2^nd January 2022

 

Dear All,

Happy New Year to you all. Christmas was enjoyable and fairly vintage: 9 people for 4 or 5 days, Santa filled stockings for the young and impressionable, a plethora of games, 4 jigsaws, a quiz, a walk, service Zoom or live, and of course excellent food.

Ben arrived on his bike on Wednesday but his panniers were so heavy that he completed his journey from Hitchin on the train. Going back something disintegrated on the bike and he had to catch a train again, this time from Baldock. Mary-Ann, Andy, Amḗlie and Albert arrived 6ish on Thursday as expected and Esther and Emma unexpectedly later that night.

Every gathering needs an Esther to not only occupy the children but arrive laden with games. This year we were introduced to Whoonu, Confident, Dog Bingo, Colour Brain and Qwirkle. We already owned CodeNames and Ipswich Monopoly and of course there was the more familiar Skinny, Rummikub, Upwords, Oh Hell and for the children Ring on a string, Hunt the thimble, Hide & Seek, Kim’s Game and Dead Lions (very popular with the adults!).

Esther & Emma also brought Christmas decorations to paint, paper chains, a Lego music box and transfers – I ended up with a gingerbread man on my bald patch which caused a certain amount of comment in the service!

Mary-Ann knowing her father’s weakness for Tunis cake had jibbed at the smaller size and increased price in Tesco’s and made her own which was well received. Kate has cooked the ham to perfection as usual – such a pity there were so many vegetarians! Andy made a nutloaf in a squash for their Christmas lunch. Andy walked to St Ives and back each day (once accompanied by M-A) and Ben ran each day.

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 Decoration Painting

 

Homemade Tunis Cake

  

Concentration

 

Puzzle Meister

 

 

Decorating Grandpa

 

 

Dead Lions

 

 

Hopeful children - & some adults!

 

 

Christmas Lunch

 

Two car loads left Monday and Ben on Tuesday – initially in drizzle.

 

 

Easy Rider

 

I had a physio appointment in Ely on Wednesday for a painful wrist. Ironically, I had been suffering with lower back pain since Monday but as I had not been referred for that it could not be addressed. Our cooker door started to disintegrate this week so we ordered a replacement cooker in Ely on Thursday, then it was Bar hill Tesco’s Friday – don’t say we don’t get around!

Norman Ingle thinned a hedge so I was invited to collect the wood and that has now been sawn into logs.

Neither of us made midnight to see the New Year in, although there were enough fireworks to make sure we didn’t sleep through it!

 

With love

Mike & Kate