Christmas Shenanigans and a Bereavement - part the second

We had an excellent Christmas.

Stella and Tony, Lindsey, Ian and Emily, Austin and Tatsuki, Freyja and Simon and Jim and I were all here on Christmas morning.  I have to say that it was slightly on the chilly side, but it warmed up as the day went on.

Tatsuki playing snooker

Making bacon sandwiches for lunch

He's had a bacon sandwich!

Then people started to arrive.  At one point we had 27 people and 7 dogs in the house.  Fortunately, not all of the people stayed over and 3 of the dogs went away before bedtime.  It was a good evening with lots of food, many, many presents and a bit of wine.  We watched Cally and Flynn opening their presents in Sheffield through the wonders of modern technology. Then later,  Freyja and Simon went back to Melbourne with Ant and Jess and their two dogs.

Mother and Matthew

Ready for the feast

A 21st century family gathering :-D

On Boxing Day afternoon those of us who remained at the house went to the Ballarat Wildlife Park. We were there in time to see the penguins, the dingoes and the koalas have their lunch.  The koalas were ridiculously excited when their branches of eucalyptus leaves were brought in. I don't think I've ever seen koalas jumping with excitement before.

On Wednesday Lindsey and I actually went to work!  And Freyja and Simon came back to Mount Helen with us in the evening

Then on Thursday, we held a luncheon party.  There were ten of us in the house on Thursday and we were joined by Julia, Ali, Zoy, Rod, Robert and Susan - thus including three of Austin's oldest friends and three of mine.  It was a good afternoon.  Ian did an amazing job barbecuing sausages, burgers and kebabs and people seemed to enjoy their lunch.

Now Austin and Tatsuki are down on the coast, staying with Zoy's parents, Judy and Theo.  And Freyja and Simon are on their way to Melbourne, where they will fly to Hong Kong later tonight. They will see in 2018 there before flying back to Sheffield on the 2nd.

So all in all a lovely Christmas break which was saddened by the news yesterday evening that Jim's mother Gwen had died, passing peacefully in her sleep.  She was 92 and in failing health, although I don't think anyone was expecting her to die quite so suddenly.  But it was a peaceful and quiet death and I don't suppose any of us can ask for more than that.  She was a lovely lady and will be much missed

Gwen on her 90th birthday.
RIP