Gareth’s party marked the end of festivities and although it’s been very busy, it’s also been very enjoyable. Working backwards, yesterday afternoon we buzzed down to Kent to celebrate Gareth’s 50th. We’d never been to a surprise party before. Shrouded in secrecy for six months before, Debs arranged the catering, guests and venue. We even played a part, making pasta and rice salads yesterday (to pre-determined and costed recipes) to take down for the spread. It all worked terribly well and by the way things were going, a good time was had by all.
Monday was the final day of Christmas family celebrations. Early afternoon we went up to Lowestoft to belatedly exchange presents with Ean and Vikki. A relaxed afternoon was spent at House 3, where we even met the usually reclusive Boo. Suitably (and enjoyably) fed, watered and caught-up, we all then went to mum’s to enjoy yet more food. Dinner was followed by two games of cards and before we knew it, it was time to head for home, not least as we had to feed the two cats next door.
Christmas itself was spent with Nik’s family in Galleywood on the day itself, where, due to the volume of presents, we all must have been good last year. Boxing Day saw mum and Bart come down and congregate on the house, along with Geoff, while Sal, Dan and Will popped in for the afternoon. Sunday was a day of recovery, visiting Geoff for a King’s Tower cold buffet the only excursion. That took us up to yesterday of course, when we left with mum and Bart for the journey to Suffolk. We then had just two days’ rest (the only of the two-week break) before it all started again.
Sandwiched between Christmas and New Year was my 36th birthday on New Year’s Eve. Lunch was eaten on a quiet and cold Mersea Island, while as tradition dictates, we spent the last evening of 2009 on the rug in front of the fire with Oscar, some warm Camembert and a handful of crackers. Post-carbonara at Verde’s of course. New Year’s Day was a repeat of Christmas Day, with the day spent at Andrew and Sheila’s and all of the Chelmsford clan.
So, lots of food, lots of family and lots of very nice presents. The start of 2010 has to be, more than ever (and in financial terms as well as fitness thoughts), a slimmed down one, though…