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Good evening, Pigale!
I have only a small tree too, and it sits on the window ledge.
Does me fine!
When I was a little lad, New Year was our holiday, but nowadays it is Christmas, which I prefer, and New Year is very much second to Christmas.
Our weather is meant to be milder tomorrow, though I see frost outside now!

Hello Rusty!

France and Scotland have always been alike as far as New Year is
concerned; Christmas was more for family/Children, but New Year
was very important too, and New Years Day has been a holiday
for as long as I remember! New Years Eve is very much a party
time, with a lot of dancing (even at home with the family) going
on.

When I first came to England and discovered I had to work on New
Years day, I took a day off my holiday!

Hello, Pigale!
Your story sounds familiar!
We did not get a day off work at Christmas.
It was not a public holiday in Scotland.
New Year was our celebration.
I liked the old New Year, but it has changed very much over the years.
Singing and dancing in the old days, it was grand!

Hi, Rusty!
You sound well equipped to deal with any eventuality re the cemetery!
On my last visit, it was pouring with rain, so I simply left my plant and dashed for cover...
But on Thursday, like you, I shall go armed to clean up the marble slab.
I have yet to buy the wreath and we also need a plant (in a ceramic pot for weight) to wedge in the centre of the wreath (laid flat on the marble slab).......otherwise the wreath might get blown away.
( I am assuming you now have a mind's eye picture...?!)
Tomorrow morning I am expecting the BG engineer!
Let us hope he comes this time!
Mind you, the office did check that we had heating, before they rescheduled the appointment.
But I do need the thermostatic valves on the radiators fixed before the family comes to stay over the festive period.
I'm told the visit will between 9am and 1pm....so no morning walk tomorrow!
The dog and I shall play ball in the garden instead!



Hello, Ros!
It was always carrots and mince pies at our house!
I love the idea of the footprints....I shall pass that on....
'm not sure though if the household livestock might not eat the sugar.......



Hi, Pigale!
I think planning for the reindeer's supper is a big part of the fun for children here!
I know that Christmas cards and such are not a big part of things in France, though, are they?
All our French friends send us New Year cards instead!
When I was small, our Scottish family always celebrated Hogmanay rather than Christmas!
But this seems to be a thing of the past now........

P. S. Rusty!
I think the passing of Andy Stewart ( "A Scottish Soldier" and "Donald, Where's your Troosers?" ) and Jimmy Logan led to the demise of the Scottish New Year as we knew it?

Elle, you are quite right about the cards, although we do send
more Christmas cards nowadays (money, money, money!!!) it has
become more commercial - but still we do not send anywhere the
amount that is being sent by the average family in england.

New years cards are still popular, although, as with a lot of
things, the Computer has changed things somewhat - you can
even send Christmas/New Year and Birthday or Annivesary (or
get well etc) cards on the net!
Where is the pleasure to hand-write something special for each
person gone?

Yes, Pigale!
I do agree with you about email cards!
I have received a few this year... and it is definitely not the same as a card coming by post, and one's opening the envelope and reading a personal message!

Hello, Elle!
I think the advent of television played a part in ending the traditional New Year.
I think the best New Years were before folk had TV's.
Folk saw what Christmas was about on TV, and preferred that, and so did the shops!
I used to really like the White Heather Club dancers, and especially Andy Stewart!
I bought my wreath today and will get fresh flowers at ASDA and head out.
Fingers crossed your engineer arrives in the time frame and has the correct parts, if needed.

Good morning, Rusty!
Very heavy frost and very cold!
The pavements and road are thick with ice.
It is as well I wasn't going out first thing with the dog, as I suspect it would be hard to keep one's feet.
We have, however missed the freezing fog that seems to be covering much of the UK.
How was your visit to the cemetery?
I hope the ground wasn't too treacherous?
I am hoping for an early call from the BG engineer, then I shall be free for the rest of the day.

Treacherous underfoot and on the roads here, too, though no fog and now sunshine. I went for my walk before dawn and heard two owls calling it seemed to each other (more likely establishing territory). I thought that fairly magical. Didn't bother timing myself on my walk as I usually do- had to cling to walls and rails and walk on grass wherever possible. The roseate dawn was also spectacular, shared only with the paper girl! Even the dog walkers were still inside. You are probably much better there for now, elle. Hope the gas man cometh soon.

Don't like ecards at all, or emails saying "We are giving the money to charity this year". Feel good and avoid all the effort at the same time. Why not buy your cards from a charity direct, when you can be sure they get more than the measly amount the shops pass on? The Royal Mail needs our support as well. Or at least send an emailed picture and greetings?

I've heard that the big supermarket chains are so frightened by Salmonella they won't allow people to buy/collect their fresh turkeys until Saturday, and you have to have a pre-booked collection slot. That is going to be merry chaos!

Back to log splitting for an hour or so.