Christmas at the Trinity Rooms

We got up slowly this morning, and enjoyed coffee, breakfast and Christmas presents..I got a lot of food this year, and two mugs, including a thick china travel beaker (curious) and a children's book signed by Michael Morpurgo. I also gave myself a slab of Spanish nougat, turron, because it's traditional for me. We had Basque acquaintances in the 1970s who always brought us some at Christmas . It was harder to get hold of this year, but I managed.

After we'd scrubbed up and got into our Christmas best, Steve went off to have coffee with a friend C, while I went to help out at the Trinity rooms down the road (it's all right, we met up again later). When I got there, I found a lot of people already in important looking roles, so  I played Shopping List with some little kids ( see, I got to spend some time with children at Christmas!) and chatted with some Syrian refugees who had come over from Gloucester. One lady wanted them to sing, maybe because there was music in the background, so they said they'd sing some carols later. They also said that there was no problem with their celebrating Christmas as Muslims, because it was a party. 

Then CleanSteve turned up and we formed part of the food service team. I was at one end dishing out turkey, and Steve was on gravy duty at the other end.. After about an hour we'd served everyone, and given out seconds too, so we were relieved, and went to eat our own dinners. I sat next to T, an old friend whom I'm constantly bumping into, and had gf nut roast with all the trimmings.(I had a bit of turkey too, but I think it's over rated).

There were hand made crackers, filled with sweets and nuts in their shells, and mince pies and chocolates. Santa Claus paid a visit, and gave presents to all the adults as well as the children! 

Someone started playing carols on the piano, and the crowd around it grew bigger and bigger, with people singing all the old favourites. Some of the Syrian lads did a lot of enthusiastic la-la-la-ing. You can see them in the main pic. One of them told me he'd arrived in the UK three days before Christmas last year, by small boat. I'm glad he made it. 

All this time, some tables were being removed to make way for the 'mystery guest'. When the guest finally arrived, it was none other than Tweedie, the Clown from Gifford's circus! He performed many many tricks and had the kids and adults in stitches. His slapstick style translates across language and learning barriers. I've seen him perform scores of times, and he always makes me laugh. Next month I'll see him in the panto in Cheltenham. 

When Tweedie's act was finished, CleanSteve announced his departure, and I decided to go too, because I knew I'd have to do a ton of washing up if I wanted to wait for the quiz! We eft on a high, tired but happy. I haven't had such a great communal non-family Christmas since I visited a Mexican orphanage in 1990.

I've video-called the family now (those who answered or who weren't on NZ time) and noticed that my nephew's hair has suddenly turned curly at the age of 28, and that my mother is still talking about her phone not working. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. My sister's pig escaped its sty this morning and trotted past her into the woods while she was seeing to the goats, but they got it back in due course. I think the escapee pig was Kevin Bacon.

Steve went off to lie down and I sat down to watch something on Netflix about Santa being stabbed with a sharpened candy cane, and promptly fell asleep. Full of good cheer, that's all of us tonight.