A_AT1 Country_NN1 Diary_NN1 :_: OXFORDSHIRE_NP1 :_: On_II the_AT first_MD morning_NNT1 of_IO this_DD1 month_NNT1 ,_, whilst_CS watching_VVG the_AT usual_JJ passage_NN1 of_IO gulls_NN2 to_II the_AT local_JJ refuse-dump_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 spotted_VVD a_AT1 flock_NN1 of_IO waders_NN2 ,_, estimated_VVN at_II between_II 300_MC and_CC 400_MC ,_, much_RR higher_RRR up_RP and_CC heading_VVG due_JJ south_ND1 ,_, and_CC ,_, a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO seconds_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, a_AT1 similar_JJ party_NN1 followed_VVD them_PPHO2 on_II the_AT same_DA course_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ able_JK to_TO identify_VVI them_PPHO2 as_CSA Golden_JJ Plover_NN1 ._. 
Since_CS this_DD1 line_NN1 of_IO flight_NN1 would_VM take_VVI them_PPHO2 straight_RR to_II the_AT pioneer_NN1 party_NN1 of_IO 200-300_MCMC already_RR assembled_VVN on_II the_AT traditional_JJ Witney_NP1 site_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 wondered_VVD whether_CSW this_DD1 was_VBDZ their_APPGE destination_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 days_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, immediately_RR alongside_II the_AT busy_JJ M40_FO ,_, a_AT1 pause_NN1 at_II traffic-lights_NN2 enabled_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO glance_VVI at_II a_AT1 dense_JJ assembly_NN1 of_IO birds_NN2 ,_, as_RG closely-packed_JJ as_CSA starlings_NN2 ,_, extending_VVG for_IF almost_RR a_AT1 quarter_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 mile_NNU1 along_II the_AT edge_NN1 of_IO the_AT arable_JJ field_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ able_JK to_TO identify_VVI them_PPHO2 as_II a_AT1 mixture_NN1 of_IO Lapwing_NP1 and_CC '_GE goldies_NN2 ,_, '_" all_DB immobile_JJ ,_, and_CC many_DA2 of_IO the_AT latter_DA with_IW their_APPGE heads_NN2 tucked_VVD in_RP as_CS21 if_CS22 fast_RR asleep_JJ ._. 
An_AT1 estimate_NN1 of_IO numbers_NN2 was_VBDZ impossible_JJ in_II the_AT few_DA2 seconds_NNT2 available_JJ at_II the_AT pause_NN1 ,_, but_CCB on_II the_AT return_NN1 journey_NN1 ,_, about_RG an_AT1 hour_NNT1 later_RRR ,_, something_PN1 had_VHD awakened_VVN them_PPHO2 and_CC a_AT1 most_RGT spectacular_JJ aerial_NN1 display_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II progress_NN1 the_AT two_MC species_NN had_VHD reacted_VVN differently_RR to_II whatever_DDQV had_VHD disturbed_VVN their_APPGE siesta_NN1 the_AT lapwing_NN1 wheeling_VVG erratically_RR just_RR above_II ground_NN1 level_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT '_GE goldies_NN2 '_GE in_II ever-changing_JJ smoke-like_JJ clouds_NN2 high_RR above_RL ,_, performing_VVG quick-change_JJ evolutions_NN2 reminiscent_JJ of_IO starlings_NN2 going_VVGK to_TO roost_VVI ._. 
Again_RT ,_, an_AT1 estimate_NN1 of_IO numbers_NN2 was_VBDZ difficult_JJ ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 am_VBM confident_JJ that_CST there_EX were_VBDR well_JJ over_RG 1,000_MC of_IO the_AT '_GE goldies_NN2 '_GE ,_, and_CC almost_RR as_RG many_DA2 lapwing_JJ ._. 
W._NP1 D._NP1 CAMPBELL_NP1 ._. 
Dear_JJ Santa_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM like_VVI a_AT1 piana_NN1 or_CC some_DD leggo_NN1 Old_JJ Red_JJ Cheeks_NN2 gets_VVZ snowed_VVN under_II every_AT1 year_NNT1 with_IW letters_NN2 from_II children_NN2 ._. 
Sometimes_RT the_AT spelling_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX so_RG hot_JJ but_CCB belief_NN1 ,_, as_CSA Melanie_NP1 McFadyean_NP1 found_VVD ,_, still_RR seems_VVZ to_TO burn_VVI bright_JJ ._. 
SANTA_NP1 CLAUS_NP1 probably_RR got_VVD more_DAR letters_NN2 than_CSN the_AT Queen_NN1 or_CC Margaret_NP1 Thatcher_NP1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB then_RT he_PPHS1 's_VBZ cuddlier_JJR ._. 
