A Foggy Relaxing Christmas

 So its this time of the year already,  Christmas is here and well this year is a stark contrast from ther negativity and events of 2023, it was still an aftershock of things and it can be. It was a also still catching  up from the previous time of what happened after the exeter shopping.  But this was a  time to relax, or more to make sure preparation is ready for the big day . But these 2 days will feel different, since arrangements this year meant christmas day was more closer and less eventful than the boxing day 

 Christmas Eve, 

This in itself was a intriguing once since it was the 2nd proper day of feeling a cold, I was getting a fever and soaked in sweat as i woken up. But that was about 7:45 am, Then after getting changed and coughing up mucus, plus a replacing a n3050 motherboard to take into work that was for a clickets project of something semi nostalgic. But I then got the bus with mum which but just arrived. WE both got on and it was a few more people than the day before too. 

Eventually I got into tavi and then we both walked to town, Which then i went to work where mum went coop. Since I was still feeling a bit of a fever so things were cold to the touch, bur with 3 layers on it was well help me get things warm. 

AS i got in it was still tying up things and plan that  was going to be the place today, since there were some finished chores off before the bigf estive season of the  2 days off to approach. Since there always will be people wanting higher end stuff last minute or even other. But it was one after another and got things to its place. Sme repairs to finish off and various minu task to catch up through the day. 

But time passed and irt 2as soon the last hour where a customer was on the phone and also someone waited around to ask last hour of the working day if there was an iPad in stock. Which i did not but Argos having them or £289 is light daylight obvert on value so he had to rush there by 6p, Which then i got out and rushed my way to get home early for a change for the not last bus home. 

The Selfie on the way to the bus station

Then it was the walk up which on the way back was more bags of salad which i took back and freed, the rain was misty and damp too. But then I got back in and it was nice to finally have a nice bit of light bites for the christmas even tea, since even though my flu was kicking in and working thought it to sort out the christmas shopping vlog still which was overdue and one of the regrets with vlogging the going to exeter was the last minute delay of rush for the video editing.. 

The christmas eve tea of savoury bites, beef, satay skewers and beef crisps

Eventually it was time to sort things out with christmas day being fast approaching.  Since I was still engrossed in the video editing. Eventually I was to bed about the 1am mark. Then it was present wrapping at 2am

Wrapping presents at 2am 

Christmas Day

Overall, the christmas day was a quieter day in general and it was coming to plan out the day to sort. The first task was to sort out filming the christmas message which I had an idea to myself on how to do this.  But we first wake up about the 9:30am mark after a fap over a sheffield cutie. Then it was time to wake up and see what plans next to go on.

Then it was greeting mum to see how she was getting on. since I was getting gruff on my throat so it made it a risk for filming the christmas message, but i got it done. But after greeting mum she was on her ipad, So it was time to get changed and walk my way to a field to then was my time to get recording. I was on the way and noticed people running on the road in the mist as well. But I made my way to the mini field on the mist before it was time to film The mud was pretty intense and even i nearly slipped, but the burger oodee kept less muddy.

The sefleri with the oodie

Tben it was time to walk to the food fridge to pickup some salad which was a nice change to find some salad to pick up. Which then i made my time to get back up home and ten time to clear things up before it was time for some breakfast of a toasted sandwich. 

The bags of salad 

The leftover ham and potato salad toasted sandwich for christmas day breakfast

Then it was eventually leas to me top cain the editing for the Christmas messages which i had to pause earlier than planned since tea or the christmas dinner was an hour and a bit earlier than it was planned originally. Which this time it was nice and tasty but not too much of the meat and the vegetables. Then it was to be what was actually tasty but not too burning in the mouth.  But it was nice and felt a tasty normal roast on a sunday. The table was not really festive. 

