Christmas Eve

Woke up early this morning, must be the excitement! Took Totty out and then went up to the kennels to take them a box f chocolates and a card from Totty!

I had to pop in to the supermarket to buy some beans to bake my flan case blind as I didn't have any. I bought a nice bottle of beer for Jon in the Liquor Store and sat and had a coffee in the sun and thought about the last year. It is hard to believe that this time last year I was a nervous wreck about coming over here and now it has all turned out really well and we are very happy. The shops were busy but nothing like the UK at Christmas. A new sushi bar has opened at Fraser Cove so I went in and bought some for Jon and I for lunch.

When I got back Peter came over with the picnic rucksack he said we could borrow which has all the bits in, plates, glasses, napkins etc and is very nice. I gave him one of the packets of truffles I had made for him and Bronwyn.

A lovely arrangement of flowers were delivered to us from Mary and Roger and Jon took some photos of me with them. We have had lots of Christmas cards which is lovely and so kind of people in view of the fact that I have not sent any. I now know who my real friends are!

I stuck some Christmas cards around along the windows and now the house looks very seasonal.

Jon didn't get home till 1.30 and I was very hungry by the time he arrived and the sushi went down very well - we will have that again.

I did a bit of ironing to get it out of the way and then took Totty out and we sat in the park as she was too hot to walk around and she just enjoys being on the grass as we don't have any at the house. When I got back Bronwyn had called and left a message on the answerphone to invite me over for a drink at 4.30. so I quickly made the quiche base and then Jon came home as he said everyone else had left the office. He had a haircut at 5.30 so couldn't come over to Bronwyns with me.

Bronwyn had invited some school friends of her daughter's and their parents over for drinks and they had twin girls of four and a half and they were so cute, like two peas in a pod. Bronwyn's grand-daughter is a really little sweetie, five months old and so placid and happy and I had a lovely cuddle with her. She also invited another couple who were really nice and I think Jon would get on well with. He is a funeral director and Bronwyn knows him through her work as a celebrant. We had some lovely fresh smoked trout that a friend of theirs had caught on Monday and it was really lovely. You can't buy trout here so you have to depend on a 'friend' who goes fishing to get it for you.

We sat and chatted all evening and it was nearly 7.00 before I realised and I thought I had better get home. Jon was back with a short haircut and had set the table for our fish and chips (I know it isn't Friday but it makes life easy). Jon went out for the dinner and I dashed across the road to take the truffles to Alison which I had been trying to get round to all day! They were having dinner so I didn't stay.

It was so warm this evening we were able to have our dinner on the deck. The children next door were out to see their grandparents off (they have a 'batch' - a little house at the beach, down at the Mount but usually live in Auckland but come down here for Christmas) they were so excited and happy, not sure how their mum and dad will ever get them off to bed. At least in the UK it is dark on Christmas Eve but here the children don't want to go to bed early! This is the first night this summer we have been able to sit out for dinner, so glad the wind has dropped.

After dinner I made the quiche for tomorrow and did the fruit salad so we are all ready for our picnic.

I am looking forward to Christmas Day but I also know that I will be feeling sad for the girls but hopefully we can speak to them later, their Christmas morning and see them opening their stocking.

WEATHER

Really mild today a bit cloudy to start but by the evening clear blue skies and very warm.