Thanks everyone for the Xmas food suggestions- and MM particularly for the gammon recipe link, as I have now decided that's what we are having on Boxing Day- particularly good that it can be made in advance. So, orata on 24th, turkey tasca on 25th and gammon on 26th, with various family members on cooking duty. The nice thing is that with my parents and my sister being here, plus DH, I am sure they will not let me do too much- until 26th, that is... Will certainly take your advice and take it easy.
Berluska: DH showed me the picture in the Times over breakfast and I should probably be ashamed to say that my first comment as something along the lines of "Oh, good", followed by the thought that he would now portray himself as a martyr and milk it as much as possible. Also thought The Times was very (too) charitable in saying that he had got back out of the car "to show he was not seriously hurt". MM, make some space in the heartless corner, I think I need to join you in there- try as I can [is this the right expression?] I cannot muster sympathy. So that's the immediate emotional response.
The raitonal response is that of course I condemn violence, as political debate should be exactly that, debate, not a riot, and, much as I cannot stand the man and his politics, that does not mean it is right to hit him. But I will not expand further on this, Ezio Mauro says it much more eloquently.