Yo Ho Ho

Christmas is coming and it has been a busy season already.

Last night we hosted some 40 people in our house for 'carols, mince pies and mulled wine'. Mostly singers (and players) from our west gallery music group The Madding Crowd but we were also joined by neighbours and work friends. The neighbours especially came out of self-defence: the singing was rather loud.

As usual we over-catered. The mulled wine was made in three batches and was almost perfect, but 108 mince pies was a little too many to make! Oh well, we'll just have to eat them ourselves. The cheese and french bread we added at the last minute was overkill. Surprise surprise, people brought things with them: mostly wine, but there were (more) home-made mince pies and mini sausage rolls -- still hot from the oven.

One person brought a reed-organ, another a cello, another a violin and my daughter Jennie went upstairs and came down with a box of percussion instruments, including a kazoo which was nobly and shrilly played for most of the evening. Most of us were used to many old carols and a glee or two, and otherwise some well-known favourites were sung.

There is something quite special about making music and enjoying good things together with friends. At Christmas. Not only then, of course, but especially so as the sharp frosts and dark evenings draw in. Not a television on, nor a recording played; no canned laughter, no professional entertainment -- only real friends, real voices and real food.

Bliss.

Thank you, singers. Thank you.