hile many feel the festive spirit starts to fade as soon as the Boxing Day leftovers are cleared, those who celebrate Yule know the magic is only just beginning. Far from being a fleeting moment, Yule is a season that carries us through the heart of winter, with celebrations continuing well into the New Year. As we reach the midpoint of this ancient festival, I wanted to pause and share a recap of my journey through Yule so far.
A New Start on Two Wheels
Just before Yule I applied for the Cycle to Work scheme, and with the voucher now issued, I’ll soon be the recipient of a shiny new bike to replace the one damaged in my collision back in November. I’d weighed up my options and decided that waiting for the legal claim to be settled would be a massive waste of time; similarly, funding the repairs myself—especially at this time of year—wasn't a viable option. I’ve settled on a Giant Contend 2, as it perfectly fits my brief: a solid, reliable bike with affordable components that will keep future maintenance costs manageable.
Midwinter in Sheffield
On Midwinter night, I met up with my best friend, Ian, in Sheffield. It had been far too long since our last catch-up, but we’ve been friends for so many years that when we do get together, it feels as though no time has passed at all. We met at The Fargate—a new pub in an old bank building where I probably signed my mortgage papers once upon a time. From family life to Star Trek, we covered all sorts. It was a wonderful evening, and it’s made me realise I want to ensure we meet up much more often.
The Build-up
Our eldest daughter, Harley, popped over on the 23rd to exchange gifts and catch up. It feels like it's been far too long since we last saw her. I cooked pie and chips for the two of us—though Morticia had something else, as pie isn't really her thing—before her younger sister gave her a lift home.
I've worked many Christmas Eves over the years, and they are usually quite dull affairs. There was a small gift exchange with my work best friend, Keeley, but other than that, not much happened. Even the arrival of two new trainees didn't liven things up, though we did manage to get away about an hour early. There was plenty of prep waiting for me at home since we were hosting a crowd for the big day. As our grandson lives with us—along with his mum, our youngest daughter Rags, and his dad—getting everything ready for a magical morning was a top priority.
Christmas Day
And so Christmas morning arrived. As is the case every morning, I was awake before anyone else. I let Magnus out of his bed and he seemed genuinely excited, bolting upstairs to jump on Morticia before charging back down again; perhaps he knew 'Santa Paws' had been.
Before long, the whole family was up and the gift-giving ritual began. Atreus was a little overwhelmed and confused by it all, but he’s still a bit too young to truly grasp the festive chaos.
Once the gifts were exchanged, I was dispatched to Conisbrough to collect my mother-in-law. I don't usually venture out on Christmas Day—aside from walking the dog—but this was for a noble cause. This was her first Christmas without her partner, who passed away earlier this year, and we wanted to make sure she was with us. We had a proper full house this year, with Morticia’s brother also joining us, making seven at the table. The food was amazing; it truly is the highlight of the season.
As the evening rolled around, Morticia’s mother and brother headed home, but we were soon joined by her step-sister and sons for our usual tradition of drinks, nibbles, and card games. As the night drew to a close, we all reflected on what had been a wonderful day. But Yule is about the whole festive period, and tomorrow is just as important, albeit in a different way.
The Celebration Continues
Boxing Day and the days that follow are a quiet continuation of the festivities; we eat, drink, and relax while working our way through the seasonal TV specials. Of course, this can sometimes be a challenge with four adults and a young child all sharing the relatively small space of our house. It’s why I treasure those early mornings before anyone else is awake—that time spent on my own is absolute gold.
While I return to work for a couple of shifts from the 30th, I’m looking forward to a few more days afterwards to properly conclude our Yule celebrations. For now, the feast continues and the drinks are flowing! I hope your own celebrations are full of joy, and I send you the very best blessings of the season.
See you back here on the first day of the New Year.
Read the latest chapter of my webcomic here: northman.kirt.me.uk
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