Happy Christmas 2024!

We have had a wonderful day. The four of us started with breakfast and the unwrapping of a few presents. Then, while Mr hazelh and I prepared lunch, the Foxes popped out for a drive to Cramond* and a walk along the esplanade. 

By the time that we reconvened, all was ready for the arrival of guests Jon, Katharine, and Jack. Dressed up in our Christmas Day finery, and seated in the sitting room, we (sensibly) held back on opening the Champagne and tucking into the smoked salmon blinis until the other three reached us.

We worked our way through Christmas dinner in three rounds: (1) starter and main course, (2) pudding, (3) cheese. We took breaks in the sitting room for chat and games between each course. 

The verdict on my Christmas pudding was so enthusiastic that I tried some. It was actually quite nice. Perhaps my tastes have matured since I declared my revulsion for it at my granny's house, when aged about four?

After our meal marathon we played Empire, charades, and two four-person rounds of Catan. Mr hazelh and Jack also had a wee jam session in the study. Jon was our last guest to leave, just after 11pm.

Over the course of the day Mr hazelh and I have kept in touch with our parents, sisters, and niblings in Sussex, the Lake District, Nottinghamshire, and on Holy Island. They all sound like they have had lots of fun today too. 

*Clarissa would like to move to Edinburgh and fancies the idea of living near the sea.

Exercise today: none.