We Had Ourselves a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS indeed!

What a great Christmas Jon and Sam gave us all, the high spot being the most succulent Christmas dinner imaginable. This fabulous occasion HAD to go on record… BUT, having enjoyed a champagne breakfast, a long bracing walk in the snow, and then large G&T’s before the Feast, it seems I wasn’t quite as in control of my camera as I thought. Still, the resulting rather Impressionistic pictures do catch the atmosphere, I feel!


…… but next day, when we all drove out to a country pub by a snowy Common to watch the Hunt gathering, I had got my trigger finger back on form, and managed to snap our hosts relaxing before the next batch of guests arrived for the Boxing Day party.

Thank you Jon and Sam for giving us such a wonderful time , including the great treat of an outing to the cinema to see ‘Sherlock Holmes’, which was terrific!

Our Progress around the Family continued with a most enjoyable stay with the other Bell Family in Rutland. We walked beside Rutland Water, were taken into Uppingham to plunder old bookshops, and I had the pleasure of being driven by Matt, extremely competently, for the first time. The two Bell grandsons kept us fully entertained with all their banter, and were a great help when a flat tyre threatened to stop our onward journey.

Then on to Norfolk to spend a few days with Trev and Viv in their deliciously warm, cosy thatched cottage. Being once more back amongst our contemporaries, we relaxed into OAP-dom, though did venture out to meander along the Broads, and to saunter by the coast at Cromer. We spent many happy hours playing a very simple card game to rib-aching and tear-making hilarity, caused entirely by our own dismal incompetence – though it has to be said, we did have the excuse of drinking far too much good wine, and bingeing on Viv’s delectable meals.

However, we were all able to gather ourselves up at midnight to take champagne into the Square to watch a superb firework display as the bellringers Rang in the New.

Our final journey was down to Epping, Essex to have a really tasty meal with Ron and Annalies. Sadly Ron had a bad chest infection, but seemed pleased to see his brother, and managed his old cheery smile, whilst it was lovely to catch up on news with Annalies and marvel at the wonderful improvements she has brought about, making their home really comfortable.

It has been such fun to enjoy the kind hospitality of so many of our family, with snow everywhere to complete the picture. We are a very lucky old couple indeed. Thank you ALL. ……….. and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone of you. xxxxx