Day Seventy Eight

Festis 

Niamh was off early again. To The Three Trees I suspect.

We were on patrol when she left. 

Now it is the Taylor-Mahoney Hamper Day Extravaganza. It is an annual event.

Apparently it started when there were only young Emmet and Miss Tara here to help Zita and Kathy. 

But now all the young ones are fully responsible I do say. 

Each year the church gives them a family to help. And a list to fill. 

So there is an expedition to find clothes, Christmas treats and all the necessities for a respectable family Christmas. 

Now we find it desperately amusing that it is a church that not one of them goes to. 

Or has ever gone to. 

We have never inquired why, especially since none of them go to church, not even at Christmas time. 

Now the Government Kirk in Acharacle is filled to the brim - on Christmas and Easter at least. 

Cousin Morag insists on it.

Since attending the service also gets you the pass to the free dinner at the hotel, there is always an overflow audience. 

For which Reverend Rannoch is always so very grateful. 

He is her second cousin of some sort, or so we have heard. 

But here not even lip service is payed.

But the cause is very worthwhile so the inconvenience of organized religion is completely overlooked. 

Unfortunately this year Emmet cannot participate as they will only be in country tomorrow afternoon. 

So responsibly for the event will fall to Tara, Niamh, Kirian and Aidan. With parents appearntly providing backup. 

After lunchtime Craig was busy wrapping warm socks for the family. 

And getting some appropriate books. Well he is an expert at that fortunately. 

Miss Tara arrived by bus from Toronto. My goodness. 

So our Niamh left work early and drove to the Mahoney’s house to assemble the expedition.

So it was fortunate that Craig wrapped all the books and socks.  

Because when all the list was been completed everyone appeared here for wrapping and assembling the presents into boxes for delivery.

And everything was everywhere.  

So we stayed far away lest we ended up in the boxes too.

But not until Mister Tony’s delicious pizzas had been ordered and the wine flowed freely.

So Niamh, Tara, Kirian and Aidan all went to Mister Tony’s to ensure the prompt delivery of the pizza. 

With any luck there will be some leftovers for us to take on the midnight patrol. 

Everyone had left before we left so we were well equipped for our patrol. 

As there were extra cookies too.