An antidote to shopping

It was the school Christmas fete this morning.  The usual high octane blend of over-excited children, lucky dips, Santa's elves and a tombola.  I was heard to mutter something unkind about Christmas while trying to wrestle the Christmas tree into the car as well as persuade the children to get in without making too much noise on a residential street on a quiet Saturday morning.  Afterwards I felt in need of a lie down in a dark room.  I made do with a little walk instead.

We headed up the hill above Wotton-under-Edge.  It's part of the Cotswold Way and quite breathtaking in places.  It was only a short walk really, but we tend to stop quite a bit (a sit down and a cookie, possible bird sightings, befriending passing dogs and their owners, swinging on a tyre in the woods - you get the idea) so it took us from two o'clock until about half past four, by which time the sun had set and it was starting to get chilly.  That's my favourite time of day in winter.  Time to hurry home past lighted windows and smoky fires and Christmas wreaths on doors.

So we have a tree, but it's in the garage for now.  I need to work up to the whole decorations thing.  I'm almost there I think.  I just need to put a few days between me and the school fete.  I like my Christmas festivities a bit more mellow.  Carols on the radio, candlelight, a bit of baking.  Although of course once the box of decorations is down all hell will break loose as the boys compete to see who can get their baubles on the tree the fastest.

How are the festivities with you?  Have you had a mince pie yet?  Seen Father Christmas?  We glimpsed him briefly this morning, riding past on a vintage motor cycle.  I guess Rudolph was having a lie down.  Saving his legs for the main event.  Two and a half weeks from now.  Eek.