The morning light yesterday on the last day of November was like Turkish delight over the fields at the back of our house while the gardens were still in shadows. The horse (not mine!) knew where to stand to catch the early rays between the roof top shadows.
Before work I had to go to a meeting in Woodstock where I couldn’t resist the sky reflected in the windows of The Bear while the street was still in shadow. A good visual start to the day.
After work there was a dash to get to school, half an hour’s drive from home, for the Advent Service, which was my first real taste of Christmas, at 6:30 pm. I’m not religious, and can’t hit a note accurately, but there’s something very special about a carol service where everyone is singing and I can hide my tuneless voice among the many strong voices.
So here we are on 1st December and for the first time in many years we don’t have an Advent Calendar.
In the old days BC (before children) Cycloman would buy me an advent calendar as a bit of a lark, and of course since children have been on the scene we have often had one or even several as gifts from various folk, plus I have a fabric one with little pockets which some years I have filled with little somethings.
But this year Techie’s usual donor of Advent Calender has decided maybe someone who is 18 tomorrow may not need an advent calendar.
And I can’t find where I put the fabric one.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Morning Pseu.
Come Christmas morning my tree gets barer and barer as the children grow older.
Gone are the days when the wrapped presents at the base of the tree resembled a Christmas card pic. We used to have a load of shoebox size (and bigger) wrapped presents for the little ones, dolls, building sets, jigsaw puzzles and the like all made for an impressive display, not any more!
Now it’s DVD’s, computer games, PS/Wii games, books, clothes etc, All stuff that when wrapped is not much bigger than an envelope. 😦
Isn’t Woodstock one of the jewels of England? For students in my day it was a bit pricey – we liked ‘Dudley’s’ in Kingston Bagpuize – but I’m not sure the old pub still exists.
PS I think the pub’s name was the White Hart and it might be the one that is now run as a fine eatery in Fyfield down the road.
Well this year I bought my first advent calendar ever. Not intentionally but I was in a bookshop in the City and chanced upon a book on how to make paper aeroplanes, a perfect Xmas present for Kojo, who is into that sort of thing, now 4 and a half years old. As I approached the pay desk, i saw a rack of advent calendars and thought that would be nice for Kojo, at least give him some sort of narrative on the Christmas story as he opened each and every window. (It didn’t quite work out as I had intended as when he showed the calendar to two neighbours children so they opened up every window ha – LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Back to the shop – the little old lady behind the counter asked if I would be making the paper aeroplanes myself. I paused before answering, “well yes, but for a little boy.” He eyes twinkled and she asked “would that be your grandson?” . I smiled are replied with an prouder twinkle in my eye, “actually he is my son.”
( I think that made the little old lady’s day. ) Nice one PapaG!
I know Woodstock as a friend rented there many moons ago. The house was owned by a member of the aristocracy and had a maze of bumpedy corridors and rickety old rooms with roof beams etc. Quaint. I enjoyed many a drinking session in the pubs as well. The photo of The Bear is most inviting!
As for Carol Services, I have already been rehearsing with some ladies North of the River. I taught them two songs and then surprise, surprise, showed them a songsheet with both songs interwoven. So there you are … instant harmonic voices! By hook or by crook. One of the songs is a new and tender version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and the twinned song is one I made up called “Follow the star.”
Easy peasy, lemon squeazy. Happy Christmas from PapaG.
Soutie, how true! Maybe we need to put them in big boxes, to flummox them?
Janus, I do love Woodstock… and I know it pretty well as I worked there for over a year, though a long time ago now. I don’t know a White Hart at Kingston B…. but Fyfield rings a bell
PapaG, what lovely comments….
Maybe you need to supervise the Advent Calendar?
I remember having an Advent Candle one year…. a little burned each day.
Can we hear a rendition of your two part carol, please?
No, Pseu, you are wrong. Someone who is 18 needs his Advent calendar just as much. I presented daughter – now just the wrong side of 30 – with her one on Tuesday. This year, however, I am putting my foot down about eldest son’s annual request for a Cadbury’s selection box in his stocking. He will get one but with a note from Santa pointing out that, since he’s getting married next year, childhood is over.
How funny sheona, those Cadbury selection boxes were on the necessity list of another grown up little boy!
Nice pictures.
Strange that I have always lunched in Woodstock rather than eaten dinner there. Of recent years I always used to meet my ex’s current wife Diana, (generally for some mutual commiseration) much to the chagrin of the husband, who couldn’t quite cope with the fact that we really liked each other. I guess he thought I was going to rat him out good and proper, I never did, I hadn’t the heart to let her know how much of a rat he could be, she was far too nice! Used to go to a little restaurant just across the road from your picture.
I try not to think of advent calendars and Christmas stockings etc, too painful. I restrict myself to a terribly, terribly coolly overdesigned Christmas tree with no family memories, better that way. Bought everything new three years ago
Which has got to go up today (or never) with my schedule this year! I’m orf!
Actually, Nym, this whole business of children and Christmas traditions is fraught with difficulties. I used to do the advent calender business, along with stockings, carrots for reindeer, mince pies and sherry for Santa.
Now, when you should drop them is tricky, and they will either not notice, or there will screams of outrage!
So carrots and mice-pies for Santa, I dropped quite early on, not so much as a squeak. Advent calendars, they did notice and grumbles ensued, but not until about mid December, so they bought their own.
Stockings, don’t even go there, in my experience, until they have children of their own, but then you may have done this already and it may not have caused a problem.
Children are all so different, and they do humour their parents’ odd traditions, but they do regard some Christmas traditions as sacrosanct: they will let you know which ones in no uncertain terms, I suspect.
Pseu, your request is noted. It will go to Youtube one day next year and I will notify you. OK!
PS Very suitable for a childrens choir and if you like it I will let you have the score. .
We have bought two Advent calendars this year. The first was demolished by them in a single school/nursery run last week, and the second one has disappeared somewhere in the murky depths of the car as well… 😉
Morning all. Thank you for all the comments. Interesting isn’t it, how the traditions develop! Number one son has not yet commented on lack of advent calendar. He’s still asleep.
Yes, please Papa G… I look forward to it.
(I see that Janus’ post for caption comp has gone. Shame)
bleue belle, I feel that the only way is to POLICE the openings…. I used to put the calendar high up on the wall!
Nice photos, Pseu – love the shadows across the meadow, and the smart horse 🙂
I used to police the advent calendars with my children – no opening the little doors until Dad got home from work. It used to be quite a production 🙂
Advent calendars are a bit tricky for the Grandchildren because of George’s allergy. The have refillable jobbies that my daughter fills with George-friendly treats.
Hi Bravo, yes a friend has made her own calendar for her allergic child… usually non-sweet products, such as a new hair clip, a conker, an acorn etc etc each day
Evenin’ Pseu, One of the things on George’s letter to Santa is some chocolate – you can’t get non-dairy chocolate on Cyprus 😦
I haven’t tried it, but internet could help there:
http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk/chocolate