Christmas Day

Christmas day began with the usual early wake-up call by three excited kids desperate to open their presents. The ensuing chaos followed, and cooking a traditional British Christmas dinner: Turkey with all the trimmings. The weather was sunny and a glorious 75°F so we decided to have our Christmas dinner in the garden, a first and probably a last with such unusual weather, so it had to be done. The passers-by on the path next to our house probably thought we were bonkers in our Christmas cracker paper hats, they're not a tradition here.

After dinner David and Evan decided to take a plunge in our pool, despite the water being rather chilly. Then we took Bess out for a stroll along the trails, the weather was so balmy it was surreal. In the evening we had an invitation to join our friends who live just around the corner. They had heated their pool and spa so the kids had a great time playing in it, as well as games of hockey and enjoying new Christmas toys. It was so mild we sat outside in t-shirts until nearly midnight, drinking and getting merry. It was a really fun evening and a memorable, if bizarre, Christmas day.

Swimming with friends on Christmas Day!