Monday was Christmas eve so we were all busy preparing for the evenings party - with 27 guests! It is common to have the main Christmas meal on Christmas eve and then to have a cold lunch on Christmas day. The verandah was beautifully decorated and we all made a good team to get everything ready. Mum did the flowers which were everywhere and made it look so pretty with the candles.
The guests included mum Carol, our step brother Rod and his family, Dee and Craigs friends from Australia and all their closest friends. A lovely evening was had by all and everyone brought something which made it a gorgeous meal. (apart from the tight UK visitors who brought nothing but a couple of Christmas hats and lots of alcohol!!)
Chris, Carol, Lois and Rod
On Christmas morning we all went to church and then came back for Christmas cake, mince pies and presents! Spa vouchers dominated the adults Christmas gifts as we all seemed to have had the same idea which was wonderful.
We had a cold lunch and then in the afternoon we relaxed by the pool with Craig's pina coladas - by far the best we have ever tasted and well worth travelling 6000 miles for. A lovely quiet day spent with family.
Boxing day saw us pile in the car with the kids and set off for a day at the lion park. We joined a game drive which took us around the park where we were lucky enough to see numerous lions including the stunning white lion, cheetah, leopard, hyenas, african hunting dog, serval and numerous buck. We were very lucky to be able to go into the enclosure with the baby lions and got the chance to stroke them. Mum ticked off 2 things from her list of things to do - stroke a lion and order a plate of "just chips"!!
Thursday evening we were all invited to Craig and Dee's friends Guy and Retzi for a braai and spent a nice relaxing evening with them.On Friday evening we all trekked off to the cinema to see The Hobbitt in 3D and on Saturday morning we were all up early to go to the farmers market. Unlike in the UK the market starts at 5am and finishes by 9.30. It was worth it to get up early and wander round looking at the huge selection of produce available to buy and try. Saturday evening was pizza and DVD night.
Sunday morning we went across to meet mums friend Trish and my friends Eileen and Ian for brunch. It was nice to catch up with them both and hear their news and then we went to Rod and Lois's for lunch. As usual Lois made a wonderful lunch and we paddled in the pool as it was a VERY hot afternoon.
Monday was New Years eve. Chris and I did some last minute shopping and while we were waiting for some pictures to be developed had a lovely fish platter at Ocean Basket - the best seafood restaurant in the world!! Of course it had to be accompanied by a cocktail each - well it was new years eve after all!
We enjoyed an evening of snacks, games and fun with friends and family before bringing in the New Year with a glass of champagne. A great ending to what has been a wonderful year and looking forward to an exciting 2013!
Next morning we packed our bags to get ready for our evening flight to start the next leg of our exciting journey!
Thanks to Dee, Craig and family for some special family time and a huge thank you to mum for accompanying us all the way on our month long visit in Africa. x
Have fun - Shirley
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