Last minute?

I'm really pleased we went to the supermarket early. We were out on Christmas Eve only because we wanted to pick up salmon as late as practicable. When we arrived there just before 9 am there was plenty of room to park. When we left people were driving round waiting to pounce on a spot. One poor woman reversed out of her space into the side of a passing van. Tempers started to rise. I was a coward and kept well out of it.

It's at the stage now, if we ain't got it, we ain't gonna.

Oh, yes... we've delegated worrying to our more placid cat for Christmas and whenever - she doesn't have many other responsibilities.







I have a rose this Christmas. Not a hothouse rose, gift-wrapped and showy. Not a Christmas rose, fine as it is, discreet hellebore, grandiose on the quiet. My rose is small and deep pink. I took a cutting from the allotment, before the builders developed it. The plant lives, and its flowers cheer the winter grey, blooming through the frosts.