Argh, I am all behind with livejournally-ness again!

[strange_complex]

I shall have to resort to numbered paragraphs.

1. I spent the weekend in a cottage near Ledbury, enjoying the 10th Annual Winsley Road Posse Christmas Meal. The choice of Ledbury was pretty random, really, based on reasonably equal travelling distances for all of us, and a nice-looking cottage within taxiable range of a railway station. But it was a good choice. The cottage exceeded all our expectations, while the lady we were letting it from had even left us a real live Xmas tree, a plate of mince pies and a lovely fire smouldering in the grate when I arrived. It was fabulous to catch up with everyone again, and enjoy the cottage, the grounds and the crisp but sunny weather together. We were all a bit bemused to find ourselves smoothly and professionally cooking a fabulous meal, eating it on an antique oak dining table and passing round port afterwards: all something of a contrast with meal number 1. Anyone would think we were grown-ups now, or something! But it was great, and so great in fact that we unanimously decided the book the cottage up again for the equivalent weekend next year before we left.

2. Last night was another jovial Christmas gathering, this time with the oxgoths in the Chequers. Presents aplenty were distributed amongst the assembled company, chocolates munched and silly hats worn. We even attempted to play Christmas carols in chorus, with Spiky Neil conducting us and each person blowing on a differently-pitched whistle. Just one of those evenings that makes you feel really glad to have the friends you have.

3. And, finally, isn't Radio 3's Christmas Bachathon a stroke of genius? I don't tend to listen to Radio 3 all that much, but now that it's offering 100% Guaranteed Bach every time I switch it on, things have become quite different. I even threw over the Today programme this morning, setting my alarm to wake me up with one of his cantatas instead. Chatting to friends, I think a lot of people are doing the same sort of thing, and I don't doubt it's doing their audience figures a world of favours. Now, how about a Handel New Year, eh?

4. Ah, it's time for Futurama! Bye. :)

Comments

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

The Christmas Bachathon is a wonderful idea, except that I don't get to hear anything like enough of it because I'm at work, meep, meep. :-(

Futurama, yay! Zoidberg for PM. :-D

*Whoopwhoopwhoop* *scuttle*

[megamole.livejournal.com]

As I keep saying, Zoidberg is Cthulhu's unappreciated little brother. Poor Zoidby. (sends Zoidby a cuddle).

Futurama rules! But I've got to watch Rome tonight... the States played merry hell with my schedule, and I must have missed at least one episode. Though I did see last week's.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

You have long hair, though. I should think you'd have no trouble concealing a small radio playing through an unobtrusive headphone into one ear. ;)

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's not the problem. I listen to my mp3 player at work a heck of a lot, and nobody minds that at all - in fact they know I work much better with it and am more relaxed, so it is positively encouraged. It's just the little matter that I don't have a portable radio...

[megamole.livejournal.com]

You should have said... I could have bought you a portable digital one for Christmas.

I still can.

Anything for my big sister... ;-)

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Awww, no, bless you, you've already got me the Handel. And I've only made you the one sheep, which does not appear to have gone astray so far!

[angeoverhere.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for the weekend! I'm just uploading the pictures now. Should I mail you them for your site?

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes please - that would be fab!