Life with Nat - EP181: Nagging with Auntie Linny #18 - Wrapping it up!

Episode Date: December 18, 2025

Nat and Linny are back, wrapping up the year, ready for Christmas. Featuring the pros and cons of the whole shopping experience. Enjoy!! xx Jersey Skin - https://jerseyskin.com/ Please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. xxx You can find us in all places here; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podfollow.com/lifewithnat/view⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We're on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/lifewithnatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nat's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natcass1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Neice's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natsnieces⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tony's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tonycass68⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linny's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@auntielinny.lwn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ THE BIG CHRISTMAS LIVE SHOW 7th December ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- claphamgrand.com/event/live-with-nat-at-christmas/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The tiny warm-up shows 4th Nov - Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Southend - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/other/live-with-nat-work-in-progress-tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 6th Nov - Hat Factory, Luton - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/live-nat-work-progress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 16th Nov - Hawth Studio, The Hawth Theatre, Crawley - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on/live-with-nat-work-in-progress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Club: November's book - All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan & December's book (optional extra for the speedy readers) - A Heart for Christmas: Advent Romance by Sophie Jomain Nat’s solo chats - any rants always welcome!  Scraping the Barrel - SCAN AND SHOP VIRGIN NO LONGER! Bonce vs list! - Are you a list maker? Always collecting for Nostalgia Fest! What’s brewing with the Nieces - are we all skipping the end of summer, all of autumn and going straight to Christmas - Nat’s door is! Group chat ettiquette & pranks. Nice Lorraines… get in touch! Advent calendars & gift recommendations v. welcome! Things we’re nagging with Linny about - More lateness stories and some cleaning questions, please! The Tony talks chatter - Keep your DIY questions coming, also open to some saucy two paragraph stories for Tony to read out at the Southend show - think cheeky postcards (both in tone and length)! Can we make Tony an influencer and get him any freebies?  TBC Cultural differences ep - inspired by Linny’s Mediterranean heritage and her & Ellia's Italian trip, we'd love to hear about the cultural differences you've noticed between the UK and basically ANYWHERE else!  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello and welcome to Life with Nat on this glorious Thursday morning or afternoon or evening whenever you're listening. You could be listening in August, so happy summer to you. Joined by my lovely Auntie Lenny tonight, my sister-in-law. How are you? I'm good, I'm good, yeah. Nice to be back. Navy blue really suits you. Thanks. I really like it on you.

So maybe we're the same colour, because you're blue, aren't you? Yeah, they've said, blue, aren't you? Yeah, they've said I shouldn't wear black. And you're wearing black. Still wearing it. Well, it's fine. You can't get rid of all your clothes. No, absolutely not.

So, yeah. You just introduce the colours they've told you that work for you. Which I am. Yeah. Brought a little blue jumper, a little bits, a little brown jacket. Introduce it slowly, slowly. Although at the moment, all it is is Christmas jumpers, Lynn. Yeah, I don't really do the old Christmas jumpers.

No. Not really. So, no, it's not really my... No, I do get that. Although I've got one that I think you gave me last year. Probably fit into it now. Yeah, no, I don't really... We don't even do it at work, if I'm honest.

No. No, but we all glammed up on Friday. We had our work do Friday nights. How was it? Yeah, it was lovely. Where'd you go? Oh, um... We started off in the office, and we had drinks and quiz, like a quiz and games and funny, actually.

In fact, I'm going to ask you one of the questions that came up in the quiz, which I actually got wrong, I hasten to add. So it was my team and the other, so we've got a sister company, so it was us versus them, Hartford versus Hodgson. And the question was, who is taller Victoria Beckham or Natalie Cassidy? or are they both the same height? I would say that I'm taller. And that's what I said. But actually, you're wrong. Is that true?

Yeah, she's marginally taller than you. Is she? Yes. What did they put me down as? I can't remember now, because it wasn't even in feet, so that completely threw me. But, yeah, she's marginally taller than you. Oh, fair enough.

Yeah, so it's funny. I'm marginally wider than her. I wish I'd thought of that one That's good one Very good Yeah and then we went for something to eat Nice And then we ended up in a like cocktail bar place

Yeah it was lovely Lovely Really nice Yeah Excellent Have you been anywhere else Done anything festive Well I'm out on Thursday

With the girls that came to see us at Luton Lovely Which should be nice And my Nats nieces are coming to As well as Annalisa Yeah And I Where else have we been?

I had a day in London, Selfridges. Oh, you said it was so busy. Oh, my goodness me, people. We, so stupid, not stupidly. It was the only window of opportunity I felt I had to go because Dave and I like to go every year. We'd just do our day out in London. Yeah, lovely.

Root around Selfishers, just nice. Have a look at the lights. Get some inspiration for Christmas presents. Look at the lights. But so we went the last weekend in November. So it was. But we worked it out, didn't we live? Yeah, it was.

Black Friday weekend and payday. Yeah. Oh my goodness me. In all the years, I have been going to London. I have never, ever seen it that busy. It was like... Sardines. It was wild, as you girls say.

Selfridges was heaving. Oxford Street, we won't even go there. Yeah, see, when me and Els went to Selfridges, it wasn't that bad. Yeah, it was busy. Listen, it wasn't. I still found it quite comfortable to shop. You couldn't walk down Oxford Street. No, no, no.

We tried to escape to Bond Street. That was absolutely crazy. But I think, like you said, the lights are beautiful down there, so people are... And that's what it was. It was people looking at the lights more than probably shopping in Bond Street. We even attempted Region Street. That was equally as busy. I have never seen London so busy.

Well, it's nice for the economy. Absolutely. And it wasn't just tourists, to be fair. it was people shopping, it was family date, you could see people with their children, I mean, God, the poor kids, but people were taking their kids up there. It was a variety, it was a combination of everything.

It was lovely. London is beautiful. It's so lovely. We're so lucky. We're so lucky. You don't realise. No, well, I have a cousin that's come over from Italy and bless her, she messaged me Thursday

to say, Linda, if you're about at the weekend. I'm in London with my husband and the kids, but we're going home Monday. I mean, it's just no possible way I could get there. but how lovely they're coming over and they live in Rome. Right, okay. And they've come over just to see the lights and experience. It is beautiful.

I don't think we fully appreciate what we have on our doorstep. No, I always try to, I do. When I go, I think I need to do it more. And then life gets in the way and you don't. No, and it's sit, because door to door for us, it's nothing. If you're lucky with trains, it's less than an hour. Natalie, yeah, we did it in, yeah, it was amazing. We ended up in the Arlington, become our favourite restaurant.

They know I was well in there now as a little bite sweet at the bar, very casual. It was just lovely. So that was a nice thing to do. And then the weekend after we had the live show. I know it feels like ages ago now, but I haven't spoken to you. No, we haven't. And then that for me was just amazing. I just, I still feel a bit, I still feel a bit overwhelmed.

