Christmas with Mum

Well, I'm back and feeling a little flat, and FAT!

Christmas for me usually comprises of lots of Champagne and flu! This year, however has been a little different. This year I actually ate food, had company and got away with just a cold!

Whilst discussing Christmas with my Mum, she said that she may go away to Belgium on a coach tour, she asked what I was doing. I said that I would love to go away, somewhere hot, but being broke, having pets and having to keep working it was never going to happen.

Mum went away with her decision, to come and stay in Devon and have her first Christmas with me here, or go to Belgium.
She decided that her daughter was going to be honoured with her company. Epic! I was so excited! And also slightly worried, as I know what my Christmases have been like down here, but knew she could cope.

Time passed, Mum brought varying exciting packages on different trips down over the last few months. And then, we were just a few days away from Mum arriving.
Quick dust, put a few decorations that Mum had bought me (I didn't bother about that either) and we were ready.

I met Mum off the coach, took her stuff to the bed and breakfast and we went back to watch the Strictly final! Great start to our Christmas Holiday together. Lots of shouting at the tv, a few tears, lots of text voting, and eventually and epic roar and cheer of delight from us as we rose to our feet, clapping at the tv as Louis won! What an end to the start of our time together.

When I was little I was most definitely a 'Daddy's Girl' used to run with him, he taught me how to press-up, sit-up and do chins! At about the age of 7! Mum and Andrew always got on, although when Mum went off to 'cool down' after a barny with Dad (she's gonna hate me for that) it was me who ran off after her up the road, I had to run at the pace she walked at up that hill! So you see, there is always something in common, I guess from a very early age I empathised with their argument, but also myself needed the air and the fresh thought. I still hate arguments to this day and will walk out, rather than argue. It upsets me.

So, as time has passed, since Dad passed, Mum and I have bonded, been on various funny coach trips, she's followed me around citites whilst I've done marathons and supported me like no mother should ever be asked to, mentally, financially and in hilarity! My Mum is the best!

Recently, I got together with an actual man that I called 'boyfriend' for a brief spell. It was 3 1/2 years since Matthew and I met him on a Fitness Singles dating site.
On 'paper' the relationship was perfect, he was perfect man, had enough money to probably support both of us, good job, respectful, enjoyed exercise, ex military, charming, gentleman, need I go on?
And..... for the first time ever, Mum liked him! Amazing!
They got on so well it was awesome, unfortunately, my Mum also should have really predicted the end earlier in the year when she called me 'fickle' and she was right of course, and had forgotten that!
So perfect 'on paper' boyfriend had to go and I had to face a very disappointed Mummy :*(

I think she has forgiven me now though.................

So, I had to work the next day, Mum had a key, I made it back, and again the next day I had to work, but mum doesn't mind, she would rather I work and earn money.

We had a great time, and then..... Christmas Eve! I had warned Mum about it. She had to sit through a band rehearsal the previous day, a little odd, both of us with stinking colds, having band practise in a bedroom above the Bay Horse! Bob, Dave, Mum and me! Yep, le't not go on about that, safe to say though, other than me having to blow my nose halfway through a verse we were ready to play.

Mum went and changed, I got into my little Santa Dress and we met at the pub.

What a night, music, singing, more music, I played my flute for what seemed like hours, it was awesome, so awesome we missed Midnight Mass! It was brilliant and I walked Mum back to the B and B and took some strange dark photos of the river on the way back! Don't you just love mixing champagne and cider eh?! haha

Christmas Day, funnily enough was a Bay Horse experience again. And the lovely Fran is staying in Totnes over the festive period, I love it when people as insane as me come to stay! Looking forward to New Years Eve now.
A few cheeky vinos and back to make dinner. Roast Beef for 2!
A sherry trifle that could have been drunk through a straw, lots of wine and Amaretto and we passed out! Me on the sofa with Finnegan, then Murphy, then Paddy! And Mum all safe upstairs.
Perfick!

Boxing Day, comprised of walking in the rain with little Jo and the dogs, to go and see non-existent Morris Dancers! And then, champagne, Darcy Bussell, old musicals and a walk back later to Bridgetown, in the rain, again!

27th (yesterday) I had to work in the morning, Tania, awesome dedicated client of mine came out for a run, a hilly one, then I picked up Mum and her case (I was still in my hi-viz lycra) and we went back to mine so I could shower, clean and pack!
We left 12.30 and set off up the A38 (Devon for Motorway) towards the A303.

And, as soon as we got near Newton Abbot, we stopped, and listened to Radio Devon, funnily enough, John Govier was on, saying he was travelling South on the 38 and there was a 5 car pile up at Kennford!
Bugger!
Bugger!
Bugger!
We moved, very slowly, it was like when I supported Rob Starbuck in his 132 mile run this year, yep, it was about that speed, the speed you run Ultra's at! Thankfully, I had the dogs in the back and they came with me as support crew for the 132 so were happy :)

So, from our getting on the A 38 to the A30 was an hour and 30 mins, something that should have taken only about 30 mins! Eeeek!

And then onto the A303, the pretty route!
All good, nope, Blackdown Hills, 10 miles an hour, keep going.......
More jams
More queues....
Not far from Stonehenge, oops! Stopped.

Nothing for at least 30 mins.
I mentioned the toilet to Mum and she agreed.
Not moving
Nowt!

It was dark, Mum got out of the van and had a wander up the road.
People were getting out of cars and smoking to right, running out to the hedges and trees for a wee to the left!
Mum came back, she had spoke to a lady up the road, another accident, they had also been caught up in the A38 accident, her relative was one of the 6 cars, yep 6 now, not 5!
Mum got in, eventually we got to the Countess Services and a wee stop for Mum and the dogs!
Funny, I took the dogs up over a grass bank, and as we walked, we encountered many men walking back doing up their flies! haha
Mum came back after an epic queue and off we went again.

I shall bore you no more, needless to say, there was a third accident on the M3
We made it back ok
Watched a little tv, ate party food
I went to sleep on a blow up mattress, covered in dogs yet again!
Finnegan, in fact had made his way into my sleeping bag upside down so his head was down the end.

Saw brother, he only came to see Finnegan I swear, and then back homewards, passing Reigate Heath to see where I had scattered Blue's ashes, and Woking to see my partner in Funk, Rob for a quick coffee.

And I'm home, with a Team Funkanova hoodie all ready for 2013 action and epic fundraising!

BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Loves ya, thanks for reading :) x