The Christmas roast  - Roast Turkey, Stuffing, brussels, parsnips, yorkshire pudding, 

Then it was time to enjoy some of the time with being about to eat, the food was nice and it was not to worry on. But eventually it was time to clean up and finish up string the christmas message video. It was then nearly 2:30 and time it was finished and uploading to the socials. But then it was soon time to sit down and watch the kings speech, even with the time of  the royals losing the itr popularity and also with the discussions meaning much less than it seemed.  But it was nice to watch for the least. 

The Kings Speech

Then it was the case to then be able to pen the presents for us after. I got some nice ones like a hoodies and also some gift sets which mum and ads enjoyed their presents too. Which it was more useful bits this year to enjoy an deal with. But that was soon lived shorted and time to watch a movie on netflix together. 

The mountain warehouse hoodie

The collection of Presents this year, form Xiaomi Rider gloves to Parkside Lidl socks

Then it was that peaceful night to have and spend, with just taking it all in and having that bonding time while traying to doom scroll om some bits and typer on the other. But time was just relaxing until it was then leftovers for dinner that night. Which the evening the meals like that are nice for sure.  But then it was time to relax with family for the rest of the night watching Top Gun Maverick, which actually instead was nice until a friend on fb wqasd pleasing me to call him to help with the PS portal setting up. But by the time that was done, it was the end of the night. Which for me was then to sort out other posts to do. 

But really from that, it was the end of christmas day and then time to sort oput the boxing day part

Boxing Day. 

This day was going to be how things go and this year was still going to be semi awkward but at the same time it was also the only family get together this year had to bring, ok next year was going to be another wedding but instead it was a long time aware for things to get going with. But we begin with another misty walk after making nicer turkey leftover toasted sandwiches. 

The toasted sandwiches for breakfast 

Then it was more killing time until all 3 of us decided to take Rosie,  out for a walk to see what happens, it was misty and very foggy wit that little of dam prain that after a while does get to you, that was also cold and a very weird front of weather, but even the sun tried to escape the clouds when overlooking the valley.  Plus it was also more phone called from a few customers in work 

The mist and the valley fog

But then it was time to get back and change after a nice warm shower, with the hand of me being tucked away somewhere, but it was then a text from sister about our presents to come later on. since it was not the right place to do that or something. So i had the warm shower and got out to tell mum, before it was the time to get change and make our way there to my dad's brothers place again. 

As we drove it felt a sense of odd shame and time to pass as well as awkward bits but time flow and withing 30 minutes of being in the thick mist, we got there. Which in itself was nice but at the same time it had a very mild christmas about it, but we got down there then greeted and it was just killing time, since sister  with kid was slightly late and drinks were offered with a mix of Christmas music. But time passed and eventually it was time to have a bit of party buffet food which i had a mixe of burned roast potatoes with some ham, potato salad and even some egg too. 

The mix of the party food. 

But while this happened a message from a old friend that changed a fair bit was asking about her xbox account being lost which that that was a short reply before not hearing from them again. But after that it was the case it going to be the part of being the present giver with various fun gifts of secret santas and loads to the kid and grandad so it was a nice twist on that. But with various chatter from choir singing to even other things and some family drama to build with seeing an uncle or mostly all except our side of the family for some reason due to crowds. That and another house tour which a lot can change in one year. 

But eventually time moves on and it was time for us to leave, this was actually earlier than expected of the 3:30 mark which was good. But it was nice to have a cosy end to it. Which actually the time of getting home was for the next stage of another misty dog walking selfie. 

The misty dog walking selfie 

But then it was time to just let things slide and after finally catching up with the video editing, it was time to have more leftovers before it was time to finally relax with parents before working the rest of the week which would be quite a interesting week for sure. But the leftover alloli and more chicken bits makes it nice and easy for sure to handle. Plus the salad always helps its vibe. 

the chicken, salad crisps and even pineapple for boxing day tea

 

Well there we have it, with things caught up and a relaxing christmas in a foggy 2 days, its been a one i probably will not remember but sometimes  its good to forget a christmas that was not eventful, others i heard was the opposite and i feel sorry that happened to them. But at least this will be a nice way of twixmas to enjoy the show of the final few days of this numb year.

omracer

 

A Windy Chirstmas Shopping Trip

So this is, the final weekend before Christmas and with = the final Sunday off to do things, it will be the chance to get to finding what I need. I’m overdue for and vlog and Elsevier and also to sort out the Christmas present and with some time on my hand it was time to finally sort out a bit of travelling. Hopefully, the vlog will be sorted before Christmas itself. 

