Merry Christmas Northern Hemisphere Friends.

We had a lovely day here. Amazing weather and lot's of fun opening the presents with the children. They were as excited to watch each of us open presents one by one and the whole process took ages. There was a call from Amy and Grieg and our two went down to see them to catch up. I was having a beautifully harmonious day with my husband when Meg and Finn shot in the door, with her screaming 'DOGS' and in a total panic. She and her dad had a set to over her antics and our lovely day had a bit of set back. The neighbours dogs roam loose regularly and are very agressive towards cars and people who come by. We have a shared access and even when the children come up the field to avoid them, the dogs can get in the field and the children are scared. This includes their friends. Although no-one had been bitten (Meg does report one friend with a nipped ankle), the dogs behaviour and the neighbours disinterest in doing anything about it has been slowly winding me up - before we left, and since we returned. So with my daughter very upset, I became the lioness protecting her young and went straight to thier door to deliver a christmas message. I was met by their son who tried to placate me by reassuring me the dogs would not harm the chidren and that as a mother I should teach my children how to be more confident around them. One thing led to another and his mother came to the door. I told her that she was an irresponsible dog owner. She should walk the dogs on the lead and otherwise keep them inside, because they were aggressive. She said they were not aggressive as they had never bitten anyone. I pointed out that my behaviour towards her right at that moment was aggressive which she agreed with (our only agreement thus far). I also pointed out that I hadn't bitten her....................I hope she got my point.
I went back up to the house where Meg met me with a large glass of sherry. If things were a little strained with the neighbours before, they are not too good now. I will be consulting the community policewoman on protocol re loose dogs.
Been thinking about what to do with the blog. Spook thinks I should at least see it to the end of the year. Then I might do a Sunday blog. This will give me the rest of the week to read the Sunday Herald. It is good that we are learning to compromise so soon.