Christmas blessings.

A beautiful relaxed day.
Starting with a river dip. The temperature in, was cold, but not minus. The temperature out, was so mild with no wind, so actually no shivering or blue lips in sight! I was the only one that got the tingle...Liz is used to staying in longer, and Lauren just felt cold as she didn't have her swimmers on, just a tee shirt and leggings. Exhilarating, and a way I could easily start every day. Steve had made hot spiced juice for us as we walked back across the road. Showered and warmed, MrK, FK and I sat on our beds for opening stocking presents, before breakfast for all. We then went into the lounge to open family presents. There were tears and laughter. Lauren had scanned a poem that had been written by an eight year old friend that had stayed here, at Liz & Steve's, in the summer with her family. She had expressed her wonder of the countryside outside her bedroom window. The joy of the tapestry of sights and sounds in front of her.
Lauren had scanned it on two sheets of watercolour paper so the writing spread over half of each page. She, and the girls mother then did a pen and ink drawing on each page of the front of Pool House and the single track stone Bridge over the river Lune, you can see from the bedroom window. Such a thoughtful present.
After a little while, visitors from next door popped in for a drink, and an new audience for mum with her stories of Norway. Time to remove myself and start prepping the starter...honeyed halloumi cubes with clementine slices, salad leaves & honey and mustard dressing.
The main event was a gorgeous local turkey and all the trimmings. We went back in the lounge for more present opening, before reconvening for Christmas pud. We eventually finished about 6ish with a call to the NZ contingent as well as Mum & Dad in law, Ted & Jan, and all the brothers that were elsewhere. A Christmas movie and a cheese plate rounded Christmas day off rather nicely. Happy Christmas all, and to alla goodnight.