The Plan 

So this was an idea to get last-minute bits in exchange for Christmas since I find a lot more bargains there compared to having it in Plymouth, Plus with Ikea, there would be a wonderful way of little Nini bits but even with the weather. Since it was predicted another windy storm was on the way, I had to follow through to get this in. But it was then to pan out how we do this and it was another Sunday to make sure I was ready, I’ve not shaved and properly went out for a day in months. Well Not since November and that was Plymouth. 

The night before was just a regular visit to a customer to sort out which was a nice more intriguing affair of what to type up, But that work is what we have to deal with in the new year. But when I got back to the shop it was more boxes to get and with a cover missing it was going to be a wet ride for sure to happen. But I got home at about 8:45 pm in the soaking rain.  With a nice chicken curry to boot. 

The chicken tikka masala with ricer, crunchy nut and alloli plus chilli jam too

Then after transferring from my phone to my laptop since that was getting full-on storage, it crashed about 1 which is earlier compared to others but it was good from a new person I’ve been talking to the past few weeks is nice and has a supersized goal. There is a bond and it has not been expensive since like an old crush and person I was having something online with back in the start of 2022 which even when I check FB, turns out she's engaged but she's not said much since which is maybe a good sign. Like ok, it's not like this girl from another site that gained 400lbs since 2020 to the point she got a stroke but also then again some that side it's hard to find the truth out. 

But I then set an alarm up for 8:30 to make sure I was ready and going.  

The Morning Rush

So I woke up and climaxed like usual, and I got up at about 9:20. Then it was time to get the kettle boiled before the shave and teeth since not sharing for a couple of weeks does make my self-esteem feel a bit shattered. But that was then done once it came to it. I managed to get it done minus it was a bit misty to see.  In the end, it was coming to the point that I was then to get changed and it was a fun moment which I left at just before 10 am. 

The selfie before the vlog starts 

As I left it was the first part to get breakfast the fridge near Asda had some cinnamon buns and also a bag of cookies, so I took both of them and that was going to be the breakfast to have on the train, that sort of thing works out well for this and makes t easier in case I do get cravings, this week weight will be higher for the obvious reasons but sometimes it’s a nice breakfast. 

The cinn amon bun and the Cookies for breakfast

I then ran to the station and got on the train to find one table seat free, this was going to be nice, though Sunday IS not always a packed day anyway. But I then started some admin work for most of that trip which was overdue for a long time, especially from black Friday sales pieces. 

The station under the sunrise 

The Journey

So this was about 1 minute early and then it was off, which was the £9.35 spending to get to Newcourt. Well planned to from what was soon to happen, but I got off and then it was time to focus on the spreadsheets, plus a couple of emails to sort out. But time passed and it was eventually the way to wit for it to get to Plymouth, there was no stopping it from finding a station before to then get the train since the timing apps were showing delays which things might get taught I explained to myself.  I did devour the bag of the 4 cookies which were tempting too. 

The muddy window view of calstock

Then it was to get to Plymouth which a few were getting off opposite me with luggage or bag at the top. But for me, it was then waiting for the train, which was not as bad of a wait as I was expecting but the timings were going to be a bit of a plan-changing thing for sure. I got off and then managed to get to the toilet for the 20-minute break before the next train, which itself was fine. 

