Thursday December 27, 2007
First sign of a return to normality came late last night when we carried the trash out to the kerb. The next, reinforcing sign, was just now when I heard the familiar ‘vehicle reversing’ beep of the rubbish truck, out of sight but on its way.
Next thing will be the sight of hastily-dressed sleepy folks rushing out with their black plastic sacks and recycle boxes.
Yup. Bridgwater is on the way back to a partial normality. Only partial, of course, because many of our neighbours will stay home from work until January 2nd or 3rd.
I shall be thoroughly glad. I’ve enjoyed the holiday enormously, all the build-up and the fun of anticipation, and the day itself was wonderful. Now, well, it’s over. I’m almost inclined to say ‘good riddance’.
Not really, of course, except that in these rats-bottom final days of the year I am impatient to see what comes next. A sort of ‘off with the old’ and ‘on with the new’ kind of impatience, well suited to the sound of the rubbish truck as it gets close.
I suspect Graham feels much the same way but I’m not about to prod for fear of spoiling the last of the magic for him. I shall know when he’s ready when he announces his intent to take the Christmas tree down.
It’s a fact. Not sad, nor funny, just a plain fact. A tree is for Christmas, not for all year.
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