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    2021 – Our First Christmas Together In Four Years!

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    This year, Darrell and I finally spent Christmas together, after four years apart. Surrounded by family, we were able to celebrate the day in a way we haven't before. Our past Christmases were not family affairs; we spent the day with friends and others who had nowhere to go, waifs and strays if you will, always opening our home to others like us. Spending time with our nearest and dearest made our Christmas Day even more special this year; my Aunt pulled out all the stops to give every one of us a memorable time.

    It was a sign of the times that all of us had to undertake a COVID test, before we met on Christmas Day, but everyone was in agreement, that it was the best thing to do. Even after two years, Coronavirus continues to play its part in all our lives. Unlike last Christmas, we were determined to spend the day together. With Omicron on the rise, I was initially nervous about being around so many people, but it does seem this new variant is less potent than the others, so I believe it was a risk worth taking. All of us, including Darrell, have had a third vaccination, so we have been afforded the best protection we can.

    Both of us look forward to a positive New Year, fulfilling dreams missed over the last two years. I hope 2022 will finally signal the end of this enduring pandemic and the resumption of normal service. I am counting the days until I can once again set foot on a plane and continue the journey Darrell and I forged together over a quarter of a century ago. If anything, this festive season has highlighted the importance of social interaction and spending time with loved ones. Human beings need each other, especially through chaotic times. A simple Christmas meal was the tonic I required, to live life once again!
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  • Published on

    My Perfect Christmas Day – Luke Martin-Jones!

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    I haven't had too many memorable Christmases over the  years, certainly since leaving home, so I have to look further back to my early childhood, for that perfect Christmas Day.

    The bright glow from the artificial, tinsel covered tree, directed me towards the lounge. It was four O'clock in the morning, when I gingerly walked down the stairs, being careful not to wake a soul.  I poked my head around the door, the darkened room was illuminated with multicoloured streaks of light, rotating back and forth in the darkness. There was a distinct winter chill in the air; I could see the steam rising from my mouth as I gasped at the mountains of presents, filling the corner of the room. The 1970s patterned Axminster carpet was barely visible under the wrapped gifts; the magic of Christmas, laid bare; a moment of silence, before the festivities began.

    Carefully, I closed the door, and began to walk up the stairs, back to my bedroom. With the creak of the final stair, I was greeted by a bleary-eyed Mum and Dad, stood in the doorway to their bedroom, smiling ever so slightly, despite the unearthly hour ..... This was the start of the most memorable day of the year!

    A short video below of my recollections of Christmas Day!

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    The Christmas Spirit – Boosters, Variants and Doing the Right Thing!

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    There doesn't seem to be a lot of Christmas cheer around at the moment, and it's easy to see why. The new Omicron variant of coronavirus is now running rampant across the country, and all of us are being encouraged to get our COVID boosters done as soon as possible. No one knows exactly how bad Omicron will be; it seems highly transmissible, but interestingly milder, and could be a major stumbling block in the Worlds fight against this disease; getting a third jab seems the obvious next step.  Of course, after the Government broke its own rules last year and hosted Christmas parties against the COVID regulations, people seem less willing to listen to reason. Like most of us, I won't be changing my plans for Christmas, because this God awful Government says so. More slogans, confused messages and even more bluster… Here we go again!

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    Unlike last year, pubs are still open and people are starting to celebrate the festive season. Last weekend we had the 'Football Supporters Christmas Disco' at the Newcome Arms Public House, where I work twice a week; it was packed to the rafters. Under normal circumstances, I would have been nervous about such large crowds of people, but I am fortunate to have had my booster and like most, I am sick and tired of the mixed messages from Government. Today, I am following my own rules and pretty much ignoring official advice, except where booster vaccines are concerned. It is important we get this third jab, to help protect us through the winter season and the rise of Omicron.

    The party at The Newcome was fantastic, and I had a wonderful time, the best I've had since the beginning of the pandemic. I was thankful to be working on the other side of the bar and not part of the drunken throng. I have always felt safe at the pub and can always socially distance as much as I like. As a person who no longer really drinks, I am aware of just how far we lower our inhibitions in an inebriated state; keeping my wits about me during this pandemic is important, especially now.

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    Last week, I was 'pinged' by the track and trace app, which informed me I had been in close contact with someone who has COVID. To this day I have no idea who it was, but I was told I didn't need to self-isolate, as I would have had to in the past. However, I was informed I would have to take a PCR test, which came back negative, and I have been taking a lateral flow test daily.

    It does seem odd that I didn't have to isolate this time; I could have had Coronavirus and been spreading it around, while I waited for the result. I have been in close contact with others with COVID in the past, but once again not contracted the virus. I can only assume the vaccines are protecting me from COVID and that makes me a willing participant in the vaccine programme, as we all should be.

