Seasonal Festivities commence

The cold snap has receded somewhat, although it’s still chilly and dreich and icy in places. Yesterday Ally and Cat arrived in Glasgow by train, very late due to delays caused by the train strikes (which still disrupted travel even though Thursday wasn’t officially a strike day.) Their 5.30 p.m. train was cancelled and they finally left London at about 9 p.m. In fact it would be more accurate to say that they actually arrived very early this morning, at about 2.30 a.m. They had very kindly insisted that they would get a taxi from Central Station to Cambuslang rather than us collecting them, and by the time they arrived we were so fast asleep that we didn’t even hear them come in. It was nice to wake up this morning to find them safely arrived. 

Then this afternoon Davie and Chanel arrived by car from Manchester, Chanel’s school term having finished yesterday. It is lovely to have a houseful of young people, and we celebrated by all watching a film together; “Spirited” starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. It’s sort of a modern take on the Scrooge story, with some really good original ideas. It is also a musical, with much singing and energetic dancing. We all enjoyed it, and it seemed like an appropriate way to start our festive time together. 

It has been a festive week; on Wednesday I had brunch with Jackie at the Ivy in Buchanan Street. We had such a lovely chat and she insisted on treating me as my 60th birthday present! Then last night I had my EK Book Club Christmas night out. We watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Elaine’s house, except that some of the girls talked throughout the film which was kind of annoying. I shall not name names! We then had an excellent dinner at Arigo in East Kilbride village which redeemed the evening, and Don kindly gave Elaine and me a lift home. And then we had lunch at Hilary and Steven’s today, Heidi and Alex were there too and there was much chat and laughter. I took a musical box filled with chocolates and shaped like a balalaika for Hilary and Steven to put in their Dacha. They were very pleased with it. 

Also yesterday I went to my five week appointment at the fracture clinic, where I had my plaster removed. Boy is it stiff and sore! The nurse assured me that the bones are healed and that the pain is due to my arm being immobilised for five weeks. I have a list of excruciating exercises to do, and hopefully my arm will feel better soon.