Dec 2012 b

Thu 13 Dec 2012

Jen had her UK passport interview this afternoon, just a face-to-face identity check more than anything else. The passport will be sent to our home "in a few weeks".

Sat 15 Dec 2012

This morning we travelled to the Imax cinema near the millennium dome, and enjoyed watching part 1 The Hobbit in 3D. Very very happy Steve! 

Later on this afternoon, together we wrote up about 40 Xmas cards to send out to various friends and family about the place. Very sorry if you didn't get a card, we couldn't write cards for all the fab people we care loads about, there's just too many of you, to write to you all!

Sun 16 Dec 2012

The first two Xmas presses are now under the tree, hurrah!

Thu 20 Mar 2012

More Xmas presses arriving in the post from family in Australia - thanks all.

Fri 21 Dec 2012

Mayan Apocalypse party. Kev, Tash, Dan and Elizabeth came around, and Steve cooked up a lovely roast dinner. We all watched the movie 2012, enjoying fab wine and poking fun at the ridiculousness of the film. Thankfully the world did not end.  :-)

Sat 22 Dec 2012

Jen's UK passport arrived, so much sooner than expected.

In the afternoon Jen drove to the south side of town and collected her latest ebay purchase, a folding (magnetic) exercise bike. It folds neatly into the cupboard under the stairs, and we have a pact between us that if one of us uses it the other must also that day. 

Mon 24 Dec 2012

To work for us both, Xmas Eve - as neither of us is taking any holiday time off work over the festive season this year.

Tue 25 Dec 2012

Xmas Day. Loads of great goodies, thanks to friends and family.

Breakfast at home. Lunch with niece Sophia and her husband Paul, plus mum-in-law Zara. Soph served up home-made pate, french onion soup, a wonderful roast chicken with graten dauphinoise and a dessert of cherry calfoutis. Sophia also proudly showed us two crown decorations on their tree which has come straight from a Royal Household Christmas tree (gifted to her) - yes that's right, the Queen and family have the exact same decorations on their trees.  After lunch, we drove north for Xmas dinner with Deb, Clancy and Clancy Jnr. 

Wed 26 Dec 2012

Boxing day. After breakfast with Deb and Clancy, we came home and tidied up the house. 

Thu 27 Dec 2012

Back to work for two days.

Sat 29 Dec 2012

We returned to Deb and Clancy's place to wish Clancy Junior a very happy 20th birthday and generally hang out together.

Mon 31 Dec 2012

After work, tonight Steve served up a scrumptious dinner of duck in cherry sauce, which was devoured with our guests Dan and Elizabeth. We broke open another bottle of Chateau du Pape. 

At midnight loads of fireworks were let off in our street by local families. We were concerned as some were being let off next to our car, but this tomfoolery appears not to have caused any damage thankfully.

Tue 1 Jan 2013

Happy New Year. A leisurely morning for us…