5 Days to Christmas
Happy Saturday. It’s been a beautifully crisp, sunny day here in the south-east of England. So the kids and I headed up to the forest for a proper long walk. Good exercise, good banter – just all-round good. And not another soul in sight! Five days before Christmas… now that is something. You know what they say: The best things in life are free….
Later this afternoon, we made our way to The Pantiles, strolling through the cobbled streets and soaking up the lights. It was just perfect. And as if on cue, the The Salvation Army band struck up a set of Christmas carols. They were wonderful. They do so much to help the homeless, don’t they.
There were a few people huddled in sleeping bags — yes, even in posh Royal Tunbridge Wells. So I decided the money I’d planned to spend on a wreath for the back door was better placed in their hands instead.
All in all, a really lovely day, spent in the company of Grace and Mark. Dave, meanwhile, opted to head into work, getting ahead for January’s TV shows. I completely get it — it’s far better to be ahead of the curve with Groovi production. And the first show of the year on HobbyMaker is going to be a big one, that’s for sure.
Speaking of Christmas carols, which is your favourite? Pray do tell! The kids and I were singing our hearts out in the woods today.
This one: Noel, Noel Noel Noel. Born is the King of Israel. Do you know the one? We are getting in training for tomorrow. It’s the Annual Christmas Cheese Wine and Carols do at the Crowborough Rugby Club. I love it. Absolutely love it. Even though I don’t drink, and it is quite a boozy affair, I just LOVE the atmosphere there. Right up my street. Literally! I also love that everybody knows Mark, still remembers him from his awesome rugby playing days.
So it will be an early Roast lamb, then off to the club for a sing song. Happy days.
Love and Clarity
Barb x x x
20 thoughts on “5 Days to Christmas”
sounds like an ideal day..enjoy your Christmas xxx
sounds like a perfect day x
precious days with your family. Enjoy !
Hard to choose just one Carol. Perhaps
In the Bleak Midwinter
So atmospheric.
All the best for 2026. X
What a lovely day you’ve had. Ahhhhh well done giving to those in need. I struggle with Carol singing, so emotional, but my favourite ones are Joy to the World and The Holly and the Ivy.
Gosh time is running away at some speed.
Merry Whatsit to you all.🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️
Was great to see you had time for a walk and in the sunshine! We are going to hear a brass band tomorrow evening (hopefully). My daughter plays in the band! It’s usually a mixture of lovely music and carols plus a bit of banter! Looking forward to it!
Have a lovely evening.
That’s a lovely photo of the three of you. Enjoy your carol singing, Barb. Always difficult to choose a favourite – but maybe three: The holly and the Ivy, I saw three ships and The carol of the bells.
take care, festive greetings to all. 😀
Our choir sang the carol of the bells this year! Quite an earworm!
Silent Night is my all time favourite. My lovely Dad used to sing it in his strange accent but it never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Every time I hear the carol I am moved. I do miss him so much.
Wonderful to see you and the kids looking so happy.
Fabulous photo of the three of you and, in addition to having a good walk, you had good weather too – always a bonus. I always like God rest ye merry gentlemen and ding dong merrily on high but love listening and singing along with any/all of them. Stay safe x
Oh come all he faithful. Heading this at the school Christmas concert a!says made me she’s a tear. Happy Christmas to you all.❤
Such a beautiful photo of you three on a beautiful winter’s day 🥰 So pleased you’re being able to share quality family time 💖 I really can’t choose a favourite carol – I love so many of them but maybe the gentler ones as they are so calming ❤️🩹 Much love xXx 🦋💕
My favourite Carol is O Come. O Come Emmanuel, I especially like the Latin Version Veni Veni Emmanuel. I have a Christmas Album by Libera boys choir and it sounds heavenly! My next favourites are Silent Night, Holy Night which reminds me of my Nan and The Holly and the Ivy.
Nice to know that you had a wonderful day with your kids Barb; Simple pleasures are the best things in Life and the best things in Life are Free!
Wishing you and your family and the Clarity Family a very happy Christmas 2025 and a Prosperous New Year! x Thank you very much for all you do Barbara & Clarity Team. Clarity is the Kindest Company I know!
Sounds and looks like the perfect day. Tomorrow at the rugby club sounds like fun too, rugby players always know how to have a good time. I knew several of the English team way back in the day and we always had a good time. My favourite carol is silent night simply played on the guitar.
What lovely photos of you and your family, it sounds like a perfect day. My favourite Carole is O come all you faithful. I was supposed to be going out to Little Morton Hall tomorrow with a friend as a distraction but I am full of cold so staying home and nursing myself.
Lovely to see you with your kids have an amazing time. You can feel the joy in you having them home for Christmas so so special. X
Lovely pic of you, Grace and Mark, Sunshine in a walk makes such a difference! We took our youngest granddaughters Grace and Sophia to Wrest park and did the ‘Shaun the Sheep’ trail then had hot chocolate and cake, we were exhausted but Sophia has so much energy!
Enjoy your time with your family xx
After a foggy start to the day the sun did make it out this afternoon but unlike you I haven’t ventured out today. Sounds like you had a lovely walk through the woods & the Pantiles with the Salvation Army Band playing.
Tomorrow is the Carol Service at Church which is always a lovely start to the Christmas period, but I can’t choose any one carol as a favourite as I like them all. All being well there will be 4 generations of our family there.
Enjoy the Christmas do at the Rugby Club tomorrow – I will never forget my first Open Day that I attended there – my husband dropped me off but we were in our motorhome & the lads in the car park greeted us with a look of horror as they wondered where they were going to put us & were very thankful when we told them he wasn’t stopping 😂
Looks like a lovely walk. We went to watch a tractor run this evening, what a lot of effort they went to. It was such fun!
I love most carols, especially singing descants. We sung the Carol of the Bells with our choir this year, Ken. An amazing sound.
Enjoy your Sunday. xx
My favourite Christmas song is Jingle Bells, only because my 2 year old grandson sings it or tries to – so sweet! I feel Blessed to have grandchildren that make Christmas truly magical. Christmas Eve won’t ever be the same without mum but I’ll carry on tradition and my 2 boys and their families will come to me to celebrate the Austrian way.
So special that you are all together for the festive season -Enjoy!!! sending you all lots of love.
What a lovely day – sounds great!
More box shifting/sorting for us today and tomorrow. I will be so glad when we can get back to our lovely walks in the countryside again – I am missing it so much…..one day…..!
Hoping to get to the candlelight carol service tomorrow evening. My favourite carol is O Holy Night – it’s just beautiful!