The Cake.

The Cake was declared fit. All the alcohol had been added, a thin coat of marzipan applied to its top, and the Santa perched where only a Santa should be.

Usually she uses the well-tried Guinness Cake recipe, but Lady Magnon made Mary Berry's 'Classic Rich Christmas Cake' this year; with the addition of some chopped Prunes.

It's bottom has been bathed in Armagnac for the past two weeks, and allowed to 'mature'. Ms Berry suggests making the cake anything up to three months in advance. Three months? She obviously doesn't know the Magnon household, it wouldn't last two weeks!

Verdict: Very good. 10/10.

Saucy!

Yes, we still have ripening Tomatoes in late December.

Stick them somewhere sunny, and they ripen in no time. Lovely.

Festive spirit.

What a trooper; whilst Cro was elbow deep in plaster, Lady Magnon was dressing the tree.

We had to hold a draw for who got to be this year's 'fairy', and Golly won. 

Our new 'blinking' tree lights are useless, they spend more time off than on; cheap Chinese rubbish. We'll have to buy some more.

You might spot our this year's new decoration (we buy just one each year); a mini Norwegian jumper.

We're starting our festivities a little earlier than usual this year, and are rather enjoying it. Dinner parties are being planned, and big-day foods are being purchased. 

I think the tree might need a few more baubles; and certainly more lights.

One week to go, and all is well.

The Bock et al.

It's been in a trunk, wrapped in white tissue paper for the past 11 months, but once again it sees the light of day.

I have no idea how old our Bock (Goat) is, but it must be about 50; they are still made much the same.

With several Swedes in the family, you won't be surprised to hear that that is its country of origin.

I believe that the Norse god Thor rode through the skies on a chariot (sleigh?) which was drawn by two goats; why they are made of wheat straw I have no idea. One might logically have associated them with harvest time.

The trunk is now open, and all the old decorations will soon be coming downstairs, ready for the dressing of the tree. I really enjoy unwrapping all the old baubles etc; it gives a very comforting link to the past, and our Bock is a major player. 

                           

It's beginning to look quite festive. Today I shall cut the tree.

Frugality?

Our nights have been quite cool recently; down to -2 C on one occasion. This calls for a good evening fire.

I light our wood-burner at about 4.30 pm each afternoon, plenty of time in advance of when we begin to relax. I fill the interior with wood (right to the top), and fire-up with the help of a good splash of White Spirit. In a matter of 10 minutes or so, the heat really begins to build.

We often put some foil wrapped potatoes in the ash-pan, but recently I've also used the excess heat to cook our whole meal.

Last night for example I made a wine-rich Beef and Duck casserole (don't ask) with Mushrooms and Carrots. some lightly steamed Cavolo Nero, and of course I bunged a couple of spuds under the fire. All cooked perfectly, just with the residual heat of 'Gilbert'; our trusty wood-burner.

Pioneer cooking maybe, but great fun, and I imagine some minuscule financial saving. Why not?

Cro as Che.

My very good friend, the artist Simon Fletcher, recently sent me the above photo.

I looked at it, looked at it again, cleaned my glasses, racked my brains, and still couldn't remember a single thing about it.

I asked Simon if he knew where it was taken etc, and he replied that it was at my house in Wales, but I still didn't remember it.

Later I looked again, and I recognised the antique dresser on the left, and the tablecloth that I'd used as a background in an early portrait of Lady Magnon, and my well-loved grey beret, and a small pot by Peter Lau on the table. But even then  I still didn't recognise the room.

When my friend sent me the photo, he entitled it 'Cro as Che'. I think you can see why.

On looking closer at the photo I think it must have been taken at lunch time; I can see a packet of Golden Wonder crisps on the table (below).

Yes, I once was young!

Margaret Rhodes.

                                 

The queen's friend, and cousin, Margaret Rhodes died recently, and seeing the above photo reminded me of a strange encounter.

It must have been around 1985, and I'd heard that Her Majesty was coming to Brighton for some matter of state.

I was walking along a deserted back road near my home when I saw the royal car approaching in the distance. I was completely alone in the road, and almost panicked wondering what I should do.

Should I just stop and bow my head as she went by? Should I take out my handkerchief and wave enthusiastically? Or should I look the other way and pretend I hadn't seen her?

As it happened I just stood still, looked amazed, and watched as Her Majesty and her friend Margaret Rhodes both looked at me and SMILED. They must have understood my embarrassment.

Of course I smiled back. The scene was exactly as in the photo; and probably the same car!