It’s a tradition to expect a lot of and not get very much on the big day.

This could be proving true at Maison Tapper as our brilliant meal has been postponed because someone turned off the oven with the turkey in it. We have all agreed that we won’t look for the culprit while studying each other for signs of guilt. Personally I blame the dog.

This blog asks how your big Christmas day. Have you broken your tradition or are you staying with someone who does things differently? Is the meal early or late? Does it follow or precede gift giving. Are you on your own or are you doing things with others out of charity (on your part of their’s) ?

I have used all the spare time walking around the town of Shaftesbury up and down the splendid hill which some call “Gold” and others “knackering”. It is amazing that not one tourist has made it here (other than me). Photo at 11 am on a Thursday;- really?

My guess is that by 1 pm , alcohol is getting to work and spirits are at their best right now. As the afternoon carries on, the delight of Christmas will be waning , spirits waring, so remember this one as you read this blog.

It could have been a good one if….

Unless of course you find a way to keep things on course, but getting a par at a long par five needs consistency and a bit of luck.

I have made my luck by making my way to what used to be Cowards (Cann) Dairy (used to go to primary school with Alan Coward. I knew how they worked back in the 60’s).

I want to set up a business that works like a dairy. My idea that I could get some inspiration from Shaftesbury’s turned out a bad one!

But my trip to the dairy remind me that Dairies, like Christmas’s don’t stay the same.

Where the milk floats use to park is a little red car and the sheds where the milk was pasteurised are offices. Cann Dairy is now a fine house for the 21st century while milk can be found at Tesco, Lidl and Morrison, all new to town since the dairy stopped delivering.

My Christmas is going well, I am finding Shaftesbury on a Christmas morning is empty, the world is wondering just when the meal and presents will be followed by the argument! I think I’m enjoying Christmas, everything is different and it’s still the same.

If you’re reading this blog, you too may be wondering just what is Christmas about. Try church! This one means a lot to me!

This was the first Christmas in a long time, I didn’t go to church – I blame the dog.

The Methodist and (now) Unitarian church in Bell Street, Shaftesbury.