The countdown is on. Bring on the Fatman with the prezzies!

Despite long long hours and early starts Mrs Fogg decided we were going on a surprise to somewhere for our anniversary (last year I took her to Paris, the year before she took me to Brussels).

So up at 6.45am (woo an hour to sleep in) and off by 8am, heading south, and then hey ho it transpires Mrs Fogg had booked us into the Castle Hotel in Lincoln bang smack in the middle of the Lincoln Christmas markets. What a wonderful surprise.

Now Lincoln is closed to traffic at this point so we have specific directions to a police line where we have to use a police escort the rest of the way.

All sorted so order of the day stalls of tat, mulled wine, mince pies, thousands of people, walking, more tat and more mulled wine. Tonight we have a 5 course Christmas meal in the hotel.

What a fantastic weekend with wonderful company.

As I wrapped Mrs Fogg’s prezzies she dressed our naked 4ft twee on the landing. Don’t it look cool.

All set for Chrimbo now, house back in order, sauna in the front room (seriously when you come over it is a case of shorts and tshirts only), house decorated fully, Turkey ordered, haggis ordered, Folks over on the 13th and the Rocket Man and Jenny from the Blok all set to light the village skies on New Year’s Eve.

And a happy 9th Anniversary to the most wonderful woman in the world, 9 years I know how lucky is she!

Tree one all dressed oh yes we are ready for the big man! And not a crossed word between us(mind you the missus knows I is right all the time and I have the most amazing taste)

It’s done, from fireplace to stove in one month and what a difference it makes too. Walls painted, we are almost ready for Christmas, just 2 trees to decorate.

It’s nearly done, walls painted, lights up and now carpet man due any minute.

Next stop is Xmas trees. Do we ever rest? I think not. Next is ebaying everything not nailed down to pay for it all!!

Now where’s that husband of mine and I wonder what category eBay would recommend? Thinking of selling his chef services or pork crackling special recipe.

Rehearsed action shot after a hectic weekend painting everything in readiness for the carpets and Chrimbo tree next weekend.

Knackered much! Hi there mr work thing we is coming for a rest.

Here is Mrs Fogg doing her feature wall in the living room. Tis looking good.

Next week it’s carpet fitting and bringing everything back into the Living Room.

Yesterday was for us the start of the festive season. We had arranged to pick the Caddies up and go to the Leeds German Christmas market.

As usual it was fab but tiny, plenty of atmosphere but a lot more drinking stalls than trinkets.

On the walk up to the market we had a stroll through the new Trinity centre (ie the old Bond street centre). They certainly have improved it. Looks lovelly and apparently the roof was designed to echo the corn exchange.

That will perhaps be why there is a dirty great big statue of a silver ass in the centre. It’s an homage to the wool trade and the mules that used to carry the load .

Anyhow, I took a picture of an ass.