Well, it may not have been my first choice to stay in on New Year’s Eve, but as someone wiser than me once said, there are no such thing as bad decisions, only decisions. As it turned out it was a very pleasant evening, spent eating, sipping a little pink champagne and watching TV together. A bit weird to have to pause the last ten minutes of Poirot to wish each other Happy New Year, but pleasant all the same, and yes, sensible!!
Sensible also because it left us ready to get up on New Year’s day and drive down to Ramsgate for Ian and Myra’s do. We got to Sue and Tommy’s for 1pm, put our bags into their guest room and then walked a windswept five minutes down the road to Ian and Myra’s.
I’m not suggesting I would not normally be greeted warmly by all our friends in Ramsgate, but I had not quite realised the depth of feeling people have had about the news of my illness’ and therefore how pleased they all were to see me yesterday.
We were sixteen for a delicious (as usual) lunch, accompanied of course by endlessly flowing bubbly, wine, whiskey or whatever anyone required. Our hosts are notoriously generous!
I have to admit that after a little bubbly and a small amount of red wine, I had had enough alcohol. Consequently, by about 7pm I was beginning to think I might be ready to make a move, something that could have been difficult given that Sue and Tommy were in full swing. Just as Martin and I started discussing the idea of going, a singsong started up in the other room. Singing has been an annual tradition at I and M ‘s on New Year’s day, and somehow, I got drawn in.
My annual party piece is to sing “la vie en rose” in French, of course. I was called on to do so, and despite not having sung it for a year, seemed to find a voice that surprised even me. Unfortunately, with emotions running a little high anyway, several of my friends were dabbing away tears by the end. I don’t think it was because it was that awful!!
There then followed at least two hours of communal singing, which was convivial, energising and left me forgetting I was ever ready to leave earlier.
Eventually, we tore ourselves away not much before 11pm, to lots of hugs and well wishing and after a really lovely day.
Today, Monday 2nd, we awoke to glorious sunshine. We thought we might have to sneak away while Tommy and Sue were still in bed, but they obviously felt obliged to get up and have coffee with us before we left. After a pleasant chat in their sun-filled lounge overlooking the sea, we drove down to the marina and went to check on Magnum. The boat was fine, and lovely to be on board in glorious, unexpected, January sunshine. After a walk up to see Stuart, and a little visit to the shops, we headed off round to son Matthew and daughter-in-law Claire for a family get together with all the grandchildren.
Daughter Elizabeth came round with Eve and Fay and Josh walked himself round from his dad’s. Claire very kindly did lunch for all of us and we had a lovely few hours playing with the children and chatting to the adults. Nothing like being with the grandchildren to keep you grounded and to make everything else pale into insignificance. The children have all been told that nanny Jo is not very well, but that she’ll be fine. Olivia, at three and a half, has picked up that something was happening to my hair, and asked me what. I told her I was taking some medicine that was going to make me better but was going to make my hair fall out and I would look like uncle Russell for a while (he has been without hair for some time and is waiting to welcome me to the club!). This seemed to satisfy Olivia. I think the others were pleased to see me still in tact and looking well.
Olivia didn’t want us to leave, and the feeling was mutual. She wanted to come back to London with us, bless her. But eventually, at around 4pm, we tore ourselves away. Oh yes, and I had to prise my iPad back from Josh and Eve!
We’re now en route back to London with Stuart on board. He’s going to join us for dinner before heading over to the Union Jack club, where he stays while working in London.
So, a great start to 2012 and I have every intention of ensuring that the rest of the year is every bit as good!!!!
