Merry Christmas to all PBers, left, right and centre.
I won't even attempt the crossword as I'm hopeless at them.
I'm looking forward to eating some sprouts, but not to having to peel them.
Pro tip: frozen sprouts.
Further pro tip - say the dog ate them and then you don't need to prepare or eat them.
Sprouts do seem a bit bitter this year (maybe not enough frosts?) when i boiled them for our early Christmas dinner on Saturday, so I roasted the remaining sprouts with some chopped streaky bacon , a few mixed herbs and a drizzle of olive oil for 30 min or so with the Christmas Eve ham. They were much nicer and noticeably sweeter by being mildly caramalised.
Happy Christmas to all!
Thanks for the tip. Just found some bacon in the freezer to add to the sprouts.
Your reading matter for during the boring bits of the film this afternoon.
A review of a £525 per person 4 hour 5 course Christmas Dinner trip around the Kent Countryside on the British Pullman, with bells and whistles. By Gary of Youtube.
(Nicely done, but I'm slightly struggling to see the point TBH. I would do something else with my £525 per person.)
Checking, Gary had the First Class version, which is £1080 per person.
Was that the wine waiter having to read the label?
You often see that train on the southern lines in Kent so it's not just Xmas. Pass if the destination is Ramsgate or Dover, but Folkestone is beginning to look a bit better now down by the old ferry port. Some expensive property being added too.
Your reading matter for during the boring bits of the film this afternoon.
A review of a £525 per person 4 hour 5 course Christmas Dinner trip around the Kent Countryside on the British Pullman, with bells and whistles. By Gary of Youtube.
Your reading matter for during the boring bits of the film this afternoon.
A review of a £525 per person 4 hour 5 course Christmas Dinner trip around the Kent Countryside on the British Pullman, with bells and whistles. By Gary of Youtube.
Merry Christmas to all PBers, left, right and centre.
I won't even attempt the crossword as I'm hopeless at them.
I'm looking forward to eating some sprouts, but not to having to peel them.
Pro tip: frozen sprouts.
Further pro tip - say the dog ate them and then you don't need to prepare or eat them.
Sprouts do seem a bit bitter this year (maybe not enough frosts?) when i boiled them for our early Christmas dinner on Saturday, so I roasted the remaining sprouts with some chopped streaky bacon , a few mixed herbs and a drizzle of olive oil for 30 min or so with the Christmas Eve ham. They were much nicer and noticeably sweeter by being mildly caramalised.
Happy Christmas to all!
I'm going down the Riverside Night Market and having oysters, and them what takes my fancy for a main course
Much better communal solving this year than last year. Many thanks to all who contributed. It's greatly appreciated.
Thanks once again to TSE, Robert and Mike for allowing me to continue this annual tradition. Until next year then.
That's all folks!
Finished already? I only just (re-)joined the thread!
Hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas Day!
Earlier on, my 5 y.o. Nephew already had a temper tantrum after Sister-in-law told him to hurry up with breakfast - but now that he's opened his presents he's in a more playful mood
Much better communal solving this year than last year. Many thanks to all who contributed. It's greatly appreciated.
Thanks once again to TSE, Robert and Mike for allowing me to continue this annual tradition. Until next year then.
That's all folks!
Finished already? I only just (re-)joined the thread!
Hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas Day!
Earlier on, my 5 y.o. Nephew already had a temper tantrum after Sister-in-law told him to hurry up with breakfast - but now that he's opened his presents he's in a more playful mood
Ah, temper tantrums. The true spirit of a family Christmas...
Happy Christmas everybody. At 12.30pm I remembered to have my annual thimble of sherry which stops me being teetotaller and which goes to my head very rapidly because it's before lunch. Cheers!
So we should have a competition of who got the worst present. I start with an advantage as we have a tradition in our household of buying duff presents. My best was a duck shaped toilet bush and holder for my wife and a step ladder.
