Christmas, birth of Jesus, celebrated conveniently soon after the (northern hemisphere) winter solstice. After solstice, this year Dec21, we can look forward to longer days. Though probably not warmer. Eventually Spring. Though depth of winter is yet to come.
Christmas customs vary. Seems each family has its own, probably a synthesis of what the parents did when young. For example: we bring tree indoors on Dec 24th and keep it till 12th night. Make this Jan 6th. We have a real tree in a bucket; our parents had artificial ones. Annoying when shops put decorations up in November or earlier. All about money. Stan Freberg’s “Green Chri$tma$” and “Paddy Roberts “Happy Christmas you suckers” sum up monetisation of the season.
Before covid, went to carols in city centre on Christmas Eve. Decrepitude may keep me away this year. I won’t eat a mince pie before Dec 24th, then try to have one each day of twelve. Someone said traditions are what you do without asking why. Remember my dad put a slug of whisky in my tea first thing Christmas morning. Did not pass this tradition to my sons.
One annual task is to deliver local Christmas cards. Saves money. It’s NOT to break the postal workers strike, we’ve done it for decades.
Dec 16th, cold and sunny. Minus 1 Celsius. A bit early but want to do it on a pleasant day, rain forecast soon. Wore three jumpers, windproof coat, hat and gloves. What if it gets really cold? Dusting of frost on pavements. Some patches of refrozen snow. Chat with Nathan, this time not walking a dog. A few people are. Checked hollybush i prune annually. Few berries. Extended walk to firework shop, seeking rockets for New Year. Not open.
Inner suburb. Mostly residential. Gordon Road, after General Charles”Chinese” Gordon, killed at Khartoum in 1885. Large Victorian houses on right. 20th century houses opposite, on site of coal yard by railway, called Henry Court. Reference to Thomas the Tank engine series? Lime Kiln Road leads to a former quarry and limekiln at top of hill, now part housing and part left to nature. Heaton Rd after former MP for Canterbury, John Henniker Heaton. Walk along Elham Road, across Valley Road. The Elham Valley Railway passed through here on embankment. Closed 1948. Good to have history marked in the street names. Onto Wincheap, wine market or wagon market, take your pick. View of cathedral tower.
About a mile, fifty minutes. Used to deliver leaflets here for Safeway, my last job.Satisfying to do this annual walk. Good exercise in the sun. A small part of Christmas.
Rambling Brummie 