Hi Ho the Merry Oh.....

Ho Ho Ho Friends. Happy Festive Season to all.

As you can see I find myself surrounded by mellow light and festive cheer.

I have had to move out of my old lodgings. Just on the cusp of year's end I was informed I would have to vacate my rooms, albeit temporarily. You see my lodgings, whilst comfortable, come with the proviso that the owner, an acquaintance of a friend, may descend at short notice and demand my temporary removal. This somewhat unsatisfactory situation had not yet come to pass until two weeks previous to this very day.

So I have had to vacate, and take my things with me. Well anyone who knows me will know I am something of a collector and I have collected rather a lot of things! So my mad dilemma began. Where to store things until my erstwhile landlord allowed me to return?

Frantic packing of boxes ensued, mooning over bargains past as I went. Horror at a spider midden found behind a seemingly innocuous figurine collection. Piles of books I have been meaning to get to, fabrics trailing clouds of dust and cupboards excavated like ancient barrows. Xavier has let me store some things, as has Norma Jean.

The dark hours before dawn found me dusting and washing and sorting and cleaning. I left the place in reasonable state and carrying my little pack, found the gypsy in my nimble feet and the road unravelling before me.

I have enjoyed a quite sumptuous Christmas with stuffing sausages and turkey, glazed ham and pudding alight. I am staying at the lovely country home of a friend of my other great benefactor (apart from the Anonymous Patron), being The One Who Made Me, consequently the closest thing I have to a family. I was given two books on seamanship, which recent history tells us I clearly need.

Tomorrow I set out on a road trip with Xavier and Norma Jean. Ariadne is busy with the dogs. They put on a rather splendid New Year Show which we shall certainly be back for. Xavier offered to help but was told rather firmly that he is no longer welcome as a member of the troupe. Sadly it seems he cannot resolve jealousies with Ariadne's dogs and she has decided a clear division must be maintained. In truth he is rather relieved.

So a road trip. He and Norma Jean are driving down from town tomorrow and picking me up on the way through. I rather fancy doing a little panning for gold and drawing some artichokes...

Ariadne's Ring

Here a photo of Ariadne's hand complete with engagement ring. I am now informed by Xavier that it is still a prototype and that Rupert the ring designer has commissioned a Finnish sculptress named Ulpu to complete the final piece.

Meanwhile Ariadne continues to sport this top heavy object. She even maintains her dog training schedule. When I inquired as to the stylistic influences on the ring Xavier says he has moved from his Classical Antiquity phase to his Viking phase.

Yesterday we visited the end of year degree exhibition at the College of Fine Arts. Xavier insisted on sporting his Trident, claiming that of all people, the incumbents of said institution should understand. Personally I think said inhabitants just as likely as anyone to be put out when poked in the foot by a small person wielding an oversized pitchfork (as evidenced by the reaction of the Head of School who had the misfortune to share an elevator with us). Xavier added insult to injury by then treating the Head of School to a rather damning (and in my view undeserved) critique of the show, it's lack of vision and maritime themes. Suffice it to say our visit did not pass unnoticed.