As the King once sang – What A Night!
Like most of the country, I lay awake listening to what sounded like the end of the world, last night. Rain lashing against the windows which were being shaken, rattled and rolled by the wind (do we notice an Elvis theme developing here?). In the end, I got up at five and I’ve been writing ever since, my pre-Christmas writer’s block appears to be over, I’m pleased to say.
It’s strange really, writing a book set in the heat of India, while it’s winter here. Although, perhaps with the rain and wind, I should have set it during the monsoon season! But that’s what writers do, I suppose; have the ability to transport themselves – and therefore their readers, too – to a place nothing like the room their sitting writing in. It’s like being in a parallel universe. And strange to, to be listening to Radio Two and all the messages being read out for people who were also up at the same time as me, but doing things like making mince pies, or trifles, or going to the supermarket. I am happy to report that I do not have to set foot in another supermarket until after Christmas, although I understand that many – most? – will be open again on Boxing Day. And I also heard mention on the radio yesterday that millions of people will make on-line purchases on Christmas Day. Am I missing something here? I sometimes think I’m switched off at the mains… Is it me or is it everyone else? :))
I had a nice pre-Christmas lunch with the Daughter yesterday. It was going to be a pre-Christmas dinner, but then the weather changed and so we changed our plans and I was very glad we had. My journey home was a struggle, not helped by the idiot lorry and HGV drivers who were belting down the A13 in very strong winds and limited visibility due to the rain, chucking water over everyone else, reducing visibility even further. At one point I thought I was driving through thick fog as the rain and the spray from a recycling vehicle were such that I couldn’t see. If anyone had touched their brakes yesterday there would have been a serious pile-up, they were driving so fast and so close to the vehicle in front. You just have to hope, rather like the idiot on the motorbike I encountered the other night, that if they are involved in an accident they kill or maim themselves rather than other people.
So, a few more pages of the book, then a visit to the Sister as I have some cards that people have sent to hers and then back home, to enjoy my Christmas Eve. I’ve got some of the wonderful Crabbe’s Alcoholic ginger Beer, some of my favourite snacks, sweet and savoury, and there’s a new Midsomer Murders on to watch by the light of my Christmas Twig that I decided on this year, instead of a tree, which looks starkly beautiful – very In the Bleak Midwinter. What more could a girl wish for? Then Christmas dinner with the Sister, followed by Boxing Day at the Brother and Sister-in-Law’s (it’s her birthday) with the Daughter and Nephews, which I’m really looking forward to. And then, it’s all over for another year.
Whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re doing it with – have a lovely Christmas! xx
