That time of year again

Regulars here and those who know me, also know that once a year as close to the end of November as possible, Bob the Butcher prepares my Christmas beef which is then hung for almost a month so it's full flavoured and dark and tender by Christmas day.

Part of the annual ritual also includes he has  to wear a Christmas hat and pose with the aforementioned beef joint for posterity.

So here is this year's offering. We ditched the Santa hat for a little elf fascinator theme, which Bob think works well with his complexion, so he kept it on for the amusement of his customers.

On the run up to Christmas, I rein in the teasing of Bob, because it's the one time of year this very affable fellow gets really stressed out. Customers become over demanding and  also fail to realise that he is putting in 15 hour days (no breaks) to prepare bits of dead animal for people to eat.

Since the butchers moved to the high street in Darlaston a few weeks ago, trade has increased, so his Christmas run up is going to be breakneck.  He does have a new helper. Not quite as photogenic though.

And he tried to keep the bloody hat...  Shall have to see if i can sort one out for him.

My tormentor is currently doing so via text from Lanzarote. We were shivering in the cold and wind mid week (with more to come) he tells me he's sitting by the pool with a beer and a steak and it's too hot even for a shirt (there goes the neighbourhood). I'm talking of course of Mick the Bear or MTB as he is now known around the factory where he works (most of the time).

He's staying at a relative's villa and does handyman things to help out. He was painting flowerpots in the week and scrubbing the tiles around the pool.   Pity he's not more local right now as I begin my pestering phase on the run up to Christmas with a bag of props and a camera.

Got him a couple of Christmases ago several times, with Santa hat, antlers and an elf hat too. The Santa look works well doesn't it ?

Quite accidentally whilst looking for something else last night, I found my elf costume. It's still a bit tight but looks the part I reckon.

Good elf everyone...

Should you see me with a camera in my hand and a carrier bag in the other, look out !

Don't ask...