That's the wrong way. I feel that, you know that feeling where you've organised a wedding and you've had this beautiful wedding? Not really. Oh no, I call you. Mark. Sorry, Mark. Yeah, just that, what's the word I'm looking for? The following day, that anti, not anti-climax, but you just feel like, oh, what do I do now? And I was, I went to work and like everyone else that was at the board on me and Tony went to work. And yeah, I was like sitting in the morning meeting. I was like just drifting away, just sort of laughing at some of the

things that had been said and done and conversations we had with people that were there. I met a lovely girl called Jade at the meet and greet. She was gorgeous, bless you. It was lovely to meet you, Jade. And do reach out if you need anything. Yeah, she was just telling me about her life and what's been going on. So it was just nice to connect with people that listen to us. I absolutely loved it.

And honestly, I'm going to remember that forever. And I just feel like I've left a bit of memory for you lot for when I'm not here anymore. But, well, you know, I'm the eldest, so it's inevitable. You know, things go in the right order. I just think what a lovely thing for the girls is also to be able to say that they sat on the stage with their mum doing this amazing live show. Yeah, no, it is. It's so special.

A beautiful audience. All your colleagues from EastEnders. I know. Adorable. So lovely to see them again. Do you know what? It just brings a massive warmth in my heart. I don't know how to explain how it made me feel.

Well, hopefully there'll be more of them. Yeah, but I just felt that was so special because of the whole Christmas theme and... The theatre was beautiful. It was stunning. Really was. I was so taken aback by it. I've never really been in a theatre with the bar in the actual theatre. I've not seen that before, if I've never noticed it.

It was the perfect venue. We should definitely go there for a fun evening. Totally agree. They do bingo, drag bingo, fun night. Do you know what? You keep mentioning this drag bingo, and I listen to your pod this morning, the lovely Elliot, which I... And his brother, Jay. I'm really, yeah, fell in love with a pair of them.

I couldn't take my ears off. I've got to complete this pod. Yes, Natalie has mentioned it before the drag bingo. I really would love to do that. Because how, what fun must that be? Just so fun. So fun. They just don't take life too seriously.

Well, pasty does loads of nights, so we'll have to go to one of pasties. Oh, please. Yeah, I really would love to do that. Yeah, enjoyed that. pod very much. Good, I'm pleased. Yeah, no, it's gone down really, really well. And we will be doing those

roast potatoes for Christmas. Absolute no brain. I've gone running downstairs. I said, Dave, this is what we're doing. Did you get him to listen to it? No, but I told him what Elliot had said and he said, yeah, okay, I'm up for that. So, yeah, we're going to give those a go.

Yeah, I'm going to as well. Yeah, 100%. I feel like I need to do them before the day. I do get that. I do get that. But no, I don't think you can go too far wrong. I know. I genuinely. All you're doing is infusing stuff, aren't you?

Which, to me, sounds like genius. and such a simple concept. And it is? Yeah, we're 100% doing it. I don't think we can go too wrong with it. No. Can we, Elliot? We'll send you some pictures when our dinner's ruined.

No, I'm sure it'd be good. So, yeah, lots of, yeah, so not over, I don't go out of my way to organise too much. I mean, Natalie, I've got a funeral sat today. You know, life still carries on. So I kind of don't want to feel every spare second. And also, you cramming so much that, It whizzes by and you don't enjoy anything. Yeah, and I don't want to spoil my Christmas.

No, I know. Because it's full on. My lot are, apparently, you're telling me. It's going to be a full on a couple of days by the sounds of it. Oh, my goodness, me. I think, you know you're saying about Boxing Day? Oh, no. I think you'll be at home.

Yeah, Natalie, if that's wrong. Yeah. Because we are with you on the 20s. I think you are going to need. A bit of a rest. Well, you won't be. You'll be cleaning. No, but at least then I've known that.

You can keep your pajamas on and just have a day at home. Yeah, not have to get ready to go. Which is fine by me. Yeah, because they're not going to even leave boxing day early, I wouldn't have thought. No. They're going to probably be at mine Christmas Eve, early doors. I think so. So, yeah, we're going to be absolutely.

But it's lovely. And do you know what? On Sunday yesterday, so Maria and I decided to pop out with the children for a couple of hours, last minute Christmas shopping. So she said, Mum, I'm going to just drop off the children's Christmas presents, if that's okay, and they're stocking stuff. oh my lounge was looking all lovely all my presents are wrapped under the everyone's presents all lovely and all the stockings the kids grandchildren stockings are all on the

mantelpiece it does look lovely i must take a photograph actually before they ruin it all you must pop it on instantly will do that yeah um and then maria came in with like I was like oh my god I said who do these belong to and clearly they're not even your children because they're here so she said yeah they're the kids I went, what, just the kids? I went, no, this is insane. And that's with our Anise's and Dominics and Elias and Jax. So I actually had to, I was thinking about it.

I thought, no, this is ridiculous. Because how many stockings are they going to be Christmas morning to do? Santa stockings, my stockings, my kids have got their stockings from it. So I've said, I think what we will do is Christmas Eve, you know, not too late. The children can open my stockings. Because they know they're from non-nas. They're not from Santa. Yeah, that's a good idea.

There's a few little bits in there. They'll have something to play with. It's different. I think that's a really... And that will... Yeah. We'll save ourselves an hour Christmas. Because this all takes time.

Oh, but also, they're overwhelmed. No, it's ridiculous. In fact, I'm seriously considering, do they even open my Christmas presents, Christmas Eve? Right. Or Boxing Day morning. But they won't last that long. But you could hide them.

Oh, and I hide them. I hate that. I hate that. I feel like they've opened everyone's presents, but my... No, I think stretch it out for as long as you can. Yeah, I'd feel all the same. It's so much, they don't enjoy it. And look, I know, Marie was saying,

Mum, it looks a lot, but I probably haven't spent as much as you have. They're just big presents, but my goodness, me. And we do like, and I've been listening to viewers, listeners saying, you know, do you put your Christmas presents under the tree? I was going to ask you about that. Yeah, so we've had lots and lots of messages. People want to hear our traditions, what you do. did as a child.

So I'm interested because Mark seems to think that last year, the girl's presence from us went under the tree early. I genuinely don't believe I've ever done that. For me, everything comes out when they're in bed. Oh, okay. Because it's the surprise. The element of surprise to see the presence there. Just to see them.

Yeah. And I never ever saw mine when I grew up. I woke up Christmas morning and they were there. and everything was placed out. Oh, interesting, whereas I have done the polar opposite. Right, okay. Other than the stockings, obviously, because it's sands. Yeah, of course.