This year my wife won. One of my presents was clearly a pair of bottles of red. She has often bought me a Barolo , so I opened in anticipation. It was 2 commercial sized (wine bottle size) bottles of Lea and Perrin's. I love L&P, but I was gutted.
Back from walkies and local pond. Visiting water rail popping out and in of the reeds to collect its Christmas lunch of escargot sauvage, supervised 10 yards away by a birdwatcher with a camera almost as long.
So we should have a competition of who got the worst present. I start with an advantage as we have a tradition in our household of buying duff presents. My best was a duck shaped toilet bush and holder for my wife and a step ladder.
This year my wife won. One of my presents was clearly a pair of bottles of red. She has often bought me a Barolo , so I opened in anticipation. It was 2 commercial sized (wine bottle size) bottles of Lea and Perrin's. I love L&P, but I was gutted.
Bravo Mrs kjh.
I got a bar of soap.
They might be trying to tell me something. Actually, in order to describe it on PB, I've taken a closer look and it is soap-free soap.
So we should have a competition of who got the worst present. I start with an advantage as we have a tradition in our household of buying duff presents. My best was a duck shaped toilet bush and holder for my wife and a step ladder.
This year my wife won. One of my presents was clearly a pair of bottles of red. She has often bought me a Barolo , so I opened in anticipation. It was 2 commercial sized (wine bottle size) bottles of Lea and Perrin's. I love L&P, but I was gutted.
Bravo Mrs kjh.
I got a bar of soap.
They might be trying to tell me something. Actually, in order to describe it on PB, I've taken a closer look and it is soap-free soap.
Just one present today, from my folks (we're doing presents tomorrow when my sister, brother in law, nephew and his girlfriend come over) and they didn't need to ask me what I wanted
I got a big enough Airbnb voucher to cover about about half the nights of my Spring holiday. Well done Mum and Dad!
Got an industrial size box of licorice all-sorts. Bloody despise licorice.
Oh, I love liquorice but didn't get any this year. Never mind though, I can drown my disappointment in the port and whisky that I did get. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Just one present today, from my folks (we're doing presents tomorrow when my sister, brother in law, nephew and his girlfriend come over) and they didn't need to ask me what I wanted
I got a big enough Airbnb voucher to cover about about half the nights of my Spring holiday. Well done Mum and Dad!
Spelt St John. Pronounced Sinjun. Answers to both.
Hi StJohn, Thanks again for the xword, and I trust you and Mrs StJ remain well.
We have many younger readers who may not have heard the famous St John joke of 1960s vintage. Perhaps you would like to tell it for the newcomers. I'll start you off...
A poster appears one Christmas outside a church in Liverpool. It asks: 'What would happen if Jesus came to Liverpool....?'
Spelt St John. Pronounced Sinjun. Answers to both.
Hi StJohn, Thanks again for the xword, and I trust you and Mrs StJ remain well.
We have many younger readers who may not have heard the famous St John joke of 1960s vintage. Perhaps you would like to tell it for the newcomers. I'll start you off...
A poster appears one Christmas outside a church in Liverpool. It asks: 'What would happen if Jesus came to Liverpool....?'
Over to you, StJ.
Hi PtP. We are very well thanks. I hope the same applies to you and Mrs PtP (Marf).
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can run with this joke … as I don’t think I know it! Back to you. 😀
Spelt St John. Pronounced Sinjun. Answers to both.
Hi StJohn, Thanks again for the xword, and I trust you and Mrs StJ remain well.
We have many younger readers who may not have heard the famous St John joke of 1960s vintage. Perhaps you would like to tell it for the newcomers. I'll start you off...
A poster appears one Christmas outside a church in Liverpool. It asks: 'What would happen if Jesus came to Liverpool....?'
Over to you, StJ.
Hi PtP. We are very well thanks. I hope the same applies to you and Mrs PtP (Marf).
