Hello and I hope everyone out there in blogland is having a wonderful Christmas time. Our Christmas Eve got off to a great start when Rita and I went to see the Nutcracker in the centre of Cardiff at St. David's Hall. It was entrancing, magical and gloriously traditional and Christmassy - just what I wanted to put me in the mood for an exciting festive time. We both thoroughly enjoyed it. While we were at the theatre, Andrew and Roger walked the woofs then came and fetched us, then it was back home for a glass of mulled cider and the start of the festivities.

Somehow on Christmas Eve, there is a wonderful excitement in the air. After eating, we all settled down to watch the Muppets' Christmas Carol (a Christmas tradition for Andrew and me) then off to bed, to wait eagerly for stockings, for rustlings and creepings and mysterious bulging packages. Waking up on Christmas morning it was fun to open our stockings in bed, before getting up for a leisurely cuppa. We took the dogs for a walk over the Cardiff Bay barrage, and it was glorious. Sunny, cold and still with the city looking beautiful and the mountains behind, with Somerset visible over the Bristol Channel. Back home for brunch and champagne (smoked salmon and scrambled egg) then all the fun of opening presents. Then preparations for the feast - sitting down to eat around 4.30 p.m. The turkey was glorious, very moist, with home made stuffing, my home made cranberry sauce, roast potatoes and parsnips cooked in goose fat, sprouts with lardons and carrots, with plenty of home made gravy made with turkey stock. Crackers were pulled, funny hats worn, jokes told. Naturally there was a keen interest taken in the proceedings by the resident hounds. We followed this with cheese and port, then retired for coffee, relaxation and chat on the sofas. Enjoyed Dr Who and looking forward to the next episode. Finally, bed, tired but happy and feeling the day had gone very well.

Boxing Day was a relaxed day of pleasure, with another enjoyable dog walk and very little actually done, except chat, eat, drink and browse through the pile of nice books I received. We walked the dogs up at Llwyn Onn reservoir, on the fringe of the Brecon Beacons. On the way up, we passed huge numbers of people queueing to get into the shopping centre at Merthyr - there was something so sad and dreary about it, and I was very glad we weren't there.

On Sunday, we had booked a session over at the greyhound field which worked out nicely for Rita and Roger, as it was on their way back home to Somerset. It was the first time they'd seen the woofs all indulging in off-lead play like that and it was very enjoyable. The afternoon ended in a rather dramatic way when the billy goat in the field next door climbed over the fence and got in. I have written before that the field has a secure inner fence, high enough for sighthound safety but we had to get from the inner area to the gate and then through it, without Andy trying to eat the billy or it escaping on to the road. Hairy stuff!! Boola, bless him, was his usual chilled out self - he is a lovely boy and has taken Christmas entirely in his stride. Eventually, all safely loaded and then home. Yesterday and today have been very quiet (just what we wanted)and tomorrow we will see Andrew's sister, her husband and their three boys who will be visiting, although we are keeping our fingers crossed on the weather, as snow is forecast.

Some pics attached.