This year we spent Christmas with the family in London. The drive from Harrogate was eventful with the alternator in the car failing 30 mts. in to the journey forcing us to return home to get a courtesy car from Stratstones – the BMW agents in town. Then manual BMW X1 was an unused to challenge but we eventually reached Islington at about 5 pm stopping once on the way at a motorway station for lunch.

Diluk was already busy cooking dinner in his smart new kitchen. Nick and Renu walked over from their home on Wray Crescent. We read the card from Nadja’s brother in Bejing and drank Champagne Théonot in the upstairs music room while Alma and Lotti waited for Santa to arrive and leave their presents under the Tree in the lounge downstairs.

The presents were opened with joy and excitement. Coloured wrapping paper and ribbons littered the floor and there was chatter and laughter. Little Bailey scampered about.

We drank Iona Chardonnay with the vegetarian dinner.

The night was very cold as we walked back to Wray Crescent. We drank mugs of hot chocolate with cinnamon before crawling in to our warm and snug beds.