Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas

and  a

Healthy

and Peaceful

2026

‘See’ you all after Christmas!

Foxes

 

Foxes

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Those elegant, red-coated denizens of the dark, now often observed in daylight hours, are loved by many and abhorred by many more. I am of the admiring cohort, but I’m not a countrywoman or a farmer, and have no livestock to protect and worry about.

Whenever I see Reynard or his wife (what is her name? Renarda, Renardine, or Renarde!) trotting daintily through a hedge or leaping gracefully over a wall, my heart lifts, and, for an instant, I feel I am a part of Nature. These dog-like animals with their feline poise puncture our night-times with their eery screams and sharp barks, and chill our souls with their sobbing cries.

I’m sure foxes have a sense of humour. Why else would they steal single trainers from the doorsteps of houses and drop them outside someone else’s door? They also take other things that have been left out of doors, like feeding bowls, or toys from a toddler’s buggy. The truth is probably that, as scavengers, they are programmed to pick up anything they find, in case it is edible or might make suitable bedding in their den.

They may even leave a thank you in the form of scat. Believe that if you like, but the droppings are actually to mark their territory. If you have a problem with foxes stealing your running shoes, or wellingtons, or children’s toys, or walking sticks, there is a simple solution – don’t leave outside anything that you value.

Red  fox cubs

 Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

The trifle

 

The trifle

Taking turns. Look at Roxy's tongue! It looks as though it has a life of its own.

It seems to be developing into a tradition, which is surprising to me, as gastronomic traditions usually pass me by. Actually, my carbonara used to go down well with my eldest grandchildren when they came to stay, but generally my offerings are not memorable.

Anyway. Trifle. It is certainly not a thing of small value and I’m not sure what is the actual attraction of it, but then I’ve never really liked trifle very much. I like the individual ingredients, but not the aggregation of them.

The latest offering was declared ‘the best ever.’ I just wish I could remember what changes I made. The base was Madeira cake, when I usually use sponge fingers, or crumbled digestive or ginger biscuits, so that was one difference.

Orange jelly with fresh raspberries came next. Once that had set, I added strawberry jelly and when it was firm enough, fresh blueberries.

Next came the custard – I remembered to make sure I had some in the cupboard this time, after the custardless one of a few months ago.

On top came the whipped cream, made from whippable oat milk. Barry took over the task of whipping and what didn’t end up on his jumper or the kitchen counter or the dogs’ heads gilded the custard. The final garnish was halved fresh strawberries.

It did look quite presentable and was surprisingly heavy as I nervously carried it into the dining room. I always half-expect to drop it. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, for then I concentrate on completing one task a time.

I shall make another trifle for Christmas Day, but of reduced proportions for a smaller number of people.

As ever, the dogs were in constant attendance, hoping for treats. In reward for their patience and forbearance they were allowed to lick the spoon. They would have preferred a dish each.

Herschel

 

                                                                                                                            Herschel

Herschel soaks up the warmth.

Does my life revolve around animals? Yes, four-legged and two-legged. On Monday last week, it was Herschel’s turn to spend a day with the vets. He arrived at 8:45 and had four teeth extracted. By half past three in the afternoon he was home again, and very pleased to be in his normal surroundings. He rubbed all round the dogs, purring loudly. We were told that he had been a very good boy and let the veterinary staff do all they had to do without fuss.

Two days later he was due to have a routine check to make sure everything was healing properly, but in the morning he was not very interested in his breakfast and was only persuaded to eat it with the addition of some chicken broth. He licked up the liquid very readily, but still left the meat, so his appointment was brought forward. The vet could find nothing wrong but felt he must be in pain, so prescribed some pain-killers for him. She gave him one before he came home and he was a very happy boy. We thought he might be a bit high on the drug as he was charging around the house, and we wondered if he would ever settle down to sleep that night.

The prescription was for a minute amount of liquid to be squirted into his throat, where it would be absorbed through the mucous membrane. Cats don’t take kindly to having things sprayed anywhere near them, let alone into their mouths. To add insult to the process, the medicine obviously tasted foul. Even worse was the fact that it had to be administered three times a day.

