Christ, is everyone swimming these days?!

is everyone swimming these days?!

No and especially not given that many of the pools in mid-Wales are closed until March as they can no longer afford to keep them heated.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 3:11 pm

is everyone swimming these days?!

No and especially not given that many of the pools in mid-Wales are closed until March as they can no longer afford to keep them heated.

I think that decision was overturned about a day after it was made...

We've a different Christmas this year. Usual family do tomorrow (my side of the family - sisters, mum and dad and nieces and nephews, plus 2 of mine plus their partners). Then Christmas day we're off to Helens mums, but my eldest and middle one are away so only 1 of my kids will be around, and he's working.
Boxing day will be a CX race for me, and a few family come to watch, then after that nothing at all planned.

We don't do the whole presents thing - I think we all found that it adds a load of stress and unnecessary cost so stopped it, but as a time when we all get together I really enjoy it. I actually quite like my kids and their partners, so having them around makes it special. This year though my daughter is in NZ and eldest son is seeing his wife's family in Italy, so it does feel quite different.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 9:27 am

let alone having a clue how to cook one

I believe traditionally, that you put it in about now.

And don’t forget to start boiling the sprouts while you’re at it…

We are a bit Griswald at Christmas. My kids are all in their thirties but still treat Christmas like when they were small. We all get together and our eldest has taken on cooking duties, so it's quite chilled for me and Mrs Mac. We've decided that Christmas dinner will be a buffet so that there will be no rush. Boxing Day will be a repeat as that's when my yongest daughter will be coming home. We're all lucky enough to have plenty of time off, so it all just bimbles along. 27th will be for dragging my son out for a bike ride, probably to a decent pub for a swift half.

I do like the whole Christmas thing.
As my lads are getting older it has changed somewhat. They are 16, 17 & 19 so the times of being g half cut trying to assemble kidd toys/trikes have gone.
I do the cooking, love a roast dinner with all the trimmings. Will pop round to my parents house which is just a few minutes walk away where sister and others will be. Usually make an excuse of gotta take the turkey out of the oven after a couple of hours. Will be plating up a dinner for the old dear next door too.

I'm a total baa humbug, Xmas can get in the sea. I used to love it, but now it's just another over commercialised pile of crap. I'll be having beans on toast for my dinner; might play board games with the kids though; and watch Die Hard.

Driving up to Glencoe from South Devon to camp in the van arriving Christmas Eve. 3 days there and then noodle around the West coast a bit and then meander back via the Midlands. Will take bike to play with in Scotland and am also participating in the BBB Winter Event on the way home...

Usually work in between Christmas and New Year, but this year I said F*ck it, I need to be in the mountains... It has been a pretty "dark" winter for me so far...

Si

Good work Si.

Currently enduring a major mojo slump.
The passing of the solstice usually puts the meaningless futility of existence in a slightly better light.
I may get a little bike ride in.
There will be a roasted something to eat.
There will probably be lego.

Is it not harder work to be bah humbug/miserable than enjoy the time of year and what it has to offer. Family (I know, cant choose them!), friends, bit of time off, merriment etc?

My brother is always looking for an excuse not to enjoy Xmas,...then again, since we were kids, he's always been a miserable git!!

I'll be out on the bike pre-dinner on Xmas day, think a nice hour should put me in the mood for a good scoff.

Oh and 1st Xmas being plant based...should be fun!!!

Is it not harder work to be bah humbug/miserable than enjoy the time of year and what it has to offer.

No

I got some chest X-ray results back today. Now on a 2 week referral to see if cancer is involved. Can't say I'm worried, but still, an all-clear in that dept would be nice.

Sleeping int shed Christmas eve. Probably go for a run Christmas morning before spending a few hours each with both sides of the family. They're all good folks so it should be nice enough. Then back to the shed

We usually swap a few small gifts and it's a happy occasion. No TV, no Christmas music, no religion and no commercial bollocks

Not much different to a normal weekend really, but normal weekends are good.

Fingers crossed for the results Rich!

Christmas in our house is pretty traditional (although less OTT than many)..

I'll be cooking a Christmas dinner for the four of us, plus my parents and in-laws. Presents for the kids, and the odd one for adults too. Planning on a short ride/run with the dog once the turkey is in the oven and the veg prepped, followed by lazy & slowly boozy afternoon cooking, eating, watching crap telly and playing cards or whatever games the kids have got from "Santa".

Generally I'm not particularly into an excessive Christmas, and would be very happy with some nice coffee beans, a bottle of whisky and a some sort of bike clothing... but the wife, kids and grandparents are very into it and their happiness makes me very happy too.

Can't say I'm worried,

Admirable stoicism hopes its all good news

Good luck with that Rich.

Richpips wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 6:15 pm I got some chest X-ray results back today. Now on a 2 week referral to see if cancer is involved. Can't say I'm worried, but still, an all-clear in that dept would be nice.

I’m really hoping it’s an all clear Rich. I suspect it’s just ingrowing beard.

Fingers crossed and get well soon for whatever's bothering you Rich.

Fingers crossed for you Rich

RIP wrote: ↑Sat Dec 17, 2022 1:23 am I'm your father-in-law? There's something very weird going on here.

(ah, thanks for the clarification. That helps. Ish.)

Everyone thought the same thing for a moment there Reg

Well the boy has just got back on shore leave till the 9th so it will a very blurred one especially as his 18th falls on the 6th ( one of the reasons I’ve been absent for the last year or so as running up and down to Portsmouth most weekends so the wife can see her little prince didn’t leave much time for getting out , but now he’s on ship I’ve managed to get a couple of nights out recently )

middleagedmadness wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 10:23 pm one of the reasons I’ve been absent for the last year or so

And it's your round Stu, I can't hold out much longer .

If you get a few bivvies (and indeed bevvies) in this year I'll finally be able to say "Wham BaM thank you MaM" again too .

RIP wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:31 am

middleagedmadness wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 10:23 pm one of the reasons I’ve been absent for the last year or so

And it's your round Stu, I can't hold out much longer .

If you get a few bivvies (and indeed bevvies) in this year I'll finally be able to say "Wham BaM thank you MaM" again too .

Think the round is long over due reg , Mart and mr and mrs burty have dragged me out over the last couple of months so hopefully I should be down at the wrt this year coming