Christmas 2014 and into the New Year 2015

As December 2014 approached, and our 4th Christmas in this house, we go through the same emotions as previously - missing the family, and taking stock of another year - the trials and tribulations and of course the successes and the progress. The winters here are quite harsh - not so much the cold of course, but the dark mornings and the never ending rain (or so it seems !).

I was away for much of the month, and only arrived home on 23rd December. I did panic a little that there may be a problem with the ferries, and I may spend Christmas either on board, or at the port ! Of course, that didn't happen, and I arrived home with a car full of goodies, and Christmas treats.

Both of us had spent a good proportion of the time apart, ill ! Not great for either of us - me, as I was working, and had to carry on regardless, and Craig as he had no back up, and still had to walk the dog, feed the animals etc, and bring the wood in, to keep warm ! Needless to say, any visitors are vetted for illnesses before they enter the house now !!!!

The fire was a huge success for us - while I had been away, Craig had managed to get the flue in situ, and had enjoyed the warmth that it had supplied. When I think back to our first night here, with no heating at all, one light, one plug socket, cold running water, and no loo - what a change ! Mind you, I think maybe Arthur enjoys more home comforts than most of us.....

Despite being ill, Craig had also latexed the floor in the Utility room, and laid carpet tiles in there too. It is at last a proper room. Are things finally starting to go in our favour ? We even managed to sell some of the hay that we had had cut earlier in the year. Christmas was starting to look up !

Christmas Day was spent in our familiar way - we space our meal out over several hours, to enable us to enjoy each course, and clear up in between. We can speak to the family too, without worrying particularly, about food spoiling, and this always gives us a boost, although it also makes me a little sad that we are missing so much.

Boxing Day is not recognised here as such - all the shops are open, and everyone is back to work. I've talked about this before I know, but we do try to have a relatively lazy day, and enjoy the Festive season. Of course, the animals don't recognise this, and still have their needs to be attended to !

New Year is more celebrated here, although in our hamlet of five houses there is little really to be noticed of any significance. We are the youngest people here, and even we go to bed before the magic hour, as there is no one else about. Once the shutters are down at the windows of the neighbours, to be honest you would never know what they were doing, as you can't hear anything going on behind them.  Maybe they're having their own private parties ??