The_AT Post_NN1 Office_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS handle_VV0 his_APPGE mail_NN1 ,_, say_VV0 there_EX were_VBDR 600,000_MC letters_NN2 for_IF the_AT plump_JJ ,_, red-cheeked_JJ old_JJ fellow_NN1 ._. 
Naturally_RR he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX answer_VVI them_PPHO2 all_RR himself_PPX1 ,_, so_RR Post_NN1 Office_NN1 staff_NN lent_VVD a_AT1 hand_NN1 and_CC every_AT1 kid_NN1 who_PNQS wrote_VVD to_II him_PPHO1 got_VVD a_AT1 reply_NN1 ,_, postmarked_VVD Reindeerland_NP1 or_CC Santaland_NP1 ._. 
Whether_CSW they_PPHS2 get_VV0 the_AT computer_NN1 software_NN1 ,_, dolls_NN2 and_CC musical_JJ instruments_NN2 they_PPHS2 asked_VVD him_PPHO1 for_IF remains_NN2 to_TO be_VBI seen_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 depends_VVZ how_RGQ much_DA1 the_AT adults_NN2 collude_VV0 and_CC what_DDQ their_APPGE bank_NN1 balances_NN2 are_VBR looking_VVG like_II ._. 
If_CS 600,000_MC write_VV0 to_II Santa_NP1 ,_, it_PPH1 follows_VVZ that_CST a_AT1 great_JJ many_DA2 children_NN2 believe_VV0 in_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB one_MC1 child_NN1 I_PPIS1 know_VV0 caught_VVN his_APPGE parents_NN2 prowling_VVG around_RP with_IW stockings_NN2 at_II the_AT dead_JJ of_IO night_NNT1 and_CC is_VBZ now_RT impressing_VVG upon_II his_APPGE little_JJ pals_NN2 that_CST the_AT whole_JJ thing_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 con_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB his_APPGE parents_NN2 continue_VV0 to_TO leave_VVI sherry_NN1 and_CC mince_NN1 pies_NN2 out_RP for_IF Old_JJ Red_JJ Cheeks_NN2 perhaps_RR they_PPHS2 believe_VV0 in_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Lots_PN of_IO parents_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT odd_JJ nanny_NN1 or_CC two_MC ,_, provide_VV0 back-up_NN1 references_NN2 for_IF Santa_NP1 explaining_VVG that_DD1 little_JJ so-and-so_NN1 is_VBZ really_RR a_AT1 very_RG good_JJ child_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 good_JJ children_NN2 who_PNQS wrote_VVD to_II Santa_NP1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, and_CC their_APPGE parents_NN2 and_CC nannies_NN2 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX seem_VVI keen_JJ to_TO continue_VVI the_AT tradition_NN1 of_IO leaving_VVG sherry_NN1 out_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR OK_JJ about_II the_AT mince_NN1 pies_NN2 ,_, but_CCB Santa_NP1 is_VBZ likely_JJ to_TO drown_VVI in_II milk_NN1 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR it_PPH1 's_VBZ part_NN1 of_IO the_AT drink/driving_NN1 campaign_NN1 reaching_VVG people_NN who_PNQS ride_VV0 the_AT sky_NN1 in_II a_AT1 sleigh_NN1 drawn_VVN by_II reindeer_NN ._. 
(_( As_II21 for_II22 the_AT reindeer_NN ,_, one_MC1 thoughtful_JJ child_NN1 added_VVD a_AT1 PS_NN1 ,_, saying_VVG she_PPHS1 would_VM make_VVI sure_JJ there_EX were_VBDR carrots_NN2 and_CC water_NN1 for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. )_) 
After_II stuffing_VVG himself_PPX1 on_II mince_NN1 pies_NN2 and_CC quaffing_VVG all_DB that_DD1 milk_NN1 ,_, and_CC getting_VVG even_RR tubbier_JJR ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ surprising_JJ that_CST Santa_NP1 can_VM carry_VVI all_DB the_AT things_NN2 the_AT 600,000_MC ask_VV0 him_PPHO1 for_IF ._. 
And_CC even_RR more_RGR amazing_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 can_VM still_RR squeeze_VVI through_II chimneys_NN2 and_CC central_JJ heating_NN1 air_NN1 vents_NN2 in_II tower_NN1 blocks_NN2 ._. 
Most_DAT kids_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 pretty_RG long_JJ list_NN1 :_: '_GE Please_RR may_VM I_PPIS1 have_VHI a_AT1 Barbie_NP1 doll_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE van_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 oops_UH a_AT1 daisy_NN1 doll_NN1 hands_NN2 down_II games_NN2 bensing_VVG babys_NN2 teddy_NN1 bears_NN2 leggo_NN1 my_APPGE dolley_NN1 suprise_VV0 hungry_JJ hippoes_NN2 ._. 
