Happy Hangover

Hangover day. Christmas being a time to remember old friends (old in a couple of meanings of the word 😉) last night we revived a Christmas tradition of meeting up for a chinwag. Our old haunt for such an occasion used to be The Woodman in Blackpill, but this time, given that our rented apartment is within rolling distance down from the Newton Inn, we met there for drinks before a curry night at our place. Our little group filled the pub with chat and laughter, interspersed with sighs as we remembered dear departed friends and colleagues. Beer, gin and wine flowing the landlady was most appreciative of our presence, the reason being that we were the only people there! In the lounge at any rate. Not so very long ago, it seems, the Inn was a thriving place, but now it is going the same way as so many independent village pubs, fading, failing, falling and closing down. Sad. The same could be said about our little group, I guess; all of us now retired (except Gareth who's a bit too disabled to work right now), but we're still alive and kicking and making an effort to live large. We talked about bucket lists and today, in my hangover state, I'm still wondering what to add to mine. Hmmmmmm……..

Afterwards we all rolled down the wet and splashy road back to the apartment, and the hours flowed by as easily as the wine. The curry house, Chutneys, a few doors away, once a favourite with many, would have been a very convenient supplier of our supper, but sadly their Trip Advisor reviews don't favour it these days. My homemade curry was surprisingly edible, however, and to date no one has reported food poisoning, so all is good.

Sitting here as the post-party day drifts by, the rain is about as wet and non-Christmassy as it gets. The little Christmas trees pinned up above every shop are draped in raindrop garlands instead of frost or snow and the bright Christmas sweaters and new winter coats are hidden under raincoats. My new winter coat is a full length mustard yellow puffer style (so I can be seen in the dark….)  Gareth has a blue short one. They are light but warm, shower proof and with hoods. They’ll be great for travelling. Everywhere I look now, people are wearing the same sort of thing! In every clothes shop there is a selection of them and not having checked the maker’s origin before buying, I can see why the Chinese economy is set to take over the world. I am disturbed and feeling guilty about how the down for our coats has been acquired (look it up - I don't want to cast too big a shadow of gloom over your pre-Christmas feelings of goodwill). I'm also aware of how much plastic I'm gathering in this season of gift giving. I said I wouldn't cast any gloom, but did you watch Blue Planet 2?

Anyway, I've wrapped some presents and stuffed my face some more (Gareth just suggested that I do some exercise 😉🙄) and tomorrow we have to pack up our stuff, including our Christmas tree and pretty lights, as we're moving out for a week. Yes, I know! What a palaver! The apartment was already booked out for Christmas when we moved in here so we will be in yet another very different home in Reynoldston, on the edge of Cefn Bryn (great for the dogs…….and Gareth) and within staggering distance of the King Arthur hotel. The advantage of itinerant living is that the scene changes, and the disadvantage is having to cart one’s stuff around as well. Living it large is a nice idea, but in our case we need to find a way of living large and keeping our baggage small. If only!!!