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can run with this joke … as I don’t think I know it! Back to you. 😀
You surprise me, Sir, but I suppose as a Villa supporter you can be forgiven for not knowing a Liverpool joke. Anyway, the punchline is that someone scribbled on it...:
'Play him Centre Forward and move St John to the left wing.' (It helps if you remember the original Shankly team.)
Toodle pip, and good luck for the rest of the season.
'I don't believe it should go with turkey... I think that's wrong.'
@NickFerrariLBC is shocked by @trussliz 's controversial take on what belongs on a Christmas dinner.
Link doesn't work.
It works for me. Anyway her take is that Yorkshire pudding should only go with roast beef, not turkey.
Interesting - stopped clock and all that.
She's still talking BS.
Yorkshires are an excellent accompaniment to both venison and lamb.
Arguably goat and mutton too.
I’m just about to have yorkshires for Christmas dinner. Mum and I are having a joint of chateaubriand steak instead of turkey. Dad is having a plant based “turkey” dinner. Mum loves it when I come over for food
'I don't believe it should go with turkey... I think that's wrong.'
@NickFerrariLBC is shocked by @trussliz 's controversial take on what belongs on a Christmas dinner.
Link doesn't work.
It works for me. Anyway her take is that Yorkshire pudding should only go with roast beef, not turkey.
Interesting - stopped clock and all that.
She's still talking BS.
Yorkshires are an excellent accompaniment to both venison and lamb.
Arguably goat and mutton too.
I’m just about to have yorkshires for Christmas dinner. Mum and I are having a joint of chateaubriand steak instead of turkey. Dad is having a plant based “turkey” dinner. Mum loves it when I come over for food
Got an industrial size box of licorice all-sorts. Bloody despise licorice.
Oh, I love liquorice but didn't get any this year. Never mind though, I can drown my disappointment in the port and whisky that I did get. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Every year I get suckered in to trying sherry. A truly awful drink.
When I worked as a barmaid many moons ago, one female customer regularly ordered a tomato juice with a sherry in it. I tried it once out of curiosity. I do not have the vocabulary to describe how disgusting it was.
Christmas scoff done and dusted at Stodge Towers - the roast pork with various trimmings deemed a triumph by Mrs Stodge so all's well.
We'll have beef at New Year and have Yorkshires then - I'm not opposed to Yorkshires with roast pork in truth (they do them very well in York) but offering them for breakfast at Toby Carvery is, I feel, an idea slightly ahead of its time. Dipping your Weetabix and milk in a Yorkshire pud - consider me unconvinced.
Still freezing cold here in East London and the traditional Christmas fireworks are getting underway or more accurately some numbskulls have had some left over from Diwali or Guy Fawkes and are letting them off.
Now, to the serious business of Christmas - the Boxing Day horse racing bets...
Every year I get suckered in to trying sherry. A truly awful drink.
When I worked as a barmaid many moons ago, one female customer regularly ordered a tomato juice with a sherry in it. I tried it once out of curiosity. I do not have the vocabulary to describe how disgusting it was.
Also many moons ago, as a student, I was trying to impress this girl and she said her favourite drink was Pernod and black and I tried it....never again.
Spelt St John. Pronounced Sinjun. Answers to both.
Hi StJohn, Thanks again for the xword, and I trust you and Mrs StJ remain well.
We have many younger readers who may not have heard the famous St John joke of 1960s vintage. Perhaps you would like to tell it for the newcomers. I'll start you off...
A poster appears one Christmas outside a church in Liverpool. It asks: 'What would happen if Jesus came to Liverpool....?'
Over to you, StJ.
Hi PtP. We are very well thanks. I hope the same applies to you and Mrs PtP (Marf).
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can run with this joke … as I don’t think I know it! Back to you. 😀
You surprise me, Sir, but I suppose as a Villa supporter you can be forgiven for not knowing a Liverpool joke. Anyway, the punchline is that someone scribbled on it...:
'Play him Centre Forward and move St John to the left wing.' (It helps if you remember the original Shankly team.)
