Here Comes the Flood - Peter Gabriel

 TO 'ALL' OUR READERS AND ALL THOSE WHO WILL 'SEE THE LIGHT' IN 2014
Here Comes the Flood - Link 
When the night shows the signals grow on radios
All the strange things they come and go, as early warnings
Stranded starfish have no place to hide
still waiting for the swollen 'Christmas' tide
There's no point in direction we cannot even choose a side.

There was a house upon a hill, if it hasn't gone it stands there still!

We were all up and about well before daybreak with everything seemingly in order, except that Hugh was buzzing around the Aga Cooker. This was in an attempt to get it working as the power was down and a certain amount of 'magic' was required that only he knew. There was an irony here as it was only recently that it was converted from 'oil' to 'electric'. 

It wasn't long before reports started 'flooding' in (excuse the pun)

 that the Parley Pond (the Ducks seemed alright as did a new arrival
Little Grebe)

and the RIVER STOUR had both burst their banks.

 An amber alert had been broadcast on BBC TV News at 06:00

for the lower reaches of the river and we are right in the midst of it. This is the 5th Fairway of the Golf Course and where a Moth Trap is often set! By 09:30 water levels remained the same, the hail had started in

earnest, the first bottle of 'Bubbly' was down the hatch and we were on our way to

 TUDOR COTTAGE
(Hugh's Mum's House)

for 'home made' 
BRIOCHE BREAD and BLANDY'S MADEIRA

 then back to Harbins for Christmas Presents,
the best of which had to be this!

 Gavin gets to work with the electric screwdriver,

 while the rest look on.

 No one but Hugh knew what was about to emerge from the

 Packing Case

 until a 'head' popped out.

 Hugh gently leads the

 WICKER HORSE
from the stable a complete surprise to Janet who is the keenest
Horse Woman!

We had already had to ferry Family Members across
"Like A Bridge Over Troubled Waters",

then came the remainder of the Dinner Guests.

Hey - There's A Snowman!

All of this had been in sharp contrast to last year when we were surrounded by much more water, when I shared Christmas Dinner with fellow bird watchers PETER and JAN DAVIES aboard M/V Voyager in the middle of the Caribbean Sea with

 MASKED BOOBY
 for company.
and so, like 'millions' of others, it was time for the main Event.

 HUGH, DARYL and CATH tussle with the Turkey

while the others take a pre-dinner drink.

 HUGH carves the Bird while others take their place at table.

 I will endeavour to make sense of the introductions, but please
stand advised it is now well after dinner!

Starting left Martin is Janet's brother and Lisa his wife. Daryl is the older son and Cath his fiance while Megan is Ethan's mum and Loz his father (Martin and Lisa's grandson). Next comes Ben (with beard) who is Jen's partner and she is Lisa and Martin's daughter and Loz's sister - are you still with me? and I'll leave Gramps and Nanny till the next shot.

 (left) they are Martin and Janet's mum and dad Joyce and John and I got 'out of shot' just in time'. Gavin is the younger son, Hugh and Janet and we're back to Martin who is Lisa's husband, Janet's brother, Hugh's brother in law - YAWN!

 Christmas Pudding was a stately affair presented with the words,

 "I am the God of Hell Fire and I bring you FIRE"!

AFTER the ORDEAL

chocolate, more drinks 9 (only a large one for me please), presents,
crackers. Personally, I'll be glad when someone brings round the sandwiches!
It can be said, without fear of contradiction, that we all had the
VERY BEST
kind of Christmas Days THANKS to Hugh and Janet in the main.
So finally, at the other end of the scale,

 CHRISTMAS PAST
Botanical Garden Decorations
Caracas, Venezuela Christmas Day 2009

Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent in any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry.

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