And there's still nearly a week to go

It's amazing how, with a houseful of guests, you find so little time to do the things that you need to do to just to keep things running smoothly. I had three simple jobs to do today and had only just completed the third by 13.00. Hey ho.

***

It's 18.05 and I've come to the computer for a little peace and quiet. As I sit here trying to do anything but go back into where everybody has gathered, I contemplate the pending arrival of four more adults and a dog. So far Max and Minnie have spent an inordinate amount of time outside, in order to stop them getting under people's feet and scrounging scraps. Max has now learnt how to open the kitchen bin with his nose and Min continues to break plant pots and scatter compost all over the kitchen terrace. Combine the compost with a little water from their bowl and it makes a lovely black mud. Jan spends a lot of her time cleaning up their mess, as if she hasn't got enough to do. Whose idea was this get-together? And if you think that I'm starting to feel sorry for myself, you'd be bloody right!

***

OK, it's now 20.15 and we're now the full complement of 14 adults, four children and 3 dogs. In order to sit everyone down at one table, we put 2 large tables side by side, and it's still a squash. Tim and Sue cook sausages in red wine with mushrooms and shallots, followed by bread and butter pudding. Really tasty. From now on, each family or couple will take it in turns to cook the evening meal, until Christmas Day, when Jan will take over again. It will be fun to see what everyone prepares. There's quite a bit of secrecy about the meals, with some people trying to outdo each other and some people only just making up their minds. Good fun. To round the evening off, we have a 'domestic', with one husband having to spend the night on the sofa. It's no wonder there a so many marital problems at Christmas but at least Jan and I are still talking.................. at the moment!