On Tuesday, we took in a meal at Pizza Express, chosen more for their acceptance of Tesco Clubcard tokens rather than their quality food, and then, as a surprise for Oliver, went to the Theatre to see Sleeping Beauty. It was fab - very, very funny and very well done. I drank a litre and a half of water though - after wine and a chilli pizza I had the thirst of - well, a thirty person really. Here is a pic of the view from Pizza Express - unrivalled I think in the City really, since it looks out on the magnificent west front of the Cathedral. so near Christmas, just as dusk was falling, it all felt so very, very atmospheric and lovely. Warm fuzzy feeling alert.

As if working at the hospital on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day wasn't enough, I found myself paying a visit on Christmas Day too! But as a paying customer, sorry - patient - not as an employee. Well - Oliver was the patient. He's been running a temperature for a few days, but very well in himself and we'd had the normal Christmas morning thrill of pressies and excitement, and we were settling down to a game when I noticed he seemed to have a rash. ANYway, we took him to A&E and after a very boring hour's wait - he doesn't have dengue fever, he has a viral rash. And this is him with his DS and new game (and in Christmas clothes) waiting to be seen. This was in the children's 'play area' of the waiting room, which contained the sofa Oliver is lounging on, and a book of nursery rhymes. Bugger me. This is a stretch of the definition of 'play area' if EVER I saw it....

We went on to have a lovely Christmas lunch at the in-laws and a walk through the country lanes and then on to my family for tea and undercurrents. Although I love my family dearly, I am finding it increasingly difficult to enjoy and like them, and found myself longing to be back at the in-laws where we had been welcomed with affection and laughter......

We are off on hols with my Mum & Dad, for the first time, so hope it all goes well. Would really like to enjoy it for lots of reasons. Will report back.

The only creative thing I have done in the last few days is finish off altering some wooden letters for my nieces. They seemed well-received.