The Grandkids have opened their presents, Joe now spends all night starring at the Moon and Stars with a telescope that we were concerned would be mistaken for a rocket launcher when we brought it on the plane to Spain. Amber has roller blades and is hurtling up and down the promenade in a reckless fashion. When she first learned to roller blade in Holland she was very fast but with no idea of how to stop. She hasn’t changed.


These are of course only two of many presents they received. They both now have new watches, computer games, books and various other things, not bad seeing as they no longer believe in Father Christmas. Alex and Christine, who may I add at this point still does believe, also seem to have done quite well. As usual David and myself got the normal handkerchiefs, books, sweets and after shave. But the real bonus this year was the amount of thought that has gone into some of the presents.






Take mine for instance. The new John Grisham book, that’s OK I have read all his books. Lots of chocolates and fudges, I also like them so it’s all going well at the moment. The new Katherine Jenkins CD, brings back fond memories of sitting all night at the Humber Bridge looking at her chest(Just checking her breathing patterns, of course). Must be a good excuse to put the picture back again. Is she better than Kylie in those boots? Close thing!


Then I come to another from Christine. I open it and see that it is a package from Belkin so it must be something for my computer. Is it a new software package? Is it a webcam? That would be useful. I rip the paper off to find............!


It’s a device for playing an Ipod in a car. Not a bad present you may say but think about it! You will of course remember that the Ipod belongs to Christine and is not being classed as a ‘we’ thing, my music is not allowed to be on it. You should also remember that Christine has claimed the car as her own being the replacement for the Clio which was hers before I retired and had my very nice Volvo company car confiscated. So here we have it, a present from Christine to me so she can listen to her Ipod in her car.


The car already has a six change CD multi changer plus one extra in the dashboard so playing any CD I want isn’t really a problem. The Ipod has none of my music on anyway so it is difficult to see how this present is beneficial to me at all, a question that I raise with Christine.


The problem is I just don’t follow the logic. On a long journey, Christine tells me, when her Ipod runs out of battery she starts talking to me which seems to annoy me. With this new device it will never run out of power so there we have the benefit. I try to explain that the only reason I get annoyed with her talking is while I’m listening to a football match or Talksport Radio and now the match won’t be on at all.


“There you are then” says Christine “Told you it would be better”. I pick up the next present to open. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a subscription to Homes and Garden!!



Merry Christmas to everyone our wishes for a great new year. Christine and Keith