Burning the candle...

The evening saw the Monday football group's Christmas meal at the Black Horse. But, as with all football-related things, preparation and training are everything. So, at lunchtime, I went with M'work colleagues to, err, the Black Horse for a Christmas meal. Both meals were taken at the same table and we had the same crackers and jokes.

There were a few differences - there were more Portugese strikers at the evening do. And I had fish and chips rather than a three course meal. And wine instead of ginger beer.

And, at the next table, there was some sort of choral group having their Christmas meal. And, in a moment worthy of a Richard Curtis movie, they began to sing "Ding dong merrily on high" in full, multi-part harmony. It was a charming moment. Slightly less charming was the chorus of Jingle Bells that followed - performed by the Monday football choir.

Whilst the first carol was charming, the (proper) choir's second effort was slightly less magical. By their fourth song, we were barely restraining ourselves from throwing food at them.

The evening ended with a ride in baby brother's charmingly rustic mini-bus and the prospect of getting up at 6:45 to take the boy to the station. Oh joy.