...opening an alternative advent calendar

...no words


Advent 4 - Keaton Henson from David Wilson on Vimeo.

David Wilson Vs Keaton Henson

www.altadvent.tumblr.com

...keeping schtum about Maverick Slacklines Project X

...but not doing that good a job.
Just check out the sweet skills of team Maverick

...shopping for a Christmas tree

...starting our search for owl decorations, we went to homebase. I have this dream of a Christmas tree covered in little white owls but sadly it was not to be.

...refusing to even glimpse a tree there, I dragged Sam to Stewarts Garden Centre in Christchurch, because it's tradition. For more years than I can remember, the Illingworth family Christmas tree shopping experience involves my dad and my sisters standing by the biggest, fullest  tree we can find, while my mum holds on to a much smaller one across the other side of the centre. Where usually the matriach rules supreme, at Stewarts this rule relaxes, & as is tradition, we bring home the monster tree.

And in recent years they also have reindeer, and Badger likes to rub noses with them as a Merry Christmas greeting, it's his tradition. This year did not disappoint, we brought home the biggest tree. I actually started to sound a little like my mother, "Ron, where are we going to put it?" And like Ron, Sam dismissed my uncertainty, hauling the monster tree to the overeager sales guy.

As is tradition, we had to rearrange the lounge and lop off some of the trunk to make it fit. But fit it does and I love it!

After the tree decorating , drinking hot choc with marshmallows & listening to carols, our friends came over and we moved on to mulled wine and went for a gorgeous Salathai in Southbourne. A great start to December. Hope you're all feeling festive too.

... feeling like a chocolate teapot after Bournemouth Tourism Awards

Reporting back from the Bournemouth Tourism Awards, I have to admit I didn't see eye to eye with the judges on most of the results.

However a fun night was had by Chloe and I, which we have the Bournemouth Echo to partly thank for... worth it even though I felt like a chocolate teapot the next morning...

I feel like I should explain I am holding the second glass of wine for Chloe while she takes the photo.