One of the unexpected things that has come into my life since marrying
Darling Wife is my evening stroll. Darling Wife firmly believes in
exercising after Dinner and so, more often or not, I am kicked out of the
house at around 7pm with strict instructions not to return for 30 minutes or
so. In the summer, Darling Wife quite often accompanies me, but since the
clocks have gone back and (more importantly) the temperature has dropped,
her enthusiasm has diminished quite remarkably.
In Paris, this constitutional used to lead me by the Eiffel Tower, or along
the Seine. Even in the depths of winter this was always interesting. There
was always something or someone to watch. Alas, the delights of Dedworth do
not quite come up to the same standard. However, there is a small park to
wander round, and it is a safe enough area so I am not complaining.
What I am complaining about is this.
Last night I passed a house with not one but two illuminated Christmas trees
in the window. What is all this about? It's only just past bonfire night,
and we've got Christmas decorations up in peoples houses. It's bad enough
that the local Tesco has is playing Christmas music and has started
exhorting us to have fun and be jolly, but for the locals to join in early
November seems pretty pathetic to me. What is wrong with these people? Do
they think December 25th will come quicker if they stick a bit of green
plastic and some lights in their window? Are their lives so boring that they
need to focus on the forthcoming celebrations to take their mind off of
things?
As I think I mentioned last year, in France most places (shops, towns,
whatever) don't really embrace the Christmas spirit until a few weeks before
the 25th and that is a practice I fervently miss.
Oh well, whatever! If the good citizens of Dedworth Road are happy who I am
to criticize.
they're too PC
2006-11-07 @ 15:04