Friday 24th December 2021

Christmas Eve.

And, for once, we are all done and ready for the big day.

We have done shoping, presents wrapped, tree up and nothing at all to do.

So, how on earth should we fill up the day?

Well, we could lay in for a start, which we do manage. Indeed it was getting light when I stirred from my bed at ten past seven. The cats were hugry, but have survived.

Meow?

Jools fed them and made fir the first coffee of the day and catch up on the events in this cruel and heartless world.

That done we have breakfast and another coffee. So, should we go out like I promised?

I really didn't feel like it, but do, though we both though Deal would be packed, so instead we drove down to Dover for a walk along the pier. Though we did go via Jools's sister's house to drop off her present. Cath was only just up and working from her upstairs office. Jools doesn't see her, though we do get a phone call as we were driving away. Her poor hearing makes her sound deaf and conversation was difficult. But she seems happy enough.

We park down by the yoga studio. Its free there, then walk along the prom past the water sports place and the pier. I notice there is a large open area the other side of the waterway to the inner harbour, it looks intesting, so we cross the bridge to investigate.

Its an area called The Curve, and I guess its an area to rival the Harbour Arm in Folkestone, though for the time being there are just three stalls, with just one of those open. But there is a queue waiting to be served.

THe Curve takes us beside the still emty marina. Empty as they mis-designed it, and it is subject to sea swells unsafe for yackts and boats. They did put in a wall, but it hasnt worked out as well as hoped. So, the hundreds of berths are still empty after nearly five years.

Looks nice though.

We wak to the very end, where the two cranes are used to unload bulk freight, and some of the time driven by Jools' brother, Mike. But on Christmas Eve they stood silent, waiting their next ship.

We reach the end, turn round and walk back to shore, me snapping away at the road markings, still fresh, in as yet unused car park.

We decide not to wait in line for a coffee, and instead drive home where coffee is free and there are chocolate sprouts waiting for us.

Even at midday on Christmas Eve, traffic was very light, amazingly so to be honest. But down in the harbour, ferries come and go.

Back home I make salt beef rolls again, which are almost as good as the previous days. But not quite.

We put on the radio and the afternoon slips by.

I get another migraine, but it fades pretty quickly. And once it is gone we watch an old favourite, Scrooged, with Bill Murray.

THat takes us to evening, and after supper of stir fry, we watch Carrols from King's, which takes us to eight, and a combination of the short day and migraine meant we went to bed soon after. I read for 15 minutes, then turned over to Sleep.

Meanwhile, to the east, Santa was already busy.