Alice was feeling rather grumpy before we started this entry: the effect of a couple of domestic catastrophes. One concerned a shattered glass mixed with egg white on the kitchen floor, which postponed supper until exceedingly late. It might have been funny set in Fawlty Towers, or portrayed as a John Cleese sketch, but caused instead serious negative shouting, some despairing tears and a lot of loud swearing in this abode.And if I tell you that the other involved falling asleep (again!) while reading in bed, a leaking hot-water-bottle, a wet nightie, sheet, pillow, under blanket, mattress protector and the mattress itself, you will appreciate that it was no trivial matter.
It took many hours to clear the soggy contents from the loft bed - which setting you may recall from our video Reading in Bed @ 70 (posted by our good friend on her YouTube channel.) I was quite concerned as Alice struggled to turn over the hefty mattress in such a confined space, so close to a drop of several feet, but she managed in the end. Phew.A whole roll of kitchen paper was consumed by dripping items, the washing machine had to be turned on, and it was extremely late before the sleeping arrangements were replaced. Alice is now wondering if a micro-wave hot water bottle (no water) would be better, but reviews are not inspiring, and they have given rise to some dire warnings.
This was our first proper snow of the winter. [You need to click and see it larger to make out the snow actually falling.]
It looked awfully pretty, but it would have been most hazardous underfoot. Alice admits it was a sign of creeping old age that she felt relieved when it melted away.
There's our own - relaxing, self-indulgent, with no-one else to worry about pleasing: eating, sleeping, watching TV whenever we like - which we've told you about in the previous post below this.
Then we enjoy a second one, when we visit the grandchildren and we get our main family presents, and they get a another round of ones for them. They've some special Festive creatures, who adorn the fireplace, together with the giant socks.
But THIS was definitely our favourite present of all.Alice had said she needed a new draught excluder - and look who we got!
He told us his name is Eustace. Alice looked that up later, and apparently it comes from Latin, meaning "stable and tranquil".
Very suitable, don't you think?
Alice had brought some crackers with silly hats, useless trinkets and daft jokes. There were kiddie ones for us, Onk and Harry.
The only joke I can remember is "Why does Santa have three gardens?" Answer: "So he can go, 'Ho, ho, ho!' " Well, I did warn you they weren't top quality intellectual humour.
Afterwards we all watched the Blue-ray of Disney's Moana, which was one of the grand-daughter's requested presents.We thought it was great fun, and very exciting in some parts, although it seems it has been criticised for cultural abuse or misrepresentation.
Our favourite characters were the cute little pig, Pua ("flower" in Hawaiian) and the crazy chicken HeiHei.
This is his job, keeping the draught away. He does it very well, taking great pride in his work. His "stable and tranquil" nature makes him perfectly happy lying here. Really.
We watched ten marvellous minutes of Edinburgh Hogmanay fireworks on the television.They were fantastic indeed!
The Daily Express published this photo, with the caption: "Edinburgh's skies erupted in colour as the Scottish city kicked off New Year celebrations."
In fact, Alice can remember when there was no entrance fee and folk went up to the Tron with bottles of champagne to let off at the stroke of midnight.
Nevertheless, we did have a traditional tipple of whiskey, to mark the turning of the year.
You can see that we cracked open a few pistachio nuts, to go with our booze. We also decided that New Year Wishes were a much better idea than Resolutions.
And no, we're not telling!
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.
