So Young Bill,
You think it's quiet without me then huh? You should make the most of it and have a rest.
How did the swimming tournament go? I expect that there were hundreds of parents and grandparents screaming encouragement at the participants.
Gisela and Sandra,
I do envy you talking about your plans to return to Tobago. Himself happened to see an item on the television about how they spend Christmas in the Caribbean, and turned to me and and said "Christmas in the Caribbean? That would be different wouldn't it?" Yes it would, but I can't see it happening; he likes to take his annual leave in the summer!
We'll have a quiet Christmas; just the four of us.
Sandra,
Don't wear yourself out- t'aint worth it for one or two days. I've learned that the sky will not fall in if I'm late in sending cards, decorating, or forget to buy something (like the tree!
) We'll survive. The shops will be open again on the 27th or even the 26th. Now that the children are grown up, I don't even panic about getting the presents wrapped on time.
Admittedly, I don't indulge in mince pie and Christmas cake making, which helps!
Gisela,
My latest revision of the book using my own photos for the cover has arrived, and I'm finally happy with it, so I'm leaving it alone.
All I need now is ideas on how to market it.
Now, whether you like it or not, a brief (!) word about our break.
We left England and stayed in the Tamar Valley, just inside Cornwall (sorry David-Kernow) so as we travelled around here and there we were alternately "emmets" (Cornish for outsider) or "grockles" (Devonish for outsiders) which was confusing. We had decided not to drive everywhere so donned our boots and waterproofs and set about exploring the backways, with one eye constantly on the clock so that we didn't find ourselves in the position of having to find our way back on totally unlit country lanes in the dark.
On one such return from our meanderings I had walked a little ahead of Himself whilst he stopped behind to take innumerable identicle photos with all the care and dedication of a paparazzi whose livelihood depended on it, and came upon a turning with a sign post showing familiar place names, but not the place where we were staying.
I stood there trying to recall if we had come up that way on our outward journey when a kind lady stopped her car and said: "You're looking bemused." Which is actually quite normal for me, but I didn't tell her that of course.
I said that I found the country lanes very confusing as they all looked much the same, and she said that's done quite deliberately so the emmets stay on the main roads and don't clutter up the little back roads.
She then revealed that she originated from Surrey, so I asked if she was still regarded as an emmet. "Oh yes" she said. "I've only been here twenty years so will probably always be an emmet."
She ought to have a tee shirt made-
"Forever an emmet."
I then made a little faux pas when I said: "It's very English here isn't it?"
"ENGLISH!!!" she exclaimed, aghast. "This is Cornwall. England is over the Tamar!" Oops!
Anyway, the fact that we are here now and not still wandering the Cornish lanes in bewilderement indicates that yes, it was the right way home!
Now! here's something I bet you didn't know. Wait for it-
SANTA IS A CORNISHMAN!!!!!
We went to the Bodmin Preserved Railway where they were running a "Santa Special " steam train (dinner included) for children and adults of all ages from one to one hundred, and where it was rumoured that Santa would make an appearance ( that bloke gets around, doesn't he?)
There we were, sitting in the cafe minding our own business when who should appear but Santa himself. He made a bee-line for me for some reason, and persuaded Himself to take a photo of us, grinning like Cheshire cats. It must be at least forty-five years since I had a photo taken of myself with Santa, and, just as I thought those Glory Days were past, along he comes to make my day.
At the end of the photo shoot he turned to Himself and said "Merry Christmas my Handsome". This, then, was the moment the truth was revealed- Santa is a Cornishman!
I said to him: "So, you said: "my handsome". That means you are a true Cornishman."
He gave me a wink and said "Well, I have to adopt the local dialects you know."
Nonsense- the truth will out; he was the
real Santa, and I won't have it otherwise!
See ya!
Noe
PS Does David have a twin?
xxx
I will be there from the 18th March for 3 weeks. You can also see at: "myTobago Visitor MEETING Board" 
Or in Pauls case in his underpants 
