Coming - Ready or Not.

From 1990 to 2004 we were out on the road, travelling the length and breadth of the country (and one year to Canada and the USA) with 'Stuff the Turkey' (the Artisan Christmas Show), usually finishing the last gig late on 23rd December. Most years we did between 20 and 25 consecutive shows. One year we did 28 shows in 27 days. It was exhausting but enjoyable and (let's be honest) profitable. We lived on motorway packet sandwiches for the month, rarely having time to stop and eat a full sit-down hot meal at the appropriate time. Our Christmas shopping was done in snatches in whatever town we were playing that night, ususlly between setting up the stage and soundchecking for the show. I can heartily recommend Worcester and Colchester for quality and quantity of interesting shops within relatively easy walking distance of the venue, but I always particularly enjoyed Richmond (N. Yorks) for atmosphere and a few last minute bargains.

Then, all of a sudden the last notes of the final encore died away, the stage set and PA were packed into the van for the last time and after a cold dark drive home we were stumbling through the door and up the stairs to our own bed at last with just a few hours sleep and then half a day to get ready for Christmas.

And this is what I learned.

Even if you haven't had time to hoover the stair carpet Christmas comes just the same and is just as enjoyable, so don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the occasion and the people you are with. Relax and have fun.

This year we've had pleanty of time to put up the tree (above) and we even invested in some new baubles. Eska (right) was initially curious, though has (so far) ignored it. Of course, having some light dog-caging around it helps. It wouldn't keep her off if she was determined, but I'm sure the scent of pine needles is not particularly tempting to a dog.

I've made mulled wine (bottled and in the fridge) and instead of Christmas cakes I've made Guinness and whisky cakes this year. Mum's making the mince pies (she's a whizz at pastry!)

I've delivered a big Christmas hamper to my Zulu friends. The family and friends presents are bought, made, wrapped and labelled. Son is home from the USA. Daughter and family can't come up for Christmas this year as son-in law's American bank only gives their employees Christmas Day off (not even Boxing Day), so he's working Monday and Wednesday (how Scrooge is that!) so I shipped a big box of presents down last week. Our friend Sarah arrives on 28th for a week, so it will be an extended holiday for us.

With only four of us for Christmas dinner (Brian, Joe, Mum and me) I've not bought a whole turkey, instead I've bought a fresh turkey crown stuffed with caramelised chestnut stuffing (Marks and Spencer) and I'll do a ham as well.

Christmas Eve is food prep during the day and in the evening we go to the big sing round the village Christmas tree (and then there's the final episode of Merlin on TV).

So that's it; we're all sorted. I hope you are, too.

Merry Christmas to one and all and a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year.

Wes Hael.