TI'S THE SEASON TO BE MERRY

.Angels from the realms of glory

Hi everyone.. greetings.
   This year we spent Christmas we spent with two very dear friends, and yes we enjoyed a full traditional Christmas lunch, they enjoyed themselves so much they want to spend New years eve and day with us, {must be gluttons for punishment} but now I am getting ahead of myself.
On Monday we decided to go to Riga to find a shop that we had been recomended by a friend where we might find some pepermint essence and red food colouring,{needed for pink coconut ice} no problem finding the shop it as it was on our side of the city,it was an Aladin's cave of all things cooking and catering. From spices to foil dishes, dessicated coconut to coffee machine's, a cash and carry open to the public,did they have the one thing we most wanted ! not a drop!!, peppermint essance is just something Latvians don't do. But all the same a very useful place to go
Tuesday 20th we joined with 30 or so folk for a trip to the theatre in Riga  to see a Christmas show, the theme was a christmas visit to all of the EU countries with a song or carol from each one, and it was very entertaining and the dozen or so performers did Great Britian proud with a rendition of 'Deck the hall with boughs of holly, fa la la la,la la la la, and others. The theatre holds about 1500 people and would you believe it the man in front of Valerie and me was an English man

Ten or so days ago when I wrote my last offering I said we would be off to the forest to collect our Christmas tree, so last Wednesday  we set off with the dog to the forest, and it was a little like choosing wallpaper, the conversation went a little like this 'here's a nice one'    'perhaps over here there's a better one'  ' that ones a bit lop sided' ' how about this one?' 'no maybe if we go on a bit there may be a better one' If anyone was watching  it was just like choosing anything where there is a large choice In the end I did the only thing a wise man would do in any situation like this. 'Valerie I said you choose and I will cut it down' so that's what we did,so armed with what we thought was the right shape, size and overall correctness we headed back to the car. ' While we are out lets drive on a bit and give the dog a nice run' I said and we duly headed deeper into the forest, now the road we were on was a little used onewhich is usually no problem but all was well. The loggers had been about and there was only one place where the Mazda slipped a bit so all was well. Lilya loved the run through the woods and then we headed back to the car and home. 'Lilya's had a good run, be nice to get back in the warm and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake,' was the comment I made as we set off, my line of travel was just a tad off, as we reached the dodgy bit of road and as we got to the middle of this patch, the wheels started to spin and we ground to a halt while the wheels continued to spin, Ground to a halt is the correct term in our situation as the car settled down comfortably on its belly, AND WE WERE GOING NO FURTHER!!!!!!
     The words of Corporal Jones from Dads Army came to mind 'Don't panic Capt Mannering'  No worries Valerie all we need is something to give us a bit of grip and we be through it and away for that cuppa, not a dogs chance!! all I could find was some Scots fir branches which still had a few needles on them, would they help! not a bit!! they just went in the front and were spit out the back, I just couldn't find anything that would work and in a forest the size of a small county in England, how frustrating is that!!!!! whats plan B? I know phone a friend first one didn't answer, second one said it's not possible, I'm in Riga and there wasn't a third we could try. { I don't mean we only have two friends, we have many, but not close enough to help out in this situation} so we did the Latvian thing, we gave the problem some thought.
 Whilst this process was going on a young man in a 4X4 came along, 'Is there a problem here ?' he asked I felt like saying no not at all I always park my car up to it's axles in mud in the middle of the road!!!!!!! but he was so nice I didn't have the heart too.{and they just don't understand our English humour} Anyway the next question was more practical ' do you have a rope?  and maybe I can pull you out Great, two broken ropes later I had moved some 12----15 inches  but had gained an audience as a man in a white van had arrived on the scene, with hands on hips he and my would be rescuer discussed the situation as if I didn't exist.{ part of their conversation probably went something like ' see this stupid English man can't drive for toffee,should get himself a four wheel drive, what is he thinking about coming down here in a thing like that.!!!} { donations for a new 4x4 will be most welcome} But now my best buddy turned to me and said 5 minutes and he {the white van man will be back} and sure enough a Latvian 5mins {read 15} he returned with a stronger rope and another man,'well if all else fails perhaps they can push me out' By now I was just an observer watching the experts. First thing was to put the new improved stronger rope round my tow hitch, then around the bar in the 4X4 which the older man did, or thought he had, as when the towing vehicle moved off he found he wasn't connected at all!!. After a few comments by the two other Latvians all was joined correctly and the problem was sorted. 'and we were free. can I give you something for your trouble?, a drink?' I asked only to be told  'This is not necessary, it's what we do.and as the all drove off leaving Valerie and myself still in the middle of the forest but mobile once again. We decided to return via another direction which was about 15k further but much safer all round. And if you think I'm going to put a picture of me stuck in the mud well you've got a another think coming!!
Whilst all this was happening I was reminded of Jesus parable of 'The good Samaritan' So who is my neighbour?? in my case on that day it was three complete strangers who I probably will never see again. And next time I see someone who needs help I hope I might be a neighbour to them. Somewhere in there is a lesson for us all.
By the way the cup of tea and slice of cake we planned tasted all the better after our adventure in the forest, even if it was an hour and a half late.
A stand was made for the tree which Valerie decorated and it looked very festive along with tinsel, Christmas cards, baubles bells and other decorations our sitting room looked very cosy.

.Not sure if attractive is quite the right word.

The Friday before Christmas was the school party/ concert,{ yes the children and teachers were there right up to the 23rd} with the children putting on a show of singing,dancing poetry and a short play followed by none other than Father Christmas complete with his very attractive fairy helper

             

.A happy sing along

.Everyone loves Santa

.I think someone has eaten to much dinner             

 Everyone has to greet Santa with some small song, poem or performance we were joined by the children we teach in a wonderful rendition of 'Head and shoulders knees and toes' Santa loved it and we were duly rewarded with two bags of mini Dime bars,


Then all to soon the party was over and one last day of school before holiday time, yes children and teachers had to be in school right up to Christmas eve. and the teachers were back on the 26th getting ready for the new year.
Talking of which is as I type this only 4 hours away, and we will see the New year in with our friends Sandra and Egil deep in the forest, but that's a story for the first blog of 2012.

It just remains for me to wish you all where ever you are a peaceful and God Blessed New Year.