Twixmas originates from the old English word ‘betwixt’ or in modern English ‘between’. It’s a time when all the hype leading up to Christmas is now behind us and we are just waiting for the next happening. But the world seems to have slowed down, the roads are emptier and no one is in a hurry.
I always feel a little melancholic when I see the Christmas lights during Twixmas. The lights that once sparkled in the winter nights and delighted us in the build up to Christmas now seem redundant.
It is not so much a dread about the upcoming new year celebrations but I am more reflective – looking back to a year and wonder where it has gone, what have we done, grateful for the things that have come our way and regrets about some.
As I had done for the ten years with Darcy, and then with George, we are looking forward to our annual New Year tradition of being by the water. Last year, we had gathered together some girlfriends and their dogs who felt the same about the new year. We journeyed up north to St. Andrew’s for a few days by the beach. It was where I had taken Darcy for her first beach run in January 2012. We had a little ceremony when I buried her time capsule.
Without realising it when I booked the hotel this year in Cornwall, that it was my last beach tradition with Darcy in January 2022 before she left us three weeks later.
So, goodbye London – for a few days. See you in 2024.
