Christmas Day At Nick and Maureen's

when we arrived with Mick and Mass, the table looked so nice with Christmas crackers,

but before the meal it was retire to the poolside for some liquid refreshment,

Nick in festive mood,

as was Mick, well all of us were, Nick carved the turkey, as he was doing that I took a few pictures in the garden, this is a Hibiscus, one of many varieties,

and of course the girls playing pool,

another type of Hibiscus,

then time for the meal, with a "Cheers!" from Mick and myself,

for starters Nick had made home made chicken pate, it was absolutely delicious,

Ta-Taa waits with Maureen,

how to look like an idiot!

then the main course prepared by Maureen, all of it so tasty,

Mass and Nick look over a table weighed down with food,

the pate was so delicious that Diana decided to try to make some in the future, this is the way to do it, it looks a bit complicated, but it is well worth the effort,

before desert the girls pose by the tree,

two happy smiling faces, they decided to try the peppermint liquor,

another "Cheers!" from Mick and myself,

the first of the Christmas crackers,

with lots of Christmas jokes and novelties inside,

the girls with another cracker,

pull harder!

Mass won that time,

then it was our turn,

Mick and Mass also have a try,

the girls eager to see what was inside,

then Maureen and Nick try one,

a silver mini picture frame,

and another, Maureen is determined to win this one!

and she does,

all of this followed by Christmas pudding with brandy butter,

then presents!

Nick was first to open his,

followed by Mick and myself,

Mick and Mass bought Diana a huge present,

more than the dresses I had bought her, this was something she really wanted, an electric grill, when Diana first saw the one that Mick and Mass had she said she would love one of those, so Mick and Mass duly obliged,

the present they had bought for me came in a box labeled 'large size one dozen' which was bit of a worry,

but all was well, they had kindly bought me two shirts,

we had bought a couple of small presents for both Maureen and Mass,

all excitement as the wrappings came off,

they were from Diana's favorite shop in the UK, Hotel Chocolate,

Diana had kept a present from this morning to open after lunch, a new dress,

and one more for me from Diana,

by now it was getting late so a round or two of sandwiches,

and then a few more!

it was all to much for Ta-Taa!

then the sambuca started to flow and the games comensed,

the girls started playing the stack the wood game,

you take the pieces out from the bottom and stack them on the top - without the whole thing falling over,

if, like the girls you are quite sober, the stack can get quite high,

if one the other hand you have had a few it presents quite a challange!

look at that consentration - and that shaky hand!

things are getting very tense,

look one handed!

a delicate touch is needed,

oh dear, how sad, never mind! I won't say who won, but I owe Mick a beer!

once again it was all too much for Ta-Taa, she retired for a sleep outside, all of those falling wooded blocks were keeping her awake, then as the midnight hour came and went it was time for bed, a great day with many thanks to Nick and Mureen for doing so much to prepare the food and making us so welcome.