The turkey carcass was stolen by a vegan, and we have a 3' x 4' sign advertising a sale of garden furniture in the hall. I stayed at Dad's last night, leaving my son here alone. Today he is apologetic but still has some cleaning up to do, having had 20 or 30 visitors round in my absence. I am trying to decide what other compensation is in order, once the cleaning has been done. The sight of the kitchen floor covered in footprints and cold roast potatoes was not one that I had prepared for, but I made the mistake of telling him not to do anything silly while I was away, instead of telling him to be good. There is a distinct difference.

Still, it isn't likely to happen again in a hurry.

I have had many thoughts of my own childhood Christmasses. My grand-parents always had balloons when I was small, so we had some this year. Dad made sausage rolls and mince pies and coleslaw; we had piccalili, and set light to the puddings; I had a very strong sense of wanting the children to experience all the things that I did, and they did. Even the fragrances and flavours of Christmas assumed special significance.

As well as our lovely gifts, I was given something extra, which I will offer the school; Dad found a large freestanding wooden cut-out of a Noah's Ark in his loft. There are smiling animals peeping out. And last week I dreamed I was on a boat with a friend, in a beautiful blue lagoon. I shall remain alert for any other "boat" messages from the universe!

When we ask for guidance, the answers came in many different ways. Sometimes, someone "speaks" very clearly, but at other times things come more subtly, like these boats. I shall ask for clarification in my dreams...