Toodle pip, and good luck for the rest of the season.
Has Ukraine won yet as you were predicting as early as 2023?
1.1 million casualties can hardly be described as a Russian triumph. The fighting may continue, but Ukraine will survive and that counts as a temporary victory. Eventually Moscovite brutality will pay the just price. Patience is a virtue.
Has Ukraine won yet as you were predicting as early as 2023?
1.1 million casualties can hardly be described as a Russian triumph. The fighting may continue, but Ukraine will survive and that counts as a temporary victory. Eventually Moscovite brutality will pay the just price. Patience is a virtue.
And Grace is a little girl who wouldn’t wash her face
Has Ukraine won yet as you were predicting as early as 2023?
1.1 million casualties can hardly be described as a Russian triumph. The fighting may continue, but Ukraine will survive and that counts as a temporary victory. Eventually Moscovite brutality will pay the just price. Patience is a virtue.
I would be more optimistic about Ukraine’s future than Russia’s, right now.
The US took about six weeks to conquer Iraq, at minimal cost in American lives. Russia has taken four years to conquer an additional 10% of Ukraine, at a cost of 1m + casualties, and hundreds of billions of dollars.
Has Ukraine won yet as you were predicting as early as 2023?
1.1 million casualties can hardly be described as a Russian triumph. The fighting may continue, but Ukraine will survive and that counts as a temporary victory. Eventually Moscovite brutality will pay the just price. Patience is a virtue.
And Grace is a little girl who wouldn’t wash her face
Putin’s negotiation tactics are more reminiscent of Violet Elizabeth.
Has Ukraine won yet as you were predicting as early as 2023?
1.1 million casualties can hardly be described as a Russian triumph. The fighting may continue, but Ukraine will survive and that counts as a temporary victory. Eventually Moscovite brutality will pay the just price. Patience is a virtue.
I would be more optimistic about Ukraine’s future than Russia’s, right now.
The US took about six weeks to conquer Iraq, at minimal cost in American lives. Russia has taken four years to conquer an additional 10% of Ukraine, at a cost of 1m + casualties, and hundreds of billions of dollars.
That does not look like a Russian victory, to me.
It looks very much like a traditional Russian 'victory' to me.
Got an industrial size box of licorice all-sorts. Bloody despise licorice.
Oh, I love liquorice but didn't get any this year. Never mind though, I can drown my disappointment in the port and whisky that I did get. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Dutch licorice ❤️
'Lakrids' liquorice ftw. The salty one and the chilli one are my "I know I shouldn't, but what the hell" go-to.
Comments
Dissolved by Henry VIII. CAB (taxi) reversing inside A (area) + BY (near)
Just 21 down to do (Clued as 22 down)
You often see that train on the southern lines in Kent so it's not just Xmas. Pass if the destination is Ramsgate or Dover, but Folkestone is beginning to look a bit better now down by the old ferry port. Some expensive property being added too.
Heck, that's nearly @TSE's budget for a new pair of trainers.
Have a lovely day everyone
Merry Xmas everyone!
IN (Home) + S (Secretary’s initial) + IDE(A) (plan, not keeping A)
Much better communal solving this year than last year. Many thanks to all who contributed. It's greatly appreciated.
Thanks once again to TSE, Robert and Mike for allowing me to continue this annual tradition. Until next year then.
That's all folks!
.
GIFTED (GIF and TED). Very nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBK5GlXk00k
Now the crossword is over, here is a tactical analysis of the 1966 World Cup.
realtimetrains.co.uk
1X01 23:45
North Pole International to North Pole International
24/12/2025
Hope everyone has a Wonderful Christmas Day!
Earlier on, my 5 y.o. Nephew already had a temper tantrum after Sister-in-law told him to hurry up with breakfast - but now that he's opened his presents he's in a more playful mood
Next on the agenda - dog walk.
