Christmas Over

As I’ve said in previous years, I’m no great fan of Christmas. The few days before are great but then after the frivolity of Christmas Eve and to a lesser extent Christmas Day everything just drops off the cliff a bit, for me at least.

Boxing Day as ever starts with the Furnace Run on Darley Park in Derby. The Lad makes his debut this year with me, while MD runs with Daughter.

Then we drop Daughter at her father’s with her treating us, as last year, to a ‘Baileys’ in the Nags Head. Although she is the only one actually drinking Baileys.

Then we’re free of family and able to do our own thing. We had promised ourselves to do our own Christmas Day today but that’s not as easy as you think. The few curry places that were doing Christmas Day don’t seem to be doing Boxing Day and anyway, I ate that much yesterday I’m not sure I could do it justice.

So instead we walk the dogs over to Beeston, which is something we used to do years ago when Doggo was still a fit boy, and we go in the Crown. It’s quite busy though and we’re squashed in a corner in the back room, but the Lad still has a great time... so we don't overstay our welcome. 

(Wednesday 26^th December)

Curry For Beginners

L gets her first Christmas present of the year when a friend gives her snowman socks. Which, if she wears them today, is a way of (sort of) getting in the spirit of Christmas Jumper Day without actually participating.

Today is also my work’s night out which this year is a curry at Anoki in Derby which in my opinion is a serious upgrade on our normal Christmas Party night at the Roundhouse. The best bit of the evening is usually the pre-meal pub trip but this year everyone has decided to scrap that and stay in the office for drinks instead, with the company supplying plenty of bottles. It’s fun but its not the same.

During this the Secret Santa takes place and I get a miniature bottle of Baileys despite not actually contributing. 

Then it’s Anoki which many of us are really looking forward to as they have a very exciting menu. Only to be told when we get there that it’s a set menu. Oh. Which they only tell us about after they’ve sold everyone at least two drinks. Worst than that it’s a 'curry for beginners' set menu, so there's nothing remotely spicy. They do say we can add a few dishes, so I add a Jalfrezi. When this comes it is quite simply the hottest variation I’ve ever seen presumably to shut me up for being awkward.

So not a perfect night but still much better than the Roundhouse. We roll out of the restaurant quite late and for some reason end up in a bar called Seymours. Which, as it happens, is the bar in which I once seduced a young girl called L. Ah, sweet memories.

I believe the rest of our crowd then went clubbing but I get 12:15 bus home. L did offer to pick me up but I didn’t want to come between her and a glass of wine. She also threatened to turn up in her new fleecy PJs, although that sort of thing, e.g. driving around in PJs, is very in vogue at the moment.

They’re all in bed when I get home apart from Doggo who is waiting downstairs for me or perhaps he's just waiting for someone to give him a hand getting up the stairs.

(Friday 15^th December)

Bucket Of Baileys

Today is the Global Bike to Work Day Challenge and I’ve not cycled. Actually, I imagine a lot of folk haven’t cycled as it’s a wee bit wet out there. I punish myself by going for a hot 'n' sweaty workout in the velodrome gym instead.

Then when I’m back home I fit a new rear tyre to my bike to hopefully cure my persistent puncture problem. The tyre arrives in a tiny little box, having been folded over several times. How cute, who’d have thought you do that? Then you cut the tape holding it all together and it springs out quickly becoming a real life full size tyre.

After not looking too keen on the bottle of Baileys that arrived from my Mum for her birthday, L seems to be getting into it and we both have a shot tonight. If shot is the right word? Perhaps it should be slug of Baileys? Or perhaps bucket of Baileys?

(Tuesday 10^th May)