that’s all folks (until the 29th, anyway)…

The bags are packed, the fridge is cleared and my train departs in twenty hours or so – outside, the city is peaceful and the queues in the M&S food hall a week ago are well and truly gone.

I have spent the last couple of days wrapping up for the week (and pretty much the year) trying to fit everybody in between doing final errands around the neighbourhood, while still getting out to join in with the carols at Granary Square (including a walk past the Google building hoping to spot a fox or two) and see some Christmas trees now mine is here! The giant Fortnum & Mason tree at the Royal Exchange was a particular favourite on my walk back up from my old stomping ground by the monument the other day, but all baubles are fine by me.

Tonight brings a festive trip to the BFI for the second well-considered double bill in a week (and one far easier on the back than last weeks’ epic One Battle After Another/Sinners combination, possibly the best programmed cinema day of the year bar the Final Destination marathon a couple of months back), and Terminator will be starting soon. The Maltesers are packed and ready!

Needless to say, my phone is off and will not be back on until Monday 29th; since I don’t use email, this means I am persona non grata for the next eight days which is not only deliberate, but entirely as it should be. The oft-mentioned peace and goodwill are for me too, as is the TV, chocolate and some seriously long lie-ins, especially since my other bedroom has a TV and a fridge.

Song Of The Week is one I look forward to listening to every Christmas, plus extra reindeer!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Back next week…