christmas eve

The presents are all wrapped and under the tree—they've mostly been like that over a week. The lounge is tidier than it has been since we moved in. Even the new iMac has been relocated, from my desk (now to be the drinks servery) to inside the “fireplace” (not quite as dramatic as it sounds) to be primarily the DVD player for the next day or so... (Though with the magic of a wireless bluetooth keyboard this blog entry is being posted from there!) The (four) desserts for tomorrow (plus Christmas pudding, custard, and ice cream) are either already packed away, are cooked and cooling, or are chilling. There is a 6kg bird in the refrigerator reflecting that it didn't realise the potential full extent of “free range”... In a combination of Hungarian-tradition and some creative alignment with antipodean timezones, we're about it open the first presents. It's Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow we'll be joined by Salena and Steve, bringing us up to six New Zealanders in the house for a far-away-from-home celebration. We've already developed our own traditions, a finely-honed team where we're all happier because we've agreed that Nick is in charge in the kitchen! Christmas dinner will be served around 2.30pm, though last year's experience suggests the meal itself will merely be a high point in a continuous curve of consumption. Dessert forms the evening meal, and it's probably fair to say this is a household speciality. If an episode of Stargate isn't watched we'll probably feel slightly aggrieved, and all going well Salena and Steve may even be introduced to the Lord of the Rings board game.   : )

Before all that though, Bronwyn and I will be heading down to Worple Road Church, our “local” where we've been so warmly embraced over the last 20 months. We're feeling the pangs of departure already, as our countdown ticks perceptibly louder week by week. Between them and Nick and Hayley, we're not short of family here at Christmas.

We're looking forward to being back in New Zealand, though we're not in any hurry to leave London. Earlier in the week they were predicting a 30 percent chance of snow tomorow, but the forecast is now for dry and clear. But even without a white Christmas (and there hasn't been one here for years), we'll still enjoy the colder temperatures where the traditional Christmas dinner actually makes sense. Next year: king prawns on the BBQ?

Happy Christmas everyone. Peace and joy to all.