Two days left of feeling good. And I really do feel good. Plenty of energy and happy today especially as Naughtiness called this morning. He is to be transferred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – Gynaecology department - and will be working over the Christmas period but will try and phone when he can.
Got all my cards done today and went to Sue’s for a massage. Deborah joined us to exchange Christmas presents and stayed for a cuppa. Then Sue and I to Mia’s school carol concert at St John’s. Mrs M, the headmistress very kindly rushed to give me her chair and I accepted politely though I am probably fitter than most in the church. I wore my aubergine turban with a glittering brooch at the side and after when we gathered for coffee and mince pies, everyone said it was most fetching and I kept hearing the words ‘Diva’ and ‘Norma Desmond’!!! Supper with Chris and Lisa at home and a fairly early night.
Last night our good friend Verena Wilson treated the family to a performance of The Wintershall (real experience) Nativity Play at Wintershall Hall in Bramley near Guildford. It was a magical experience. We wrapped up warmly and took sandwiches and a flask of hot chocolate and drove for an hour in the dark. We arrived at the big house which had one of those drives that takes half an hour to get anywhere, over cattle grids and through a forest, and parked in a muddy field. From the car park there was a 200 yard climb up a steep path through the roots of huge trees lit by flaming torches and with speakers playing gentle carols all the way. I saw Verena talking in to a chap in that confidential way that I have come to recognise, and shortly after, a motorised cart was produced to take us up the hill. “You have pulled the cancer card haven’t you” I said. “Yes” she said. “I’d beat any of you up that hill you know” I said, getting in the front of this funny contraption with a handsome young man. Aimi, Verena and Mia sat in the three seats which faced outwards at the back of the 
uncovered cart and Mass climbed into the box part which looked like it was used for hay or leaves or grass etc. and we all bounced up the hill. At the top we alighted outside a huge barn. The straw clad path was now illuminated for us by bearded characters in robes and headgear with bare feet in sandals (Jesus creepers) holding oil filled lanterns. “Welcome to Bethlehem”, they said quietly and undramatically and we filed past a field of donkeys into the barn and took out seats on tiered benches.
At the far end of the barn there was a raised stage on which was a real manger filled with straw. To one side was a straw filled pen with a mother sheep and young lamb grazing. Behind that we could see a large black cow, and further left was the choir and an organist hidden by a rush screen.
Mary and Joseph made their entrance through the central aisle of the seats – the grown up and saintly looking Mary riding on a real donkey and went up to the manger and the Nativity was played out with the most beautiful choir and popular carols. A real baby was produced which squeaked a bit but not hysterically and was laid in the manger in between bouncing it up and down to pacify it. The Shepherds arrived to adore, and one of them lifted the baby lamb out of the pen and carried to the children’s area in the front to let them stroke it. The mother sheep was very concerned about this and complained pitifully and was visually relieved when it was taken back to her.
The three Kings arrived down the same aisle riding on horseback with beautiful robes and saddle cloths. The not unpleasant smell of straw and cow and horse manure added to the authenticity of
the scene. 
Herod arrived on a magnificent black steed and his henchmen were quite terrifying and after decreeing that all children under two must be killed, went to look in the children’s area to see if they could find any under two which caused quite a bit of consternation amongst the young ones and giggles from us!
After it was over we filed out of the barn past all the actors who were lined up as if in a Royal Variety Performance, and who wished us a Merry Christmas in a quite delightful way. Mia held my hand and I said to Joseph who was standing with Mary and her baby (It really was Mary’s baby – a little girl with blue eyes) “Are you the father?” “No he said” “Oh, silly me, of course not I said and pointed to the heavens”. “Boooooooo” we said to the nasty Herod, then left the barn and made our way down the hill again – this time on foot because I wanted to walk! And sat in the car eating our sandwiches before driving home to London.
It was a truly wonderful and spiritual evening and I have come away with some new ideas for interesting headgear!!
The only small criticism I have in all that back-in-time reality and other world feeling was that the tiny baby Jesus was dressed in a Mothercare white boiler suit with a furry hood. I know it was very very cold, but surely three lots of swaddling shawls and a small concealed hot water bottle would have done the job a bit more realistically!
