This was me on the outer ring road this morning. I was tootling along minding my own business on my way to secure a good deal on a whole salmon and 1-litre bottles of Baileys for my Boxing Day feast when 3 police motorcycle outriders, blue lights on, flashed past taking up a position at the Morrisons roundabout effectively closing off all exits.

Next, another police outrider lights blazing came racing down from the direction of the airport, followed closely by 3 SUVs with blackout windows, followed by yet another 2 police outriders. It was like a moving light show. After the SUV's had passed the police outriders all followed making their way into the centre of Darington. So I have been on google as my interest was obviously peaked to see who warranted 6 police outriders, thus far I can't find any mention of anyone of any note in Darington this morning.

After the ring road excitement, I carried onto Morrisons, where I purchased a beautiful whole salmon and 3 bottles of Baileys at £16.98 and £9.99 per bottle respectively.

As I mentioned yesterday I was very worried that Storm Barra would have wreaked havoc on Daves Christmas Wreath.

So it was with some trepidation that I went to check after the school run this morning. Phew, Phew, Barney, Magrew the wreath was exactly where I had left it. However, the devastation to some of the old trees was sad to see, trees that had probably stood for well over a couple of 100 years smashed down. You will see from the photos that the groundsmen have been busy trying to tidy up. But the damage to headstones was evident to see.

At the moment I am waiting for the rain to stop, then I will venture out to deliver the Christmas cards to the Grove. I have mentioned an open house for wine and nibbles on the 22nd of December, so we will see how many take up my offer.

Last month I attended my first Hurworth Governors Meeting actually in school and not on Zoom for nearly two years. However, with the current climate, we are back to having our last Governors Meeting of the year on Zoom, which will happen tonight at 3.30.