Here's a few photos from the festive season for you.
Remember first we had to work out how to make brioche, as that was to be part of Pen's Christmas Day Menu.
Ok the mark 1 version was really good. Viz-
but we had to make a toastable loaf for the main event. That required a bit more cooking so we tested it for ages till it was done in exactly 45 mins!
A few days ago we zipped into town wih Leighton, Deborah and Kaitlyn to "Glow" the carol service at the Vector Arena where we joined the thousands to sing carols by the light of glowsticks. everyone had one of some colour or another, quite a sight! So we were "carolled out" on Christmas eve and after our day of relaxation awaiting Santa
we went out wet for the traditional pub meal at the "Western Lights" Good value. We were in great form but unfortunately a hard week at the Vets put paid to Jenny Cozens. The rest of the Cozens Clan were only slightly damaged by their busiest day of the year. Funny that, who'd have thought it.
Christmas day morning was outside again here we are with Irene our Chinese home-stay tucking into the breakfast menu
Soon it was time for the festivities as the Gosnells and the Soulsbys turned up for dinner
Starters:
Yummy platter of nibbly delights
Home-made breads & virgin olive oil dip (totally...c/o Big Rich)
Mains:
Roast turkey with stuffing, served hot & with cranberry sauce & gravy available
Ham from the bone, served cold with a selection of mustards available
BBQ meats (cooked to perfection by Big Rich & L8n) with tomato & HP sauces available
New season potatoes in mint & butter with baby peas & carrots julienne
Green salad & new season tomatoes off the vine (most organic leaves freshly picked from the garden) with home-made French dressing or Seriously Good mayonnaise available
Dessert:
Merry Christmas pudding (like our Grandson calls it) served with hot custard (upon demand) & DEFinitely icecream
Trifle
Home-made fruit mince pies
Chocolates & nuts
Beverages:
BYO (although there will be Big Rich's home-brew ginger beer, home-brew dark ale & a selection of red/white wines available)
Please bring fruit juices of your choice
Lawty Towers (Christmas....BRING IT !)
They brought some barbecue stuff to augment the dinner, Leighton was the prawn expert!
Kaitlyn had a fine time but we had to barrier off the stairway
There was a fair amount of relaxation
And everyone seemed to be taking better photos than me, maybe it was the ginger beer!
So it was late afternoon when they left and we went for our exercise in the park. What a wonderful couple of days
The park was still in red and green festive colours
And other shades too
And in the cool of the forest, remember the track?
And of course we had lots of lovely presents, books, magnificent leaded glass box, sparkly angel, pashmina, perfume, lovely crafted jewellery..etc etc Thanks everyone, So good to us.
Anyway the holiday continues. Tomorrow off to the Coromandel for some sun, surf & sea air.
