Sunday 28th December 2025

Welcome to Twixmas.

It is that period between Christmas and New Year in which days and indeed, time itself no long matters.

Bin day is moved, so that anchor is removed. Only thing to be sure is when the gym s open.

It reopened on Saturday, at eight, same for Sunday. I thought either it would be crazy busy or very few folks would bother.

What I didn't know was that there was the first day of a two day swimming gala, and most children in Dover, Deal and Walmer would be trying to get in.

There was people, parents and hyperactive children everywhere.

We made our way through the crowds, then up to the gym where it was quite busy, but our two machines were free.

For forty minutes I listened to a podcast on Jane Austin and her links with farming. Not very exciting, but engaging enough to take my mind off the slow ticking of time as I pedalled.

In putting on my shoes and tying the laces, I managed to pull something in my back. Ok to cycle, but painful in almost any other seat.

Once back I put on an ice pack and use the massager.

It eased off.

So before lunch, I went out to gather some beer from the offy in Walmer. As much as I like porters and stouts, either with or without chocolate and/or coffee, I decided a simple tripel or something would be nice.

So I drove into Walmer, traffic was quiet, but heading down Station Road, a car pulled out of the stables in front of me, then went along at 5mp/h before turning.

I had my lights on, so no real excuse, just crap driving.

Anyway, I get into Walmer safe and sound, buy twenty quid's worth of beer, and am back on the road in five minutes.

Instead of going straight home, I go down through the village and down the cliffs to The Bay.

Many others had the same idea, and few seemed to understand that the narrow twisty road required one of the two or more passing cars to pull in to make way.

Not helped by camper vans going down the road which it really was too narrow and twisty for.

There are two spaces just outside the formal car park, and people justle for these to avoid paying 50p an hour.

I don't pay, as I'm going to be there for ten minutes, so walk along the stone-strewn prom to take pictures of the cliff rising to the south, then to the other end to snap Noel Coward's house.

I had no coat, of course, so I wander back to the car, stopping to talk to a couple from Hatfield (and the North) who were amazed to find their phones had picked up on French mobile service.

After chatting to them, I reach the car and drive up, following two German vans meaning all traffic coming down had to give way to us.

I get home safe, despite the crazy and thoughtless parking outside the village shop, getting home in time for lunch.

Lunch was cranberry topped pork pie, slaw and pickles, followed about an hour later by a slice of the second Christmas cake, which was very good indeed.

Being a Sunday, there was "Super" Sunday football: Sunderland v Leeds, which ended an enjoyable 1-1 draw, but that was followed by Palace v Spurs, a poor game decided by a poor goal to give Spurs a 1-0 win.

Peanuts and beer for supper. My back was too sore for the sofa, so we listened to music before going to bed at nine.