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Archive for December, 2007

Better late than never, right? In a country where “London Underground minutes” are a time-keeping unit of their own and where our journeys are perpetually delayed on the M25, it’s only reasonable that Santa Claus would be held up in traffic. He came today, though, twice (via his helpers at the Royal Mail) with presents for me — some CDs from Aude and my shiny new Nikon lens from Germany.

We went out this afternoon to try the lens out, and my suspicions were confirmed. Santa Claus was indeed in Canterbury this afternoon — we spotted him in our local coffee shop, relaxing after what must have been a tiring few days…

Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Another evening of gluttony is over, although a malfunctioning oven meant that some last minute jiggery-pokery with the microwave was required to make sure that we all got fed (and the veggies were still a little on the ‘al dente’ side). Nevertheless, we managed to make a good dent into the roast beef and traditional trimmings.

Matthew presents the roast beef

Matthew presents the roast beef

Teaching Aude's parents how to play backgammon

Teaching Aude’s parents how to play backgammon. I promise I’m not making up the rules as I go along.

We woke up this morning to discover that the weather was warmer, the fog had finally lifted, and the sun was shining. Perfect weather for a Boxing Day walk along the beach. We jumped in the car and drove down to Deal for a few hours along the coast, then back to the house to pop the roast beef in the oven.

Boxing Day is a great invention. I wish we’d had it when I was a kid…

Aude by the seaside

Aude by the seaside

Aude and her mother

Aude and her mother

Perfect weather for a seaside walk

Perfect weather for a seaside walk

Matthew's hair is not designed to withstand a coastal wind

Matthew’s hair is not designed to withstand a coastal wind

Aude's father poses for a shot

Aude’s father poses for a shot

A quick shot with all the hair in place while the wind had died down...

A quick shot with all the hair in place while the wind had died down…

That's the Christmas spirit!

That’s the Christmas spirit!

Cheeky!

Cheeky!

So the gluttony of the season continues. Last night I cooked two ducks (Donald and Daffy) with all the traditional trimmings – orange sauce, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans and plenty of wine. After we’d finished dinner and watched the Queen’s speech, there was only one thing to do – head off to the pub. It was a great way to celebrate my last official English Christmas for a while.

Both Daisy and Calypso seemed enthusiastic about some of their presents (mostly the toys) but Daisy refuses to go inside her new carrying cage, preferring instead to sleep on top of it. What can I say – cats are weird.

Daisy is very excited about her new Christmas present

Daisy is very excited about her new Christmas present

Never a stupid cat, Daisy figures out quickly that it's safer to be on top of her cage than in it!

Never a stupid cat, Daisy figures out quickly that it’s safer to be on top of her cage than in it!

Calypso looks on cautiously from the sidelines

Calypso looks on cautiously from the sidelines

Relaxing after dinner

Relaxing after dinner

Putting the final touches on Donald and Daffy before they're served for Christmas dinner

Putting the final touches on Donald and Daffy before they’re served for Christmas dinner

Daffy a l'orange

Daffy a l’orange

Christmas Eve has come and gone, with a little indigestion and slightly fatter bellies all that we have to show for it. In our wake are two dozen Whitstable oysters, scallops, monkfish, a chocolate fondant and quite a few bottles of wine. In other words, the perfect way to start the season.

Aude poses in front of the Christmas table

Aude poses in front of the Christmas table

Matthew poses for a quick snapshot in the living room

Matthew poses for a quick snapshot in the living room

Aude's family wish everyone a Merry Christmas

Aude’s family wish everyone a Merry Christmas

Matt & Aude

Matt & Aude

Dinner turned out well

Dinner turned out well, with photographers everywhere you looked!

Aude and her father

Aude and her father

Christmas cake

Christmas cake

Happy cat?

A very relaxed Aude holds a very pissed-off Daisy.

Everyone has finally arrived for Christmas. Aude’s parents made it down on the train this morning, arriving early in the afternoon (and earlier than expected!) only to discover that we weren’t at home. Luckily, we were only a few steps behind them and managed to spot them coming out of the station.

Wedding photos

Aude’s parents get a preview of the wedding photos, which I will get around to editing eventually!

The table is laid, dinner is cooking, champagne is in the fridge, and it looks like we’re ready to celebrate Christmas.

Happy Christmas

Aude & Sylvette wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

For the family who isn’t with us – we’ll be thinking of you. Happy Christmas to you wherever you are.