So our presence would always be under the tree. And then as friends, you know, back in the day, many of my friends would buy, and extended family members would buy for the children and your parents. But yours, I think we used to do Boxing Day. A little bit like what we do. But they would be under the tree. And maybe I would add. No, I tell you what we used to do.

It's just come to me. Their gifts would be under the tree, but then the main present, which would be subject to what age they were. A bike. A bike. Yes, yeah. Their first, I don't know, piano, organ, you know. Yeah.

The main present. Football table. Yes. The present you couldn't disguise. Obviously, it's a bit different at the moment. But if I had a gift, I couldn't disguise, that would not go under the tree. Have you seen Mark's present that he's wrapped today? No.

Oh, I'm just going to show you. To whom? To you? To me. Oh, this is cracking. You haven't seen it. Where would I say? On Instagram he's popped it off.

Oh, has he? No, I haven't seen this. Oh, what, the hoover he's bought you. He hasn't. He has. He has. And he's shown you it as well. Yeah.

I mean, he's fully wrapped it. What, wasn't it in the box, do we think? I don't know. He said, apparently, it was soaking wet and the box was all left outside ruined. Oh. So that's not his fault. But then I show you the present?

I don't know. What do you think he's been really clever? I do. I think this is a little bit of reverse psychology. Do you think it's other things that he's wrapped up? Yeah. He's probably got an old hoover that he's wrapped up, so you think you're getting a hoover.

I'd be very happy with a new hoover because my CBO is ancient. Right. Well, maybe you've got the Hoover, but maybe he's not... No, I don't know. It's funny, isn't it? So we're even doing it as adults. Yes. It's ridiculous.

Yeah, our Christmas... I mean, you won't be able to... Sorry, guys, I know it's obscene. But you won't be able to go into my lounge. That's the only gut-saving grace I have, that I've got a tree in the lounge, which is where all the presents go. And then that lounge is predominantly out of bounds

until we hit Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. But the kids on Thursday were at mine, Ruby and Alfie, and they did say, and on, can we just have a little sneaky look? Oh, no, not it wasn't Thursday, it was Sunday yesterday, and I thought, oh, let them have a little nose. And did they like it? Yeah, and they don't want to touch anything or...

They just want to look. No, the only thing that made me laugh was Ruby went, and her stocking gifts are wrapped in Hello Kitten Christmas paper. Yes. But Jonies I did in Hello Kitten. Hello Kitty. Oh, sorry, Kitty. Hello Kitty.

I can't wait for me to hear that one But you didn't correct me No, I was waiting and I thought, hang on She's talking, I'll just wait And then you said it for a second time Dear friends of mine Some of us have been working all day I'm like mine's in therein

Hello Kitty Yeah, so she's spot That was the thing that she clocked She went, whose present is that? I said oh that's Joni She went as if to say Oh mine isn't rapt because her main present isn't in me I know

See they worry Look at the things they're supposed focusing on. So we go to such extremes, a little gift, just wrapped up nicely. That's all they need. We really don't need to ever think. And you're the world's worse. So you cannot say anything. I'm glad you're just taking this all in. I'm taking it in. Taking it in. It's, we are, it's obscene. I got up on Sunday morning in my pyjamas. I thought, I'm just going to wrap the great nieces and nephews. I finished it 4 o'clock.

How long does it take? I was stinking. Hence why I cooked to roast dinner today because I didn't yesterday. Because I couldn't. I did not stop rapping all day. It's a task, isn't it? Yeah. It's a big job, isn't it?

Yeah, big old job. I just don't remember it taking so lot. It takes me so. I literally, I don't, I can't do what you've done. I literally have spent the last three weekends where I dedicate a few hours to wrap. And then what I do of an evening, After I've walked, if I've got it in me, I do a couple. So I'm staggering it, and that's how I've done it.

But do you not need, my problem is I like to know I've got everything for one person. Yeah, I will only wrap when I've got the one. Oh, you do? Yeah. And I'm not there, adult ones now. I'm not quite there. No. It's annoying a certain bits.

You always have that last minute where you haven't concluded, like yours, yours has been really hard work. Has it? Yeah, bizarrely. I don't know why. I like everything. No, but I finally got there. So now I can, yours is the last one to be wrapped. But I will only wrap, yes, when I've got everything.

Because if I start rapping them, I think, oh, what have I? Yeah. So I have to conclude people. Yeah. But I do stagger the wrapping because there is no way on earth. I might do some tonight. Yeah. And I've not found it too challenging this year because I've literally,

and I do do it in my bedroom because I watch my TV. Yeah. I can't do it without listening to a pod or watching it. No, I put the radio on. Yeah, I have to have something going on. I've been doing it at the island. Oh, right. So that's a no-brainer.

Standing up, although my back and my thighs yesterday where I was up all day. But someone did, we had a lovely message and it did make me think of you, obviously because of the ironing. But a lady said ironing board is an absolute no-brainer. Yeah, I've heard this before. Because you can have the ironing board at whatever height you need it, what works for you. Absolutely. Nat and family, excuse the shithole behind the setup, but it's not a shithole, it's fine.

But the ironing board is a game changer. Hope you're all well. Just to add, Costco wrapping paper is excellent. Huge roles and reversible. Girl at Work said that today. So that's good to know. Yeah, Girl at Work said exactly that, interestingly. She mentioned the Costco wrapping paper.

Excellent. And again, the time we dedicate to finding the right wrapping paper. Oh, it was a nut. I have had, honestly, I went to Hobbycraft, picked up some bits that I wanted, left them on the side saw some paper in there and I said to the lady

and they all listened to the pod they're really lovely in there talking about the pod I said I really like this paper what I'm going to do is I'm going to nip over to Home Sense just see what they've got

just in case and then whatever happens I'll be back went over to Home Sense 45 minutes later got some paper in there got home didn't go back

to Hobbycraft my bits did I completely forgot to go back Oh goodness man I had to phone them and say, could you keep my stuff? I'll pick it up tomorrow. Oh, my gosh. It's another journey you don't need with the road works. I know.

It's not great, is it? The road works there. Yeah. It's because there's just so much, isn't there? So much in your head going around. Yeah, it's a lot. It's a lot. And even being organised, sometimes backfires on you.

Like, I've been organised. I feel quite organised. But now I'm doing the last minute panic. Have I bought everyone enough? Then I've got presents that I've wrapped that now, as we've done tonight. Oh, we have done tonight. No, Dominic's presents going around the houses

because he keeps chopping and changing what he wants, needs. The whole birthday and Christmas present debacle has been a debacle. So finally we got round to the idea that he wanted money. I thought, well, I can't just do that, so I'm going to buy him an item, which, so he's got something to unwrap, which I've wrapped it up and he's got a bow on it and it's got his name on it.

