Great Christmas!

7 services played for or attended over the 3 days! 2 Masses at Purley where Canon Jim was on great form. He spoke about the Bethlehem wall and banning "O little town"! Bill's girls sang In dulci jubilo beautifully and the music group did well on the Sunday including Bernadette Farrell's "Bread of life". The 2 crib services were better attended and Midnight went really well. I was particularly pleased that Walton's "All this time" came off well and we did some unusual ones like "Once as I remember". Why Molly gets given a mike for "Once in royal" is beyond me as she does not need one! Stopped after verse 4 and Tony came to the organ to say technical hitch We have forgotten the baby for the crib so much scurrying about in the dark! I was first home followed by Louise and Bruce from St John's and Liz much later in the hired car from the cathedral. Christmas Day such excitement never got any breakfast as we opened presents which were lovely. Ciarán on great form. Particularly pleased with my book journal from Liz and a lovely 1940s jigsaw. Liz liked her outfits but size too small! To Coulsdon for Eucharist - not too many there and to Purley for Mass. Picked up Calix Eden and he enjoyed lunch which was delicious goose, red cabbage, sprouts, roast potatoes and lovely stuffing with cranberries. Unable to eat second plate - Christmas pudding with brandy butter and courvousier cream! Fell asleep after lunch. Christmas Eve Josie came for fish lunch which was lovely and Tom arrived - Louise took Ciarán to Herbert Smith party. Watched the Queen and delighted to see Carl Jackson conducting the Hampton Court boys and girls.
We played 2 great British quiz games - boys vs girls - equal pegging!
Boxing Day to Coulsdon and we managed "Good king Wenceslas" - had a lovely chat to David (he knew Gerard Souzay) and to Purley for Mass. Bubble and squeak for meal. We again had champagne - the Dom Pericourt the children gave me for retirement with special glasses was indeed special and Tom produced a lovely white dessert wine with the pudding. We watched "Enchanted" and it was delightful and Songs of Praise from Albert Hall. Had a lovely carol sing and songs from the shows. Watched Upstairs Downstairs part 1.
St John's up at 8.30 and took Tom, Louise and Ciarán to East Croydon to get train to Gatwick to go to Ireland. Bruce still here. Opened chocs from retirement party - yummy. Delighted by my leaving present 13 inch laptop and Tom has installed stuff from the old computer on it. We love the calendar with photos of Ciarán!