Herschel is a very forgiving cat. He struggles to get away when he senses what is about to happen. but never scratches or bites. A quick scruffing and the job is soon done, the pain is alleviated and peace is restored. He is now eating normally again. Long may it last!

Yesterday, when Charlie (9) and Jack (6) were with us for the day, both Herschel and Jellicoe received an extraordinary amount of attention. To Charlie’s delight, Herschel went to sleep on his lap and remained there for a long time. This served a double purpose. Sleep is good for healing and recovery, and Charlie was where we could see him and not able to slope off to nick more trifle!

Busy

 

Busy

We have had a busy couple of days. On Friday, there was much excited barking from Arthur as he heard the front door open. I thought it was Barry, coming back because he’d forgotten something – he’d just left to take the big dogs out.

The barking increased and eventually eldest daughter, Gillian, appeared, bearing a large box containing all sorts of comestibles. Very generous!

It was lovely to see her, and so unexpected. Much as I love seeing my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it was very pleasant to sit and have a conversation without interruptions.

While she was here, my daughter-in-law ‘phoned and we had a chat. By that time, Barry was home again, so he and Gillian were chatting in the kitchen while he made coffee for them both.

On Saturday – today – youngest daughter, Bethan, and her family came to see us. Barry cooked a beautiful joint of beef ‘sous vide,’ and we had a lovely lunch, though I do think I overdid, or, rather, underdid the vegetables – they were more almost raw instead of the ‘al dente’ for which I was aiming.

The cats received an inordinate amount of attention, as usual, and the dogs weren’t overlooked, either. They all were given toys!

Tomorrow, middle daughter, Susannah, arrives to spend a few days with us. Arthur will turn himself inside out when he sees her and his little heart will overflow with joy.

Interesting stamps

 

Interesting stamps

 A parcel was delivered recently with some interesting stamps. I didn’t know if they were all genuine so attempted to find out.

In Britain, commemorative stamps have been issued by Royal Mail since 1924. The first one was designed and produced for the British Empire Exhibition, which ran for six months in 1924 and five months in 1925. In the following thirty years, there were occasional commemorative issues, between one and three per year, for special events of particular note, after which they became more frequent.

From the mid-1960s. between six and ten special issue sets were produced every year. At this time, official First Day Covers were introduced, along with Presentation Packs. Postcard-sized reproductions of commemorative stamps became available from mid-1970s, to be issued alongside each new set of stamps.

From the early years of the 1970s, the number of sets increased, until usually more than ten sets were produced annually. Ten years later the practice was for Royal Mail to issue ten to fifteen sets a year.

Stamps now commemorate a diverse range of subjects, encompassing history, sport, theatre, science, popular culture, to name but a few.

The stamp at the top of this post was part of a series celebrating one hundred years of cycling. It was issued in 1978. We were still using halfpennies in 1978! They were not phased out until 1984.

The stamp illustrating the Liverpool Great National Steeple Chase of 1839 was part of the Horseracing series and issued in 1979.

The Christmas stamp called ‘Shepherd and Lamb’ was issued in 1984.

The Edward Lear stamp was issued in 1988, one hundred years after his death in January 1888.

The Kestrel formed part of the 2003 Birds of Prey series. There was later a 2019 series of Birds of Prey.

I've never been a stamp; collector. As a child, I had a brief period of collecting stamps depicting animals, but the interest faded and the phase passed. 

Philately can become almost obsessional, but those who have pursued it throughout their lives have built up valuable collections. 

Arthur attempts . . .

 

Arthur attempts . . .

 to do what he’s bred for!

Walking in Simons Wood, Arthur reached the lake.

 In the middle of the lake is a small island, on which birds rest and nest. Usually, it’s Canada geese that inhabit it, but this week it was a couple of herons.

Arthur spotted them.

Arthur jumped into the water.

Arthur started to swim towards them.

Barry called him out and Arthur obeyed.

A couple of minutes later, Arthur jumped into the water again, and again was called out. This continued until Barry and Arthur had walked on and the lake and the birds were no longer in sight.

Arthur was a happy, wet dog and slept well after his exercise.