Jack Frost's first visit truly heralds the onset of winter

On Saturday morning, like everyone else in Roscommon, I awoke to a landscape blanketed in a thick white frost – the unmistakable sign that winter has arrived. Despite the chill lingering in the air for the past few days, Jack Frost's first visit truly heralds the onset of winter, and, of course, the imminent arrival of Christmas.

The children in my class, aged 7 and 8, are all beginning to get a little bit excited about Christmas, as you read this there are just as the children say, “43 sleeps ‘til Christmas”.

Saturday’s frost will have added to the excitement. Once Halloween passes all attention turns to Christmas. Children think of only Santa, the elves appear and take their position on the shelves of Ireland for a few weeks and generally cause mayhem in the houses round Elphin or so I’m told, it’s probably the same everywhere else? These elves are keeping an eye on the children and report back to Santa about behaviour etc. A full-time job for some, not too busy for others!

The Toy Show hasn’t been mentioned yet; I’m not sure what the Patrick Kielty’s version will be like, but I’d imagine he’ll put his own stamp on it and as the father of youngsters he should be well able for the demands. The Toy Show, like the switching on of the lights, is the real start of the countdown to Christmas.

On Saturday I was in Tuam to see St. Michael’s in the Connacht Junior Championship Quarter Final. I was there in my role as the provincial PRO, which entails being the stadium announcer, looking after the scoreboard, dealing with media queries and generally being part of the match day experience. In this regard I was chatting to lots of people especially before the action started and to a man, they all mentioned the fact that white frost is always followed by rain. If there’s one thing that we don’t need at present, it’s rain.

It was a poignant occasion in Tuam as it was our last time standing in the famous hayshed stand. Next Monday it’s all coming down to be replaced by a new cantilever stand incorporating a new press box, commentary positions and of course seating for spectators. Our next visit to Tuam will be to a much more luxurious venue.

After Tuam it was full steam ahead to make Castlebar for the game between Ballina and Fulham Irish from London, same role just a different venue. The London side had flown over on Saturday on three different flights all arriving at Ireland West Airport in Knock, a fantastic service and a lasting monument to the visionary that was Monsignor Horan. Sadly, the London side were totally outclassed by a far superior Ballina side. One astute viewer of football and a leading west of Ireland journalist confided with me at half-time that he had put a sizeable bet on Ballina to win the All-Ireland and had got a price of 25/1 that very day on them. Hopefully the form guides will not take too much from Saturday night’s game as the London Champions were out of their depth but also might not have been in top shape after their flights earlier in the day.

Ahead of this weekend I happened to be scanning through the internet looking to buy something I needed. As often happens I end up looking at things I don’t need and bought a coat for what I thought was a bargain price, just shy of €30. This coat offered padding, insulation and seemed to be a warm type of coat. The proof of the pudding would be in the eating. In addition to the coat, I also ordered a matching black woollen hat and gloves. Total outlay was less than €40.

The eagerly awaited bargain buy arrived on Friday, and I was pleased with the winter ensemble. Despite having an abundance of coats, I donned it for the first time at an evening funeral and felt it made a stylish debut. Placing the coat on the backseat of the car, I set off for Tuam the next morning, snug as a bug with my hat, gloves, and coat.

However, my contentment was short-lived upon reaching Castlebar. Plunging my hand into the left pocket to retrieve my hat and keep my head warm, I was met with a surprising void. The pocket, once reliable, had lost its integrity, and with it went my hat and a glove. I retraced my steps to the car, only to find no trace of the hat; the glove was floating in a puddle.

I took the coat out of its packaging at about six o’clock on Friday and had put my hand through the pocket at about half past four on Saturday, not exactly a longevity record!

I’m reminded of the advice we receive about bargains if it seems too good to be true then it probably is too good to be true.

Now what do I do?