The sky over the station 

I was also then passing into WHSmith and checking drinks since I forgot to bring some with me, but the chap said the reduced Pepsi Electric is like lemon water which is ok but does taste like proper Switch seems like a good side, I was meh and skipped it since I’m not a fan of coke and Pepsi at all.  So I walked back under the subway to get to Platform 5 or 7 for the train to London was its proper destination, which for me was Exeter. Eventually, it arrived and I got on, it was not intense busy but still is amazingly enough. I managed to grab a table seat on the right which meant a Sea view for later on. That was an impressive feat. 

By 11:14 it was off and I was on my way, when getting past preemption, the surface had a blonde moment and I locked myself out of it, like not seeing my face and not accepting the pin, but good I turned off the Windows Hello ONLY feature since I'm not repeating that mistake happening on my laptop due to the keyboard playing up, which even that got fixed last week from a china aliexpress import with Everi. The Rest continued and it was nice to finally get this stuff sorted which I forgot to do up the road but it was then passing the skies and the bottom of the moors and the sky was turning blue when I was texting Mum. Eventually, it passed Totnes and the sky was feeling like an autumn on the 2nd day of winter. Especially when getting to Dawlish Warren.

Newton Abbott

The  views of the sea

The feel of a winter sun over Dawlish Warren

The signal near the marsh 

When it came to it, it was soon passing straight through to Exeter which was the goal, I was checking the app and hoping there was a delay to the Exmouth train. Which was looking tight since getting there at 12:18 was 2 minutes late so the plan to ikea was going to be that delay. Without checking the bus times first, I rushed my way to the bus stop I remember seeing the I and J bus which goes to ikea. It is 20 minutes to the city centre but for me, that was 9 minutes just about, like it took me over 5 minutes to run from St Davids to Central. 

The Darker pic on the way up

The globe as I got to Exeter Central 

Killing Time, 

So getting to the bus stop, it was every hour it goes from the centre to Ikea, which is a half-hour route compared to 5 minutes from central to Newcourt.  But the lights were pretty so it wass time to explore. I  made my way to Princesshay on the opposite side and then looked at some of the stalls to carry on past, even passing some of the crevices with the back pathways, even with wargames and yo sushi very nearby. They eventually led to the Cathedral and it was empty, like ruined grass, windy and felt like an abandoned party of the city, the Christmas markets were gone and some left to move further up. 

The Bus stop 

The view of the main street from the bus stop

The little pods in princesshay

The empty part of the Cathedral 

The more of the empty part 

Seagulls looking blank 

Then I checked apps and realised the next train was supposed to be 1 pm, but myself for not tapping that train would be the downfall since it was soon to turn out to NOT go where I wanted to. But that’s hindsight and I walked/ran my way to Central. That was passing the Guildhall which glowed up lovely. 

The food stalls in the guildhall

But then I got to Exeter Central and was in the waiting room typing some of this out, it was realised that the train was NOT going to stop at Newcourt, which instead Topsham was the first top like that will be a pain in the next since then I would have to double back on itself, With realising it was soon to be too late to go to the Bus stop, even though I made it there in case it was late since the Stagecoach app did not see it. I must have missed it. 

The view from the footbridge 

So for me, it was exploring the City to get the presents. 

Present shopping

So this chapter was to be about how I can finally get some overdue presents and things, the wind was quite strong but the first stop was John Lewis and for the first time, I went to the higher floors more than G and LG. Sure some Asus vivobook Goes and also £69 for Google TV streamers is NOT bad at all even for damaged packaging parts. On it, I was told about Candles and Homeware so it was to get up and go to the 3rd floor which had Home Décor, which for thay were hardly very many candles and scents. But I noticed 3, Love and Sage and Something else, which the Love one smelt like dog poo, I will not lie, or those plants I still remember when on my travels up to Akeley for the Silverstone Expo with a Supplier 5 years ago. 

But in the end, I saw a £10 DIFFUSER which was quite smelly nice so went for that one. Then I made my way down each floor, looking at cookware and the Shark Ninja influence plus this cute girl was singing, with curly hair and a nice shape to her too. But it was not a point to flirt, especially as shes just performing in there. I made my way to the G floor which had more diffusers and scents but were double in price. But then I made my exit and it was time to walk out further. 

