Christmas as a magnificent seven
Last Thursday I made the journey to West Wales, using buses to avoid the high infection rates in London, and joined my parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephews for a long-awaited family Christmas. I received some nice gifts, but this time it was really about the presence rather than the presents. We played lots of games and went for fun outings when the rain stopped. A highlight was a visit to a familiar beach yesterday morning, made special by dramatic waves and a six-year-old marvelling at 'billions' of limpets.
My nephews love computer videos and Pokemon, but also enjoy low-tech games like marbles and Poohsticks. Every stage they go through has its own fascination and fun - now they both engage in thoughtful conversation but also tell jokes and go on hilarious flights of fancy.
All the family have worked together to supply and prepare a vast array of excellent food, and I made a Basque cheesecake as our Christmas pudding substitute. My brother's family went home this morning, so the break has entered a quieter phase to fill with jigsaws and familiar books if the weather doesn't permit trips out. Whatever happens, there will be good company and a huge diversity of garden birds to watch.