Sunday, December 14, 2014

The Last Post

Hopefully that is the last post before January I mean.
Today we had our Group's Christmas lunch at the Gascony Hotel.  I have walked my socks off this week and after walking up to visit Joy yesterday I decided that would be the last walk till I get back from my cruise.
 
However when I tried to get a taxi this morning the blighters had all switched their phones off.
Out of the blue I got a phone call from Veronica.  She and Peter are now settling in their new house
near Torquay and had driven up to stay in their caravan for the Group's dinner.  Before I could tell her of my plight she suggested picking me up.  Wasn't that lucky?
 
They have not been so lucky as their excellent decorator had a heart attack whilst working there.  They have visited him in hospital and thankfully he is recovering and has a stent which makes him feel so much better he has to be restrained from going back to work for a while.
 
The excitement this week was when a handsome fire fighter came to inspect my three electric blankets.  One was antediluvian so I said don't bother to test it - just dump it but he took them off and asked if I wanted them to be dumped if dangerous.  Luckily one passed with flying colours - even though it came from Mum's house and the other two - including the one I have been using every winter - were pronounced dangerous and dumped.  Full marks to them but black marks to Customs
who charged a hefty charge on a Christmas gift from family in Australia and the Royal Mail zapped a handling charge on top.
Not exactly Christmas spirit.
 
So one more sleep and I'm off on the high seas.  It so much nicer this time because instead of joining a ship of strangers I shall have my friend Dylan and a new friend - his grandson - who is 15.
And then when we land back at the end I shall be met by my eldest son and whisked off to spend New Year with him my DIL and two grown up grand- children - home for Christmas.  I'm so grateful for this; just lately I 've been thinking I'm beginning to get over everything and then Wham bam you're bowled over again - back to square one.
 
I shall miss you all - and my lovely Scrabblers.  God bless, keep the faith and see you in the New Year.xoxoxox

 ,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Before the welkin rang
 Warming up a bit.
Here we go!
 
 


27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a fantastic time on your cruise, and have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Much love from here! xxxx

savannah said...

Cheers! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear lady! xoxoxo

Vagabonde said...

Your luncheon at the Gascony Hotel looks festive – I hope that the food was delicious. A cruise at this time of year sounds fun – staying away from all the holiday stress. But then still visiting your family when you are back is perfect. Have a great time both at sea and with your loved ones.

angryparsnip said...

When I saw the heading... Oh No !
But after I read the post I feel better.
Have a lovely High Seas trip with charming companions and New Years with family.
The back to square-one happens especially around holidays and special days but
hopefully you will not be there for two long.
Have a wonderful Holiday

cheers, parsnip

Unknown said...

Hello Pat, We wish you a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Love, Mike and Ann.

SDC said...

Have a most wonderful trip and Christmas! Looking forward to hearing about it sometime in the New Year (I'm guessing). You just don't know how much of an inspiration you are to me.

Pat said...

John: same to you and Dad. be good:)

Savannah: much joy to you and the family this Christmas.xoxox

Vagabonde: yes it is the ideal solution; I wanted to escape Christmas and New Year will be a lovely bonus.

Parsnip: reassuring words. this latest plunge took me by surprise.
Have a lovely family Christmas and love to the boys

Mike and Ann: the same wishes to you. Will there be one of your gorgeous babies?

Pat said...

SDC: all best wishes to you and thank you for yours. Hope I don't let you down.

Z said...

Oh, dear Pat, I hope it's just a blip and the excitement of the cruise will carry you through. I've decided not to escape at all and will have the whole family here and a few friends too. I'll think of you on the day with much love and hope to come your way next year. lots of love, Zxx

Pat said...

Z: yes it will pass. I have much to be thankful for. An old friend phoned tonight and he was in bits; his wife has dementia and now liver cancer. Thank God MTL didn't suffer.
I'm sure Christmas with the family will help you and knowing you the extra work won't daunt you. It is a very emotional time but its good to share your grief and theirs. I hope the New Year will be good for you.

Z said...

Yes, I have much the same feeling about the Sage. I'd been very afraid of a drawn out end and we were spared that. Seeing what other people have to deal with gives me enough gratitude to carry me through so far. Thank you, dear Pat.

Kim Ayres said...

Hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise. I'll keep the scrabble board warm for when you get back :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Have a truly wonderful time on the Cruise, my dear Pat.....May it be filled with fun and good food and lots of lovely people....! Be well, my dear, and I wish you the Best of Christmases and a very Happy New Year, too! Thinking of you at this special time of year, and sending you Happy Hugs!

rashbre said...

Have a lovely time on the ship and best Seasonal Greetings !

Pat said...

Kim, Naomi and Rashbre: thank you for all your lovely wishes and all my best to you. A bientot!

Exile on Pain Street said...

Last post?! How dare you! Don't toy with my emotions like that.

Happy holiday, Pat. I'm happy to have met your acquaintance. Please keep those posts coming.

P.S. For my Christmas present, I got a $200 ticket (an extravagance in my income bracket!) to see 'Wolf Hall' when it comes to Broadway in the spring. Five hours and thirty minutes of Henry VIII, Cromwell and Boelyn. I can't WAIT.

Pat said...

Exile: sorry, sorry, sorry.
See you in January - promise.
What a superb Christmas present - enjoy the anticipation. All best seasonal wishes to you and yours - even the pooch.
see you in 2015.

Mage said...

Have a wonderful cruise. We will wave to you from our short sea journey.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

God bless you too, dearest Pat. I hope you have a lovely holiday on the cruise, and a wonderful time with your family when you get back. Lots of love, xx

Rog said...

Have a great trip in the ship Pat!

About Last Weekend said...

Lovely snaps of your group - what a beautiful place! Amazing to think the firemen will inspect your blankets there, so quaint - and yet so necessary. We're headed back to NZ and MUm has leccy blankets in her house, can't wait! it's raining and cold there, mores the pity

LL Cool Joe said...

Have a fantastic cruise!! Have a great Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year once I've returned from the States!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy Pat,

Can't wait to hear all about it.

Merry Christmas

Ms Scarlet said...

Can't wait to read about the cruise - have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year!!!
Sxxxx

Anonymous said...

My names bubbles and pats going to be talking about me soon

Pat said...

I'm longing to get back to normal and posting again. Hopefully tomorrow.

Pat said...

Hi Bubbles. Think of you whenever I see chips and gooey puddings:)