Crimbo 2019 and New Year.
Went up to Dad's on the Saturday after Uni went down. [Although all week prior to that the campus had, once again, resembled the Mary Celeste!]
Seriously, unseasonably mild weather for Cumbria - though there was still plenty of rain.
Dad told us there had been snow the weekend before, covering all the fell tops and, in the Lorton Valley, coming right down to the Lakeshore.
Naturally by the time we toddled along to Crummockwater there was nary a flake to be seen. Boo and indeed Hoo.
Had a meal at the Bar 'n' Bistro in Gilcrux on the Sunday before Crimbo which was delicious - as always.
On Christmas Day Dad & Louisa entertained Loll's Mum & Dad and kid brother for the meal. On Boxing Day Loll and I went to Molly and Eric's and had a second Christmas Dinner with all of Laura's immediate family, that gathering numbered 12 altogether.
In the period between Crimbo and NYE we went out on to the fells a few times dodging the spots and getting caught in a seriously sharp but very short hail storm round the 'back o' Skiddaw'.
Sadly the Keswick launch wasn't running on the day we went to Keswick but we managed a stroll round the lake that can be done without a boat ride. We walked it in our wellies rather than walking boots, which was a good job as one section was flooded.
I was quite shocked by the number of people we met who were in brand new walking gear! How sad?
We finally took a boat ride on the Monday before NYE catching the 9.45am ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick. We'd planned a five night stay on Arran, in our holiday home. Once again the weather was really mild and very wet. I was half expecting the ferry to have been disrupted by the strong winds but our outward and return journey (on Saturday morning) were quite calm.
Our burgeoning tradition of going to a New Year's Eve ceilidh was honoured and we danced our little hearts out until the bongs rang over the airwaves. The best thing about ceilidhs is that everyone dances. There are usually no wall flowers lining the walls. It helps when the band are rhythmical and the caller clear and precise. Boy did we sweat that evening. First bonk of 2029 had to be postponed as we both came on during the day! Bad timing or what?
The clouds almost defeated us in our desire to climb Goat Fell, but we managed it on the Thursday, sitting on the leeward side of the summit for an eternity waiting for a cloud break, so we could descend without getting soaked. The horizontal rain stopped after that 30 minute eternity, which was like a late Christmas present to us from the island.
The rest of that afternoon and early evening was spent in the Wineport in Cladach with a dog who hadn't been drenched and therefore wasn't smelling the place out with eau de chienne.
Good meal and interesting chat with two people over from Canada. A husband and wife who had emigrated to the former colony about 20 years ago, both alumna of Glasgow Uni.
We caught the very earliest ferry on Saturday morning and were back at Dad's in Tallentire by lunchtime. The idea was break the journey back to Sheffield. We were also promised a meal of bubble and squeak for tea. That tipped the balance.
Got home around mid-day on Sunday to be greeted by about handful of messages from my brother asking "where the hell were we?" He was panicking as we'd promised to take the nieces and nephew to the Panto that night - Cinderella. He wasn't going, the prat. We called back and arranged to meet Jane and the kids inside the theatre bar, rather than have them come to ours and them messing about with convoy driving.
It was the best panto I have ever seen. I have seen a lot. Full of local references and jokes. Lots of silliness for the kids and just enough risquée material for the grown ups.
Buttons was seriously good and full of pathos. The Choreography was brilliant, Karen Clifton from Strictly was Fairy Godmother and choreographer. Her solo pieces were 'real ballet'.
The ugly sisters were really ugly and really hilarious.
The same company are doing Sleeping Beauty next year, we are definitely going to that, too...
Back to reality on Monday as we went to ABC & D solicitors for the coming two weeks to get some lieu days in for our summer in Australia. I will get eight days in hand and Laura four.
Uni is not back until the 20th. When all will go back to how it used to be...
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