Christmas

Well Christmas didn't quite begin as planned. Soon after midnight the phone rang. It was Urban-Cub. She was awaiting the ambulance to take her and Ellie to the hospital. In the end, such was the demand for ambulances, that they agreed to take her themselves.

Ellie spent several hours at the hospital and the conclusion was that she had a viral infection and it was affecting her ear. Several bouts of medicine later she was comfortable and her temperature and heart rate were back under control and by 4 o'clock in the morning she was sent home.

The Gorse Fox and the Silver Vixen got up early. Christmas dinner still had to be prepared even if we weren't quite sure at what time it would be needed. The ham (from yesterday) was sliced then all the vegetables prepared. The Gorse Fox was ready!

Eventually Urban-Cub, Pistol Pete, Jake, Amber, and Ellie arrived. The turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, parsnips, and sausage rolls were all put in to roast or bake. Everything was under control.

The Silver Vixen prepared a salmon, prawn, and salmon mousse cocktail. We had run out of Marie Rose sauce, so made our own with mayo and tomatoes ketchup. We were in the groove.

We paused to open Christmas presents and talk with Cousteau-Cub. Christmas wouldn't be complete without a chat with Cousteau-Cub and the Coventry Hobbit. Once we had bid them goodnight we got on with serving up. Lunch was a feast and nobody could claim they left the table hungry. Indeed the Gorse Fox did think of grabbing a trolley from the garage to help people move from their chairs.

Urban-Cub and the family have gone home now. She's on an early shift in the morning. The Gorse Fox and the Silver Vixen will have a quiet evening.