The view from the floor in john lewis

As I walked up further, I saw a homeless couple and gave them the benefit of the 2 cinnamon buns since I was still semi-full from the cookies that 3 hours ago. So it was not really for me to go for, which was right. But then carried on and I turned right at the next crossroads which headed to the new Bus station which was a nice view, like the winter sort of sun and also was not too far away from the centre than I thought since in that area was only me passing with say going to London on the coach which I saw a coach turn left to stop instead of going to the station. 

The Bus station

Then I wondered my way back, passing a chap parked illegally and being booked then realising a present idea which in itself was no point since Tavi had the same store when I realised but it was nice to go on Google Maps to suggest the directions to get to leftfield. Even with passing reindeer. 

The wreaths #throughglass

A Closer look at them 

The back ways of Princesshay

The Reindeer and the offices 

So then it was walking back to princess-hay and then choosing my options,s especially as I wondered back to the Cathedral a second time, it was then time to go to the quay to see if the gift shops there had things and I was going to be on the luck. So I made my way there.  Running in backroads and passing the behind the cathedral, to then the little subway near the curved block of flats to then get the steps down to the quay. 

The trees in princesshay

The cathedral 

The entrance to the quay

Then I got there, Which I was slowly growing, the cloud was just about to hold out and since some of them get gussy, no glass out for this part. I wondered in the gift shop and bowered and then saw a cute pug mug for £14 for my sister, so that was going to be added in, which the lady also commented when I was looking at the hand puppets since mum wants to use more of them with her grandson.  But that was purchased and then it was able to carry on to the next step of shops.

The View of the quay

The £13 for the pug in a mug 

Then it was another shop but this dog was staring at a door and turns out he/she was very much a rat hunter and the quay would be full of them, it was like frozen and staring at the door since they could sniff a rat, but I walked on by into the next shop which had some small buts but nothing of a nice note. Eventually, it was getting to check out some nice candles which I looked at, this was nice since it was something with a nice bit of strong smells and festive vibes. I decided to get two of them, and which one was I going to purchase was the plan. One ended up being pumpkin spice and the other was the part of something else, As I was about to leave I was getting to find a puppet for a hand sock puppet, which was adorable to look at, But I said to myself I would have bot idea on which one to get so it didn’t bother. That was £10 for both candles. 

The Candles for £10 

The views from the quay

The quay looks a bit more golden 

You can see the clouds above the key 

Then it started to rain a bit more and time to run back a different way to get back to the city. Instead of the streets, I went back, io turned left instead and followed the road to then turn to another road to then pass a street. Which then led back up another and it was near the cathedral but it was also the point where I passed a nice little area which went in an alleyway tucked into this vintage place and  posh café called Sacred Ground. 

The entrance to the alleyway

Looking back in the alleyway

As I explored here, I noticed this Hawaiian shirt which l; looked nice and had a bit of an island look with the ocean blue, the mini plum tree and the golden sun, it was a '90s vintage classic and it was £18 so maybe a bit steep I passed for now but knowing I would come back and get this when I have money to spare is an idea for 2025.

Then it was the walk back to the main street which was pretty much going straight across and then it was my final step of first to a place called Bargain Buys which turned out to be Poundstretcher. This had some amazing sauces for like £0.99 when looking as well as a nice Umbro gift set for like £1.99 which means a couple of sauces and a first set than the last thing I picked out was a demystifier pad for Dad’s car which helps clean it when the weather gets cold and misty which that part has technically passed and now into the frozen morning weather in the coming weeks knowing my luck. But then it was time to walk me around one more time for ideas, 

£10 for the bundle from £0,.99 each for sauces, £1.99 for umboro gift set and £5 

Then it was to go to Poundland for any other ideas since Costa was out of gift cards of all things. There was the same homeless couple I gave the cinnamon buns to from earlier and they wished me a good Christmas. But I got in there and some ideas to see what to get for a train snack home. But I didn’t see anything that was not too just right, more just to tide me over until I got home. While looking, I saw an anieva set for £6.50 so I grabbed one. Then I was on my way to pay and looked at the juice burst which was nice for £0. 75, that was added and then it was time to get to the part about going home. But that was not bad for £7.25 total. That was easy when checking out too. 