'_" Some_DD of_IO these_DD2 kids_NN2 start_VV0 young_JJ ._. 
One_MC1 three-month-old_JJ baby_NN1 managed_VVD to_TO talk_VVI its_APPGE parents_NN2 into_II sending_VVG Santa_NP1 a_AT1 letter_NN1 asking_VVG for_IF some_DD clothes_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 bits_NN2 for_IF the_AT cot_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 nine-year-old_JJ got_VVD most_DAT of_IO the_AT Christmas_NNT1 myth_NN1 and_CC the_AT consumer_NN1 dream_NN1 into_II her_APPGE letter_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 showing_VVG some_DD concern_NN1 :_: '_GE Dear_JJ Santa_NP1 ,_, how_RRQ are_VBR you_PPY doing_VDG ?_? 
I_PPIS1 can_VM not_XX wait_VVI until_II Christmas_NNT1 come_VV0 up_RP and_CC we_PPIS2 have_VH0 fun_JJ ._. 
On_II Christmas_NNT1 Eve_NNT1 I_PPIS1 said_VVD Christ_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN many_DA2 years_NNT2 ago_RA tonight_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VM like_VVI a_AT1 piana_NN1 from_II you_PPY for_IF Christmas_NNT1 or_CC if_CS you_PPY can_VM not_XX get_VVI me_PPIO1 that_CST I_PPIS1 would_VM like_VVI a_AT1 bike_NN1 ._. 
How_RRQ is_VBZ your_APPGE wife_NN1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 will_VM leave_VVI you_PPY some_DD Christmas_NNT1 cake_NN1 sweets_NN2 and_CC beer_NN1 ._. 
'_GE The_AT beer_NN1 should_VM cheer_VVI Santa_NP1 up_RP after_II all_DB that_DD1 milk_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB let_VM21 's_VM22 hope_VVI the_AT piana_NN1 is_VBZ only_RR an_AT1 upright_JJ :_: it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 shame_NN1 if_CS the_AT child_NN1 who_PNQS wants_VVZ an_AT1 organ_NN1 has_VHZ to_TO go_VVI without_IW and_CC it_PPH1 's_VBZ hard_JJ to_TO see_VVI how_RRQ Santa_NP1 would_VM manage_VVI with_IW a_AT1 Steinway_NN1 grand_NN ._. 
In_II New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, letters_NN2 to_II Santa_NP1 reflect_VV0 the_AT need_NN1 more_RRR than_CSN the_AT greed_NN1 in_II that_DD1 city_NN1 of_IO cities_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 10-year-old_NN1 asks_VVZ for_IF shoes_NN2 :_: '_GE Right_NN1 now_RT my_APPGE mother_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX work_VVI ._. 
'_" Her_APPGE mother_NN1 has_VHZ two_MC other_JJ little_JJ kids_NN2 and_CC is_VBZ on_II welfare_NN1 $231_NNU (_( about_II l44_FO )_) a_AT1 month_NNT1 ._. 
A_AT1 50-year-old_JJ grandmother_NN1 wrote_VVD to_II Santa_NP1 :_: '_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM a_AT1 sick_JJ lady_NN1 with_IW cancer_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM always_RR with_IW pain_NN1 in_II the_AT body_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 like_VV0 a_AT1 Quilt_NN1 so_CS I_PPIS1 could_VM be_VBI warm_JJ at_II night_NNT1 ._. 
'_GE The_AT letters_NN2 are_VBR pinned_VVN up_RP in_II a_AT1 big_JJ main_JJ post_NN1 office_NN1 and_CC generous_JJ people_NN send_VV0 the_AT presents_NN2 ._. 
Last_MD year_NNT1 the_AT Post_NN1 Office_NN1 in_II Britain_NP1 answered_VVD one_MC1 such_DA request_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG a_AT1 wheelchair_NN1 to_II seven-year-old_JJ Trudy_NP1 Heenan_NP1 's_GE grandfather_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 quick_JJ straw_NN1 poll_NN1 of_IO parents_NN2 revealed_VVD that_CST the_AT little_JJ children_NN2 are_VBR thrilled_VVN to_TO get_VVI their_APPGE letters_NN2 marked_VVN Santaland_NP1 or_CC Reindeerland_NP1 ,_, and_CC believe_VV0 that_CST Santa_NP1 really_RR does_VDZ come_VVI down_RP the_AT chimney_NN1 while_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR asleep_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 believe_VV0 it_PPH1 even_CS21 though_CS22 the_AT evidence_NN1 is_VBZ suspect_NN1 ,_, such_DA is_VBZ the_AT charmed_JJ life_NN1 of_IO the_AT child_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB what_DDQ about_II the_AT uneaten_JJ mince_NN1 pies_NN2 ?_? 
