A bit of R and R

I do love Christmas even if there's not quite the same magic I remember as a child as we waited for Santa to arrive. There's still lots of special moments to celebrate. After a very busy run up to Christmas this year prepping cards, presents and food it's been lovely to enjoy some time off and relax and recharge. 

Amidst the hectic festive preparations there were calming Christmas carols, coffees and catch-ups,  delicious dinners and theatre treats.

But these last few days there's been more time to catch up with friends and family, play board games, knit, crochet and have movie nights.

There's also been time for some festive reading. It’s been a treat to dip into this delight of a book when storms have been raging outside.

I've been very fortunate to receive some gorgeous Christmas gifts from family and friends this season. Together, I've a writers pack for 2024 - so there's no excuse now for not writing in 2024.

If Carlsberg did writing groups....

Yesterday was a dull dreich December day. Chilled to the bone, we drove through freezing fog to meet up in Coney for the final time this year. Our December meet up is always very special and signals the start of seasonal festivities.

We congregated over coffee and home made shortbread and festive cranberry and orange muffins to catch up on news. 

And while other parts of the country were freezing, we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine as we did a festive writing exercise. As we got ready to eat we were treated to a poignant piano solo of 'A Fairytale of New York'.

This was followed by what was described by one of our group as 'the best Christmas Dinner of the season'. The table we usually gather round to write had been transformed and was soon groaning from the weight of delicious food everyone had brought to share.

I feel very blessed to be part of this special writing group. 

Not only are the writers talented, supportive and encouraging, they are all good fun to be with and we leave Coney the richer for having spent time together. Here's to another great year at Coney.