And there are plenty of poeple in the same position. The Irish pub I visited last night for similar reasons had been open — and SLAMMED — since 7:30a.m.. They had also short staffed, not expecting such steady and brisk business, so the poor girls when I arrived had been on duty nearly 12 hours without a break and had to forego their own holiday as a result.

Point is that while it was very warm and welcome, they had to give up their holiday for some of us who were adrift for the holiday, which was something of a damper.