Christmas Eve 2020

 This is the first Christmas Eve I have spent totally alone - and it's all thanks to the Pandemic. Last year, the Daughter and Son-in-Law spent Christmas Eve with me, which helped enormously. I also had offers of visits to and from other people, which just isn't possible this Christmas.

I set a schedule for the day so that I didn't have time on my hands in which to ruminate and brood.

After a suitably festive lunch, of salmon mousse with wholemeal rolls and Cremant D'Alsace, I walked the local estate with Alf, taking photos of all the houses that had decorated their frontage in some way. 

There seemed to be far less than usual, but I suspect we have the late change of rules to thank for that.

   

      

Some had made take great care with their decorations, helping to spread some Christmas Cheer through the gloom. Christmas Eve was a bright, crisp day  and I give thanks for the weather and the weather and the efforts of my neighbours.

I also decorated Levant II with the new cushions, in the hope that I might take tea inside. Unfortunately, the recent gales and rain had lifted the Skadu and the rear of the interior needed bailing.

Christmas Eve dinner had already been planned - Salmon en Croute with carrots and peas. I washed it down with more Cremant and finished off the evening by opening presents and indulging in my favourite chocolates. 

Alf has decided that his new squeaky, Donkey-Donk, is the best present eva. He's not so sure about the bandana I bought from the Dog Pack Store

              

My neighbour, Kate, included a Christmas Box for Alf in my gift package.

There were some lovely, thoughtful, presents, including a late-evening delivery by The Dog Pack owners, with my order and my prize for winning the virtual Quiz. 

Christmas Eve without Eamonn was hard. This whole year has been even more lonely than I thought it would be. I know it's been hard on most people, but it's especially hard for those of us who are struggling with bereavement and longing for contact with friends and family. I don't think even in my wildest nightmares, did I foresee just how hard it is.