WELL that’s it, Christmas for me is over. My whisky is finished, and I can’t fasten my favourite charity shop leather pants that keep my skinny pins warm in the winter. 

I got glasses from the said shop for visitors, but no-one came. So fiddle-de-dee, maybe they were being cautious.

I gave gifts before Christmas and received a floral jigsaw. I’m not keen on flowers or jigsaws but I accepted gracefully. Mostly I’ve taken dog out to Holmehead, Bitts and Rickerby Parks and in the city centre and was thrilled on seeing so many happy, smiling faces.

Some good has happened in that – after much shampooing and forcing him to sit in salt water, I’ve finally got rid of the dog’s fleas. The poor mutt dared not scratch lest I attack him with the flea comb if I found it.

Also, with help over the phone from my piano teacher, I can now play Old MacDonald Had A Farm on my keyboard. Next – the Warsaw Concerto!

It seems TV has gone all out to lift our spirits this year for it worked for me with the great Billy Connolly, Pavarotti and the smiles of those and the irrepressible Desmond Tutu are infectious.

Having said I’m not keen on flowers, I’m looking forward to our green spaces being covered in daffodils and crocuses.

I hope everyone out there had a comfortable, even if unexciting Christmas, wherever they are, whether they are alone or not and hope they enjoy a happy, healthy New Year.

One more thing... I must get back to my second jigsaw, I’m addicted.

E Hillier and dog
Carlisle