Christmas Day Wonderful family Christmas at Willow Close, Little Paxton with a video memory of our parents, friends and relatives
Awake early and then to find that Daniel had been awake since 5.30am and then after being sent back to bed at 3.30 am! Up with a cup of tea and, all in pyjamas, the presents are opened as I take some video pictures. Grandfather and the baby join in and we get some lovely shots. As the children get tired we break for a fine fried breakfast and then I wrap up and feed the birds. The doves are very hungry after a broad frost, but the ducks are indifferent to food as then run off down to the river. A lazy morning tending the kids as they play with their toys and then a fine and festive Christmas lunch, with Dad joining us for the occasion. Mum phones us just before we start, to tell us that she has enjoyed the mornings celebrations at the hospital and needs a replacement dress for that soaked in champagne. After the washing and tidying up, I put away the ducks (12 out of 13 – the other seems to have teamed up with the Aylesburies) and we set off for the Papworth Cardiac Ward. Mum is happy and well and, with Christmas party hat on, I film proceedings as the children open the rest of their presents in front of her.
Home then to light the fire and have a lazy sit-round tea of mince pies, Christmas cake and sweet meats. Diana and I watch a session of our old video films from last summer and marvel at the dry brown grass and green trees, as it all seems so long ago now. News today then, but the Queen shows the first pictures of the christening of her new grandchild in her Christmas broadcast. The theme is again the Commonwealth and family. Also house fires and road accidents making the main news throughout Britain. The weather showery today , but frost is forecast for tonight.