Christmas Eve 2011

Every year for the past five or six years, our Christmas celebrations have followed the same pattern: Christmas-Eve dinner with Bobbie in Glenbrook, an early drive back to our house to open all our presents, and then a quick trip to the Lindley’s house in Rose Bay for Christmas lunch (which, as such things should, lasts well into the evening).

This year we had the luxury of a Christmas Eve that fell on a Saturday which meant that we had plenty of time to get to Bobbie's before it got dark (usually we are battling the West-bound traffic all the way into the early evening). When we arrived at Bobbie’s house, we were taken immediately into the backyard to see a special surprise that Bobbie had arranged just for Tiger:

 We were a bit distracted by the King Parrots which

seemed to be watching us from every tree...

 

...but soon we discovered that Bobbie had 

created a special ‘Tiger Den’ just for 

Tigerlily (with a sign to make sure that 

would-be visitors understood the rightful

owner).

 Tiger loved the tent so much I had concerns that

we might not get her back inside for dinner. Happily, 

the mosquitoes discovered her and she came inside

without argument. 

Bobbie decided to give us each a silly hat to wear

in place of the usual paper crowns that are traditionally

worn at Christmas. Tiger's was a little purple tiara.

 

But she looked even better in my

hat, a fedora - it's only a matter of time

before she looks better in my shoes,

my dresses...

 

As a special surprise Bobbie had 

purchased a bottle of Dom which

we shared before dinner and pressies

(Bobbie's 'hat' was a big red flower

on a headband).

 

I wish I could say that Tiger waited

patiently for us to open the presents.

 Later in the afternoon, Tiger and 

Bobbie sat and talked together on

the garden swing (as is their habit 

when we visit). I was so happy that

I managed to sneak this shot of them,

I love that it captures Moo mid-story.

In great Gledhill tradition, we ate more curried sausages than could possibly be adviseable, sang songs and played the guitar, drank lots of wine, and argued well into the night. It was a very happy Christmas indeed...