Happy Christmas !

[Rob Baker]

Well I'm setting off for sunnier climes now (assuming I can get to Bristol Airport), so it just remains me to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a warm and prosperous New Year. See you all in January. All the best , Rob

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Good luck with that, Rob, and have a wonderful Christmas yourself, assuming you get to leave the airport, if you even get there.

For those flights that do manage to beat the weather this Christmas, let's be careful out there... !

[Diane CBPFC]

Hope you have a good trip and a happy holiday Rob.

Brilliant cartoon Tarqs. 

[Roger Kettle]

Merry Christmas, Rob---have a safe journey. I'm guessing you're heading somewhere warmer than it is around these parts. The temperature peaked at a balmy -6 today.

[Tom]

Merry Christmas and great warmth from me too!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Brilliant cartoon Tarqs. 

Thank you, Diane. It's already brought a smile to many a Scrooge this year. I do try.

[Diane CBPFC]

You know what also is funny about it Tarks is that there is a crank window opener like you see in cars. 

[Roger Kettle]

It's a brilliant cartoon. I keep hoping that the setting is a North Californian runway where Mariah Carey was filming a new video for "All I Want For Christmas Is You".

[Joan]

Probably a bit late, unless you're snowed in, but have a Happy Christmas, Rob.  Am I the only one hoping for cooler weather on Christmas Day?

Very funny, TT. 

[Max]

It's also a very Merry Christmas from me to all of you.

I now have a kitchen again after 4 weeks of rebuilding, got more space than I know what to do with and gadgets galore to learn over the holiday.

Ups and Downs over the year, the birth of Lucy and Amy and Lewis, my grandchildren to my sons Gavin and Darryl.

The downs being Darryl diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, something we will all have to work together with.

A huge thanks to the people of Rothesay who have gone out of their way to help Darryl, lifts, free bus rides, buses stopping right outside his door, that kind of thing. It wouldn't happen in a big city.

Merry Christmas to you all, and God bless.  Max.

[Diane CBPFC]

Sorry to hear your bad news Max - but your good news is three times that of the bad. I know a couple of people with MS. :-(

With the time difference you guys are almost at Christmas day - hope everyone has enough people to love and goodies to eat and peace - both the kind that comes into your heart and the quiet kind that lets you have a little nap around 3:00PM

Merry Christmas one and all :-)

[Roger Kettle]

Merry Christmas, everyone!
Diane, are you suggesting we all take a nap at 3pm during the Queen's speech?
Good idea.

[lucy]

Merry Christmas everyone! God Bless us all 

[Joan]

Sorry to hear about Darryl, Max. A friend of mine was diagnosed with MS in her early 30s, I think. She's now in her 50s. She lived in Stornoway before and since diagnosis, refusing to leave, one of the reasons being that the community is just so great.  She's very independent, but I know she appreciates all the quiet help that she's had over the years.  You're right, it's less likely to happen in a city.

I hope things go as well as they can for Darryl. Having the support of his family and friends can only make it easier.

[Max]

Joan,

Thanks for those kind words of encouragement, I'm sure you, more than most, understand how important they can be.
Darryl doesn't have a car on the island so his old man (me) picks him up from Wemyss Bay to go to the Southern General hospital.
I'm so goddam tired of that run   

Darryl has just been approved for the drugs which delay the onset of attacks, he'll learn to inject himself three times a week.
We hope this will help, initially it was his eyesight, but now his legs are affected and thats really worrying.

However, he's a strong boy mentally as well as physically and just wants to look after his family, that, I feel goes a long way.