This years Christmas card.
Photo taken next to a Spitzbergen Glacier!
This post is all about the social side of the Christmas & New Year holiday period & what our families & friends are doing around the world.
Heading south on the N1
It always amazes me how well behaved
the cats are in the car.
Our very cosy accommodation for the night.
We drove down on the 5th December & the first 500 kms was in torrential rain. It was hard going! We had the two cats with us, which were no problem at all in the car. After a long drive of 970 kms we stopped the night at an olive farm just outside Beaufort West. It was a nice tranquil little spot.
Nice scenery en route.
The obligatory stop at Ronnies!
Arrived mid afternoon.
This is the view from the house.
Our first sunset.
We were up early & off on the 6th December, with still quite a way to go. However this is a wonderful scenic drive & it was a pleasure to motor through it. Did some grocery shopping en route & then we were there at Delana's little house on the beach.
Getting the house ready.
Rob & Maarten
The next day was all about cleaning the house & getting rooms ready for Maarten & Rob's arrival the next day. They were staying with us for the next thirteen days.
Our first meal together.
Pizza night!
The bar girl!
Francois & Juantelle arrived on the 14th December, so we had a pizza night to welcome them.
The next few days were spent at home & just walking around the local area. But there were things to get ready for the upcoming new years party! On the 18th we had a trip to Hermaneus & then came home to a wonderful sunset.
Bubbly & bling!
Hermaneus Bay.
Yet another sunset from the veranda.
Sea-watching from the veranda.
Notice the Sugarbirds on the feeder!
Me & Maarten.
All too soon it was the 21st December & time for the boys to leave. It had been great seeing them both over here & we all had a good time.
The size of the
fermentation tanks
is truly impressive!
Some easily amused ladies!
A very important storeroom!
The tasting!
Lourens & Annelle arrived & the next day the six of us drove to Wellington to visit The Three Ships Whisky Distillery. This is the only whisky distillery in the whole of Africa. The tour was very interesting & I was surprised at how technical the whole process was.
Anelle, Delana & Juantelle.
Father Christmas
giving out the presents.
Up early on the 24th December & Delana went out collecting mussels. The water is incredibly cold here. She is hardier than me! Then is was back to the house with work to be done for the big event in the evening. The meal was fantastic & we all had a wonderful time.
Brave girl!
Preparing the all important turkey!
Delana did an amazing job on decorating the table.
The theme was a Blue Christmas.
giving out the presents.
Up early on the 24th December & Delana went out collecting mussels. The water is incredibly cold here. She is hardier than me! Then is was back to the house with work to be done for the big event in the evening. The meal was fantastic & we all had a wonderful time.
Toni & Johnny with their friends little girls.
Jackson & his Mum.
Toni & Irving.
Toni, Johnny & family live in South Golden Beach on the east coast of Australia, but this year they were spending Christmas with friends in Melbourne. They are of course, a few hours ahead of us here in Pearly Beach in South Africa.
Clare
With two little helpers!
Clare with Chester & Ollie on
Christmas morning.
Clare & Ahmed.
Christmas morning.
Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, Clare was getting ready for Christmas as well. She had her friends little girls over for a brief visit.
Gabe, Nicci, Justin, Peaches, Rowan & Lola.
Gabe making gingerbread men.
It is Christmas morning!
Christmas morning in London.
Gabe, being Gabe!
Peaches
He has no defence!
Nicci & Rowan
Santa has been busy in this house!
Justin.
Now for Christmas Dinner!
A quick outing with Lola.
The post Christmas Dinner crash!
Elmo is amazed at Rowan's ability to sleep
& balance a glass of wine at the same time!
Melbourne
The Gunn family down under!
Street Art is a big thing here.
Johnny helping out some
street performers!
Somebody is amused!
& balance a glass of wine at the same time!
street performers!
Meanwhile back in Melbourne with the extended Gunn family, they are touring around & seeing the sights.
It is the last day of the year & we are getting ready for our little get together!
Ready for the evening!
Tables are set & a lot of Delana's family are here!
Delana had gone to a lot of trouble
for this evening.
All the little details.
Toasting in the new year!
Dogs raring to go!
New year in the cold deserts
of Abu Dhabi!
It looks a little cold guys!
Clare & Ahmed decided to spend the new year camping in the desert with their dogs.
The more sober photo!
Later in the evening!
Weird kids!
Meanwhile in Nicci & Justin's house in Ewell.
Fine dining in Yorkshire!
And a civilised Rowan & Jonathan in Yorkshire.
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