So this is Christmas - and what have you done?

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I walk up to the village hall to our 'outreach' post office. We've had two sessions a week since losing our post office a couple of years ago.

'Tai chi?' says our district councillor at the door.

'Sorry, no, I've only come to post a letter.' She seems a little too eager to rope me into something I really don't want to do.

So I get in the queue to send off a very late Christmas card to an old Bridport friend now living in Australia. A dour Mr Putter is standing behind me and in a hurry but I stand my ground because I've got things to do, people to see.

And then I become aware of the relaxing, oriental music. I turn around and look across into the main body of the hall. A crowd of grey-haired onlookers are gazing wistfully at the gentle scene unfolding before them.

Six ladies are doing a tai chi demonstration, arms slowly revolving and legs-a-pointing like some very weird line-dance routine.

The music stops and the hall is buzzing, with people exchanging Christmas cards and gossip.

We may have lost our shop and pub, but this community is still thriving. We've got the Village Hall Arms coming up on Christmas Eve. And with a can-do attitude, who knows what the new year will bring?

So I wish you good tidings to you and your kin. And a selection of photos from my year.
























That's about it.

Love Maddie x

Comments

  1. CountessLaurie21 December 2011 at 21:30

    Did you really have the fish pedicure? Can you write a blog post about that?

    Happy Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pondside22 December 2011 at 08:18

    Merry Christmas!
    It's been quite a year - loved your year in pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Red Bladder23 December 2011 at 07:03

    Isn't that dome just up the road in Littleplaces?

    ReplyDelete
  4. maddie23 December 2011 at 09:28

    Well spotted RB. And that amphitheatre is in Trumpton.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Red Bladder23 December 2011 at 11:53

    Now you're being silly, as if I don't recognise the rear facade of The Hope and Anchor when I see it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. katie eggeman23 December 2011 at 14:27

    Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, to you, your family and the Enchanted Village.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gail Is This Mutton?24 December 2011 at 10:19

    Love the pictorial record of the year. Have a fab time! And yes you're very welcome to come up to the smoke and stay with us

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown24 December 2011 at 13:13

    You have such a beautiful way of transporting your readers across time and space to when things were simpler. When people were kinder and gentler. Thank you for this post.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ella28 December 2011 at 09:51

    As usual I enjoyed your blog, have a great New year Ella.

    ReplyDelete

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