And now he's phone meets. Mum, I've really want this. these particular gift it's quite expensive it's a combined birthday and Christmas present which I don't normally do but I'm happy to do that

but obviously if I give him what I've already bought him it takes me way over budget which means then I feel like I've got to do it for the girls as well No it's ridiculous now that's literally this presents go around there

Me and Maria have done it as well with the kids today yeah because she wants to give him something that he hasn't stopped going on about but I've got it and she said I'd like to give it to Christmas Day so she's waiting for another one

And then I've said Well, let me have something else Because I need it And we're all swapping round It's crazy, isn't it? I mean, it's brilliant That we can do that Yes, yeah

But equally Yeah, this It's all fun at games It really is fun and games And before you know it Oh don't, I know I do feel now We have a nice period of time

Although I'm rushing Around doing the rapping And I really want to just get all that done by Friday. Yeah, you don't want to be doing. Because when Joni breaks up Friday, you want to be able to just enjoy the time with her. I really do. And we're going to the Palladium on Monday night.

Oh, lovely. The famous pantomime at the Palladium. Oh, amazing. Julian Clary. Oh, ha. I've never ever been. And we've kindly been asked to go. It's a gala evening.

Oh, amazing. So it's really fortunate. Yeah, the four of us are going. Oh, how lovely. So that'll be a lovely kicking off the festive period. We've got Sunday. day. Yeah, which would be lovely. So actually, some lovely things to do. And I've got people that have been to Essex Fest, is that right? And yeah, and interestingly, Mark at work today said, he went yesterday.

Yeah. And he said, best Santa he's ever seen. Really? Yeah. And that's what we said last year. Absolutely. It's the same guy. Well, I think that it's brilliant there. They've got it. They've done it really well. Yeah, he said it was amazing. He said it was exceptionally good. Christmas Essex Fest is where we're taking all of our children.

and I've done Lapland UK three or four or five or six times and I'm not saying it isn't special but it's lovely to have a change and it's just that little bit more intimate and a bit more affordable and a bit more affordable so yeah really can't wait for us all to go yeah lovely and we get to have that day together

which is nice yeah yeah looking forward to that it kicks it off I feel absolutely you just need that yeah and then there's quite a lot of shopping to do wanted to ask your advice about that With regards to food. Because usually I'm busy Christmas Day, boxing day, and maybe the 27th. This year I've got a quiet boxing day, which is lovely. I'm actually looking forward to the break in the middle.

Because you've got Mark's family on the 27th. And then you guys on the 28th. But I need to do all my shopping Christmas Eve. How's that going to work? all what for how many days worth have you got to do it well even for the 28th oh really I think I'm not going to be going out

27th Marxist is an open boxing day I'm sure I can go somewhere else I've had this conversation I'm repeating myself you'll be hearing this again on Monday this conversation but yeah I just wondered about your advice

well it's it's a hard one isn't it because obviously but ultimately I mean, I don't know what you're doing on the 28th. But your meat is fine. Yeah, I'm getting meat from the butcher. Your veg is fine. It is.

You're getting a Christmas Eve. I'm doing more buffet anyway. On 28th? Yes. Oh, okay. Not doing a massive sit-down thing. Oh, okay. It'll all be out.

Lovely. I mean, the biggest issue are things like desserts, cream. I think 24th. 25, 6, 7, 28 if it's four days. Have any tiramisu knocking about? Yeah, I can do a tiramisu, that's not a problem. Can you? Am I doing mylanzani as well?

I need to find out what I'm doing for Christmas Day. Have a look. Yeah. I can do a tiramisu. I'll definitely do a tiramisu. You haven't got to do a hansani. Well, I can get the auberchines if we need them. I can do it.

I'm not saying we need them. I mean, I would. It just might be nice to have a little trade. A gift to a present. Yeah. Yeah, that's fine. I don't think it's, and worst case scenario. No, do you know what, it will be fine.

I just feel like the dates are quite shocking now when you go into the shops. No, I know. Well, we used to be able to do a weekly shop on a Monday. Things are out of day by Wednesday. No, and that's why you've really got to look at the dates, haven't you? Oh, and I really do. And that's why when you do the online shop, you don't know what you're getting.

Nope, and they give you all the old shit from the front. And today Dave's done the larder out because he was meant to be going out for lunch it didn't happen. He's done the larder out. Right. And just the stuff that we're having to throw away, cranberry, all the pickles. Don't. All going in the bin?

Yeah, because they're outside. It's criminal, isn't it? All stuff that we need for Christmas. I know. But do you need them? Well, because that's not. Yeah, that's the thing. So you should remember that.

Some of these are coming out hampers. Some you bought. I know. But also you need to remember at yours, your pasta on the Christmas Eve, sounds lovely. Yeah, we're doing seafood pasta. Right, nice. Then you have your melanzania or whatever. And as long as you've got bread for the turkey sandwiches,

when do you have pickles? No, we don't. I don't know why we buy them because we don't eat it. We have the turkey sandwiches, which are unbelievable. If I do the menanzania, I don't know if I'm going to do it because it doesn't get eaten. No, we're stuffed. If you're not having lunch at 3 o'clock, say,

you're not eating again till 9 10 o'clock. We don't really eat. When Tony and Sharon come up, I'll probably eat for four. Yeah, and then that's it. We don't eat again. Well, no, but why would you? A few crisps maybe on the table. Yeah, but why would you?

I don't need to. No, I know. It's that thing, isn't it? You panic. You feel you've got to have it all. Of course you do. All the pickles. No, I'm going to be sensible with the food side of things because I can't bear the waist and frown it away.

And me too. I do not. I'm getting worse as I get older about that, fun, in that. I used to be quite frivolous. No, because there is a thing I think that comes with age. Do you think so? Yeah, because it's criminal. It's so, yeah.

Even seeing all those jars today. Mustard. Yeah. Just lovely and nice things. Fultham and Mace, you know, proper. It'll probably be all right if you put up on that. That's what I mean, sauce. That's what I said to Dave.

I said, I'm not sure I'd be froze some of those way. I said, maybe do a little taste test. If they've been open, I get it. No, they'd not been open. No, no. I think. Don't add a mustard for here. It was about four years old that he politely pointed out to me.

Yeah, I don't think we, well, I might have that chat with your brother when I go home and tell him. I'd have a little look. Hold on. Just open them and use them. They don't get used. We love it. Exactly.

But just open and put them in a bowl. Yeah. Who's going to know? Yeah. Not me, is it? No. Anything that's... Cheese board.

I want to do a little cheese board because Dom loves the cheese. But again, that's something, if you were doing that at the buffet, you can get your cheeses. I don't think you... Well, no, cheeses are fine, but no, I will do a nice cheese board. What are you worried about the veg? I don't know, really. I think you'll be all right. I think for me, it's just my brain.

