Countdown to the holidays

So - we were approaching our first holiday season away from our families. For me at least it was the first time in 40 odd years I hadn't spent Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by family and friends - the first time in 22 years we hadn't given our traditional Christmas party. We had started our party tradition the 2nd year of our marriage and the same people were still coming - their one commonality being our party. They'd see each other once a year and catch up with the year's happenings - have a great time with each other - then it was "see you next year". So I was feeling a bit lonesome and homesick as the holiday season approached.

As it turned out - our Thanksgiving was quite an experience (see the whole crazy story in our book) - and I didn't have time to sulk! We then decided to go down to London for a few days in December to shop and enjoy the city lights and decorations (Christmas was not celebrated much in Coigach) and maybe see a show. We were lucky and got a special price (130 pounds for the two of us for train and 2 nights at the St. Irmin's in Westminster). As it turned out the day we left for London was the coldest and worst weather in 30 years. The water pipes had frozen on the train so there was no water or heat - but the compartment was comfy with lots of blankets so we slept well. The St. Ermin's is a beautiful hotel and decorated for Christmas it was a real pleasure. We shopped, had lunch with London friends, went to a carol concert at Royal Albert Hall, evensong at St. Paul's, saw the Great Japan exhibit and ate at a charming Czech restaurant.

But as much as we enjoyed the city life, we were glad to go back to Coigach. We arrived back and were met at the gate by 6 sheep and a cat - a most vociferous welcome. And spread across sky and sea - the most glorious sunset we'd ever seen. It was good to be home.