Sol and Ruby at Christmas 6

Sitting in his shed fretting about Christmas presents wasn't doing Sol any good, so he tried doing a headstand to inspire himself. It certainly gave him something to think about, he got a raging headache and felt very queasy for a while. Munch meanwhile was very happy, he was a natural at yoga.

Sol and Ruby at Christmas 3

Sol was relieved to see that Ruby was knitting. That would keep her busy for a few days. Everyone would be getting socks, a jumper, a scarf and a hat. (She was a fast, if not always accurate champion speed knitter ) Sol went out to his shed to ponder the meaning of Life and other important questions, like how many rows of beans to plant next year.

Sol and Ruby at Christmas 2

When Sol saw Ruby come in from the garden all in a flap, he knew he was in trouble. He tried to hide behind his newspaper but when he heard the word Christmas he started to worry. It would all be over in a few weeks he thought to himself, and sighed. 

On being an artist part 5

Meep was putting the final flourish on the mural. It was unfortunate that Spotty chose that exact moment to go outside. 

On being an artist part 2

Meep was getting miffed now. Spotty had been printing stupid Lino cuts for hours now and wasn't paying any attention to her. 

Acorn watch part 1

Little Bun gave Squirrel a pot to plant his acorn into. He wouldn't be parted from it so they had to take it home. Squirrel watched it all the rest of the day and finally fell asleep still holding it. It was a gorgeous Spotty full moon that night so Little Bun covered him up with a blanket and left him there. 

Waking hedgehogs

The hedgehogs were waking up in their Palace, at least some of them were, but Meep still didn't know what to do with herself. 

The big thaw

Oh no ! Everything was melting. No more sledging, no more snowballs. Secretly Spotty was a bit relieved. It would be much easier to do the shopping. Meep was inconsolable, until Spotty pointed out that Sol and Ruby would soon be able to bring Minimeep to live with them. 

Getting dressed !

Little Bun thought it was very important that the new arrivals be decently dressed. Even Spit didn't escape. 

Yummy pancakes !

When they got home Meep had used everything that was left in the house to cook up piles of pancakes. They smelled yummy!

A lovely warm fire

They all sat around the fire. It was nice and cosy, with the kettle bubbling away, the crackling of the wood and the crunching and munching. Spit the spider looked a bit embarrassed as 12 pairs of eyes turned to look at her while she finished off the last few crumbs of her cracker. 

Soup and crackers

Stripey dried them off, got them into their pyjamas, wrapped them in warm blankets and sat them on a hot water bottle on the sofa in front of the fire. By the time Spotty brought them a lovely bowl of hot carrot and nut soup with crackers they were feeling a lot better. Meep slept through it all. 

Cold !

Poor little Bun was taking longer to thaw out than squirrel. She was shivering so much the floor was shaking. Spotty and Stripey were quite worried about them. 

Poor Squirrel

They all gradually woke up to the delicious smells of one of Stripey's famous Sunday roast nut dinners. Little Bun was trying to get Squirrel to come but he was still very upset by the tranquilliser dart episode and he went and hid in his room. Oh dear, Little Bun was getting worried that perhaps he was suffering from post traumatised squirrel disorder. 

A well deserved rest

Stripey came round that afternoon and was a bit surprised to find the entire household fast asleep in the living room. 

A Furious Spotty

Meep had never seen Spotty so angry. He grabbed them both by the scruff and told them they were behaving like children, that he would not tolerate shooting in his home and then he threatened to send Brenda Crimwallop to their house to teach them some manners. The squirrel, meanwhile, was a bit concerned about how close the dart had come to hitting him. 

Fretful Meep

Meep spent the whole night sitting up in bed fretting. What if Great Uncle had been telling the truth about Clothilde ? What if she really was some kind of mad axe fiend ?

Post Christmas Diet

Spotty stared very sadly at what Stripey called his lunch. Little Bun thought it looked yummy !

Post Christmas sandwiches

Meep was feeling a lot better so she made nut roast, lettuce, jam and sprout sandwiches for everyone. Spotty wasn't quite feeling up to any more food yet. 

A Christmas tree miracle

It snowed all day on Christmas Eve. Late in the afternoon, just as it was getting dark, Cheep asked all the others to gather in the garden and close their eyes. When they were allowed to open them the little Tree had been made magnificent by the snow and was covered in all of Cheep's friends all singing their hearts out. It was completely wonderful.