Christmas was spent with very good friends, Sheila & Simon, and their family Andrew, Jess – together with their dogs Dolly and Molly. Since we were last here their Pointer/Labrador cross puppy Molly, who is now eight months old, and resembles a gangly high speed giraffe, has grown considerably ! Here’s a piccie of Jess and Molly which says it all.
Gwen got into the swing of things, smelling out her present without any problem. Needless to say, hers was opened first.
Northleach is a truly beautiful Cotswold town, and has a very traditional feel about Christmas celebrations. Sadly we missed the choir singing carols beneath the Christmas tree on the town square in the snow. The photo below is of part of the square after most of the snow had melted some days later. However, we did manage to attend the Christmas Eve Service at St Peter and St Paul Church, where the choir (of which Simon is the choirmaster) performed with great skill. St Gregory’s Catholic Church in Cheltenham could learn a lot from them ! What is more, I finally got to meet Stevie Windwood, who is one of the choristers.
Just a few more pictures that sum up some of the spirit of a warm and welcoming traditional English Christmas
It's a (bloody big) cracker!
Sheila’s table decoration – a work of art !
Jess decorates herself...
Sheila's highly alcoholic pudding
Girls night in watching Poirot