IN TRAINING FOR NEXT WEEKEND

Hello Lovely Blippers,

You must know by now that I am not actually a naughty elf and there are thousands of those around;  perhaps I’m a little cheeky, but I do like to be helpful, much like Mrs. HCB, so it is said!

Anyway, this morning, I explained to the HCBs that I was awaiting that all-important call from Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Père Noël, Kris Kringle, Papa Noel, Sinterklaas, or any other name you care to give him, to go and help with the various jobs he gives out at this time of year.  These might include finishing off making toys, making cookies, helping with the reindeer, sorting out the letters that have been sent to him etc etc

Mrs. HCB suggested that I might like to go out into their garden to “limber up” a bit before I get the call, so off I went.  There was still a lot of frost and small amounts of snow around, so I decided that I would like some photographs taken so that I could send them to my family and friends.  In this collage at the top, you will see I was sitting on one of the plants, which was a bit prickly, so I had to be careful where I sat.  Then I climbed up into the birdbath, but there was a lot of snow on there, which reminds me, I must let Mr. HCB know so that he can put some water in there for the birds that come to visit their birdtable.   When I saw the frosted hollyhock, I thought it would be fun to climb up that;  it was rather slippery but I made it. 

That climb was quite hard, but then I realised that if I was needed to climb onto roofs (and I’m sure that Rufus the Reindeer) will be around to help), then I needed to get some real climbing experience.  Deanna, the lady who used to love doing things at Christmas with some of my fellow elves who were on the Elf & Safety Team also liked passionflowers, so I climbed almost to the top of the plant looking for some flowers for her, and for Flower Friday, but sadly there were none.  However, I managed to climb to the very top and you can see me in the last photograph with a beautiful blue sky above.  I wonder if she was looking down on me?  

Anyway, after all this excitement and  climbing, I felt very cold and had an attack of the “gwenders”, a Cornish term for a distinctly uncomfortable feeling in the extremities - I won’t say any exactly where, but perhaps you can guess!

But then I had copious amounts of “apricity”, which means the warmth of the sun on a chilly day - when I sat in the HCBs’ conservatory and I know that Mr. HCB enjoyed some too.  I’m sure you’re all pleased to have learned two new words today!  Mrs. HCB always says you can always learn something new every day of your life, and I think she’s right.

However, I think it’s time I rang Santa - because he still hasn’t rung me and I’m ready to go when the call comes.

Take care and if  you can’t be anything else, be kind.

Love to you all, Elvis the Elf xx