The Christmas dinner, lovingly prepared by my mother-in-law, looked delicious – turkey, sprouts, parsnips, chestnut stuffing and roast potatoes. There was just one thing puzzling me. What the hell was that soggy beige sauce on the side of my plate? “What is it?” I mouthed at my husband, who was sitting on the other side of the table. Yes, it was bread sauce. But my mum never served it at ...keep reading
The Christmas tree is up, festooned with decorations and, thanks to our wonky wooden floor, leaning at a jaunty angle. One of my favourite moments of the festive season is opening the cupboard under the stairs and hauling out the dusty ragbag of baubles, hearts, stars and angels we’ve collected over the years. They all have their own history, from the glittery heart my daughter’s teacher Annie gave her in ...keep reading
“All good wishes for a peaceful Christmas. Stay safe in 2018 in this strange and troubled world.” That’s what my wise Evening Standard friend David M wrote in his Christmas card and I couldn’t have put it better myself. What an unsettling year 2017 has been. On a personal level there have been highs and lows. The highs included bursting with pride when I saw my son graduate in July, ...keep reading
Christmas is almost here and thank goodness for that. After a tempestuous year the festive season has arrived in true 2016 style – heralded by wild storms and lashing rain. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the UK and in this corner of Dorset 50mph winds are battering the coast. But apart from that, we’re nearly set for Christmas. My husband will be on the Sandbanks ...keep reading
Christmas 2015 flew by in a blast of last-minute dashes to the shops, family festivities and storms that lashed our house near the sea. Four days on, our family guests have departed, my son’s resumed his cycling regime and my husband’s working 16 hours a day on his latest business venture. As for me, I’ve been mulling over the standout memories from this year’s Christmas. In no particular order, here are some ...keep reading
December is a frenetic month.Like everyone else, I’m scrambling to get work deadlines done and dusted, sort the Christmas shopping (and wrapping – I always forget that bit) and stressing about lunch on Christmas Day. On the plus side the tree is up (and unlike previous years it’s surprisingly unwonky) but on the minus side I still haven’t fixed the lights or made up beds for guests. But in amongst ...keep reading
The five days between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve seem oddly quiet. After the mad rush to get Christmas sorted – the tree decorated, the flurry of last-minute presents bought and the kitchen cupboards stuffed to the gunnels – everything goes quiet between December 27 and December 31. Our Christmas guests have departed on the ferry, my 20-something children have headed off to see their pals and the remains ...keep reading
Christmas 2013 has blown in with wild storms and lashing rain. Scores of roads across the south of England are blocked by fallen trees and 25 people were trapped in their cars by floodwater. Closer to home, our roof has sprung a leak and the rain fell so hard last night that the fireplace in my daughter’s room is sodden. But apart from that we’re nearly set for Christmas. My ...keep reading
The Christmas lights are twinkling in Oxford Street (Jessie J switched them on in her indomitable style this year), the John Lewis Christmas ad is melting hearts and the glossy magazines are stuffed full of turkey recipes. Yes, the countdown to Christmas 2013 has begun. And with five weeks to go (eek) till the big day the speculation about whether we’re going to have a White Christmas has begun. But ...keep reading
It’s my first post of 2013 and time to look forward. Actually I threw caution to the wind this morning and was rash enough to tell my local radio station (live on air!) that my twin ambitions for the year are to complete my new novel and to learn to speak fluent French. But before I could get started on either, there was the thorny question of when to take ...keep reading