Daff's Deliberations: Carols and Lottery Tickets

Part Four - Hamilton 24th & 25th December, 2019

The previous week there had been a cold snap, so although the temperatures were above freezing, we arrived in Colgate to a good covering of snow.

On the morning of Christmas Eve we were taken on a tour of the University.

Unsurprisingly most of the buildings were closed. We did get to see the layout of the campus and were able to go inside the Department where Paul and Danny work and admire their offices, with decor that reflected their different personalities.

In previous years I had watched Paul sing in carol services streamed via the internet from the University Chapel. The outer doors were open, so we could peep through the glass in the internal doors. However, the main part of the chapel was firmly locked, as it was holiday time and most students were off campus.

Chapel and university buildings

Peeping inside the chapel

Where Colgate University began

Views from the university campus across the surrounding countryside, where the recent snow still lingered, were stunning.

We walked down the hillside, across the stream, past the fields where during term time rugby is played . Close by is a golf course where alumni can gather to reminisce.

Close to the green is a bookshop selling sweatshirts, hats and other items proudly bearing the Colgate name. We visited the adjacent coffee shop, where staff and students from the university congregate. At the time of our visit there was another member of the faculty enjoying a pre-Christmas coffee.

Our final stop of the retail offerings available in Hamilton was the chocolate shop, where I purchased everything-free chocolate for Barry and some goodies for the grandchildren.

I was still missing some small presents for the KHT, so Paul took me to a neighbouring town so I could experience the cultural highlight of Walmart. I had brought only the minimum with me present-wise, to avoid exceeding our baggage allowance. It also gave me the opportunity to see a bit more of the surrounding countryside, as it was dark when we arrived yesterday evening, which meant that the most noticeable features were Christmas lights.

In a receptacle in the middle of an aisle I noticed some throws. Most were illustrations of animals, but the design that caught my attention bore the unmistakeable image of the Virgin Mary, whom I did not anticipate discovering in a supermarket in upstate New York. I purchased some toiletries and books for the KHT and the Virgin Mary as a souvenir of our holiday - as I knew that if I hadn't I would always regret it...

Revealing the Virgin Mary in all her glory

Late afternoon we headed over to the Episcopal church for the evening carol service. We had been advised to get there early and sure enough the seats filled up quickly and they were soon searching for seats to accommodate the capacity crowd.

Outside the church looks miniscule. Maybe the dark wood exterior makes it appear smaller than it actually is. Inside it was surprisingly spacious. A veritable Tardis!

The windows were more like paintings than the chunky leaded windows found in many churches in the UK.

On the way there we just had to find the centre of the town and take one turn, Paul walked with us to ensure we reached our destination. However, by the time the service was over, it was dark and we had no guide to rely on. The congregation got in cars and drove off to nearby farms or out of town accommodation or hurried away to get on with their Christmas Eve celebrations. The streets were soon empty as we retraced our steps, quickly realising that things look rather different in reverse.

We had to pause several times to ensure that we did not take a wrong turning. Getting lost in a town so small would have been truly embarrassing! We were rather relieved when we reached the correct street.

In the evening Paul and the KHT made the customary gingerbread house.

On Christmas morning we headed back to the church for the morning service. This time there were only about a dozen attendees, so we were invited up to the Sanctuary to take Communion around the Table.

The rest of the day was very relaxed. The KHT thoroughly enjoyed the splendid spread Paul and Danny produced for Christmas Dinner, with lots of different foodstuffs to sample - thereby setting a standard I am not even going to attempt to compete with in future years.

In the evening one of Paul and Danny's Jewish friends came to visit. We were rather amused to be brought a Christmas gift, especially as it was a scratch card each. Fortune favoured Danny, who won $2. The rest of us failed to win a thing.

How gloriously ironic it would have been had one of the tickets provided us with a fortune!