raining hats and dogs (and boots and macs)

The Christmas Day swimmers (daughter J and three grand daughters) were not able to plunge into the sea this year due to the dire weather, the Council banned it and closed the beach. Such a disappointment.  The day began for me with the annual hearty Quaker breakfast at the Meeting House, followed by Meeting. A good start to the day.
I talked to a Polish woman who told me that at home everyone has a carp for the Christmas meal which is cooked and served in a jelly. Some families get the fish in good time and keep it in the bath, alive..I enjoyed our nut roast even more after hearing that.
I spend a lot of time consumed by guilt at this time of the year: I should have written more cards, given nicer presents and wrapped them up properly, asked more people round, made more mince pies, the scope for feelings of unworthiness is endlesss. Apart from all that, I had a blessed and happy time..
Little dog has arrived and is sitting on the sofa beside me as I write this.  I will have to brave the wind and rain twice a day to take him for walkies, but he is very sweet and lovable.  He is to be renamed Bradley Wiggins (my cycling hero) or Wiggy for short.

A dog for Christmas......

I am sorry for the long gap.The computer has been playing up for weeks and then refused to let me write my blog! But grand daughter M is home from uni and has Sorted Me Out. Over a week ago, I went to Winchester for the day and I came home to find that a burglar had been and burgled me. Not that I had much to take but I was faced with a terrible mess: papers photographs,old letters,books,scattered, everywhere, it was quite a shock. But good things have resulted from all this: 1 I have had a huge tidy up and thrown lots of stuff away. 2.I had new locks fitted to the front door, free,from insurance people. 3.I am getting a dog on Boxing Day!(Friends who are moving to a flat where dogs are not allowed are giving me their eighteen month old Yorkshire terrier) 4.People in Ditchling were shocked and horrified and sent me cards, messages of sympathy and chocolates. The police came promptly and at least six have offered victim support and counselling which I have declined. 5.I never wore the `jewellery` that he or she took. The only snag is that the insurance company say that they will compensate me with tokens for more jewels and not actual cash, which is not much use to an eighty two year old. I was hoping it would go towards replacing the rust bucket or building the downstairs loo, but no such luck. Daughter J has promised to mind the dog when I go away or out to dog free zones so friends need not fear. I am off to Newcastle for a few days to see all my lovely family I hope it is not going to snow.