So, the festive celebrations are done and dusted, somewhat differently but surprisingly enjoyable nonetheless.
We three managed to feel part of the littlest's Christmas Day (and beyond) courtesy of FaceTime and the telly, with both households sticking to the usual routine and timings.
Prior to the big day, me and the Boy, as planned, met up with my girlie in the car park of a motorway service area to handover bags of presents (I'd worked a few shifts in Santa's workshop to renovate little wooden bunk beds for teddies which had belonged to littlest's mummy and were at the top of The List) and food. Plenty of mask wearing and socially distanced others were doing the same, a sight which made me tearful (it doesn't take much).
Despite covid restrictions, and the challenges the mister's dementia adds, there were several breaks from the almost incessant gorging (that mince pie eating contest? I won!) with visits to the RSPB reserve, a park, the mudflats at the mouth of the river, and me and the Boy managed an evening walk along the beach.
There was a rapid access hospital appointment which ended with very good news.
Most nights involved several rounds of Exploding Kittens (I love that game, possibly because I'm slightly less crap at playing it than I am Cluedo and Scrabble).
We had snow.
And a leaking roof.
2020 was waved goodbye with some considerable relief and the new year welcomed, albeit tentatively.
Whilst we can but hope for an easier ride over the next twelve months, I think it's safe to say I won't be making any resolutions or plans.
I'll definitely be continuing with the Netflix subscription, maintaining a stock of pasta and tinned tomatoes and relying, I'm sure, on the stack of Christmas present books (and a subscription for even more) for some pleasurable escape.
Thank you so much for your continued visits and comments. They are very much appreciated.
Happy New Year.
Edited to add: Typepad appears to be playing up and not all of the pictures posted may be visible. You can right click on the image number and open in new tab to view.