Anyway, if you want a delightful and magical Christmassy evening, I cannot recommend it highly enough and it is well worth the drive.
Got all my cards done today and went to Sue’s for a massage. Deborah joined us to exchange Christmas presents and stayed for a cuppa. Then Sue and I to Mia’s school carol concert at St John’s. Mrs M, the headmistress very kindly rushed to give me her chair and I accepted politely though I am probably fitter than most in the church. I wore my aubergine turban with a glittering brooch at the side and after when we gathered for coffee and mince pies, everyone said it was most fetching and I kept hearing the words ‘Diva’ and ‘Norma Desmond’!!! Supper with Chris and Lisa at home and a fairly early night.
Last night our good friend Verena Wilson treated the family to a performance of The Wintershall (real experience) Nativity Play at Wintershall Hall in Bramley near Guildford. It was a magical experience. We wrapped up warmly and took sandwiches and a flask of hot chocolate and drove for an hour in the dark. We arrived at the big house which had one of those drives that takes half an hour to get anywhere, over cattle grids and through a forest, and parked in a muddy field. From the car park there was a 200 yard climb up a steep path through the roots of huge trees lit by flaming torches and with speakers playing gentle carols all the way. I saw Verena talking in to a chap in that confidential way that I have come to recognise, and shortly after, a motorised cart was produced to take us up the hill. “You have pulled the cancer card haven’t you” I said. “Yes” she said. “I’d beat any of you up that hill you know” I said, getting in the front of this funny contraption with a handsome young man. Aimi, Verena and Mia sat in the three seats which faced outwards at the back of the 
uncovered cart and Mass climbed into the box part which looked like it was used for hay or leaves or grass etc. and we all bounced up the hill. At the top we alighted outside a huge barn. The straw clad path was now illuminated for us by bearded characters in robes and headgear with bare feet in sandals (Jesus creepers) holding oil filled lanterns. “Welcome to Bethlehem”, they said quietly and undramatically and we filed past a field of donkeys into the barn and took out seats on tiered benches.
At the far end of the barn there was a raised stage on which was a real manger filled with straw. To one side was a straw filled pen with a mother sheep and young lamb grazing. Behind that we could see a large black cow, and further left was the choir and an organist hidden by a rush screen.
Mary and Joseph made their entrance through the central aisle of the seats – the grown up and saintly looking Mary riding on a real donkey and went up to the manger and the Nativity was played out with the most beautiful choir and popular carols. A real baby was produced which squeaked a bit but not hysterically and was laid in the manger in between bouncing it up and down to pacify it. The Shepherds arrived to adore, and one of them lifted the baby lamb out of the pen and carried to the children’s area in the front to let them stroke it. The mother sheep was very concerned about this and complained pitifully and was visually relieved when it was taken back to her.The three Kings arrived down the same aisle riding on horseback with beautiful robes and saddle cloths. The not unpleasant smell of straw and cow and horse manure added to the authenticity of
the scene. 
Herod arrived on a magnificent black steed and his henchmen were quite terrifying and after decreeing that all children under two must be killed, went to look in the children’s area to see if they could find any under two which caused quite a bit of consternation amongst the young ones and giggles from us!
After it was over we filed out of the barn past all the actors who were lined up as if in a Royal Variety Performance, and who wished us a Merry Christmas in a quite delightful way. Mia held my hand and I said to Joseph who was standing with Mary and her baby (It really was Mary’s baby – a little girl with blue eyes) “Are you the father?” “No he said” “Oh, silly me, of course not I said and pointed to the heavens”. “Boooooooo” we said to the nasty Herod, then left the barn and made our way down the hill again – this time on foot because I wanted to walk! And sat in the car eating our sandwiches before driving home to London.
It was a truly wonderful and spiritual evening and I have come away with some new ideas for interesting headgear!!
The only small criticism I have in all that back-in-time reality and other world feeling was that the tiny baby Jesus was dressed in a Mothercare white boiler suit with a furry hood. I know it was very very cold, but surely three lots of swaddling shawls and a small concealed hot water bottle would have done the job a bit more realistically!Anyway, if you want a delightful and magical Christmassy evening, I cannot recommend it highly enough and it is well worth the drive.
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