Yeah, you're shopping for how many... I'm shopping for three days. What are you doing on? I'm shopping for 35 people. Yeah, it's a lot. And you can't go the day before. Maybe I can. Maybe I should go out the day before

and just maybe get a few bits. But again, you want it as fresh. But you've got people around me. 23rd. Oh, I see. I'm saying I'd have a bit earlier. Oh, I see. Yeah, I mean.

What a boring conversation. Sorry, guys. I forgot we were doing the pods. I forgot who were doing it. But yeah, but these are, like, this is conversations that I'm against many households are having because, yeah, you want it to be perfect. Do you know, don't overthink it.

I know. It's a roast dinner. It's a few games. You're all together. I know. Enjoy it. It's so true. It's for the children at the end of the day.

Yeah. And as long as they're happy, then you've done your job. And just don't burn yourselves out. So many people ill as well already. Dropping like flies. I've got no one at work today. I'm going to have to mention it. And you know that I don't really chat news things on here.

But they're saying That the hospital I mean it's not even peak jet No There are so many people with flu Yes A strand of flu That we're not calling the big C word

Anymore Well I've seen a lot of people wearing masks Have you? Shopping, yeah No I'm not surprised Because it's rife Yeah it is And they're encouraging

They were still advertising For people to have the flu jab Last week I've never had the flu jab No Ever. No, I know. It don't seem to be working.

It's worrying, isn't it? Very big worry, because I just think, bloody hell. And again, hospital's been overwhelmed this time of year. And also, you don't want to be ill, do you? All this hard work, and then you're flat out on the sofa. And what happens there? Well, today, yeah, we were two members of staff off sick. Well, yeah.

With one that also was ill Friday. So three members of staff. And we're a very small team. Yeah, of course. So just got to be super. Well, I think I've had whatever has been going around the week of the Clapham show. Yeah, because you didn't feel great, is yeah. And then I've now got a lovely cough that, you know, the bedtime cough?

Yeah. So as soon as you lay down, you're coughing all night. So I don't, I've not been sleeping very well. I feel a bit jet-legged. Do you? Well, hopefully you're through the worst of it, so at least you know you're not going to be crashing. Fingers crossed. Must talk to you.

We've got a lovely Christmas card here. Oh, yes. Seas and greetings. This is from lovely Krista. I cannot thank you all enough for getting me through the last five months. Being diagnosed with breast cancer and made redundant within days of each other, I felt lost. Having lost my mum when I was 16, I thought the worst. Your pod kept me going on days where I couldn't cope.

You brought a smile to my face off and. where tears had not long fallen. I had to leave Jersey and go to the Royal Marsden for radio and I would share with the team so much of your pod. What you all do is bring joy even when times are hard.

You gave me strength to keep going. I have even given help to others in their journey recommending listening. I know these gifts are small but it's just a little thank you. Jersey skin is a friend's company created during COVID. Jersey Fudge is a nice treat

wishing you all so much love and happiness now and always. Sorry for all the voice notes, but they also helped. And that's for all of us, all the girls. Krista, I can't thank you enough for that. I mean, bless her heart, just the postage alone has cost her. It's ridiculous. A small fortune.

It's very kind. Thank you, Krista. And I've got the beautiful skin jersey here, which I'm really looking forward to having a look at. And that is www.jorseskin.com for anyone who wants to have a look. That's a shout out to your friend. We've got some jersey cream fudge. I'm not a fudge lover, but Mark will gollop that down. Lovely.

And we've also got a jersey cream cinnamon biscuit. I've eaten mine. Was it nice? Yeah, delicious. But thank you so much. And I'm so pleased, as ever. Isn't it lovely that we can help people? Yeah, again, as I've said so many times, and I'm repeating myself,

this is the part of the pod that means so much to me. The fact that if we're just helping one person get through one, day, it's all worthwhile. It so is. And that feedback from, yeah, the live show, talking to people face to face. Yeah. And just hearing. So what's incredible about that is because you're connected and you're seeing them.

Every time we do this, there are thousands and thousands of people that listen. Yeah. And it brings them joy. Yeah. So sitting in this room is rather special. talking to people It's incredible And there will be people

Probably going through very hard times And we're banging on about our presence and rapping No, of course No, it's all relative We're doing what we're doing

And we're honest So we're talking about What we're getting up to But my heart And I know yours will be as well Goes out to all of you If you are having any tough times Or you're missing people

You could be going for a breakup, Divorce, you could be ill Losing your job You could just be really, really struggling because it's so expensive at this time of year. Just because we're sat here, we know how grateful we are. We're so grateful and we know how fortunate and lucky we are. I don't ever want to come across as arrogant. But we have the lives we have.

And I just want you to know if you are, isn't. And we haven't come from a privileged background. No. We come from working class families. Absolutely. And we've created our own. destiny, you know, maybe there's a little bit of luck along the way, hard work, right place, right time, you know, so.

But some people don't get those breaks. Absolutely. That's why we're very fortunate. That's why we are saying we're lucky. It's not all luck. We have earned it. No, of course we have. But not everyone gets that lucky break.

But, you know, don't ever think it might not happen. You've just got to put yourself out there. And persevere. And, yes, there are many people that health holds them. back and we understand that too. Yeah, of course. And that's why we're here for you to have something you can escape into. A little bit of escapeism.

Yeah, and just listen to us swaffling on about a load of bologna. Is there anyone you'll be seeing that you always see at Christmas or you nip in somewhere that you only do around this time of year? Not really. No, I just wondered. Not really. No. I mean, what does happen, which is lovely, is many clients that we talk to, email on a regular basis.

You don't see, if they're local, will pop in. And that's already started to happen. And they'll bring in a little gift, which is, again, very much like the pod, Natalie. Well, you feel like you're doing your job well, don't you? It's just so thoughtful because we are, there are. clients, they pay us to work, to do our job, to look after their properties. So they're already paying us for what we do. But the fact that they go to the effort to come into the office or send a delivery or something in the, you know, through, in the post, as a little thank you to say,

it's so, it just means a lot. And that's already happening. So that's nice, being able to see a client that you don't see from one year to the next. But in terms of family and friends, no, predominantly It's people that I see generally. Regularly. Obviously, we'll FaceTime Italy and we do all of that, which is lovely. But no, I don't think that is the case. No, I was thinking, because I thought of it earlier because I messaged Linda, Dad's carer Linda.

Oh, yes. And I have seen her a little bit more this year because of the documentary, but it is terrible. Yeah. But I will see her Christmas Eve morning when she delivers my turkey. Because her and Melv do the turkey. And I said it's ridiculous that we've not, I would like to see her before then to have a little drink. So we're going to try and maybe get to the fox or the crown just for a quick glass wine together.

