Christmas Day

Monday 25 December

We started our Christmas about the time people at home were collapsing in front of the telly with the dishes done and the tummies full. Rob made his famous pancakes for breakfast and that’s about as much cooking as has been done all day ... except for one important thing.

The pancake king at work

Judy called me to look out their bedroom window and over the fence at the neighbouring tennis courts. The people playing tennis were wearing teddy bear costumes! Could it be a strange British Christmas tradition?

Anyone for tennis?

It didn’t seem long after that that we set off down the High St in the direction of the Manor Arms Pub, a half hour amble. Looking down the side streets you can see rows of terrace houses that are all the same. There is no public transport in London on Christmas Day so it’s walk or stay home if you haven’t got a car. The High St was much quieter than usual!

Typical London street

High St

At the pub we enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner (Rob had beef). It was very strange not to be sweating over a hot oven or driving miles to see family. The dinner was nice but not as good as last night’s French meal. However we wanted to do the pub thing and were glad we did. One of the highlights was the little box we were each given containing a party popper, a streamer, a blower thing and a very long balloon. You blow up the balloon then let it go whizzing all around the room. That made for a bit of communication and laughter between tables.

Home again and it was time for a cup of tea and charades. Rob was on fire today and did some beauties though we had an awful struggle to get QI and Private Benjamin. This evening we kept it simple with a few nibbles, including quail eggs which we dipped in celery salt, and little Camembert and cranberry tarts.

Quail eggs

Finally it was time for the last chapter in the great pudding saga, a slice of hot pudding with custard and cream. And it was well worth all the effort involved in cooking it and getting it here. My thanks to all involved.

The magic pud!