Our Christmas in Canberra was quietly beautiful - and drama free - compared to the disruptions faced by many families/businesses as Omicron wreaked its vengeance on us for thinking we were "free of COVID" at last.
But enough of COVID - Our Inner North takes a restrained approach to Christmas decorating. This is one of my favourite Christmas bows on the front door of an old Canberra style (duplex) house in Amaroo Street Reid. We admire it on our frequent walks to the shops in Civic.
Last Wednesday night we hosted the annual Christmas get together of the F and L families: 13 people (just) fitted around our table for a night of feasting, dining and Christmas song singing and quizzing. These beautiful young things were little more than babies/toddlers when we started this tradition back in 2000 - out at the vineyard in Murrumbateman - and look at them now!
Then the day after Ros and Pete arrived from Geelong, ready to kick their heels up with us here in Canberra over the Christmas weekend. Claire and her boys hosted our first gathering on Christmas Eve at Jerra, a lovely chilled out evening in their beautiful back garden.
A night to treasure some together time.
And Claire demonstrated to us how we could look years younger and have a dental makeover via some magic called "FaceApp".
We hosted Christmas Day lunch here at the apartment - 10 lovely people this time with everyone contributing to our feast and the entertainment ...... As always we started with the Majella Sparkling Shiraz!
Claire was extra happy on this occasion - it's been years since she's beaten the boys in a game of Uno.
We welcomed Julie (from Mildura) to our gathering this year. She fitted in so easily (of course).
The two boys arrived ravenous - but after doing a demolition job on the appetizers they felt ok about chilling out until lunch was served (phew!)
Ros and Pete are such easy company for us when they stay. They share our love of walking and enjoy being part of our neighbourhood too.
With a lot of places closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day we were lucky to have Eighty/Twenty at Braddon open for our morning walk coffees and brunches.
And we all enjoyed a walk through the grounds of our neighbouring St John's, Reid (with its historic graveyard) on the way home (with a Boxing Day church service in progress).
We spent most of Boxing Day afternoon, as storm clouds built, watching the latest Bond film "No Time to Die" (excellent!) and the remaining episodes of the wonderful Peter Jackson edited series The Beatles: Get Back. Pete and Ros enjoyed it just as much as we did!
Ros and Pete left this morning. The place seems very quiet and we miss them already. Lucky the young ones will be back from their Sydney break very soon.
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