What a day that was! Hawksey and me, Janine & Ross and two of their friends plus adult daughter all tipped up at 9.30am on Christmas Day at the big marquee in Battersea Park, to volunteer for the day with Battersea's Rotary Club.
Put on the definitely-not-my-colour volunteers yellow t-shirts and caps and awaited the onslaught …
Incredible venue as set up for a New York themed New Year's Eve event, so black sparkling 'sky' above us, NY speakeasy style bars, even a yellow NY taxi decorated the place as well as the many many tables awaiting the guests.
In came 450 golden oldies in a plethora of minibus arrivals, each taken individually to their seats by helpers including us. Lots of 'happy christmas' hellos, labelling of coats, walking sticks, handbags and wheelchairs and all sat down with a coffee.
First of all, some carols, to get everyone in the mood. And some prodding of everyone on our tables to pull their Christmas crackers and get their hats on.
Then came the meal delivery – a military precision column of volunteers coming in and out of the kitchens with steaming bowls of veg soup, followed by a slap up Christmas turkey dinner and pud.
Followed next by some dancing – any by god were the more active people keen to hit the dance floor, despite it only being 2pm in the afternoon. Lots of good old tunes knocked out by the Hi-De-Hi compere chappy and two Elvis impersonators.
All interspersed with lots of walking people to to loos – my best moment being when I got to the threshold of the Men's loo with a blind old chap and realised I couldn't go in there, and nor could he without a sighted friend – tricky!
Then a quick chance for us to scoff some turkey and have a lukewarm beer before – finally – a couple of rounds of table bingo while the coats were brought back to everyone by us, and goody bags including a supper sandwich, crisps and drink for all.
Then the mad scramble of packing everyone back into their minibus and back to their homes.
Felt a mixture of virtuous but also excited to be doing something totally different that lots of them so very much appreciated. Day went in a whirl and I was utterly knackered by the end of it (had slowed to a similar walking pace as most of the guests by this point) but buoyed by adrenalin till I then crashed on our sofa back at home.
What a day!
S x