Ruby

After  the usual Saturday phonecall from my  brother ( who at 91 has just returned from a short break in Llandudno where he went dancing six times)
I went into Ilkley on the bus and The Grove was getting ready for their Christmas lights switch on this evening. 
There was a Christmas market in place and the road was closed to traffic.
Lots of lovely stalls and l bought some presents.
I knew Ruby was working on one of the stalls ( the tearoom at Bolton Abbey had brought down some home baked goodies, Christmas foods and hampers to sell).
l bought a pea and feta quiche from her that l will have tonight with a rocket salad and some roasted new potatoes.
She was cold as there was a wind that bite’s,  not too bad as l walked around but hard if you are standing on the spot.
When l passed later her boss told me she had sent Ruby to sit in her car to try and warm up.
I came back to my own village and saw a similar scene with a smaller street market and a lovely craft fair in the village hall.
I did buy six felted snowmen from a group that supports the disabled in Nepal. I am going to use them as part of my gift wrapping for special people.
Home now and catching a bit of Dr Zhivago on TV, one of my favourite films of all time and have recorded it.
Going out again to see the official switch on as it gets dark.
Our village is famous for its Christmas lights and people come from afar to see them. We residents pay for them ourselves and volunteers take weeks to erect them.
What is especially lovely this year is that our new Ukrainian friends who have recently moved into our village are being guests of honour to do the official switch on instead of the usual local minor TV celebrities who live here.

Just come back from the switch on and then had a walk around to see all the lights and added another 4, O00 steps to see them. I say every year they look better than ever and this year l said it again.