Considering the amount of snow and ice we've encountered over the last two decades the last year of this decade,2009, has been exceptional. Two episodes of snow and cold icy conditions this year have broke the mould of a centimeter or two of snow that disappears the next day. Although it's not been anywhere near the wintry conditions I remember as a child. Back then we frequently struggled through snow deep enough to cover our wellies. Snow one to two feet deep was not considered an unusual occurrence. Skating on the fenland waterways and ponds happened every year at some point during the winter.
As we get older, snowy winters are not as welcome any more, pretty though they are. For seniors, any icy areas are to be avoided as any cost. Our increasingly unsteady gait over slippery ice brings worries of fractured hip or other bones. Not to mention cuts and bruises and the total embarrassment of a fall.
During this snowy interlude many of the small side roads and culdesac and pathments have been covered by ice sheets caused by compresses snow, melting a, little followed by overnight freezing. Holding the car steady and controlled in these conditions is a acquired skill that many younger driver haven't gained yet.
We had a fairly quite Christmas day, staying at home with D.J. as our only Christmas dinner guest this year. I cheated and cooked an already prepared three bird roast. I must admit though, as exotic as it sounds, none of us were overly impressed. Next year we'll stick with a traditional bird to roast.
The afternoon saw us driving over to Sean & Dawn's to see the Grand kids and Great Grand kids. DJ had suffered one of his usual sleepless nights and was sleeping by this time so we let him be and left him home.
A cold sunny Boxing Day saw us driving to Haconby, a small village North of Bourne in Lincolnshire to a family gathering at my Niece's home. Their home was toasty and welcoming with a newly installed log burning stove.
We had a festive fun day with the family. Bev and Barry are excellent hosts and the food and drinks flowed in abundant. Lately, in my senior years I have become a 'tea totaI' but having imbibed a fair quantity of Baileys last year while in Vancouver I just managed to keep the Bailey's on ice to just the one. Ever conscious of the increasing waistline!!!
Later in the afternoon the Twister mat was brought out. This is not a game for me or us oldies but the youngsters enjoyed and cheated at it. My long limbed brother in Law is usually an enthusiastic player but this year a rather delicate operation a couple of weeks before Christmas kept him firmly on the couch. The Wii was the next on the agenda Less energetic but mentally taxing was the Brain games, were, we were all well and truly trounced by the brainy 11 year old Lauren.
The increasingly rotund, pregnant, Bev decided to test out the reclining benefits of their new leather furniture. I think a rest was well and truly deserved as we all had a great day.
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