Unexpected Gift

Christmas Day! We were up early with Merlin walking in the field and watching a beautiful red sun rise. It was a perfect start to Christmas Day.

Once home and with Merlin washed after he rolled in something smelly (!) we drove to family in Northamptonshire.  It was a full house with 15 people and four dogs! A delicious meal was eaten, dogs played and got muddy, and we got to know new members of our clan and catch up with those we've not seen for some time.  

Later presents were exchanged and each of us received an unexpected gift of appropriately themed socks (mine had festive sheep on them and Andy's a rather cool surfing Santa) and a packet of wildflower seeds.

We were back home by 22:30 and enjoyed a cup of tea and rock cake before knocking off for the day.  


Although it seemed rather frantic with the dogs at times, I think Merlin coped well with the day  - it was his longest journey in the car by a long way (five hours in total) and his first visit to someone else's house and one filled with people and dogs.  All good experience for him I hope.