A different Christmas!

Choir depressing at practice - who would think it's Christmas? Nitpicking. When I said who's going to the pub 2 said No. In the end Caroline, Jenny, Catherine and Molly met Vickie at the White Hart. She likes Rev and in fact based her Christmas sermon on it. Liz had stomach bug so went to doctor and took sample to Mayday. Midnight I fainted while on loo and knocked my forehead. In the morning sick and more diaorrhea so stayed home. Vickie played for 2 crib services and I was able to listen to King's (nice new carol by Tansy Davies) and watch the TV carols, also Pappano on Tosca from Rome and Morecambe and Wise. By 1 p.m. all seemed OK so played for Midnight. Nichole came as Karen was ill. Went well including Harwood in A flat. Christmas Day to St Gertrude's South Croydon for mass with unaccompanied carols - not Silent night again! Gerry and Eileen there and Fr Martin said I could have played. The new texts still throwing people and they have McCrimmon mass books. Played for Coulsdon eucharist and John Linney was reading! No choir. To Acton and all family there. Lovely lunch - nice starter, turkey and ham with good wines, pudding and desert wines. Went for a walk to the park and then presents. Delighted to get Glenstal book of icons, Daoui Abbey calendar, lovely photo frame. Louise liked the mosaic cross and the breadmaker. Must be first Christmas I have not dropped off. Gruffalo's child and Ciarán opening his presents. Played Cranium game which was great and watched Downton Abbey. Boxing Day woke to more diaorrhea so both came home in Hyundai. Liz at cathedral from 4 pm vespers and midnight and Christmas day.