Carols On The Green

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Tomorrow fibre optic broadband is due to be installed. During recent weeks I have not bored either my readers or myself with details of the continuing struggles I have been engaged on in uploading my photographs to WordPress, save to mention that I spent much of today in grappling with yesterday evening’s images.

As previously mentioned, Ian collected Jackie and me after lunch yesterday, and drove us to Emsworth to join up with Becky for us to drive in convoy to Upper Dicker. Ian then drove me, and Becky drove Jackie.

We left in good time, which was fortuitous, because the journey, already very slow, came to a virtual standstill on the Eastbourne stretch of the A27. Eventually the flashing blue lights of ambulance and police car betrayed that an accident was the cause. It was very dark, rain spattered the windscreen, and Ian and I stared at what we could see of our respective partners’ rears.

Happily, we arrived just in time for the start of what was intended to be carols on the village green. In the event it was so wet and muddy, that most people congregated around the front of The Village Shop. It seemed as if the entire population of Upper Dicker including the full complement of St Bede’s school, was in attendance. The snowflakes effect was the happy result of the camera’s flash fixing on the raindrops. Large umbrellas were much in evidence.

Children at table

Inside the shop plentiful mulled wine and variations on minced pies were on offer.

Didi, the shop chef, made a splendidly engaging Santa Claus in his grotto that was the garage store room. The story of how we acquired the pictured reindeer is told in ‘Surprise’.

During the singing Poppy perched on her mother’s arm, as Tess mingled with her guests. When it came to seating her on Santa’s lap, our granddaughter, showing sensitive discernment, produced very rare signs of distress. Fortunately a little friend was on hand to wipe away the tears and help the toddler open her present.

After the event, Becky stayed at Upper Dicker and Ian drove Jackie and me all the way home and stayed the night, returning to Emsworth after lunch.

When Jackie visited Hordle Chinese Take Away for our dinner this evening, Mr Chatty Man Chan was collecting his boys from a pantomime in which they had participated. His wife therefore served her. We. as usual, enjoyed the food, but neither of us imbibed.

45 comments

  1. I love the lights in Tess’s hair! Good luck with the installation tomorrow.You may have to think through power sources and what plugs you regularly use, as the fibre optic needs a power source and the router does as well. You probably have more power outlets than I do, but I needed to think through the options.

  2. Driving in the dark and rain is never fun, but I’m glad you made it to the festivities. It looks like a fun event, and everyone seems to be having fun!
    Good luck with the installation!

  3. Some excellent photographs of the carol singing, What a rich language English is. I suddenly realised that your title is only one apostrophe away from being something said by a commentator in a women’s snooker match.

  4. It looks cold and wet, but also that there was a great atmosphere. I see lots of big smiles. After standing out in the rain, I’ll be the mulled wine and mince pies were particularly delicious.

  5. Just wonderful that you were able to join in the festivities, despite the challenges. I have had no end of trouble uploading photographs on this trip, and such slow internet connections that I have given up, and will catch up when I get home. We had the fibre optic connected earlier this year – the installation took ten years off my life, but it got there in the end. But it is not necessarily faster than the ADSL, On the other hand, we are practically in the city. Access in these country areas is so slow that I am sure the fibre should be a boon for them.

  6. I am not sure it was intended but it was interesting how you inserted the images which are almost black and white with all the umbrellas amidst two strips of colourful images. It looks like the carols were enjoyed by everyone. Here too there are people who go around singing carols and actually there is a group who do it to raise money for those who need medical or other assistance.

  7. Such a touching example of how young people help to calm and brighten younger one’s mood. Poppy certainly usually enjoys most things and I was surprised at her expressing fear of Santa. It shows her growing older and more aware of challenges. 🙂
    I liked the crowd from the school and those who joined together to create joyous singing, Derrick.

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