Christmas Day

We had a glorious Christmas! It began, as these festivities often do, with a Kikoy Can-Can.

We were fortunate to be with our dear friends Lizzie and Ali, Lizzie's mum Margaret, and Hans and Christa. Champagne corks were popped, thoughtful gifts were exchanged, we ate like kings and queens from a table groaning with goose and other delicacies.

We drank a special wine Hans makes only for the Friends of Bourdic, not sold to the public. There was Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and Christa's yummy Christmas cookies. I was sure to need the Christmas crane to lift me out of there. We tried our best to guess the punchlines to the lame jokes that pop out of Christmas crackers, and we (well, I) massacred the sing-a-long to the Sound of Music. (It was only the Mary Martin Broadway version, so no apologies required Dame Julie). 

By the end of it, we were happy as punch and grateful to have such wonderful friends, if not a little tuckered out. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Birthday Weekend!

How lucky am I? I've had the most wonderful birthday. Not just a day, but a whole weekend! Beginning Friday evening, a surprise meal with our Wise Boys, Saturday chez Helga et Bernard, Sunday glorious gambas at our favourite restaurant on the coast with Lizzie & Ali, and today, another delicious lunch with lovely pals, collecting great loot along the way and sweet surprises. 

This morning Henny told me I had to hunt for my present and pointed me towards the garage. She bought me this beautiful old stone window, which is no small endeavour when you only have one working arm. Here I'm wearing my Birthday Girl rosette, having just fought off an attack from you-know-who, possibly a bit miffed at not being the centre of attention.

I was born in 1955 and today I am 55. A few months ago, I woke up with a start, 'On 6 December I shall be officially closer to 60 than 50. Yikes!' Thank you, dear friends, for making this fairly painless. Your company, your kindnesses, your gifts, cards, texts, emails, messages, long distance phone calls, and above all your friendship and love. I am indeed one lucky broad!