Happy New Year 2013

December was December! Preparations for and celebrations of Christmas mainly.

 

The weather was mixed but we did have some lovely days, cold mornings but sunny! However as the month rolled on the fog and rain set in.

So we started the regime of fires with Scraps helping and Bugsy just hoping the bad weather would all just go away. 

 

Some Santa shopping and tree decorating ensued to get into the spirit. I attended a Christmas Fair and managed to sell a few bits and bobs.


We had various festive gatherings with friends and our main event was a Christmas quiz which we held here in the barn. Had to limit the number of people invited though so as to not be too crowded, so apologies if you weren't on the list. It was a fun afternoon.


As a treat we went to see The Hobbit in 3D. Rather disappointing in some respects but mainly since the 3D was just too much.
First time we have been to the cinema for many years!

Friends from Lisbon, José and Francisco came to visit us. José stayed overnight to catch up on the news from the past 2 years and the following day, on Christmas Eve, Francisco joined us with newly adopted Etienne.
Bugsy and Scraps were really well behaved. It was great to see the boys and we hope to meet up with them again in February.

Christmas day was spent with friends Marian and Peter who were great hosts and we invited our new neighbours to dinner when they arrived after Christmas day to spend a week in their new holiday home.

Apart from that we have spent a very quiet and relaxing time.


Fraser continues to work on his model of H.B.M. Schooner Fair Rosamund. 'The photos show how far I've come with it. Taking an enforced break at the moment due to a really nasty cold which makes doing fine work, um, unlikely.

There are a lot more bits and pieces to be made before the hull is complete.

Then  I can start on the even longer task of masting and rigging...stay tuned.'

 I spent early December finishing Lexa's alphabet book including photos of family ......

....and making a cushion for Etienne.


Since then I have been catching up with various domestic and admin jobs that needed completion but we both decided that this was time to take a break. So much eating, some drinking and much watching of DVDs and TV have ensued.

Our partially adopted stray, The Dude, has shown up regularly this month to be fed. He has been around off and on since Scraps was a pup, so 3 years now. He is looking very thin these days and not in good condition. He won't stay and we can't take him in so the best we can do is feed him when he visits, worm him occasionally and give him a bit of love. Not sure how much longer we will be seeing him sadly.

So now the new year is upon us and Fraser has started 2013 in style by developing a full on cold. I am determined not to catch it as I am off to the UK again on 12th Jan for two weeks to help Rich and Jo and Lexa move into their new house. A very exciting start to the new year for them. 

So keep smiling and enjoy the new year one day at a time!!!!

WE HOPE 2013 WILL BE A PEACEFUL AND HEALTHY YEAR FOR ALL OF US.