The Till

The £7.25 bundle 

Then it was the case of getting to the oriental shop underneath the car park since that was one of the best bargains and it was the final hour or so. There were some good bargains in there but it was in the end the nice choice to finally get some more seaweed snacks. Especially at £0.35 each. So 2 of those were grabbed before my walk back to the cathedral to then decide to get the train back and plan out the way home. 

The narrow path 

The seaweed for £0.35 each 

The Train home 

So it was getting to the stage of nearly 4pm and I checked the train app and to be fair it was getting to the point of a scary rush, since the issue was the main train back was apparently delayed and that was the panic, But it turns out the train at 4:19 or so was from Paddington which turned up to be coming in about 4:30 which might push the time delayed to longer to get back or even more to push back on. But i decided to pelt it back to then get to st davids to rush the train back for the 4pm train which cross-country was running  around that that time. So My run begins. 

The street as the lights come in 

The selfie 

More of the lights in princesshay 

The decor on the guildhall

Which then it was actually very quick to run from the city to St Davids, around the corn and the down the hill which I was there like literally when the Cross country train left the platform. So that was a miss, then it was like ******* i'll have to wait here for half an hour. 

The globe #throughglass

But then it was noticing the timetable of another train coming to go to plymouth around the same time, turns out if it was a train from cardiff, which it was finally time to wait those times and also getting on at the furthest platform to get a topile,t which i got a whatsapp to reply and also chasing a seagull. Which the toilets were not too ad but much better than going on the train. 

The platforms at St Davids 

But then it was nearing the time of 16:17 and the train was starting arrive in, the IET was closing in and the platform was getting busy to prepare to board. Then again the journey was not going to be as hectic as i expected it to be feel;inmg later on. But by 16:21, i was on the train and safely on my way back to the ocean city.  The journey was calm, albeit stopping at mostly all of the stops minmus the tiny ones like mareh barton and starcross but it was getting empty on that coach by the time we got to newton Abbott. Then i changed seats from the airline seat to the table, then it was smooth sailing of typing to deal with until getting close to plymouth. So it was time to prepare as i taken the time to get off and then have that quite respite before changing trains to get home. Which a few got off at plym to be fair. 

The train windows #throughglass

AS i got off it was semi chaos as even the train from Paddington arrived in very shortly after which means both trains met its match and had to choose which one as to go with first, which it certainly was not the train home, though there was a chance that was going to get held up from this as well. But I got off and it was weird being in the station at this dark. 

Plymouth station in the dark 

Then it was the case of a short wait which it was then 5:35 and i got on the train since it was like 10 minutes left to go until it was supposed to leave, but with the other 2 trains, it didn't and so it was then waiting for both to leave before we did. By that time it was actually 17:50 we left instead of the 17:44 normal departure time. Which then it was a quite way home with no ticket checking and the pitch black night before us. Eventually it was passed 6:30 and i was off the train and with the rain soaked it was the usual, but i got my way up the hill and check the fridge which starts right where the vlog just about begin and there we are. 

The salad 

The salad and the noodles 

The selfie at the end of the day 

I got back and then it was time to enjoy, a nice roast whichg as that coriander seasoning too., 

The leftover roast with crisps, sausages as well as peri peri sauce

Then it was a dominoes to get for someone from the past, which learns how it goes of the future of where things might go which even that changes from this. But it might be the same on the new year. 

The dominoes deal

Hope you enjoy christmas with it and then see how the end of the year plays out 

omracer