My 12 Days of Christmas

Back in the car and driving down to the East Sussex countryside this morning to see my parents, who live in the tiny village of Wannock which sits in the shadows of the South Downs.

Wannock is mentioned in the Domesday Book but is a sleepy little place that sadly lacks a pub, although there are plenty in neighbouring Polegate and better ones in nearby Jevington and Willingdon. My old man no doubt will be ready and waiting with the corkscrew and a hardy bottle of Syrah as well as Soccer Saturday on the box so the family of Addicks can follow Charlton’s fortunes at The Valley this afternoon, a game I was hoping to get to, but was outwitted by our Christmas scheduling.

I spend a lot of time in this part of the world and every time I visit I also wonder why it took my parents 40 years to move out of London. Then again, looking back I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up any place else and being just 5 miles from The Valley made me the man I am!

My Mum recently had a triple heart bypass but is going great guns and I know her granddaughter will be giving her plenty more exercise wilst we are here.