Our guests after the Christmas Day lunch

As Christmas Day approached Woodpeckers made sure we were well prepared as we were entertaining our three Afghan friends who have come to live here, having managed to leave rather troubled times at home. We got to know Sam first as Woodpeckers had volunteered to help him improve his English after he was resettled here. Then his sister S. moved to another town nearby, and finally E. came to share the flat with Sam late this spring.

We had a fine simple meal but without the turkey, though I’m not sure what they made of a nearly traditional British Christmas meal. Unfortunately S. has been suffering from very bad headaches for some time, and has imminent hospital appointments to have further checks, so they didn’t stay late. 

After we’d finished the third course of Christmas pudding and/or a chocolate Yule log, Sam asked me to take a picture of them altogether, and Woodpeckers joined them. I’ll send them the pictures so that they can hopefully send them on to friends and family. We had a great time and I was pleased to be able to spend a bit more time talking and hearing about their experiences, and their understanding of current state of affairs in the middle east.

I hope you all had a fine time too, and I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, in what appears may be some difficult times ahead.