THE first few days of January are a funny time of the year. Although the holidays are officially over, it's as if people are still at home and not venturing out or going back to work.
The roads are remarkably free of traffic, the schools are still off and many places of work are presumably running on a skeleton staff as employees use up annual leave they have been allowed to carry over.
So, motoring between Leatherhead and Buckland last Friday afternoon was a nice enough experience with no queues anywhere. How much better Surrey would be if it was like this every day, I thought.
After completing a few post-Christmas chores and posting off a parcel at an empty town centre post office, I went for a pootle around Mole Valley.
It wasn't particularly cold although the pale blue afternoon sky portended an early frost that night.
Festive lights still twinkled in the twilight as I passed cottages along the Reigate Road near Betchworth.
I was minded to pull up at the Jolly Farmers in Buckland and parked the motor with ease in the spacious car park at the side.
Through the windows of the public house and restaurant I could see the flickering flames of the log fire blazing in the grate and also the large real Christmas tree festooned with glittering tinsel and hung with red baubles.
I stepped in and music played softly in the background, adding to the soporific atmosphere.
I ambled up to the counter and spotted a display of almond croissants, Danish pastries and cookies on sale.
A list of hot beverages available included coffees with a variety of syrups.
After dithering for a while, I opted for a cheese and mustard pastry which the bar girl offered to warm up for me. I thanked her and said that would be good.
I ordered a hot chocolate (without marshmallows) and a chocolate cookie.
I then sat back in a comfortable brown leather sofa near the window and relaxed. The waitress brought over the warmed croissant which was delicious.
The fire continued to roar nearby as a family arrived and sat down close by.
"I think we need to fix a date and take it from there," said a young lady in the group.
Suddenly two or three lively toddlers arrived. They had been playing in the garden at the back and were getting a bit cold.
One of the adults purchased some cheese and onion crisps and these were split open for the kids.
The family got up and moved to seats nearer the fire.
The youngsters seemed drunk with excitement.
"Get off me!" protested one little boy as another playfully wrestled with him. "Get off me!"
The parents didn't seem to mind the commotion and picked up menus to study what early evening meals were available.
The children feasted themselves on the crisps and quietened down a little.
"I thought it would be quiet after the hectic holidays," I said to the waitress as she arrived with my hot chocolate. "Were you working on Christmas Day?"
She smiled and replied: "Yes. And on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day."
I remarked: "You need a week's holiday," to which she said: "Well at least I was off for New Year."
She seemed to take it all in her stride.
I sipped the hot chocolate from the tall glass and removed the marshmallow from the saucer beneath.
On my table stood a pretty festive decoration arranged in an old-style pickle jar. The decoration was created using red berries and a twigs covered with glitter.
It was warm and cosy where I was sitting and I was in no mood to go back out into the cold. I was almost tempted to close my eyes and have a little sleep.
Behind the bar, staff wearing their black livery went about their duties and occasionally teased each other.
One of the boisterous children was suddenly reprimanded: "Come on! Stop mucking around!"
I gazed up at the lamps hanging above me. They were designed to look like old oil lamps.
I took the last sip of the hot chocolate and with a degree of reluctance, rose up to start my homeward journey.
I peered through the window and saw the moon rising in the night sky. All was so calm. I thought back to a year ago when all the floods and gales were ruining many people's Christmas and New Year. I recalled how the same pub had been forced due to power cuts to cancel its Christmas Day and Boxing Day sittings and offer an alternative meal at the restaurant upstairs at Denbies.
The staff even transported some furniture to the venue.
This year, thankfully, all was back to normal and every restaurant seat was booked for Christmas Day.
