Thank you Secret Santa. At 11.20-ish pm Christmas Eve, I decided the time was right to open a very intriguing box from my SS. Snuffy, I prepared some special words for this moment...

I was tempted and tried, and oft made to wonder,
To examine your riddle and pull it asunder…
Your first is in Santa and Claus they say - s
Your second's in reindeer but not in sleigh - n
Your third's in Underhill but not in Freda - u
Your fourth is in follower but not in leader - f
Your fifth is in fourth but not in third - f
Your sixth is in dicky but not in bird – y
Your dance is Shakespearean,
You sing a bawdy song
With an ale in your gullet
And a repertoire that's long
Words, whisky and wiles!
Fancy footwork beguiles!
The puzzles, the clues
The mystery, the Muse,
A trickster without rest,
Santa Clues, you're the best!
Mr Snuffy, good cheer
Happy Day, and Happy Year!!

.. and meanwhile, with a mouth full of the best dark chocolate i have tasted (Hamilton's, from the Cotswalds) I have been lifting layers of goodies including - 3 great folk Cds (Vaughan Hully - now who could that be? great voice!!)a beautiful lavender soaplet and hand embroidered pouch, a booklet on pub walks in the Cotswalds, a fantatstic calender from the west midlands folk fed, a Bidford on avon tea towel, a beautiful leaflet about the snowshill lavender fields.. a local magazine, a little diary (this will go in my bag). these things are all wonderful and make me want to go and check out the area and the music! CDs all look very interesting, including one with a cover piccie of a cute looking guy in chain mail!

snuffy, for various reasons it was a very tough day. your music and pressies have made it a lovely one!

Thaaaaanks!

freda

11.47 and looking forward to a musical Christmas!