Who's working over the Christmas period?

My OH was always on duty at Christmas; either Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, or Christmas Day itself - it is lovely now to be able to just relax and enjoy it. He was called out a lot over Christmas, so it was never peaceful.

DH is working 7am - 7pm on both Christmas day and Boxing Day. Yes, it's a bit of a shame as he will miss 'the' day with the little grandchildren but it is one of the accepted 'down' sides of all those working in the emergency services.
However, as he (and many other coastguard watch officers around the UK) currently works at one of the eight coastguard stations around the UK waiting to be given the definite date of their closure it could well be that he, and many of his colleagues, will never have to work a Christmas Day ever again after this year.
All we hope is that the various seafarers around the coast do not encounter major storms etc which will result in the eight remaining stations being stretched beyond their 'copability'
(Is copability a word? It is now, as the government assures us that they will cope )
We also hope that the usual Christmas and new year 'drunks' etc who decide that as they have missed the last bus home they have no choice but to 'borrow' a boat from its moorings (or worse still swim home!) and then get into difficulties, realise that the 999 call made to the coastguard may well be answered by a coastguard literally hundreds of miles away who has to depend upon technology to give his rescuers the correct location.
Also bear in mind that the commendable volunteer coastwatch people only work in daylight hours - not their fault they do not have the same training or equipment.
The government also assure us that local knowledge isn't important, as technology pinpoints locations! It does make me wonder why then, throughout his career in the coastguard DH had to sit AND PASS so many regular local knowledge exams?
Please everyone, keep safe this Christmas - it is the 'on the ground working coastguards' who will personally feel the guilt etc. when things goes wrong (as they will in time) - the government ministers will be safe and cosy on their Christmas break!
We appreciate money has to be saved but so do lives and a lifeboat is no use to you if it is searching in the incorrect location. Sad isn't it

I've given up. Developed a way of pretending he's not here . Have told him he's got to cook the turkey at his house tomorrow.

Or even crimson! x

How's it going, [crimson]? Hard call!

Hope you fixed your problem crimson! I am working boxing night and the night after. Its sort of all over by then though.

He only lives a few hundred yards up the road...it's not far to go....

crimson You're the only one who can do it. Deep breath...

I know....

I just want control of my own space .

Oh, crimson....

Oh heck; I pointed out to the S.O. that I was working a lot up until and soon after Christmas and it wasn't to be regarded as a holiday as such, but I've noticed he's turned up with a bag and five shirts. Now, that smacks to me of someone who's not leaving for the duration. Could I have made it any clearer? Will I have to say 'will you go home now I have to go to work tomorrow'?? I feel very awkward about this.

I'm wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whatever you are doing.

I know of three people who are working over Christmas the whole Christmas period,it's just the way their shift's have fallen this year and DS2 is on call as a First Responder his first time for Christmas/New Year cover so he will not be having his usual tipple and will have to wait until he comes off call to celebrate,mind when he finishes his on call he is due back in his full time job so looks like he will be t-total this year.

With a shift working power supply engineer father who worked over Christmas and a Hairdresser Mother working 12 hour days right up to Christmas Eve, our childhood Christmases did not involve 'holidays' Then with DH's busiest month playing in a dance band -usually twice on Christmas Day itself - and often a funeral (day job as Joiner & Undertaker) + me an 'On-Call' Women's Aid worker the 'no holiday' tradition continued until we retired. I thought that we were set fair this year and what has happened? DD1 (a civil celebrant) has a funeral to prepare....

Oh crikey; don't think any of us can top that. I'm feeling sorry for myself because I've only got 25th and 26th off [everyone seems to get over a week off these days] and the run up to Christmas usually means a lot more work anyway. Still, glad that you and the others that have seen it have recommended The Hobbit cause that's going to be my Christmas treat to me this year [that and The Life of Pi]. Merry Christmas to you ....