Good choice

After the traumatic journey yesterday, which took a lot out of us, today could not have been better.

We all gathered at Clair’s in the late morning and we had a little birthday parcel opening for Ella. Then it was fizz and gifts all round. The adults had made each other a basket, bag, box of ‘interesting’ foods - a lot of thought had gone into these and they were very well received. Amongst other things, the girls were given rather smart laptop sleeves from us and lots of ‘girlie’ stuff from their aunt - she certainly knows what to get them, she talks their language.

When we were in Waterstones a week or so ago we chose a book for everyone and we were gratified that everyone was pleased with the choices we had made. Here is Maisie well into Murdle 2. I bought her Murdle last year and she has worked on it all year - it certainly appeals to her logical mind.

Later we had a splendid buffet - a fine spread based on pulled chicken and vegetable chilli. Later still we had a riotous pub quiz. And later still we launched into the cheese we had brought - Courtyard Dairy’s Christmas Selection - excellent.

What a wonderful day. We so rarely manage to get together as a family, but when we do it is well worth all the effort.