10:59am Thursday 17th January 2008
ACCORDING to Robert Burns, "The best-laid schemes o mice and men gang aft agley".
I intended to start 2008 superfit and tanned, having walked the sunny slopes of Samos in Greece.
Instead, January 1 found me wandering weakly around the wynds of Winchester, the victim of a viral infection.
Nibbling crystallized ginger to stave off nausea, I consoled myself with the hope that this year I would not be gaining the usual half stone, but regaining a chunk of cash.
Our candlelit Carol Service was extra special this year with orchestra and harp and drama.
The nativity, as seen through the eyes of Joseph and the Innkeeper's wife, had a new reality. Carolling at the hospital also made me count my blessings.
Sharing feelings of warmth and love is uplifting and a real antidote to the materialism of our shop till you drop culture.
Christmas Day found me returning from church to stick cloves in an onion for bread sauce, and slice carrots to accompany my turkey dinner for one. Switching on Radio Solent I was stunned by how splendid our Winchester Community Choir sounded in the broadcast we had recorded at Romsey Abbey previously. I raised a glass in a toast to the expertise of the soundmen, thought of loved ones, and felt merry.
I really did not feel lonely, but was delighted all the same when I was unexpectedly whisked off for tea with church friends in the true spirit of Christmas.
You could say things turned from the divine to the ridiculous after that. Stupidly assuming there would be at least a couple of trains or buses to Southampton, despite it being Boxing Day, I booked a ticket for The Wizard of Oz.
Realising my mistake, I rang around in panic apologising profusely and pleading for a lift. It was a case of third time lucky.
A knight in shining armour, known to all as Graham, galloped to my rescue and took me into Southampton.
It was a super show with the biggest laugh being caused by Toto doing a whoopsie' and bringing the curtain down.
I decided to stay the night in the city as next day I was having a mini-pamper day at a nearby spa, and taxis back and forth would have cost me more than the hotel.
I snuggled in bed with a room service supper and felt spoiled.
The rare treat next day of a pampering was right up my street. Swimming in the beautiful pool, warming up in the sauna, and refreshing my taste buds with a plate of salad before making my way to the treatment room was bliss.
Then I gave myself up to the sheer indulgence of a massage, facial and manicure.
All I can say about that is MMMMM!
I could get used to this. Who needs a holiday anyway?
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