Blandings Castle sparkled in the winter frost.
After a crisp, clear day, the sun was beginning to set and a tranquil calm descended upon the Castle and its inhabitants. Beach the Butler was in his pantry, enjoying a special drop of port, which he had been saving for the occasion. Lord Emsworth was dozing in a favourite armchair with Whiffle’s ‘Care of the Pig‘ across his lap.
Somewhere outside, amongst the evergreen shrubberies – or perhaps the kitchen garden, where bare fruit trees created a romantic silhouette in the fading light – an assignation between lovers was taking place. And in the warmth of her sty, the Empress of Blandings lay in contented majesty after feasting on her Christmas provisions.
Off in the distance, the twinkling lights of Market Blandings had begun to flicker, and a hum of woozled carolling from the Beetle and Wedge drifted upon the winter air.
May the simple pleasures of Blandings be yours this Christmas!
In memory of Murray Hedgcock
HP
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you found your way to this (after such a long absence from me). I hope your Christmas and the New Year are filled with good things.
LikeLike
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas Jeff!
LikeLike
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And a very merry Christmas you and yours, Tom!
LikeLike
Wishing you a very happy Christmas
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ann. Happy Christmas!
LikeLike
A lovely quotation – well chosen, dearest Honoria. Happy Christmas to you and Miss G, with much love as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very Happy Christmas to you too, Elin!
(I can only imagine how busy you must be right now). It’s more a mash-up/adaptation of Wodehouse, transplanting Blandings into winter, rather than direct quotation. I had fun trying it.
LikeLike
Dear Mrs Plum, how wonderful to have you pop up in my inbox, along with all your other followers who have missed you dearly from this forum. Merry Christmas everyone — may you and all your families have a prosperous new year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to see you on the ether again, Noel. It’s been far too long.
I think my confidence has taken a hit over the last year or so. I now marvel at the audacity of my former self, churning out words and (gasp) opinions. I had fun thinking up this little Christmas message though, and I’ve missed our chats.
Cheers to you and your excellent wife – best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas!
LikeLike
Wonderful! Merry Christmas Honoria!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, old egg. And a very merry Christmas to you – see you in 2022!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Honoria, I can’t quite catch how wonderful it was to see this pop up in my emails on this early Christmas Eve morning. A moment to read, savour and perhaps reach for a book and dwell in peace and happiness for a spell. I hope Christmas and 2022 are fabulous for you and yours and wish you well. Philip
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the kind words, Phil. I’m so chuffed that you enjoyed it. Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and peaceful Christmas.
LikeLike
A very merry Christmas to you. Lovely to hear from your good self.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Paul. And a very Merry Christmas to you, old bean.
LikeLike
Dear Honoria,
While I know full well how irritating it is to have one’s faults highlighted, I would dearly love to thank you from the bottom of my heart for lifting my spirits with your email.
Instead of pondering how awful Christmas is for me you have transported me completely, not only to Blandings which I adore, but also to a mythical place where tranquil clams descend. It is truly a most marvellous place to find myself this morning.
Please stay safe and well, with seasons greetings, Yours faithfully,
Mrs. M. Vincent
>
LikeLike
My dear Mrs V.
What a delightful message. Thank you in turn for lifting my spirits (the awfulness is too awful to contemplate).
Sadly, the tranquil clam has gone. I read the thing a dozen times before posting, and missed him every time, but I shall remember him with fondness.
Hearty best wishes to you!
Honoria
LikeLike
This is the Yuletide spirit!
Looking forward to more Plum in 2022.
Right-ho!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, old bean! I’ll drink to that.
LikeLike
Merry Christmas from a U.S. Wodehouse reader spending Christmas in the U.K. I began enjoying Wodehouse when I was 15 (many, many, many decades ago). I always seem to come back to his work no matter where my other reading tastes take me. I brought “Eggs, Beans, and Crumpets” with me to reread on this trip to the U.K.
Be well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas Bill. A perfect reading choice for your travels. I hope you have a lovely Christmas in the UK.
LikeLike
What a comforting and soothing scenario, that too in our pandemic-driven times.
Merry Christmas, Happy 2022 and all that rot. Wish you a Plummy time ahead. May you drink deep from the reservoirs of life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, dear Ashok. And a very Merry Christmas to you!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on ashokbhatia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for sharing, Ashok
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas, HP!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Paul. Very best Christmas wishes to you!
LikeLike