Well done to those who solved the crossword. My brain doesn't work in the right way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFA4hyVpCQ4
The recent rise of DC.
This year my wife won. One of my presents was clearly a pair of bottles of red. She has often bought me a Barolo , so I opened in anticipation. It was 2 commercial sized (wine bottle size) bottles of Lea and Perrin's. I love L&P, but I was gutted.
Bravo Mrs kjh.
They might be trying to tell me something. Actually, in order to describe it on PB, I've taken a closer look and it is soap-free soap.
So I've got a tiny bar of soap-free soap whose “invigorating aroma” is making me cough.
https://www.rituals.com/en-gb/rituals-sport-shampoo-body-bar-1115513.html
Bloody despise licorice.
Merry Christmas.
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2004172940745785687
Merry Christmas you warmongering scumbags! 🚀🎅
https://x.com/maks_nafo_fella/status/2004162131684741176
I got a big enough Airbnb voucher to cover about about half the nights of my Spring holiday. Well done Mum and Dad!
Russia 17,000,000 sq, km. area
Ukraine only 600,000 sq. km. area
50,000 dead Russians to not take Kupyansk, and 100,000 dead Russians to not take Pokrovsk.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦
Every year I get suckered in to trying sherry.
A truly awful drink.
We have many younger readers who may not have heard the famous St John joke of 1960s vintage. Perhaps you would like to tell it for the newcomers. I'll start you off...
A poster appears one Christmas outside a church in Liverpool. It asks: 'What would happen if Jesus came to Liverpool....?'
Over to you, StJ.
I’m sorry but I don’t think I can run with this joke … as I don’t think I know it! Back to you. 😀
https://x.com/lbc/status/2004182844470710713
'I don't believe it should go with turkey... I think that's wrong.'
@NickFerrariLBC is shocked by @trussliz 's controversial take on what belongs on a Christmas dinner.
(However, Orthodox Christmas isn't for another fortnight.)
'Play him Centre Forward and move St John to the left wing.' (It helps if you remember the original Shankly team.)
Toodle pip, and good luck for the rest of the season.
Yorkshires are an excellent accompaniment to both venison and lamb.
Arguably goat and mutton too.
https://www.realyorkshireblog.com/post/the-yorkshire-pudding-a-humble-history
Christmas scoff done and dusted at Stodge Towers - the roast pork with various trimmings deemed a triumph by Mrs Stodge so all's well.
We'll have beef at New Year and have Yorkshires then - I'm not opposed to Yorkshires with roast pork in truth (they do them very well in York) but offering them for breakfast at Toby Carvery is, I feel, an idea slightly ahead of its time. Dipping your Weetabix and milk in a Yorkshire pud - consider me unconvinced.
Still freezing cold here in East London and the traditional Christmas fireworks are getting underway or more accurately some numbskulls have had some left over from Diwali or Guy Fawkes and are letting them off.
Now, to the serious business of Christmas - the Boxing Day horse racing bets...
The US took about six weeks to conquer Iraq, at minimal cost in American lives. Russia has taken four years to conquer an additional 10% of Ukraine, at a cost of 1m + casualties, and hundreds of billions of dollars.
That does not look like a Russian victory, to me.
The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed.
Quote
The Kyiv Independent
@KyivIndependent
·
Dec 24
⚡️ Moscow explosion kills 2 Russian police officers tied to Ukrainian POW abuse, intelligence source says.
https://x.com/DarthPutinKGB/status/2003808588838711725
So that's me done for today.
As usual, we are too full to contemplate Christmas pudding. Hopefully it will get eaten before Easter this time.
Russia's involvement in WW2 was only 1,418 days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2NW9f5FRdA
1976: A Traditional Country Christmas Dinner | A Taste of Britain | BBC Archive
It feels like another world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIgIIjf69LM
" Tom Baker's Christmas message 2025 "