But yeah, I always find that very special seeing her. Yeah, and that's lovely. For you, that gives you that, I guess it's a connection with your dad. Yeah, and it's just that nice. I just love it a bit. So it's nice that I get the turkey from her. And I like that little tradition now that I see her. And ultimately that's what it's all about, isn't it?

That is what Christmas is about. Just that stolen 20 minutes with someone that you don't see as often as maybe you'd like to see because life does unfortunately get in the way. Absolutely, yeah. You know, we're actually going to make in a conscious effort of going to, in stages, pop into our neighbours because Jim's had an operation on his knee. Oh, bless you. So they're going to be at home because it's not mobile.

So I said what we'll do is through the course of the day, we can individually just stick our head in the door. That's lovely. I have a little baileys with them. Yeah, yeah, nice. On monkey spunk, as Tony calls it. Tony's saying, not mine. And, yeah, and that's just, again, just so they've got a bit of company.

Yeah, of course. They don't expect that because they're so good with the children and the grandchildren. So, yeah, it's the least we can do. And again, that's the thing. You kind of need to know who your neighbours are. Because I'd hate the thought of there being an elderly neighbour on her road. I mean, I live in a road where it's quite a mature road. It's getting younger, but it is quite a mature road.

I'd hate the thought there being a little neighbour on their own at home Yeah Only up the road you could run in Absolutely It's no hardship, is it? But you've got a WhatsApp group, haven't you? Yeah, not a full, not half a road

And it was half of my road And half of a neighbouring road No, someone really needs to set that up No, it's not going to be me Because I've got enough of my plate No, cool Yeah, that's what we need It's a WhatsApp group

But to be honest, I'm probably saying it For selfish reasons, I might want to escape For an hour from my mouth That's true So if I've got any neighbours that are on their own I want a bit of company Christmas Don't quite at home

with no children in it She'll be over Me and Betts We'll escape Well I saw a lovely Dawn Who's a neighbour of mine Yeah Whizzing up the pathway

On her little Vehicle now Oh she got a little Little vehicle But completely immaculate Hair all done I met Dawn didn't I Yeah

And she's whizzed up I can see her She said I've got a letter A bit of post that's come to me And there's a Christmas card Do-da-da Immacula I said where are you

Should I'm doing this I'm doing that. I've got this one, I've got that one. Just absolutely brilliant when I see her because I think you are mature now, very mature. But now's done, hair done. I love it. Absolutely immaculate.

Good for her. And even with the vehicle, she'll be saying now, there's not a moan. She went, oh, I couldn't do without it now. It's fantastic. Gets me around. You know, it's not, oh, I mean, one of the... She's still on and off of it,

But she's got her stick and she's got her... But it's all positive. Yeah. And I do think it makes a difference. I do. Glass half full. I'm telling you. Oh, glass very full by the stand foot.

She's spilling over. I'll dawn it. Well done dawn. Yeah, but it's, you know, it is personality, isn't it? I think so. It's personality. Much going on in the village hall here, Christmas-wise. I think they did a little...

They did a little fair that we went to, which was really lovely. There are some Christmas carols, I believe, on Monday evening. Oh, I'm at the Pan Am so you're not there. But yeah, there's midnight mass going on. You've got the different villages doing different things because I bumps into the vicar and was chatting to him. If you want that real traditional Christmas, you couldn't have it.

Yeah, how lovely. There's Christmas Eve, there's Christmas morning services, there's lots of going on. Well, even we went to, Maria and I popped into the big Tescoes at Brookfield yesterday. And they had a choir there singing, which, do you know, it was so. lovely inside they went outside they were in the store literally as you come in I said to me how lovely is this yeah I love a camera people everyone walking in and you couldn't help out of a little dance a little jig and I was watching people singing along it's like it's music always it lifts the spirits I'm talking to Tescoes this this is a good one so we've

gone to Tescoes Maria had to do a minor shop and I only had bits to pick up yeah so she said mum we've not got time to do the cue in and all that we'll do a scan and shop oh yeah Is it scan and shop or shop and scan and shop? Scan and shop, yeah. I said, well, I don't know how to do it. You're going to have to show me. She said, are you all set up? I said, well, I don't know.

Anyway, I've got the Tesco's app, so it was easy. Right. She just scan the barcode off. We got, and I thought, oh, this is good. So we're scanning away. Oh, this is really easy. I'm going to do this now. Yeah.

All the time. So we do our shop. Kids are getting tired now. We've been out for a little while. Go to the bit where you have to then pay. Scan it, yeah, you scan it. There's a queue. Yeah.

Because obviously everyone's scanning and shopping, aren't they? Yeah. But if you'd gone to just the... Normal till. Normal till. Not the till where you're being served, but the... Yes. You know what I mean?

I do know. God, I've got really bad brainful today. Not just... Anyway, you know what I mean. Yes, a self-serve. Yeah, that one. Bear with us people. I'm getting there.

I said, but you've got to queue up. She went, yes, ma'am. It's a bit busy, isn't it? Well, yeah, because there's no cues at the self-serve. So, number one, I'm like thinking, not seeing the point in this. But anyway, the queue went pretty quick. We get, so she's gone, oh, they're going to so check yours because you've not done it before. Anyway, she does hers first.

She gets, whatever do they do, bleep, you're saying? She's got to be checked. Right. So the guys come over. So that's had to get all her shopping out the bag, scan all her shopping. So I went, I'm looking at it. She can see me looking because she's thinking she's really. really clever because she does the old scan and shop and mum doesn't.

I know, this is quick, isn't it? So he's done it all, we've put it all back in her bag. Then I've done mine. Guess what? No. Well, of course, because I'm a newbie, isn't I? So we've called him again. We went over here.

Blimmy neck. I've all that hell and I don't really see the point in. You have had bad luck. No, I get it. It just made me laugh because I thought she's like trying to be really, you know, speedy. Gonzales. And it's not really panned out. It didn't work out, no.

It's a funny concept that, isn't it? I always scan and shop. Oh, do you? Yeah. And do you get, like, Brandon checks? The only place I don't scan and shop is M&S. Because?

I want to talk to everybody at the till. It would really upset me. If I couldn't find who I want to talk to. And again, they do talk to you in there. The staff are so lovely. You're having a right old chin waggers. You're paying for staff. and I feel they've got super friendly in there in Marxists.

Yeah. Haven't they? Yeah. I'm not saying they were. It's just like. Yeah, no, but there's some. And now what's happening, which is my favourite, is I'll be shopping and I'll see someone of a mature age and I'll be like, oh my God.

