Yorkshire Day 5 - Sunday

Christmas day! And unlike the last 2 years, no snow in sight.
In fact, very mild weather is keeping the temperatures up between 10 - 14C!!!! Our mantle at Abbey was suitablly provided with my favourite travelling Christmas decorations. Arthur has not missed a Christmas overseas with these so far.

With the sunshine peeking it's way over the hill behind the abbey, we headed around to the deerpark and enjoyed a lovely walk - the Seven Bridges walk. And in case you're wondering, it's called that because there are... no! there are five bridges. (Don't ask...)
We weren't the only ones out on Christmas Day morning. We exchanged Christmas greetings with about 150 people and their dogs. Who says the English aren't friendly?!

Later in mid afternoon we headed over to Birstwith. To "Monksway" in Nidd Lane to be exact. A warm welcome from Jan and Dave Jobling and daughter Mary awaited us. What a special thing it is - friends on the other side of the world... fun and laughter... shared stories... and fabulous food.

The Christmas Day food - Wow!! Dave and Jan, you outdid yourselves, and that's saying something. The turkey, the vegetables (glad you didn't have to dig  the parsnips out of the garden with a pickaxe again this year, Dave!!), everything - even the bread sauce... the pudding... the cheese and nuts... Wonderful!! You will notice from the photo the speed, the result of many years of sucessfull medical practice, with which Dave demolishes the turkey to all of our mutual satisfaction.

...and of course - Charades in the lounge by the fire afterwards. I know I'm not all that good at this - but I ask you... what would YOU do for "Mama Mia"?!!

We unashamedly ate too much, talked too much, laughed too much. Can one laugh too much?
And rolled home to Abbey Cottage too late. What fun!