O LITTLE TOWN OF HARROGATE

AN ARROGATE CHRISTMAS IN YORK AND MALTON

We just could not buy a white Christmas and so made the most of an off-white, sort of greyish foggy, sometimes rainy, slightly damp, occasionally cold but not real frosty Christmas just like the ones we used to know. Where the tree tops glisten, and children listen through i-pods in the car.

On Christmas eve we started with a lovely meal at Manor farm, Ryton, with Dave and Jane. This was after I had visited "A Cut Above" the Malton hair stylist for discerning farmers located on the top floor, ney attic of the Yates farm supplies emporium. The best little snipper in the North.

We travelled to Ryton via Swinton Grange to photograph the house where I was born, the house where I was bred, and the school (now a house) where I was buttered. (See Photos).

Then in the early evening we took the A64 to see the Celeb D and his wife T. After a couple of J2O's in the Bishopthorpe working dentist's club, and some sliced meat in Garbett Way, we started a foggy pilgrimage to the replica of St Peter's - Rome, in Norton for mid-night mass. The road to Damascus got lost in the fog. The vicar who gave a very good sermon announced that the Norton St Peter's Church of England had approval to dispense the sacriment to non-conformist rif raf, and so I joined Kerry and John at the kneeling rail with those who truly repent or at least those who needed to.

We arrived back in Harrogate at 2.00am, but were soon back on our Garbett Way for Christmas dinner and present opening, at the home of the York celebrity dentist.

This self same dentist who prides himself with cooking and stuffing, provided a teast of furkey, three stuffings, sour fauces, ten vegitables and a flaming plum pud in a lake of brandy sauce.

The final of the Garbett Way darts competion was also held on Christmas day, but as with the Celebrity Come Dancing final, the result will not be announced until all the votes are in, and drug testing is complete. Remember if you want to vote for John dial 01324 567 4567 28 7 2345 65 23 45 89 01543864 247687 98234 3421 7643986 21 followed by 01

On Boxing day we joined 3,640 other disciples to cheer York city to a famous 2-1 victory over the high ranking H*%*$^?>!by United. Kerry must have some reason for sitting in a freezing soccer stand and watching non-league football. Could it be Racing Withdrawal Symptoms?

Finally, today the 27th December, we visited as surrogate neighbours, our close friends Stephen and Christine Upton at 20 Yew Tree Gardens for post Christmas drinks and nibbles. And so that was Christmas and a blogging 2007 draws to a close.