We attended St James Church for a carol service
We attended St James Church for a carol service

Some outside chores on behalf of the gardener and then to exchange Christmas cards with our family before leaving for Bar Hill, Cambridge, where we had been invited for coffee with Di's family to exchange more presents.

Home via Happy Eater for drinks and some toast for the children and then the last of our visits as we attended St James Church for a carol service, going home to wrap up more presents afterwards

A long and tiring day which started quite early with the chores on behalf of the gardener. The weather was still mild as I went out to tend the doves and pond filter, but a breeze was blowing. In North-Western England, they had been experiencing flooding as the rivers burst their banks but it is much quieter here. I exchanged Christmas Cards with my immediate family at breakfast and was a bit upset with Diana for starting this without warning when my cards were not written and ready. The car loaded up with presents and family, and then we left for Bar Hill, Cambridge, where we had been invited for coffee with Di's family.

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We were there ten minutes early for what we had thought was to be a 10.00pm event, but we had been expected for 10.30am and so had caught them by surprise! Then the other guests did not arrive until nearly 11.00am, by which time we had to be leaving but at least we saw them to exchange presents. The journey to Redgrave Stores where we found Mum staying with Freda and Alf so as to be able to combine a visit for my family. They were all pleased to see Della out of her plaster and doing well but Di felt that things were a bit strained over the plans to extend the house to accommodate Mum.

Home via a Happy Eater for drinks and some toast for the children and then the last of our visits as we attended St James Church for a carol service. We fully occupied one bench as a family and enjoyed a full church singing the carols as a village effort. This evening, I wrapped-up my Christmas presents and then relaxed before turning in to bed. The Paxton FOCUS copies had arrived in my absence today but, with tomorrow being the day before Christmas Eve, I felt unable to ask my deliverers to take them.