Turkey day

Half a world away, Dad’s ashes were scattered at his favourite beach by my family, gathered in each other’s arms, missing him. They celebrated his life with fish and chips. He would have loved it.

Meanwhile, I made my way into Farnham to collect the turkey for tomorrow. I’d ordered it online a fortnight ago (just in case) and turned up at Waitrose at the appropriate hour.

I’d brought along a small collar and Emma’s lead because I didn’t fancy carrying a squawking fowl all the way home. I’d promised Jason he could help me strangle it, pluck it and prepare it for lunch. As it turned out, the butchers at Waitrose had already done all that and it fitted nice and quietly in my wicker basket.

At home, Mirinda had gone over to spend the morning with Bob and came back with three incredible looking bottles of French red wine (thank you Bob). I spent the rest of the morning in last minute preparation after an entirely unexpected and lovely hour on Skype with Mum – I was at my laptop and saw she was logged in. Naturally I tried calling her and she answered. Perfect.

Once Mirinda had returned, we wrapped a load of presents in our usual pieces of material and ribbon.

Then, at 2-ish, Bob joined us and we had a quick drink (beer for me, G&T for them) before we all walked in to Farnham for a late lunch/early dinner at Brasserie Blanc. What a splendid feast we had! I have to say it was marvellous. The tartare beef, the pork belly and the brilliant Normandy apple tart. All washed down with a house red. Again, thank you Bob.

Back at home, Bob left for the cottage while we settled down to a night of Homeland, mince pies, cheese sticks and generally doing little else.

My final job for the night was to make the St Stephen’s pudding. That done, it was off to bed.

PS: Mum, Sophie and Tom don’t live in a cottage. It is a converted two storey house – they live at the top. The log cabin I referred to yesterday, is the extra room that Sophie had built in the back garden to give her an entertainment space. When we’re next there, I shall take a photo.