We have been scooting round all day trying to get ready for Christmas. I’ve done the final coat of sealant on the dining room floor and then, this evening, waxed it. I’ve cleaned and polished all of the dining room furniture and it’s now all in place ready for Christmas Dinner to be eaten on it. It took four of us (me, DM, Chris and Tiff from next door - thanks v v much to our neighbours) to get the table-top off the ground and onto its base. Two inch thick solid English Oak weighs a ton……and it’s as beautiful as a beautiful thing. It’s now twinkling and shining in the dining room, the grain is glowing and I am very happy with the fact that it’s there.

I am very very glad about this little ‘triumph’, even though it’s only a little one because the walls are not finished (still got wet plaster), the woodwork other than the floor is not started and we’ve acknowledged to ourselves that we’re going to have to take up three boards from the room and replace them after Christmas is over – woodworm and damp mean they can’t be saved.

There has been a frantic trip to Trago to get stuff (none of which they had), a jaunt around the countryside looking for a tree stand – everywhere is sold out now – only slouches like us haven’t got ours up. In fact, we did get a stand eventually and the tree has finally found its way from the garden where it’s languished since we bought it a fortnight ago, into the sitting room, where it’ll ‘entertain’ us for about 5-6 days then be taken down long before New Year. Bah humbug.

Finally, into town for lunch and ribbon, then to the farm shop for cheese and veggies and home…..is that it? Are we done? I sure do hope so. Now pressie wrapping and cleaning and we’re there. Phew. It’s all a lot of bother if you ask me.

I have just put a bowl of mixed fruit and nuts on the side in the sitting room and as I did so, I noticed what a fabulous shade of green the pistachios are and decided they’d make a great subject for a shot. I like the shot so feel that my judgement was good on this score. They are sweet and delicious too so fab VFM all round.

Last year, I was reflecting on a difficult year and pondering what 2006 would hold.....