    At the moment, I am trying to get Darrell's booster jab sorted, but because he was vaccinated in Australia, this is proving a tricky operation. He doesn't seem to be able to use the online system, because only his GP has his vaccine records from Western Australia. They will be the only ones who can contact him direct, to arrange an appointment. Considering they are already asking over eighteen-year-olds to come forward, and he is forty-nine, I am naturally concerned he hasn't been called yet.

    Darrell seems less concerned than I, but, he hasn't lived through the worst of the pandemic yet, being sheltered from it, living down under. It is important he gets vaccinated soon, especially with him working in the same environment as me, and I will continue to do what I can to make it happen. It is likely it will be at some point in January now; the booking system is under severe pressure and constantly crashing, making it impossible to get through. Even when you speak to the COVID help line operators on the telephone, they also seem unsure of Darrell's status and what to do next. Frustration and annoyance is all I can describe how I feel; I just hope, not for too much longer.
    This week I did manage to see my Father, along with Darrell and my Aunt. All of us wanted to see him before the new Omicron variant takes hold; I have a feeling it won't be too long before we are all locked down once again and visiting anyone will become impossible. None of us wanted a repeat of last year, when I was unable to see Dad at all, except for a very brief visit to drop off Christmas presents. Dad seemed happy to see us, and I am thankful we could spend some quality time together before the big day.

    Dad took us all out for lunch at his local pub and restaurant, the 'Oast and Squire,' which was lovely. The food tasted great, and it was fantastic to sit and chat, without a care in the World. Occasions like this are rare and even rarer during this pandemic. I have no idea when I will see Dad again; Like most people, I am having to rethink various aspects of my Christmas. I have already cancelled several events with friends, not wanting to put others at risk. From a work Christmas party to a live music gig at the Rifle Club, all of us have had to make choices, about what is best for us and our families. I want to spend Christmas Day with my loved ones and not have to content with a potential COVID infection, others of course may feel differently.

    It is difficult to get into the Christmas spirit at the moment, but we are doing our best to try to enjoy this year's events. We have to decide what is the safest option for us as individuals. Of course, Darrell is home with me now, and I also have to think about his well-being equally. Without his booster, I am mindful of his vulnerabilities. He has had two lung collapses in the past, and I have to protect him, as well as me, from the worst of this virus. I hope we will ride this new storm, like we have all the others, but until we know the facts about Omicron and the rising cases of infection (over 78,000 yesterday,) we have to think the worst. All of us hope this will be the final year of restrictions, but nothing is for certain. The average length of a pandemic is four to five years, I read recently, so we could have a long way to go yet! Stay safe y'all!
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  • Published on

    My Perfect Christmas Day – Lucy Wilding!

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    Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year. From the day the Argos Christmas catalogue came out, and I’d go through it with a pen, marking all the things I loved (but knew I’d never get them all) to the Christmas nativity, songs on the radio and garish tinsel in Woolies; I was beyond myself with excitement.

    The stall at school, where you could take 50p in to buy a present for a loved one, was my first experience in the magic of giving. I remember I bought my dad a peacock keyring one year and was so excited to see him opening it and how touched he was by it. (He still has it in a drawer somewhere, although I don’t think his keys ever dangled from it)

    Christmas Eve was singing ‘The stocking song’ as we carried our stockings up to bed, struggling to get to sleep and meeting my little brother on the thresholds of our bedrooms at 3 o’clock in the morning. Shivering with cold, whispering to each other with chattering teeth, we felt all the goodies contained within Santa’s sock and wondered what they could be.

    Christmas Day was filled with warmth, family, wonderful food, games, the Queen's speech and seeing who could keep their cracker crown on for the longest. (my Dad and I were the champions at this, often keeping them on when we went to bed that night)     Now, with children of my own, I have tried to carry the magic into their Christmases. We still sing the stocking song, they still stand outside the living room door while I go in and declare ‘HE’S BEEN!’ In fact, I am so lucky that my childhood Christmases have become theirs because we all spend Christmas at my Parent's house as an extended family and, instead of it being Mum, Dad and 4 kids, there’s now 18 of us. And a lovely Cockapoo called Denis, who was named after my Grampa. He loved Christmas too. Family traditions are so important. But the most important thing about Christmas to me is giving: gifts, homemade goodies and love. And being surrounded by the ones you love xxx

    Lucy
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    My Perfect Christmas Day — Alex Albescu!

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    My perfect Christmas day would be 12 years old — something as simple as my mum and older sisters cooking up a feast from morning. Pottering in and out from time to time to check on me and my brother, for their benefit more than ours, we watched the rocky movies. Half-heartedly, we offered a hand in the kitchen, knowing full well we would get laughed at. All the while, classic Christmas music is playing in the background, then hours later the shout would come from mum ''dinner's ready'' and we'd all meet up and chow down… The last family Christmas!

    Alex
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