The temperature dropped to 3C after midnight. The heating was switched off. The bedroom we chose to sleep in was above the garage. This meant the residual heat dissipated quicker where we were than in the rest of the building. I woke up cold four times, and had to put on extra layers in bed. Finding extra duvet or blanket cover in the dead of night risked adding to the chill factor, so it was a miserable night. Owain re-programmed the thermostat when we got up, so hopefully this won't be repeated tonight.
The cloud cover at sunrise was varied interesting, and the sun put in an appearance occasionally. After breakfast we drove to Knighton, three miles to the north of here, to buy the things we forgot to bring with us. The village Co-op was larger than we realised when we arrived. It has a modest sized multi-storey car park, a proper Post Office in the entrance foyer and half a dozen long aisles. A proper supermarket in other words, rather than the smaller sized ones common in urban locations.
Knighton's silver band was playing Christmas music to welcome arriving customers. We stocked up on milks, wine, beer bottled water etc. It was very busy, but with five check-outs staffed by real smiling people, it was a lovely dose of Christmas cheer. A hefty bill for all the items we forgot to bring, but satisfying to be fully prepared for the coming of Kath, Anto, Rhiannon and Viv this evening.
On our way back we drove into Norton village. It's all residential, no shops. The beautiful 12th century church closed for lack of congregation a few years ago, and has been ceded by the Church in Wales to a trust which is restoring it and making it into a community centre with a post office and space for social activities. No two mile walk in the dark down the hill for Midnight Mass. So tragic. It's a five mile trip to Presteigne for the Eucharist tomorrow morning.
After we returned, before lunch, I walked down the track alongside Norton brook, and recorded the sound of the stream and the haiku I wrote about it.
Sparkling and sweet / The singing of Norton Brook / As it speeds downhill
Then with help from Owain, turned the two sound tracks into a stereo MP3. I was quite pleased with the result.
To my surprise I received a phone call from Ashley, It's the first time in ten months that we've spoken. He's been in hospital, couldn't find my number and had sight problems reading his phone as well. Now I understand why he's been incommunicado for so long.
After sundown, Owain busied himself with preparing a delicious baked aubergine pasta sauce for supper. I recorded Morning Prayer and a reflection for New Year's Day while we waited for Kath, Anto, Rhiannon and Viv to arrive. It was seven thirty when they arrived safe and sound, their car laden with food and gifts. It took them a while just to unload and fill the fridge, find their bedrooms and sit down with a drink and an aperitif. Meanwhile Owain and Clare prepared the table for everyone to sit down and eat together accompanied by Christmas music streamed from Spotify.
Owain let the wood burning stove with longs brought by Kath. We sat and chatted until it was time to hunt for blankets, to make sure we were literally covered in case the programming of the central heating didn't work. Strangely, we found them stashed away in various places. We also found a chest in the entrance hall full of things left behind by guess, an odd mix of cans, bottles, pasta, items of clothing and the such like. The house info said we were welcome to make use of anything we lacked as long as we replaced it before we left. No need to as we're well stocked for our four day stay.
No Midnight Mass for me this year, not even on telly or radio. Clare and I went to bed at eleven, warm and relaxed, happily surrounded by our lovely family. So much to give thanks for.
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