And give her a great big cuddle where they've retired, but they're in there. Shopping? Yeah, so I see all the retired ones that I used to go in there. I remember you and your dad and Eliza when she was a baby and you'd have to be in the calf and you'd be so i see people from years ago they're now shopping in there yeah love it's cracking what they've done in there aren't they it's great in it and they've really up the ante with the old clothes they're smashing it very very good hopefully their figures will oh yeah hope so after what they've been through yeah they're incredible yeah to be fair to them they had a disaster

didn't they but no um brilliant yeah amazing amazing so in terms of shopping and you feel like you you're done no i'm literally there I've probably got one gift to buy And I'm done I've started late But I just Once I start I felt like I just got on a roll

And yeah I've done it Lovely And I could just maybe enjoy the next few weeks I just need the postman to come With a lot of things I've ordered See that now gives me the hebe-jeebies Yeah Because your gift

Which I ordered over two weeks ago Didn't arrive Oh no I contacted the company They were brilliant to be fair and I'm not going to say who they were because I don't want to spoil your surprise or not it's a surprise but you know what I mean

but they were brilliant so I will give them a shout out at later date I contacted them I said I ordered this gift two weeks ago there was more than one it's with every it's been there for 10 days I kind of need my present

they said oh we'll it takes 48 hours for us to reply I said but if I give it another because I didn't say it was in all honesty I'm not going to say it's a Christmas gift No, no. I said it's a gift I need. It's not for Christmas.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. If I wait another 48 hours for you to respond to me, I'm not going to get this straight away, put it in the post. New gift arrived. Wow. So I don't know what Evri are doing. Interesting. Because I hear this a lot with Evry.

I do too. Where these gifts are just sitting in. I think they're a bit overworked. Yeah, I know, but it's Christmas. No, I know. We know about this. No. Everyone knows.

I know. I know. In December, it's Christmas. I know. So they, I don't know, I don't really. I'm not. I appreciate it's very challenging. No, but D.HL I don't usually have a problem with.

No, it does seem every other ones that... Because I think is it their concept? It all goes in a... Something, I don't know. You are right, though. Something's going on there. It's not quite right. Oh, so you've got parcels to arrive.

I've got quite a lot of things to come. Oh, dear. And then I need to go, right, that's that, that's finished. I'm finishing things. That's that person finished, that person. You know, a couple of personalised things, you know. There's things I need. See, I do feel anything that you are all,

that online, you need to be doing it beginning of December. Or October? Well, yeah, but who wants to do it in October? I would not be ordering anything now. No, I've done it. It should be with me this week. Yeah, well, let's hope. Fingers crossed.

Because then if you have a disaster, you've got to reorder it and it's not coming. No, I'll have to just get something else. Yeah, it's a fath, isn't it? A little bit, because I do want to be done. Yeah, yeah. But we will get there. We will. We'll get there.

And as I say, it will be a... We'll have a lovely time. You don't look at your face We'll have a lovely time No you know what it is I want to enjoy now the evenings Yes And that's why you've got to have this all done

Do you know what I have stopped doing Other than a few Like again the more mature clientele Christmas cards Yes I don't do it anymore No And it's such a real

Like a weight off my shoulder I don't do it I know I've come around with one for you but that's different I'll do family and I do something like Eleanor and George You know people that

The old people that are Although Eleanor is on social media No I know what you mean No I just feel like all my friends We're on social media So we're wishing each other And Christmas

Then there's a WhatsApp group Then there's a WhatsApp group So you're messaging Christmas morning Christmas Eve And then I'm like And also I don't want to pay that postage It's a lot, isn't it? It's disgusting.

What is it? £1.20 or something for a first-class stem? Yeah, it's obscene. It's actually obscene. I used to send 50 cards in the post. No. It's not okay. Major, isn't it?

So I don't do it anymore. I'd rather give that little bit to charity. I know, it's true. Just as a little token back, which I really like doing. But I'm, yeah, I don't do it anymore. And also, I don't receive them like I used to receive them. No, I think a lot of people. Yeah, it's a, I know it's a lovely, I know it's a tradition, do you not agree?

No, I do agree. Do you do them? Do you do them? Do you do them? Does it? In terms of a list of people and he'll sit and do it and I've got cards. But I've stopped doing all, I used to get Maria and Elia, Dom. I know, we don't do cards anymore.

No cards. I haven't bought you one. And it's fine. I haven't. No, it's fine. Not yet, but we probably do it the ones in the post. But I literally do a handful of people and a few in the past. Coast.

Mark does them more for clients, I think. There'll be a few, you know, just a few odd friends. There's not loads, but we still get, I reckon because he's continued, we get there are a certain amount that we will still get. Right. Which is lovely. I do like getting a Christmas car. Look, it's lovely.

I'm not saying it isn't lovely. And I know it's so hard to let go of traditions that have been going on for years. No, but also it's a cost thing. Again, you're throwing it away. And also, for me, I feel like you're sending this card. your postage is more than the card Yeah And then it just says La Fromm

I just think You know I have a supervisor I used to work with When I was at Barclays Her card is always the first to arrive But she writes a full on letter in it Which is beautiful Lovely

But I'm connected with her on social media But she had And that's lovely Because she's written to me Like Krista Yes exactly that Little message Exactly that

So I kind of get, I totally get that, and I do the same back. Yeah, oh, that's lovely. Yeah, I write and tell her what we're up to. She worked with Dave as well, so it's... That's good. And that was lovely at the, um, digressing here, but at the grand, and I'm terrible. Colin Clayton's wife, that's it. Turned up with a photograph of Dave.

And Colin as children. And that was because of the pod. Crazy. It's mad, don't it? Yeah. A lot of connections being made, which is really nice. Yeah. Very, very good.

And lovely to have the family in the audience as well, wasn't it? So nice to have everyone there. Everyone was really good. Don was very complimentary blessing. Was he? Yeah. Yeah. It means a lot to me.

I haven't even spoken to Don about it. No, it means a lot to me because Don, he said, oh, he said, you can see you hold it all together. Like, you know, I know it's your job, but you're really good at what you do. Did it? It means a lot to me though, because, you know, he doesn't really get to see me at work. No, cool. And that's the thing.

Yeah, they don't see that. So, yeah, that's lovely. Really nice. No, I'm looking forward to seeing everybody now on the Sunday for the old Christmas fest. Yeah, that would be lovely. For the kids. Looking forward to that. I think everyone could pop back, possibly.

Well, I don't even know what time we're, what time are we? I want to say half four start. Oh, okay. So it's late. Right. So we'll be back late, no? Yeah. Kids to bed.

I'm sure you're... A little game. Shorn Nats' nieces will be more than up for it. I'm sure they will. We shall see. We shall see. And in between Christmas and New Year, are you just about to work?

No, it's actually a lovely break this year. Good. On the 29th, which is the day I am due back at work, we're going to taking the children to Disney on Ice. Oh, that would be lovely. Which I've never done, actually. It's good. I'm looking forward to it, and the kids will love it.

