Fulham, London December 23rd 2023
Frances and Ian with Zach, Margot and Phoebe
Christmas Eve. For the first time in forever it was just the two of us.
I had booked a table at "The Wildcard" for six thirty. Neither of us had been in there since, in its old life, it was "Napoleon's" Casino. We didn't know what to expect - especially on a Christmas Eve when things can go a little crazy.
However, we needn't have worried. The place was fairly busy but not oppressively so and the music was not so loud. Shirley had tacos with pulled pork but I had a "Slam-Dunk Deluxe Burger" with smoked bacon and cheese sauce plus chips (American: fries). And scrumptious it was too - the best burger meal I have had this side of the pandemic.
We walked back along Ecclesall Road to "The Dark Horse" bar for one extra drink before heading home. Gone are the days when Christmas Eve was a booze fest though it probably still is for many younger citizens of this fair city.
Tomorrow, Frances, Stew and their little girls will be driving back up north from London. Hopefully, soon after they arrive home they will be tucking into a nice Christmas dinner that Shirley and I have agreed to prepare in their house. This is so they don't have to uproot themselves and the two little ones again after a four hour car journey and Phoebe can open her gifts in her own time in her own home.
On Christmas Eve, many of us think of Christmases past and the nostalgia may ache like mental arthritis. I look at the joyous meeting at the top and feel pangs of sorrow that my parents never got to see it, nor Shirley's parents, nor my brothers Paul and Simon. Life goes on. You are on the bus or you are off it.
Happy Christmas Everyone
Merry Christmas Mr Pudding.
ReplyDeleteThe bus might be getting a bit old and rusty but it still gives a hell of a ride.
Old buses have character.
Deleteas well as shakes, rattles and wheezes :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful photo! Merry Christmas Neil and Shirley!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Jennifer.
DeleteMerry Christmas. We have a Christmas morning on our own as well, but an action packed afternoon. I love the look on Phoebe's face. That photo is a treasure. Merry Christmas to the pudding clan.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debby and I hope the afternoon and evening have gone well.
DeleteFinally a Merry Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteWe got there in the end thanks to your Italian countdown!
DeleteLife gets intense around grand kids. They grow and develop quickly.
ReplyDeleteBefore you know it the bus has travelled into the foothills.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous family! Merry, Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you Damselfly. I hope you had a great Christmas Day.
DeleteWhat a smashing photo! Happy Christmas to you all!
ReplyDeleteI remember my dad being sorry that my Liam, the first grandchild, came 18 months after dads father died. It was a "so near but so far" kind of grief. Part of the wheel of life which you reference so poignantly
I never knew either of my blood grandfathers. It feels like a gap - a deficiency somehow.
DeleteWishing you and all your little puddings a very merry Christmas and may 2024 be kind to you all. Xx
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you to leave such a message in the light of what you have been going through this year.
DeleteMerry Christmas to the entire Pudding clan!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful picture, and of course I love Phoebe's Christmassy dress.
There used to be a time when there'd regularly be 10 or 12 people around the table on Christmas Eve. Now we're down to three, and of course last night we were talking about those who are no longer there. But we are still very much on the bus and (mostly) enjoying the ride.
It is what those who left the bus would have wanted.
Delete*snap* I was thinking earlier today that my parents never got to meet the twins and how they would now be great-great grandparents had they lived.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very lovely photo today.
P.S. Merry Christmas to all of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling by and being so nice Elsie.
DeleteHave a lovely day. We are just the 2 of us this morning for the first time ever. Feels a bit weird, but less stressful. Also, the first time dinner isn't at our house! Hope that Frances and family will beat the traffic and get there in time for dinner!
ReplyDeleteThey were here by one fifteen and had a great run up from Surrey - via the M25.
DeleteA wonderful photo to treasure. Merry Christmas to you all.
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago, I never thought that I would ever see such a picture! I hope you had a good day Carol.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family YP.
ReplyDeleteThank you young man. Sixty is the new forty. I hope that you had a lovely Christmas Day with your special people.
DeleteNeil, I'm echoing so many of these same sentiments myself today. Have a wonderful Christmastide, and enjoy every moment with those precious little ones. My love to you all. x
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your continuing kindness Elizabeth. I hope you had a great day.
DeleteMerry Christmas! Yes, whatever "ideal" Christmas we may cling to in our memories, exactly how, where and with whom we celebrate, inevitably goes through some changes over the decades...
ReplyDeleteYou speak wise words Monica. I hope you had a good day.
DeleteThat's a lovely family photo. Hope you are all enjoying your Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThe dinner was excellent and the crew got back safely from London at one fifteen. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Day in Siena without money.
DeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDid you hear the echo David?
DeleteI'm having a Christmas predominantly on my own. Kay has been working night shifts and sleeping during the day. As one gets older, that is often the case. But luckily I will snatch a few hours with her later today. Your little family brood looks delightful. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI believe that Kay means more to you than any other living person and it is good that you got to spend some time with her yesterday.
DeleteHappy Christmas, YP! That's a great photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve.
DeleteMerry Christmas, Neil, to you and your whole gang!
ReplyDeleteYour message is echoed back across the ocean Ellen.
DeleteMy mum's been gone ten years and I miss her still.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Mr. Pudding and have a wonderful time with your grandchildren.
My father died in 1979 but in a spooky way I still feel his presence. Thanks for being a friend in these past few blogging years.
DeleteA perfect little family group. Belated Merry Christmas. x
ReplyDeleteI've been off blog for a few days but send you belated Christmas greetings and good thoughts for the new year. It's always a pleasure to meet a new blogger! Thanks for coming over to Marmelade Gypsy. You asked about my spelling of "marmelade/marmalade." It was somewhat deliberate -- though at first an accident! But once set it was hard to change (and it does make it a bit easier in an online search!). I hope to see you again, meanwhile, happy new year!
ReplyDelete