New Aquitaine House and Gloucester

Cellars are all covered in glitter, Christmas Trees (the postroom alone has six and there are only five of them working there) holly, mistletoe and the rest. There are elves and appalling sweaters. Competition between every part of the building was intense. Amazing what some will do to win a tin of sweeties.

My thanks to Gaurav Gupta for the picture of us with a curiously slimline Santa. I wanted him to meet Laithwaites’ dynamic young CEO Glenn, but couldn't find him anywhere. The I.T. guys took lots of pics. Could be embarrassing one day. There was a brief drink and a pig roast but it all had to be quick as the phones are still hot.

Lunches with Glenn and Simon calmed me down considerably. I get very agitated this time of year. Will Christmas come?

Well, it always does and has again. (Won't stop me worrying next year.) We are doing well abroad and in the UK. I think we deserve to, knowing just how hard people have been working. Nonetheless, to be able to say this, in the current economic situation does seem just a bit miraculous.

The Magic of Christmas? Or the Best Customers in the World and a great deal of hard work?