18th December 2011

As expected, Jamie received official notice that his contract at Disney would end on 7th January. The warehouse had been strangely quiet for months, a far cry from last year’s frantic pace. The much-discussed recession was making its presence felt, tightening purse strings across the country.

Even the roads seemed to confirm it; on my recent drive to Devon, motorway traffic was noticeably lighter, and Harborough, usually heaving in the run-up to Christmas, felt oddly subdued. The news that Thomas Cook, a company with deep roots in the town, was struggling financially only added to the gloom.

Naturally, I’ve devised my modest plan to fix the nation’s woes: grant independence to the Scots so they can pay for their own education, healthcare and public transport; unite Ireland by having Northern Ireland buy the Republic with an RBS loan; fill in the Channel Tunnel and nuke France (after evacuating the cheese); sue the Americans for causing the recession; invade Iceland and impound their fish, and give pensioners free fish and chips weekly as reparations (fish from Iceland, spuds from Ireland). Deport any foreign nationals I don’t approve of, unless they agree to the death penalty if their appeal fails, that should focus the mind. Jail any banker who lost money but still got a bonus, and set MI5 on any foreign banker who dares to undermine the British economy. I consider this a fair and balanced policy document.

Monday was a crisp, blustery day, so Sue and I joined a council-led walk through the fields around Countesthorpe. The wind was bracing, but a brisk pace kept us warm, and we rewarded ourselves afterwards with hot chocolate at the garden centre.

On Wednesday, I drove to Yorkshire to pick up Sarah and Nan. While Nan enjoyed a hair appointment, I tidied the garden. After lunch in Whiston, we collected Sarah and returned to Harborough.

Thursday saw Charlotte and Ellis visiting Sarah, before heading to Corby for a Christmas shopping spree. Meanwhile, Sue was teaching at Church Langton and catching up on village gossip, the latest scandal being that the headteacher at Little Bowden was accused of tampering with SATs papers.

I also tried reflexology with our neighbour Doreen. It was remarkably relaxing, and I now understand Charlotte’s enthusiasm for it. That evening, Charlotte collected Lucas from school, and they both joined us for tea.

Friday brought more company, Charlotte, Lucas and Ellis arrived in the morning. Lucas’s school had closed due to a heating failure, so they stayed all day and joined us for dinner. I made a spicy chilli to fend off the cold, though Suraj missed out as he was at his office party.

Saturday began with a hard frost and temperatures struggling to hit 3°C. I had volunteered to sell match programmes at the Rugby Club and, despite the chill, enjoyed watching the Tigers beat a French side on the TV, with a side view through the clubhouse windows of the First team’s victory over Vipers. In the evening, we warmed up in front of the TV with Strictly Come Dancing. Sarah was working behind the bar at the club, but had to leave early after being sick, likely the same bug that floored Ellis and Lucas last week.

This morning, Harborough woke under its first blanket of snow for the winter. Picturesque, yes, but I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve tried to drive in it.