Damp and dreary December

Damp, dreary, dispirited and dark... it must be December. We have just had the shortest day (or longest night) so any time soon it will get brighter.

Christmas shopping, I have decided, is a blood sport and should be banned by our politically correct cousins. There is no pleasure gained by trying to shop in a rugby scrum - or have I got this all wrong? Should I be enjoying this new contact sport? No thanks!
I am about to propose that the Queen honours something in the New Year Honours list that she has forgotten about in the past - Not Murphy!
Not some stupid show business Z-list ‘personality’ but something that tackles us all: TEA! Real tea, builder’s tea, stuff that a mouse could run across the surface of. This has done more for us than anyone.
Some forgotten king called loin of beef Sir Loin, so why not Sir Tea? Is that one lump or two, and milk in first?
This has more credence than some pompous oaf of a gourmet officer who has been regally paid to do their job, then honoured!

We have just returned from a trip out, even the dog is glad to be back, now curled up by a radiator. The ice has melted from most of the ponds, but the fridges are still “icebound”. Even whilst the ponds were virtually icebound there were a few hardy souls giving it a go.
I have decided they must have
a) a few marital problems
b) terrible TV reception
c) a bit kinky- into goose pimples and pain endeavours -or a touch of all three.

There are one or two birds, not exactly singing, but more like practicing their scales in participation for a later performance. I noticed that the male birds are looking very smart as they get their show clothes together. As the days lengthen they will be into action. Talking of these practicing musical performances, I was told of a musical chap who could get a tune out of a potato. Now that is musical!

Just back from a trip out. The frost has lifted. Not seen the squirrels for a day or two - they are obviously out today. They seem to be looking for the acorns etc. that they buried earlier, and yet seem to be forgetful to say the least.

Now most of the trees have lost their leaves you can see and be amazed at the dexterity of these grey acrobats. The birds have eaten all the holly berries and there is not a sloe to be seen.

During the frosty snap I saw trout which had jumped out of the water and been stranded on the ice. They were not wasted, something had them - lots for the heron, probably, who had the benefit of a trout supper.

Another couple of days and Christmas will be a memory until next year. I will leave you with a thought:
Nothing destroys the Christmas spirit faster than looking for a place to park.

See you,
Buggy Man and Murphy