Yeah. And it's nice because Annalisa and her mum, so it gives me and Sue an opportunity to spend a few hours together. So, yeah, so that's going to be lovely. So, no, we've got a nice break coming here, obviously. So it's really, I'm not rushing back to work. I go back to work on the Tuesday and then we're off again. But I've got no New Year's Eve plans this year, which is very unusual.

No. But again, I'm not overly fast. And I'm sure we'll end up doing something or inviting people around for dinner or something. But we're not too. I'm not overly bothered. No, and I know you're not a fan either, are you? No. Again, I look forward to that quiet day.

Yeah. I enjoy it. Yeah. Are you busy, like work-wise? No. It's all slowed down now for you. All slowing down. A couple of little bits to do.

Tomorrow night, because now I'm patron of solving kids cancer, I am hosting their Carol concert in Sloan Square. Are you? Tomorrow evening. So that'll be really lovely. Again, some beautiful music, some lovely stories, some sad, some inspiring, but really lovely. Oh, how lovely. So I'm doing that.

Eliz is coming with me. So once I've done that event, that's me then. And then are you busy in January? No, I've got my exam. Oh, when's that? The 9th of Jan or 7th, I can't remember. Oh, gosh. So as soon as Christmas is over.

You need to focus on that. Oh, we'll be focusing on revision, revising, have that week, really, really. Is that your last one? Do some work. That's my only one, the exam. Yeah, I've done two assignments, but that's my exam. So, but I like that. I like the idea of starting the year off with drive, something to achieve.

focus on, yeah. And then, you know, there's going to be some more live shows going on. And obviously the pod will continue throughout Christmas and New Year, so no one misses it. So you're, the pod's going to be still coming out two days a week during the Christmas. So next week there'll be. There'll be one on Monday and that's nice is. And there will be a Christmas day spesh. Oh.

Which will probably be me and Mark, a little bit of Eliza. I don't, I don't care what day it is. I'd like people to still have their Mondays and Thursdays, yeah, because it's part of their... I think it's important. Well, it's a bit like your soap, isn't it? Part of their routine. Yeah, yeah. And you do think, well, who's going to listen to that?

But people still do they do. We did a little Christmas one last year where we were all up here. Do you remember now? The Poseco and... It was chaos, if you remember. It was funny that I was downstairs listening. That was really good actually. Now I'd forgotten.

Yeah, we haven't done too many things, but I think with a live show and lots going on. It's been a lot. Well, we did it with the live show, didn't we? We did. We did. But yeah, so nice little things and then we'll go into the new year with some lovely bits and pieces,

some calm and some joy and taking a deep breath for 2026. Have you, by the way, have you had your ovens clean because you like to clean your ovens before Christmas? I did mine about six weeks ago. Oh, lovely.

But you got someone in to do them. They're filthy. Like already? Yeah. What are you doing there? Filthy. Every time he comes, he said, how many roasts do you cook?

Did he really? Yeah, he says, You cook roast dinners a lot, don't you? I even gave mine a little going over. Did you? And I thought, oh, Natalie would say pot kettle because I always find it bizarre that you get your ovens clean before Christmas.

But I kind of get it. Yeah, I've had a whole sort of turn the house upside down. Yeah, before I put all the decorations out. Just like tonight's all been done. Nice. Just makes me feel like good about, it's me. It's, you know, what I'm like with. I get it.

I just wanted it all done. So then I know that, and then I'll do it again after Christmas, of course. See, for me, I'm looking, I put, so many things out you can't really dust now yeah so actually i don't mind this time you just you can just relax and let it all go to pot it's quite chaotic there's crackers there's lights it yeah and this is probably my only time where i still like things to be a certain way yeah but i just think oh no just enjoy it and don't our homes look so lovely with all the lights it's such a lovely it's it's just the warmth it gives your home and the reason christmas

lights began was back because it was the darkest day of the year and people, it was, you know, candlelight and more lights got lit, et cetera, and more candles came out. And for the festivity period, they just bring light to more churches because there were shows and whatever. So light is, it is a festival of light in some ways. It really is. And I must say, I'm not a political person. And I don't usually talk about it. news events but as I've mentioned a Festival of Light my thoughts, everybody's thoughts

I'm sure are with all of the people, families in Australia and what happened over there was just absolutely heart-wrenching. Yeah I mean Sophie just sprung to mind I must admit because I know she's gone out there but

what on earth awful and that man hero what a hero. That's hero in the sense of a word, isn't it? I mean, he clearly did not even consider what position he was putting himself in. No, he just had to go and do that. Oh, my goodness.

But yeah, I must say that, as I mentioned, festivals and lights and obviously it was Hanukkah, so thoughts and prayers with everybody. Awful, awful, awful thing that happened. Awful. Shocking. Awful. What a strange world we live in. We do.

Strange, strange world we live in. But there we go. There we go. But let's have a peaceful, fun, chilled out Christmas. Boosy? Always boozy, yeah. And we haven't spoken about the booze.

Have you got all you drinking? I have got my drinks in. And how are you going to manage that over the various days because we don't want you running out for the 28th, too? I have got them all boxed up in Sharpie Pen, 28th, 25th, 27. That is hilarious. That was my first job.

Brilliant. I know. It is amazing, isn't it, what we go through? Oh, crackers, different crackers for different days. Kids crackers, have I got on our? Struggled with the kids crackers. Did you? Couldn't find any.

I liked it ended up buying some yesterday just out of... What have I got? I wanted some with like a game in here. Yeah, mine's going to... Penguin Run or something. It's got a little... Oh, is it. They're all a lot of shit.

Yeah. It's a load of... Oh, shit. But you need, you can't not have them, can you? Got to have crackers on the table. Absolutely, yeah. Are we crackers, that's for sure. Well, no, have a fantastic one.

Well, hopefully I'm going to see you before. Yeah, but for the pod. But yes. I probably won't talk to you on the pod now until after the event. So have a lovely time. And yeah, to all our listeners, have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your family. Enjoy lots of food.

Not too much drink. Enjoy children if you have them. Play lots of games. And if you're on your own, just switch on this pod. Have a little listen. We've been doing them for nearly two years now. There's loads to replay, relisten to. And we're thinking of you all.

And, yeah, wishing you all a very, very Merry Christmas. Well, I don't know about anybody else, but who needs a Queen's speech when you've got that? Stick that on at 3 o'clock on Christmas Day and you'll be laughing. 0-7-8-1919. Let us know your thoughts. I hope you're all brilliant. Have a fantastic weekend before Christmas. Be happy and let me know what you're up to. Send me picks and I'll speak to you very, very soon on Monday. Take care all. Bye, Lynne. Thank you. You're welcome. Love you. Bye. Love you too. Bye-bye.