This is our Christmas week...

The finished Gingerbread House

We had a big sleep in this morning after our big weekend of exploring the country, and then were off to the shops for yet more last minute Christmas shopping.  While Kellie and Jess braved the crowds at the shops the boys set off on some of the last parts of the Monopoly Challenge... we looked for a "Water Works" at Barnet and a Tax Agent too - while we were there, we came across Free Parking sign to that qualified for that square of the board.

Jeremy and Tim then returned the hire car to Palmers Green and caught the bus home to Whetstone, where some serious Christmas cooking had commenced.  Stuffing for the turkey, veggies and Mulled wine were all on the stove at various stages throughout the day.  The highlight though, was a combined effort of assembling Gingerbread House by all hands, and its subsequent decoration by Jess, Isaac and Tony.  It took pride of place on the coffee table for the rest of the night as we enjoyed Chamagne and Nibbles for the rest of the evening listening to Christmas music or watching some TV while we waited for Ian to arrive from Reading.

We had a full house, when Ian arrived at about 9pm and we were able to get into real Christmas mode.

We are having a great Christmas time, but are thinking of the rest of our families back in Australia.   The Shaws and Lentons in Marulan in country NSW; Mum & Dad, and the Hicks's in Adelaide; and the Guscotts in Melbourne.  We hope you are all having/had a great Christmas day.

Christmas festivities

We woke up to a leisurely full English breakfast including Pork Pie, after which we opened a few presents that Santa had left.  Then we began the preperations in earnest for the Christmas lunch.  Veggies were prepared and cooked, turkey was stuffed and put into the oven and nibbles were laid out.  Champagne was consumed to celebrate the occasion.

Our guests arrived at lunch - Ian & Jems friends - Shannon & Cam - came over, and Shannons mum (from the USA) joined us.  Shannon & Cam had just got their British citizenship..... even though they still spoke with American accents!  As it was Christmas, they brought some gifts, food, lollies and drinks!!

We had a lovely lunch and lots of great converstion - and by the time our guests had left, we were very full and only had the energy to sit on the couch and watch some Christmas TV.

Jem & Ians lounge room turns into a dormitory at night!

The day after Christmas an we were still feeling full in our tummy's.  We had breakfast with Ian, then sadly said our goodbyes - as he had to return to Reading to perform in his Pantomime and we won't get to see him again this trip.  It was great to spend some time with him, and to see his performance in the show.... thanks for everything Ian!

We then set off to spend some more of our Pound Stirling at the post Christmas sales.  Unfortunately there was a tube drivers strike and we had to catch buses - but this gave us a different perspective of the trip into London.... above the ground this time!  On our way to the shops we managed to get a few of the remaining photos we needed to just about finish the Monopoly Challenge.... one to go! There were LOTS of people in Oxford and Regent streets trying to grab a bargain in the sales, and it was a bit of a battle.  We managed to buy a couple of things- most importantly two new cases of luggage as two of our bags from home had broken on the trip over!

It started raining mid afternoon, which made the trip home a bit less pleasant, but we got home safely to some turkey Shepherds Pie (made from the left over Christmas Turkey) and a belated watching of "White Christmas" a yuletide tradition in the Powell house.