Sunday 25th December 2022

Christmas Day.

As if you didn't know.

And with nothing to get up for, not even cooking, we could relax. So lay in until half eight.

Yawn.

Outside it was light nd the sun had risen, though hidden behind clouds.

We had a coffee and a satsuma, and nothing else, as later in the day we were going out to eat.

Fancy!

So, what to do?

Well, after ducking out of a walk on Christmas Eve, I said we really should go out. I should really go out. So, we put on our rain coats and drove into town for a walk along the prom.

The port is closed this one day a year, sometimes there has been six or seven ferried tied up, but this Christmas Day there were just the three. The port was closed, cones across the entrance, as no ferries would run until the morning. As we drove by, a lorry tried to enter the port, and was refused by the lone policeman on duty.

We park near the yoga studio, then set off towards the watersports centre, dodging dogs and their owners, from behind us, a gentle breeze belw drizzle into our backs.

The new Prince of Wales Pier had a few folks on it already, so we walked on, over the new bridge to the "Curve", an area created to house food outlets and other events when the weather allows. On a cold and wet Christmas Day, none were open, and we were pretty much the only ones walking there. On the left hand side, the marina is still unused as the mouth still allows too much of swell to make mooring of boats and yachts safe.

We walked to the barrier at the end, turned round and walked back to shore, then along the prom to the car.

We drove back home back up Jubilee Way, little other traffic about. So back home for a brew and relax before it was time to go out.

With Jen away in Australia, and Mike and George saying they had other plans, gave us the chance to do something we had talked about for years; go out for Christmas lunch. We had booked into the Lantern, where they had tables for just 40 guests, so not to be too crowded they said.

Hmmmm.

Its only a five minute drive down Station Road, across the Deal Road and under the railway then up the hill into Martin. Although de to the wet weather, there was mud everywhere, its the colour of the season!

There was even a place to park at the pub, so we walk in and were given a table for two near the bar. The back legs of my cahir were against a step, I couldn't go back any further. Just had just enough room from the lady sitting behind, but it wasn't comfortable.

And then there was the door into the beer garden, although not cold, really, it was left open time and time again, as most other guests seemed to be smokers. I did ask that the door be closed, and for the most part they colsed it behind them, but made for not that enjoyable experience.

The food, however, was excellent.

Roast parsnip and truffle soup.

Smoked river trout Asian cocktail. (surprisingly nice)

King scallops and pan fried wild mushrooms.

Lime and basil sorbet.

Roast turkey and all the trimmings.

Dessert of Christmas pudding, chocolate mousse or petit fors and coffee.

It all took three and a half hours, and the waiting was made bearabe by people watching, mostly the young lady in a long leather coat who got so drink she could barely walk, and as their taxi waited outside, she drained every glass on their table.

We paid and left, Jools drove us back up the hill to home, stuffed.

For the evening there was a production of A Christmas Carol directed by Mark Gatiss, and it was really, very very good.