Xmas 2010

Christmas is a time when days seem to mege into each other. The world of politics seems to be put on pause, while families come together. Presents are opened and food is eaten. Our Christmas Day was anything but uneventful. With Graham's key breaking in his lock, we finished up calling out a locksmith at 1am. Strange to walk around the village while the bulk of the population slept and Santa made his way to childrens' bedrooms. The next morning the oven failed to deliver a cooked turkey and as a result the meat had to be moved to Caroline's to be cooked. I wondered what more could happen.

The weather cold, frosty and with snow still on the ground put football on hold on Boxing Day.
As a result I put myself on Melbourne time and got up at 4am to watch the 4th Test Match, an amazing first day I was watching the recording and had reached Australia 37 for 3 when Elaine awoke and told me that Australia had been bowled out for 97.

By the 27th December it seemed likely that England would retain the Ashes, a fantastic achievement following a Jonathan Trott marathon effort of 167 not out. The next 24 hours were perhaps one of the best sports days of the year. Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 . A result that Gooners have waited some years to see. Phil Taylor made his way into the last 16 of the world darts championship, England pressed on and stood on the verge of an Ashes victory, and finally the Dons, the next afternoon got back into League action defeating Eastbourne 3-0 to ensure that they finish 2010 as Conference leaders.

Ironically there was a major politics issue over the Xmas period. Just days before the holiday the government announced that it was slashing the Bookstrust's funding. The scheme that gives books to disadvantaged children. The sum saved insignificant but once again this government chose to hit those least able to fight back. Fortunately in the next 48 hours authors responded and gained publicity for the campaign against the mindless cut. Within days the government announced yet another u turn. Egg on face time, although sadly it received less publicity than it might have received at any other time of year.