Big blast

Woke up to the Hemel oil depot explosion this morning. The shockwave travelled through the house and then there was total silence. There was no mistaking that it was a blast wave. It felt as if there was something very wrong going on somewhere, but that it was probably far away. Couldn't believe it when we switched on the news. Then it dawned on me the plume may well be visible from the back of the barn. Over the last few hours a heavy swathe of black cloud has blocked out the sun. It's very eerie.


Despite the ominous start to the day, I feel ready to tackle some Christmas jobs. I need to return the new tree lights to Focus and then get on with writing some cards. I just wasn't in the mood yesterday. I spent most of the morning on eBay then pulled myself together and went out for a nice walk. I always feel as if I've done something worthwhile with the day if I have a good tramp through the woods. Did a bit of cleaning and reorganising of the living room so we can get a tree in, but still no tree procured as yet.

Almost finalised the Christmas food order on Ocado. The menu runs something like this:

Christmas eve: Moules et frites et maybe some bubbly
Christmas morning: Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs
Christmas dinner: Roast organic chicken, chippolatas AND sausage meat stuffing (guess who insisted on that!) roast pots, carrots, broc, parsnips, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, gravy. Cheese and biscuits, oh and new york cheesecake - that traditional christmas treat.

I feel a bit ill just thinking about it all.

Got absolutely trounced by G again at scrabble last night. I know I know - wild and crazy. We are going to have to find a game I'm better at for the sake of our relationship.

Happy Birthday to my lovely sister. Phoned her up at 9ish, hoping to wake her with a very ropy rendition of happy birthday to you, but she'd been awake since 6.45 opening presents. I think she was still drunk from the night before. Party on sis! Lots of love for the coming year.