Monday 22nd December 2025

Monday morning of Christmas week. And we are pretty much set for the big day, other than having to go to the butchers on Tuesday.

But I needed a haircut. I meant to go last week, before the schools closed, but ran out of time, so aimed to be at the door of one of the barbers come half eight Monday morning.

A slow start to the day: Jools didn't go swimming, so we had coffee before leaving the house at quarter past eight, driving into town at the height of what would normally be the school run, but this morning the roads were empty.

Down into town, I park, then walk up by the church and see that the barber opposite is open, well, gone in and turned the lights on, so I go over and see if I need an appointment.

I don't, so am shown into the chair, and he gets to work, under the supervision of his teenage son, who looks closely at my hair as it is shorn.

Not as good as the other place, but good enough to get into the New Year, so I pay and leave.

Jools had gone for a walk, so she messages me to go and have a coffee.

Which I obey.

I also buy a large slice of cherry shortbread, as who can't say no to shortbread?

Jools arrives and tells me of the new decoration in the Newbridge Underpass leading to and from the promenade.

After drinking my coffee, we walk over Market Square and down the slope into the underpass.

It sure is colourful, and full of historical information. Previously it was hand-painted boats that might have visited the port, this is brighter and better.

Then back home for a shave and a change of clothes, as we were going out for lunch.

We have not seen Mary since January, we had planned to meet up but life and stuff got in the way. I mean we're retired now so there is no excuse, but anyway.

At least there is no jams to the port now, the worst is past, so we go down Jubilee Way and along Townwall Street before heading up towards Folkestone.

We had an hour, so decide to go for a walk at Samphire Hoe.

I mean Jools goes for a walk while I look for Early Spider Orchid rosettes. Some walking was involved.

It was at least a bright, calm day, so a pleasant walk beside the railway line, even if I didn't see a single rosette. The cattle had churned up the ground into deep mud, the orchids will show in due course.

I walk for half an hour, then turn round and go back, meeting Jools at the visitor centre.

A quick blast up the A20 to Capel, then into Folkestone and down The Tram Road beside the old line to Folkestone Harbour. I wanted to see what was going on with the bus station, as it has closed and the small car park we sometimes use is now closed and being partly used by buses.

We find a place to park my The Leas, walk down the Promenade to the war memorial, and opposite is the Gurkha Restaurant where we were to meet Mary for lunch.

It was so good to see Mary again, as she was on fine form now recovered from her accident a couple of years back. We talked as we ordered food, lamb Gurkha curry for Jools and I, and soft drinks.

The curry was the right size, not too big. So we ate, talked and made plans for more meet ups in the new year.

Our parking was running out, so we paid up and walked back to the car park. One last hug with Mary, and we climbed in the car to dive back, along the Alkham valley so to avoid the port traffic, just in case.

The low sun cast warm colours and long shadows of the woods along the valley. Up through River, Whitfield Hill and finally along the A2 to home.

Always good to get home.

And a welcoming committee of four meowy cats, all demanding dinner, two and a half hours early.

In order to be able to ignore them, I boil the kettle and we have a brew and one last man-sized slice from the first Christmas cake, and then retire to opposite corners of Chez Jelltex to pursue our hobbies.

After feeding the cats, we ponder what to have for supper. There was still over a third of the focaccia, so I had the bright idea of cutting it into fingers, halving those before toasting the crust sides, and after turning them over, laying a slice of vintage cheddar on them to toast and turn molten.

Turns out that was genius, and delicious, more so with a pint of Shepherd Neame Christmas ale to wash it down with.

There was football in the evening, but I bail at half time with Fulham winning 1-0 against Forest.