Oh_UH we_PPIS2 just_RR take_VV0 a_AT1 bite_NN1 or_CC two_MC out_II21 of_II22 them_PPHO2 ,_, say_VV0 the_AT parents_NN2 ._. 
Presumably_RR they_PPHS2 pick_VV0 up_RP the_AT pinta_NN1 and_CC down_RP the_AT sherry_NN1 and_CC beer_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ,_, not_XX to_TO mention_VVI making_VVG it_PPH1 look_VVI as_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT reindeers_NN2 have_VH0 had_VHN a_AT1 go_NN1 at_II the_AT carrots_NN2 ._. 
(_( Next_MD year_NNT1 some_DD clever_JJ dick_NN1 will_VM take_VVI a_AT1 patent_NN1 out_RP on_II sets_NN2 of_IO replica_NN1 reindeer_NN teeth_NN2 to_TO clamp_VVI around_II the_AT carrots_NN2 ._. )_) 
The_AT prize_NN1 goes_VVZ to_II a_AT1 child_NN1 ,_, age_VV0 unspecified_JJ but_CCB a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO years_NNT2 off_II joined-up_JJ writing_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS says_VVZ :_: '_GE Dear_JJ Father_NNB Chismas_NP1 can_VM I_PPIS1 have_VHI some_DD of_IO these_DD2 things_NN2 ?_? 
'_GE The_AT letter_NN1 consists_VVZ mostly_RR of_IO a_AT1 complicated_JJ table_NN1 of_IO page_NN1 and_CC reference_NN1 numbers_NN2 with_IW prices_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 refer_VV0 to_II the_AT Argos_NP1 catalogue_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 big_JJ hit_NN1 with_IW the_AT under-5s_MC2 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM reliably_RR informed_VVN ._. 
The_AT total_JJ cost_NN1 of_IO the_AT numbered_JJ items_NN2 from_II the_AT catalogue_NN1 is_VBZ 156.63_MC ._. 
Let_VM21 's_VM22 hope_VVI Santa_NP1 is_VBZ n't_XX too_RR strapped_VVN for_IF cash_NN1 as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO the_AT interest_NN1 rate_NN1 because_CS he_PPHS1 also_RR has_VHZ to_TO get_VVI Silvanian_JJ fire_NN1 places_NN2 ,_, sewing_VVG machines_NN2 ,_, Sindy_NP1 (_( sic_RR )_) dolls_NN2 ,_, guns_NN2 ,_, kitchen_NN1 sets_NN2 ,_, guitars_NN2 ,_, books_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 baby_NN1 changing_VVG unit_NN1 ,_, felt_VVD tip_NN1 pens_NN2 ,_, videos_NN2 ,_, electric_JJ cars_NN2 ,_, electric_JJ trains_NN2 ,_, micro_NN1 machines_NN2 ,_, computers_NN2 ,_, personal_JJ stereos_NN2 ,_, mighty_JJ metro_NN1 racing_VVG sets_NN2 ,_, radio_NN1 controlled_VVD aeroplanes_NN2 ,_, slippers_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 camra_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 day_NNT1 ._. 
December_NPM1 20_MC ,_, 1969_MC :_: Frost_NP1 and_CC snow_NN1 ._. 
Ted_NP1 and_CC I_PPIS1 nearly_RR lost_VVD our_APPGE fingers_NN2 pulling_VVG snow-frozen_JJ ivy_NN1 off_II the_AT trees_NN2 to_TO decorate_VVI the_AT cottage_NN1 ._. 
The_AT car_NN1 broke_VVD down_RP ,_, we_PPIS2 had_VHD great_JJ difficulty_NN1 in_II collecting_VVG the_AT Christmas_NNT1 trees_NN2 from_II Jackson_NP1 's_GE farm_NN1 and_CC Ted_NP1 got_VVD into_II a_AT1 quite_RG a_AT1 suicidal_JJ mood_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 said_VVD that_CST it_PPH1 is_VBZ always_RR a_AT1 good_JJ sign_NN1 when_RRQ things_NN2 go_VV0 wrong_RR before_II the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
(_( Barbara_NP1 Castle_NN1 :_: The_AT Castle_NN1 Diaries_NN2 ._. 
Weidenfeld_VV0 &amp;_CC Nicolson_NP1 )_) ._. 
