I have just had an email from the Luxury Guest House in Trastevere in Rome telling me they have a new property in the Vatican area.

How weird it is that today of all days I am making roasted tomato risotto using the sun-dried tomatoes that I bought there and have hardly used? John has been nagging me for ages about when I was going to use up the almost catering size pack that has been lording the shelf. Well, it seems we shall be eating tonight with the memory of sun-kissed squares, and long tipsy lunches and art and art and more art. Never mind that it is dank and dark outside. Never mind that the year is coming to an end – a year that for us has been full of walking and travelling and sleeping to the lullabies of lions roaring; tonight the smells will transport us to Italy.

And talking about smells, I had the fun experience yesterday of getting a camera up my nostrils in pursuit of blockages. The gentle consultant sent me packing with a clean bill of health, and I skipped out of the waiting room, feeling quite relieved to leave the sick and ailing. I may have an allergy, so have to get pin-prick tests to see what is causing my stuffed up nights. I just pray that it is not my potions and lotions that are annoying me and causing the sneezes – I could never give up the scents and perfumes and oils. Today I have Ylang Ylang on my legs and Jo Malone cream on my neck and and shoulders. Now and again I have a big wash of my scarves and the combined perfumes are like delicious memories.

All this sensory talk leads me on to the big outing last week. Geraldine and I went to a Psychic Night. ‘Is anyone there?’ It was in a pub in South Queensferry, in a room with a small square of dance floor. There were women of all ages, shapes and sizes, and we had the misfortune to be sitting beside a table of ‘naughty girls’ with very high heels and an assortment of potent cocktails. They were out ‘on the lash’ as Gerry described them. Anyway the mediums soon got rattled with their giggles and shrieks; apparently they were causing ‘interference’ with the spirit world.

‘Have we got someone who has lost someone who had nose bleeds?’

It was so mundane mostly, but the second medium who had the floor was a bit more plausible. She actually freaked out the women that she selected.

‘A baby is coming.’

‘What???’ says the modern-day Mary’s mother.

‘I’m not pregnant!’ says the modern-day Mary.

More disturbingly were messages from grannies and reassuring voices from beyond the grave to the selected ones.

I am so glad that neither Gerry or I were selected, as I don’t think I would like such a public airing of my private life.

‘You suffer from headaches, you have had a bad year, don’t let that problem get you down, you know the one…?’ etc. etc.

Leaving, we ran into one of the naughty girls, and I asked her if she had enjoyed herself.

‘Oh aye, I never miss these nights, I’m addicted. She told me last year that my boyfriend was cheating on me, and he was! And my mother comes to me every time.’

In a small alcove the mediums were conducting private sessions.

About twenty years ago I met a clairvoyant called Kizzy in Glasgow who did a reading for me and Gerry. She was amazing. She told me so much and predicted so much. Everything has come to pass, only one thing hasn’t – I have never lived in a house surrounded by horses. I took my sister-in-law, Ruth to meet her. Ruth had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was worried. The waiting area was full and there was no hope of Ruth meeting Kizzy, so we were about to leave. Suddenly Kizzy emerged from her draped curtained recess and approached Ruth. She looked at her and said, ‘You’ll be all right, dear, for some time. Enjoy your life to the full.’  Sadly, Ruth died this August, and she did have the most amazing life. I miss her, miss knowing that she is no longer at the end of a telephone, miss her laugh and her nonsense and her wonderful limericks. She has gone to a better place, for she didn’t materialize in the pub in South Queensferry, or maybe she was blocked by the naughty girls. Somehow I think Ruth would have liked them! (I liked their shoes and wished that I too was twenty again!)

Here we are in Doha in 2009

On Sunday John and I fought our way through the throngs to pick up some seasonal joy on the streets of Edinburgh. We came away rather flat. It was quite calm, the lights in George Street impressive, the greyhounds on the pavement were clad in suitable coats, but it all seemed rather grey. We suddenly realised what was missing. There was no music. No Salvation Army carols, no plaintive busker, the streets were quiet.

Not so at the Service Men’s Club in Rosyth last Friday! My craft ladies, who I meet once a week, have their Christmas night out in this venue and what good value it was! The meal and the drinks so cheap, plus a lot of dancing around hand bags to a jolly good singer. Our carriage rolled up at 11.45 p.m. and no one wanted to go home! All the ageing Cinderellas were too busy dancing and had to be shepherded out very reluctantly. I did enjoy it, and couldn’t sleep for ages after! Made a change from knitting!

Darcey is just desperate to walk, and spends her life babbling away trying to tell you a long story, she really is delightful. I am to look after her on Thursday, so I hope the weather is good and we can go to the swings.

I am so looking forward to Christmas this year as we are to spend it with Bonnie and Tasha and Leo in Wales. First though we are to see Bonnie perform in her first ballet performance. The requirements on the letter are for her to wear a bun, shoes and tutu!!! Natasha put up their Christmas tree yesterday and Bonnie was enthralled. When Tasha went through to the kitchen and came back, she found Rabbit had been draped along the bottom branches!

and here is a snap of her listening to Tasha telling her a story. They were on Skype at the time.

Here our tree is up too. So lovely to see all the glittery stuff collected from Hanoi, Kiev, Doha, India and Africa. Special memories.

So from me and John, a Happy Christmas!