Wednesday 30 December – Pilates peeps

 11.11am, Blogging. I always seem to get so behind and then have to do a big chunk (and, predictably, once I have caught up I always promise I'll be more consistent, which never happens). You'd think after 10.5 years I'd have learnt! Anyway, this morning starting with a lovely Pilates session - I have been doing online Pilates every Wednesday morning since about April I think, with my lovely friend Lou who lives in Australia. It's a real highlight of the week, and this session as the last one of the year, she got us all to lead each other in exercises. It was actually really nice to be a bit out of the comfort zone, and it's a fab way to start the day... especially when eh rest of the day brought rain and staying indoors. 

Tuesday 29 December – Dinner and lock-ins (2020 style)

 11.11am, Doing nothing. This bit between Christmas and New Year really feels super quiet, more than any other year I guess because we would normally be seeing family. Andy and I are self-isolating at the moment because of coming into contact with someone with Covid, so today brought a sofa afternoon watching Love Actually, then we made a Christmas dinner (because why not?!) and then had a zoom escape room with the uni girls. We managed to escape, woohoo! 

Sunday 27 December - Treasured times

 11.11am, On Mousehole Beach. I had been to the gym with Kate this morning, then went for a gorgeous walk with Mum along to Mousehole. The sun came out, we drank tea and ate biscuits and satsumas, had really honest chats and laughed a lot, and it was just one of those totally-normal-but-super-special times. I love her, and I have really appreciated living near her in these weird times. 

Saturday 26 December – Obligatory Boxing Day laziness

 11.11am, Not doing much! Today was a super lazy day, with the only bit of activity being a walk at Pendeen and then a drizzly trip to see the murms!

Friday 25 December - Our 2020 Christmas

11.11am, Swimming! It wouldn't be a Cornish Christmas without a swim in the sea, and this year - despite a lot of changes - was no different. Our day started early, with a beautiful sunrise walk and a coffee on the beach, before a few chats with our Aussie family. Then Andy and I headed to Battery Rocks for a freeeeezing but beautiful swim and a mince pie, before we went home to warm up, then for a quick port at Lovett's. We were lucky enough to spend Christmas afternoon with Mum and Dad so we got to theirs, pitched in with the cooking and then sat around eating, drinking, opening pressies and chatting until about 7pm. A few sherrys down, we went home, opened our pressies to/from each other and had a lovely chilled evening. It was a gorgeous day and, although totally reimagined, and our first one without any children around for a loooong time, it was a happy Christmas. 

Thursday 24 December - Christmas Eve plans in action

 11.11am, Doing a Zoom workout. We went out last night for drinks at Lovett's so I was slightly hungover, and have found that sweating it out is often the best cure! I've been doing workouts with Sarah and Emma, and they've been really fun! After that, Andy and I went to Tesco as we realised, due to planning on being away for Christmas, we actually don't have any food in for Christmas! Then we had a fun festive afternoon at the Pyrahs, opening pressies and eating and drinking, then went to the prom to see some fireworks!  

Monday 21 December - All I want for Christmas...

 11.11am, In town, at the dentist. After loads of pain, I managed to get an emergency appt and it turns out I have a cracked tooth. Once that was sorted (thank you dentist, you're amazing!), I did a bit of Christmas shopping and met Ruth for a bubbly and then Lily for a coffee! So nice to see them. Then back home to work for a few hours, before logging off for Christmas! I don't think I've ever had a 2-week holiday with absolutely no plans to go anywhere or do anything before!

Sunday 20 December - Orchard House hangs

11.11am, Cleaning the flat. We are having some of our neighbours round later for mince pies and mulled wine! In the afternoon, I went to my neighbour/friend Florence's flat, for a Christmas crafternoon, but it actually entailed Florence doing the craft, while her friend Polly and I ate mince pies and chatted. It was super festive and lovely, and then the evening neighbour hangs were gorgeous too. I love this little community we have created here in Orchard House. 

Saturday 19 December - Murms and Mexico

 11.11am, Having a quiet morning (with a hangover, thanks to last night!). This afternoon we went to see the murmurations at Pendeed and while were there, some new restrictions and changes got announced, which have changed so many people's Christmas plans. We were supposed to be going to Brighton, and then to my sister's in London for Christmas, but London is now in Tier 4, which means no visitors, no leaving London, etc. We'll be having Christmas here, and I am so sad I won't get to see my sister and her family - so thankful she was down last weekend though! But just really feeling sorry for those people who are so restricted and had all their plans changed. Cornwall has moved into Tier 2 now, but it's not too bad. We went for dinner tonight with Mum and Dad at the Mexico Inn; it was a gorgeous eve, but I cut the festivities short because I've been getting really bad toothache. 

Friday 18 December - Food, friends, festive fun

 11.11pm, At Al and Rich's house. They invited us and Ruth/James over for some Christmassy food and drinks, so we got dressed up, drank many margaritas, ate loads of bread and cheese and danced around their living room. Such a fun night.