Several things have been happening lately & no record kept on them. Our troops have retired from Servia to Salonika & all the troops have been moved from Salva Bay, & the world is anxiously awaiting the next move.

What Greece is going to do is still uncertain. The results of Lord Derby’s recruiting scheme has not been made known yet but it seems as if all have joined now, I did not think there was a single unmarried man left in this neighbourhood who hasn’t been in to be tested, except [Hazy] Down who is starved.

This has been a strange Xmas Day with so many of the family away but the children made it a very bright one here. It went without a hitch except that the plum pudding wouldn’t catch fire, it wouldn’t last either I suppose it is because of the war. Elizabeth did not wake before 6 o’clock.

What a strenuous Xmas Eve we had, I never remember such a one. Nicholas & Elizabeth were very good & happy all day the former sat in the choir for the evening service & thoroughly enjoyed the carols which went very well, we had very simple ones this year & the congregation joined in some of them.

Philippa was a bit cross all day she was very annoyed because there was no doll for her & wouldn’t look at any of her presence to 100 and found for her. They all had dinner with us, even Michael.