who had seen it before snored throughout. Each time he visits and sits in 'his' chair he goes right to sleep. This is after two cups of coffee.

 

Son and daughter-in-law have now left. To postpone the post-Christmas let down, I will drag myself off to the older son's for afternoon munchies where I am expected.

 

To this I must away.

 

Happy "two turtle doves" day tomorrow to you all. 

[Tony_S]

10 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Happy "two turtle doves" day tomorrow to you all

We may have to substitute rather chubby looking wood pigeons here. 

Tony

[brianusa]

Thanks Mike, appreciate your response.  I have tried most options and it seems to apply more to phones with apps, rather than PCs. I'll worry about it after the holidays!

     Brian.

[big jim]

had a good day today, we were out until gone midnight Christmas Eve visiting my stepdad who is staying with my sister and brother in law this Christmas, only 25 mins away near Chester, my sister lives in LA so it’s nice for her to be in the uk and it’s my stepdads first Christmas without my mum so especially nice to see him 

 

because we were back late the kids didn’t get up til gone 10am and we ended up having dinner around 4pm which again was loads better than getting up early and scoffing grub at 12 then sat eating nibbles all afternoon 

 

had a bit of a kip and am getting ready to go into work in an hour for a possession turn near Wolverhampton until 09:00 in the morning

[PhilJ W]

Brian, could you try uploading your pics onto Flickr and post them from there?

Edited December 25, 2019 by PhilJ W