Well what a funny old Christmas break that was. My aunt remained in hospital throughout the period and this just put everything out of kilter. Christmas Day itself was odd as Mum and I decided to drive to Peterborough mid-morning to see Auntie, leaving the boys at home. Dougie thought he should really have come with us but I told him he was better placed staying with Rory and they could do the preparation for the dinner. My aunt was still, at this stage, quite confused, so it made no difference if we didn’t all troop in to see her.
When I knew we would be going to Peterborough Hospital on Christmas Day I couldn’t cope with the idea of a turkey or big roast and the associated timing issues, so we bought chicken breasts marinaded in lemon and green pepper from Wimberley Hall Farm Shop and they proved to be a huge success. Half an hour in the oven, served with roast potatoes and the usual trimmings – they were delicious and saved an enormous amount of time.
We didn’t play our usual round of Arthritic Charades with the inlaws – we were all too tired. We did, however, have a quiz which, on the whole, was answered with more common sense than is the norm apart from one question: “What name is given to an animal with four legs?” The answer was a quadruped but I suppose ‘a horse’ was technically correct.
A big hit were the racing reindeer crackers. Dougie’s dad struggled to wind his up properly, believing he should twist its head to make it move, but once corrected the race was on. The reindeer didn’t quite behave as they should – none of them moved in a straight line and, no matter how many times we tried, Prancer was keen to rear-end Dasher which, maybe on account of the alcohol consumed by this stage of the day, caused much childish mirth from all of us. When Cupid joined in for a threesome we were helpless with laughter. Easily amused.
Mum’s return journey to Newcastle was eventful as it occurred on the day after Boxing Day when the East Coast trains were affected by the over-running of planned engineering works. That deserved a special post of its own so my column this week in the Lincolnshire Free Press will give you all the detail – I’d love you to read it so you can appreciate my poor mother’s plight.
Chaos (just like the war) spirit.
On New Year’s Eve my aunt was transferred to our local community hospital so I can visit her more frequently. Hopefully she will be discharged back home soon although she has now been in hospital twice as long as she had been in her new flat so can hardly remember anything about it.
We took Rory back to Exeter on 3 January which seemed far too soon: those three weeks had passed in a blur. He has returned to exams but also an interesting few months ahead: it’s an exciting time to be studying politics when there is a general election looming. He is already planning to see a number of speakers from various parties who have been booked to speak to the students.
As for me, I’ve decided I need to return to my singing so am planning to get involved in the next musical with Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society. They are putting on Half a Sixpence in May. Rehearsals start this week and, although I don’t know yet what part I have (chorus suits me fine this time) I am looking forward to exercising – lungs and limbs.
'Half a Sixpence, is better than half a penny, is better than half a ?, is better than none'! I remember Tommy Steele's rendition very well, apart from the missing word! Hope it all goes well for you. Glad your Xmas went off relatively well. I once visited Peterborough Hospital in 1969 when my Grandmother was involved in a very bad train crash while travelling from London to Edinburgh. The train derailed just outside Peterborough and the injured were taken to the hospital there. The railway people paid for our fares down and they put us up in a rather grand hotel whose name escapes me now but I remember I couldn't eat anything because I was so worried about my Grandmother. Will your Aunt be able to live alone now? Hope she continues to improve. xxx
The missing word is 'farthing'….it's a catchy tune, isn't it.
What a story about the train crash! I wonder if the hotel was the Great Northern? That's just in front of the station and has been there for many years. The hospital has only recently moved – it used to be the district hospital in the middle of town and us now the 'city' a little further out and very swish.
I do hope she can live alone again. She had care twice a day beforehand so maybe will be ok with a little bit more added. At least in the retirement flat there is a house manager during the week and call care in emergency. We'll see how it goes.
Yes, Trish, it probably was The Great Northern since it was a railway hotel and I remember how vast it seemed. I don't remember the journey to the hospital, just that my Mum made me wear my school uniform for the visit and how pleased my Nana, despite all her pain and bad injuries, was to see me. We had to travel back up to Edinburgh with her laid out on a stretcher (and absolutely terrified to be travelling by train again) in one of the first class compartments, accompanied by a nurse. I always felt sorry for that lovely nurse having to travel all the way back to Peterborough by herself! Funny what we remember, isn't it?
It's quite a story – I wonder if there is anything on the internet about it: some archive mentioning it? I will have a look. Fascinating they should take your grandmother back to Edinburgh by train rather than ambulance.
Blimey. That's a Christmas and a half. Probably one of those that didn't feel like Christmas at the time but when you look back on it, it will seem very Christmassy indeed.
I doubt it, Steve….I've had better ;-))
So the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd is pulling you back eh? Good for you.
The issues with your Aunt are replicated by many of us in one way or another – I do wonder if the idea of all living together in a commune might be the way forward? or am I just thinking back to my hippie ideals…in reality its bloody hard work caring for the elderly…anyhoo ..keep us posted on the theatrics!
A commune sounds perfect. It does make you think about how we care for the elderly in this country. The idea of sharing care in some way must be the way forward. I think I had this grand idea that my aunt would move up to her retirement home, make lots of friends and I would just pop in and see her every week. What was I thinking! I didn't factor in poor health.
Not entirely a relaxing Christmas then, but glad to hear there was fun to be had too. Good news that your Aunt is closer to home, and I laughed out loud at the reindeer being wound up by its head! 😀 xx
He nearly ripped its feet off too before we showed him where the little twisty button was!!
Sounds like you had a busy time, and made the most of it. What a good idea to start the year getting involved in the new production. You'll enjoy that, and more so after the stresses of last year. 🙂
Since I wrote this there has been a change of plan on the musical front. Half a Sixpence has gone by the wayside. We will be doing something else, maybe a 'songs from the west end' kind of thing. Watch this space!
Hoping all goes well with auntie and also the new production x
Thank you x
Look forward to hearing more about your singing, and really hope your aunt is improving all the time. It sounds an unusual Christmas really. Hope things settle down soon!
Thanks Sarah – I hope so!
I don't know where people get the stereotype of English reserve – your family always seem to have the most hilarious celebrations together! Cheers to you for getting back on the horse (so to speak) it's actually within the realm of possibility that I might even be able to come to see one of your shows this time! You'll be pleased to know I've found a local group to sing with here in Bristol (assuming I pass the audition,) following your example! Hope your aunt continues to improve and you won't be burning the candle at quite so many ends in the next few months. xx
The word 'reserve' and my family just don't go together.
Great news about the singing group in Bristol – I think that's a super idea. As I've said in a comment above, the musical has now been cancelled (not enough men people: it needs lots of men and a big chorus) so something else is on the cards. Either way, I will be warbling again.
I hope you aunt will be able to come out of hospital soon and get reacquainted with her flat soon. Looks like your Mum took it all in her stride on her return journey despite the lack of G&T!
I love reading about your family Christmas and was at first disappointed by the lack of arthritic charades this year, but the naughty racing reeinders more than made up for this!! ;o) xx
Mu aunt should be discharged soon – I'm praying she will settle back home ok.
Mum does love her first class G&Ts 🙂
The reindeer were such a great idea: simple yet effective way of getting everyone laughing.
Good to know in the absence of stuffing the turkey, that the reindeer could be relied on to meet the festive expectations.
Sympathies on the older generation front, first day in school in reverse, life turning full circle.
Lovely to hear from you, Bryce. I suppose I could have stuffed a chicken breast but who has time for that.
Yes, that's just how it is. It's tough isn't it.