Christmas

We had lunch out on Saturday - really lovely Indian food and then a wander around that market near Kings Cross before heading home. Sunday morning we fell prey to the influence of a podcast that mentioned a Full English breakfast and so we headed to the local greasy spoon before a little walk and then packing up and tidying before the trip to Rugby for Christmas. A did a shift at work before her little holiday from it. 

We arrived to a beautifully decorated home with loads of treats all around. As I've not been sleeping well I had a early night. We set out to see my godfather on Monday and he treated us to a lunch. It was a busy time of year for them and we didn't quite get what we originally wanted but it was good to see him and chat. 

BigA picked up more cheese - we really have feasted on it. Some are the same as ones we had for our wedding cake. 

M and D treated us to a very rich and delicious meal at a newish Italian place and despite the drizzling rain I enjoyed walking there and back to stretch my legs and get air in my lungs. It's very very mild weather. We didn't do a huge amount on Christmas Eve - more good and drink of course and a short drive to see a road out in the countryside that almost all of the houses do some tasteful lights. 

Then the big day - A jumped on us having tried not to wake us too early. We very much enjoyed our stockings. A and BigA had done a joint one for me, her getting me things to make me beautiful and him to make me fat! Then croissants for breakfast. Secret Santa did me very well, I was thrilled, and I know I'd put them on my list but I'd put so many things I was genuinely surprised by just how much I got. Then onto more cheese, you'll know this makes me very happy. One of the downsides of Malawi was the lack of good cheese and the expense of very bland yellow cheese there. 

Onto meal prep - despite the confusion over how long the lamb would take (I was not in charge of that bit) it all came together well in the end and with beautiful smoked salmon starter that Margaret made it was a great feast. 

Then as we nibbles our way through leftovers we did our Rugby tradition of white elephant gift. I'd sent BigA into the loft to get random stuff down and it certainly added to the fun of seeing peoples reactions to things most of us really don't want. I however did end up with a couple of things that I like, and Maggie gathered up quite a bit to take to charity. 

With Christmas TV and more cheese I followed A up to bed and dreamt of some strange cheese induced things. 

On boxing day we headed to Frankton. It was lovely seeing my dad's family, always a little hard to see someone who looks so much like my dad of old. Keith is, like my dad was, a very good cook and lunch was flavourful. We headed back for an outdoor fire and more food. More Christmas TV - quizzes and bits and then bed, and A sang songs if her childhood to help me fall asleep. Then all too quickly that part of Christmas was done and we packed up, a flying visit from Sal and Si and then off to Wales, via a brewery where BigA had booked us for lunch, bus upon arrival it was apparent it didn't have a restaurant. That was in fact in Birmingham. We did not go there, instead we were recommended a Gurker restaurant. It was delicious and the venue rather lovely too before setting off in the fog to the Airbnb. 

And then to our holiday - rooms decided, meal eaten, games played, Tesco delivery and sleep.