Christmas Eve 2020 2210

I still hate Thursdays but at least now I have tomorrow and Boxing Day off. Working Sunday through to Thursday next week, new year's day off, last day of work Saturday 2^nd.

My morning class had prepared a little rehearsed speech for me. They had invited me to join them in dumpling-making on Monday for winter solstice and I had to decline due to teaching commitments and they also asked me to join them for Christmas day, again I had to disappoint because as you know I once again have plans for my dinner.

But they had clubbed together to buy me gifts. The ubiquitous apple of course (Jody is loving that), a Christmas tree about ten inches tall and and electric hot water bottle. The reason for the latter was because I am always complaining of the cold!

As it happens, due to my diabetes my feet are eternally cold so as I type the bottle is on the floor and my feet are on top of it. I am hoping it will cool enough to kick in on reheat in time for taking it to bed, it's not something you leave plugged in constantly. I thought they were very sweet but shouldn't spend their money on me – even though I think I will be using their very thoughtful gift often. Last night I also received a gift of a bottle of Sangria from Adriana. I really don't expect gifts. Well, not at my age anyway.

So anyway, tomorrow Adriana booked me a table for two downstairs at Charlie's Burger for five-thirty. She herself is going with a friend who has the unfortunate distinction of sharing his birthday with Jesus (I have a cousin equally afflicted) but arriving an hour later. Doubtless we will exchange greetings but their table is booked upstairs. I dare not venture up because even stone cold sober I am terrified coming down I will fall and die. I really need a handrail or it's a no-no.

There's a set menu (as well as the standard) for Christmas Day only. 400¥ per head (or about £45 just to make my UK readers positively green with envy). There's mushroom and black truffle soup, foie gras terrine, seared Hokkaido scallop, grilled king prawn linguine with garlic pesto, beef wellington, all followed by classic crème brulee. And of course some plonk included.

Now, never in a million years do I think I can attempt to eat all those courses. I will probably have a crack at the soup, wellington and brulee. But in the spirit of Christmas, whatever I don't eat I will have put in a doggy bag for Melody's dorm mates. No doubt they will winkle it out of her where it came from despite my imploring silence but it can't be helped.

So I can still have a decent Christmas dinner but sadly many in the UK and elsewhere are very restricted and I am genuinely sympathetic. It still seems bonkers that in the very place everyone urged me to leave nigh on a year ago, I can still go out to a restaurant for what I fervently hope will be Masterchef style food when many of you can't.

However, I would like to wish all my readers seasons greetings wherever you are and whatever restrictions you are under. I hope that regardless you can still enjoy a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

I have to add that one of my happiest Christmas days/dinners consisted of going to the pub at lunchtime, getting tipsy, going home and then cooking myself bangers mash and beans!

Shen dang kwai le!!!