Firday Smiles 2025 # Week 50

Today my post is mostly about Christmas. And I love Christmas so there is plenty to smile about. 

When we were in Spain I often said how traditional their fiestas were, with everything staying much the same each year. But the last few years we saw some small elements disappear so the fiestas were slightly smaller. The old folk are getting older, and the young ones have too many other distractions, but I think their traditions will still continue for years to come. Here in Oswestry we have our own traditions, but here they are growing year on year, and what we saw last weekend was immense compared with what happened before we left.

The first Friday in December is always late shopping night. Lots of small business stay open well past the usual closing time here of 5.00-5.30, and they used to be brightened up by a band on the main square, and a few food stalls along the streets. Now however it is a full scale fairground in two big car-parks and along the main road. There were heart-stopping rides for those who love such things, (I feel anxious just seeing them!). The market street was full of stalls selling everything from burgers, to scotch eggs, to cakes and cookies, and even one with churros and chocolate - a must at any Spanish fiesta!

Sadly it rained fairly persistantly all evening but that didn't deter the crowds, and it was quite a challenge to get through them. But the atmosphere was happy, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

This was followed on Saturday morning by the annual Christmas parade. Run by the local Rotary club, this had grown from a handful of lorries with excited children on them, to a proper carnival parade with floats reresenting local sports clubs, nursery schools, and trades. Again the crowds were out in force, eager to catch the candy thrown from the floats, and small wrapped portions of cheese from the Cheese Company float. The last float always carrys Santa.

Sunday was a red day as over 500 Santas mustered on the square ready for the 5K santa run. YTheir entry fee provided them with a running number and a santa suit. They ranged from serious runners, to dog walkers (joggers), to young folk pushing pushchairs. We saw them off and walked back home across the path, just in time to see the last few runners passing our house. 

One of the fastest runners is dressed as The Grinch and anyone who makes it to the finishing line before him gets a free breakfast. I haven't heard whether anyone managed it.

All in all it was a good start to Christmas for Oswestry.

Apart from that we have mainly stayed home, watching our kitchen slowly emerging and becoming a reality. On Monday the fixtures arrived. We do not have easy access to the house so most pieces were brought in along the back alley and through the utility area. But the last piece was huge and the alley wasn't an option so the builder and delivery man together managed to bring it up our not very easy front steps and through the narrow hallway.

The cupboards were all ready assembled at the factory, so they were piled up wherever there was a space. I am glad I wasn't the one to sort them out.

Now most are in place and by tomorrow they will be fixed. Next week the appliances will arrive. Work will finish next Friday for the holiday break, but Dave has promised to have it all in working order for us for Christmas. In the new year he will be back to do all the finishing touches, and make a start on the utility.

Amid the choas of kettle and mugs in the sitting room, later than usual dinners when the workmen have left for the day and I can get through to the back kitchen etc, I did manage to get all my cards and a Round Robin letter written and delivered or posted by Monday. 

And I have worked one side border on my crochet with the second one in progress. So maybe we will have a slightly easier week next week. Only one more post to go this year. I don't suppose many folk will be writing on Boxing Day. So see you all next week.