46. Father Christmas has left the area.

Although we are still in the 12 days of Christmas period, Father Christmas has left the area. Douglas has had a haircut and beard trim so feels more human. It is not as short as it usually is because the weather here is so much colder, but never the less is is much shorter than what it was. He is happy that his bicycle helmet still fits so he can continue to get exercises riding his bike. I was very happy when I received some more photos from S.A. today and just pray that the Dutch Connection have a safe trip back to Holland tonight.

45. Carol Singing

On Monday night we went to one of the villages to do some Carol Singing. Some young people joined us and we walked from house to house singing a different Carol at each house as well as singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas". Some of the people came to the doors others stayed hermetically sealed in their houses. Much fun was had by the singers so it was all worthwhile. Some of the houses had beautiful decorations which helped as we only had a few torches so appreciated the lights as it made reading easier. The weather was kind to us as although it was cold there was no rain so at least we stayed dry. After the singing hot chocolate was enjoyed at the local Church.
(Sorry the pictures are not too clear but it does give you some idea of what a few of the houses looked like.)

44. Last Sunday in Advent

Yesterday we went to one of the village churches for another Carol service. This church has "Cafe style" worship so we started off with the most delicious homemade hot Sausage Rolls and Mince Pies. The pastry was "melt in the mouth" delicious.
The church was beautifully decorated and we had a good number of people at the service so the fellowship was wonderful. I still have to get used to so much that is different here. The churches (chapels as they are called here) all have a Christmas tree in the front of the church. Everyone gives everyone a Christmas card and they sing Carols before Christmas. I know we also sang Carols in S.A. but there the excuse was that everyone went away once the schools closed for the Summer holidays, here there is no such excuse. Well this weekend also saw the shortest day of the year so now I can look forward to having longer days and so will see more sunlight I hope. I keep being told that it will take a while before I notice a difference but in my mind it is good for me. I have made all the fudge so just need to do some ironing and another good vacuuming of the house and then i am ready for Christmas.

43. Father Christmas in Camomile Close

Yesterday Father Christmas arrived again. He sure has been busy this year. This time with a heavy bag of gifts on his back he visited a home in our street where 14 children were eagerly waiting for him. He banged on the door and there was a rush of footsteps from all the rooms in the house as they rushed down stairs and along the passage to see what Father Christmas had brought them. He spoke to them in North Pole language which they had never heard before and even as they kept looking around the lounge to see whose Daddy was missing and so who this father Christmas could be, they had to accept that this time it was the real thing. Father Christmas had come to Camomile Close.

42. Carol singing

On Friday the "Churches Together" did some Carol Singing in the Market Square in front of the Town Hall. We were there at the beginning and as the morning progressed a few more participants joined the group. They sang every song on their special Carol Sheet and as I wandered around the square I listened to the different sellers comment on how much they enjoyed the singing. The voices could be heard even as I left the square so the exercises had been most successful. After the singing Douglas and I went back to the church where we enjoyed the Christmas lunch at the Social Center. It was our wedding anniversary and I did enjoy the treat of having a lovely roast meal prepared for us as well as being in the company of so many lovely people.

41. Christingle

This week the Story Teller Group enjoyed sharing the annual Christingle service with the children from one of the local schools. The church was full and a wonderful time was enjoyed as we gathered to remember the story that none will ever forget, the story of Jesus' birth. The children had all made their own Christingles and were happy to show them off to anyone who showed an interest. They all sang and participated well as the story was told. What a blessing it was to see Christmas through the eyes of children. We can all learn from them.

40. The feasting continues

Fun and Fellowship enjoyed by all.

39. Feasting again

Last night we enjoyed another meal at Southery. We all over ate but did enjoy the food, fellowship and entertainment all arranged to celebrate Jesus'Birthday. "Joy to the World."I have include video clips of the singing. HO, Ho, Ho.

38. Another busy weekend.

On Saturday it was bitterly cold but we decided we wanted to support one of the villages church sales day so off we went. No place is very far so we arrived early but enjoyed coffee and a chat and then checked out the different tables. Douglas & I both played the very addictive Marble Game and then I saw the most adorable toy dogs and they were just begging to be bought. The books also tempted me into spending more money. Eventually we called it a day and ventured out into the cold once more heading for home. Sunday was also very cold and frosty. Looking out of the windows and seeing the Winter Wonderland outside made us ever so grateful for our lovely warm house. The roads and pavements freeze here. It is that time of year again for feasting so after the service at Downham Market we were off to another village church for a super Sunday Dinner. The food was great as was the fellowship and the bonus was that I did not have to cook supper. I fear that all this eating is not doing my shape much good but will worry about that problem after the Festive season.

37. Restless and missing my family

As Christmas approaches I find that I am restless and missing my family. I compensate by cleaning and keeping myself busy working with the lovely pictures that my children so kindly send me. I love the video clips and their blog entries and the many "chats" we have on Skype. They have all been very good and keep in touch so that I feel that I am part of what is happening in their lives too. This helps me to be able to pray for them and also to enjoy the special moments with the precious grandchildren. Evelyn and Evangeline will be the second visit that we will have from family as Brendon and Wendy and Owen have already been here this year. Evelyn and Evangeline arrive in April and we are counting the days already. We also have the added bonus of going to Holland again at the end of January to visit with Owen and his Mom and Dad. What a joy that will be. We did so enjoy the week we had with them for Owen's first birthday. The snow was a bonus. We have a busy week next week with the beginning of Christmas meals that we have been invited to as well as the run of Carol services. We are planning to have our Christmas Day meal at the Church where meals are to be provided for those who will be on their own on Christmas Day. We will be working in the kitchen and helping with the serving as well as enjoying the meal itself and the company of others. I am sure this will help us cope with the very different Christmas season so far from our family and the sunshine of South Africa. At least we know the children will be together as The Dutch connection will be in SA for Christmas this year.

36. Christmas in the UK

It is now much colder and we are so glad that we have a warm house. During the night I find myself kicking off the duvet because I feel to hot. This is so different from SA where I slept with Bed socks on in summer and always had two or more blankets as well as the duvet.
We had our church Christmas sale on Saturday and it was very different to what we are used to. No pancakes, no produce but plenty of crafts and second hand goods. I managed to buy a home made Teddy Bear as well as a second hand toy Teddy who just begged to come home with me. I also found several children's books as well as some for myself. I even found a few for Douglas. He bought some daffodil bulbs so we should have some flowers in the Spring. We had a special Father Christmas come to visit us for the day and the children loved him. He walked around the stalls saying "Ho, Ho, Ho" which did sound a bit like "Wo Wo Wo" but once he was in his Grotto he was in his element chatting with the children and listening to what they wanted for Christmas. Some of the requests brought a tear to his eyes but all in all I think he was happy to have been able to meet the lovely children of Downham Market. One even gave him a present.
I enjoyed the stalls and the lunch and the highlight was when I was asked to help out at the children's craft tables where they could make decorations or do paintings and colouring in of pictures. The town's Christmas lights were switched on on Sunday so we all feel that Christmas is just around the corner. I have started with the decorations at the manse and now have a lovely tree in the dining room.