'twas the night before Christmas..

Since we will be on our own at Christmas (and not seeing family or friends, for perhaps the 1st time ever?), we have planned to have a pub meal on Christmas Eve of roast turkey with all the trimmings and then a low maintenance Christmas lunch in the cottage on Christmas Day. So we head off to Sainsbury's to get pork pies, cold meats, quiches etc. Pickled onions for 30p, giraffe bread (had to see it to know why I called it that), cider, salads, Xmas pud & custard. All sorted.

After hearing about the local church's annual Christmas eve nativity service where the children dress up, we forego the planned christingle service and head to St Cyriac's in Lacock where we find out we are the first ever visiting participants. Ben handles the pressure and does a good job as a shepherd (albeit a rich one with a crown!), we sing some hymns, remember what Christmas is really about, and then head to the pub. As you do.

We go to the Mill House and have the £12.90 three course slap up Christmas turkey. Same meal on Christmas Day is £37.90. We pat ourselves on the back for our frugality and go off in search of Ben who is tearing about with a bunch of new found friends in the massive indoor playground.

Head home, put Ben to bed, finish off the present wrapping and we drift off to sleep with one ear out for Santa.