By Way of Contrast

December 21st.

Midsummer in South Africa, midwinter in Ireland. Probably about 35 degrees in Durban, about minus 3 in Derry. Awake in Durban at 5am with sunshine streaming through the windows - meet for sundowners at 7pm. Awake in Derry at 9am with the sun barely struggling above the horizon - sundowners not too long after afternoon tea (make mine a hot toddy). Appropriate clothing in Durban - a pair of shorts. Appropriate clothing in Derry - fleecy jumper, thick coat, gloves, scarf, beanie.

I am in one of these two places.

Which one? The WRONG one, obviously.

Well, not really. Derry has some things going for it. My family are here, and Christmas actually feels like Christmas is supposed to - ie miserable. Its purpose (as a replacement Saturnalia) is to cheer you up when the weather is cold and it's dark for twenty hours of the day. So I'm better off here.

It has to be said that I am having some nostalgic thoughts about last year on a beach in Fremantle, but I'm bearing up manfully.

Newswise, there is little to tell. My final few days in RSA were spent doing a few odd jobs for PYT, and the inevitable evening beers with my hosts, including Colin who had just made it back from his lengthy overseas trip.

The journey back was uneventful. Soon after my return, I met up in London with small but select group of Cardiff veterans for a predictably boozy Tuesday evening. And I've already had one job application rejected. Not to panic - the pub at the bottom of my street needs a glass collector. I feel I can bring a results-centred, customer-driven focus to the role which will significantly contribute to receptacle turnover in their establishment.

That exciting opportunity can wait until after Christmas dinner. I'm back in the oul' sod until the 30th. There is much fussing over nieces and god-children to be done in that time. Cunningly, I've made sure to buy them toys that I myself am very happy to play with.

To those who have not received a Christmas card from me (ie all of you): have a very Happy Christmas, and a quiet night in front of the telly for New Year.