Merry Christmas Everyone.

[Katharine]

Absolutely John. There's one equally as good in Felixstowe, which sadly I saw in the paper the other day is having to cut its hours due to Covid, and is even considering the possibility of closing for good and rely on internet orders instead.

I appreciate that the internet is very useful in tracking down a particular book that is located a long distance away, and would be unlikely to be purchased any other way. Personally though, I don't think anything can compare to the atmosphere of browsing the shelves of vintage books.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Like Katharine, Julie and Pete, I've also got a copy of Enid Blyton's Treasury without a dustwrapper. It cost £2 from a secondhand bookshop in Colwyn Bay about twelve years ago. It contains some great stories and illustrations and I'm delighted to have it. Sadly, the secondhand bookshop (which was there when I was a child) has since closed down.

[Katharine]

Wow, that sounds like a bargain. Shame about the shop.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

Happy Christmas everyone!

My conservation group usually has a Christmas dinner in a village hall in the run-up to Christmas prepared by competent cooks, with me arranging the tables and pass-the-parcel. But with Covid etc this year somehow the group decided on a cook-out in the woods, with me in charge.

I am qualified. I have a Girl Guide Camper’s badge and a CSE grade 4 in Home Economics. (For those unfamiliar with such qualifications, it probably meant that not only did I write my name at the top of the exam paper, but I also showed myself competent with a tin opener…)

However, I have not done a full size cook-out for nearly 10 years, sunset was 4pm and there was a serious menu-change 2 days before the event. What was in my favour is that a meal deemed ‘passibly ok’ is regarded as a great success under such circumstances, if not in the eyes of a CSE examiner.

I confess that I didn’t do anything in the way of work in the lovely coppice woodland on Saturday. Instead, nostalgic for Guide camp, I sourced some splendid straight Hazel poles and made a functional washing-up stand, using marlin spike hitch, clove hitch, square lashing and snake lashing. I had forgotten that a tripod is not a good option for a square bowl. Meanwhile the others were busy, sorting out useful poles and making a huge bonfire with the brash.

We had mulled wine, gammon, sausage, baked potato and sweet potato both wrapped in foil, leeks and broccoli both steamed in a fish kettle, and seasonal cakes in warm brandy sauce. Nothing burned!

How to pass-the-parcel in times of Covid? To avoid too much touching, everyone was asked to bring a large spoon, and the idea was to pass an egg around, spoon-to-spoon. In the dark, at first everyone thought it was a real egg, but in fact it was a rubber one I used to sell in the shop! The little music box mechanisms I used to sell provided the music; held aloft they hardly make a sound, but placed on a big metal box, the sound was audible several yards away. When the music stopped, a layer of the parcel could be unwrapped, revealing a clockwork train set.

Who says it’s a daft idea to play trains in a woodland, in the dark, in the middle of winter???

When we had cleared up, the battery lights put away and candles snuffed out, there was just the glow of the fire and some light from the full moon. It was DARK. It is fun to indulge your inner Robin Hood once in a while, but a bath and a warm bed was a welcome prospect!

Viv

[Boatbuilder]

It sounds like that was some evening, Viv and seems like you had a good time.

Here are two pictures that Viv has asked me to post for her, which I am pleased to do. She tells me that she is wearing the 'Christmas Pudding hat' (second picture).

[Katharine]

Well done Vivi on carrying on a tradition but in a Covid safe way.

It sounds like an excellent evening.

[joanne_chan]

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

[Moonraker]

Well done Vivi on carrying on a tradition but in a Covid safe way. It sounds like an excellent evening.

It looks like a scene from Midsomer Murders! Great fun though!

[Boatbuilder]

Viv has asked me to post this picture as well:

"The Train Set - with toilet roll tunnel and castle (could it be Corfe...). Glo-sticks were then added for illumination"

[pete9012S]

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Cheers Joanne - love that Diana cover!

I found some contents of this 1965 mag in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1811&p=407703#p407703

[Katharine]

Firelight, good food and a train set - what more could a person want?

Yes, that Diana cover is lovely - very festive.

[Lucky Star]

Looks and sounds wonderful Viv. Well done for keeping up the tradition in such trying times.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Nice you had a good time time, Viv.

Love the cover of the Diana. I used to have that annual and Bunty Annual as a young girl. I've still got one Bunty and one Diana Annual.

[Boodi 2]

The food preparation in the first photo looks very professional indeed (and is making me feel hungry). Well done Viv, I am really impressed and I love the train too!!!

[Anita Bensoussane]

Looks good, Viv! I have happy memories of Guide camp and cook-outs too.

I've got a few Diana and Bunty Annuals, Julie, and I still read them from time to time. I really like that cover, Joanne.