Christmas Sunday 2

A pre Christmas get together at the Fischer's is one of our favourite traditions of the season. This year we started earlier than usual - but all the usual suspects were there! Jurgen's new shirt (from Vietnam - thank you Thomas) was the star of the show. 

The young ones: Maddie, Sophie and Thomas have been part of these celebratory get togethers for as long as the rest of us (at least 16-17 years?). We're so happy they're still prepared to be part of the fun!

Maxie and I contributed the appetizers - we went light fresh and pretty looking this year.  Judy did her usual Clyde River oysters entrée (thank you Bernie's at Charnwood), Jennie did a fabulous main course: confit duck with all the trimmings …………………………….

 ...and Anke did dessert - one of those rich and luscious Gumtree chocolate cakes with fresh summer berries ….. and expertly served by Maddie.

I was a bit slow and missed getting a nice pic with Sophie in it too - but she was definitely there - although a late starter because of her work commitments

The vineyards on the hill are looking lush and green although Jennie and Wayne may have some misgivings about the amount of canopy. Times have changed at Bush's Lane and the vineyard is no longer their day to day responsibility - it's a time for travel and taking stock for them.  We are so lucky that this pre Christmas celebration tradition at Bush's Lane still continues despite the other changes all around us. 

The day before the day before Christmas

After a week of high emotion, speeches, tears, songs, presents, hugs, so many nice things said by so many people, I am retired, I have finished; I am also absolutely drained and exhausted as we head out to Murrumbateman on Friday night for our now traditional pre-Christmas celebration with the Fischers, Prices and Lebangs.

Thomas, Maddy & Sophie play for us so we always sing carols to get us into the Christmas spirit. We sing so well too after a few glasses of Majella sparkling shiraz (especially the 2004 bottle). Thomas gives us reprise of his amazing Mozart piece: Rondo Alla Turca.

Maggie makes the trip to Murrumbateman too but sleeps most of the night in Anke's lap after doing a bit of pony chasing in the early evening. Jenny prepares a beautiful meal - oysters of course, tender beef and her own special version of a tiramisu for dessert. All beautiful, but I feel almost grey with fatigue after my huge week. It rains in torrents at Murrumbateman, to finish off a week where we have had some of the best rain in years.

We enjoy a pre-Christmas breakfast this morning with the family; much quieter than anticipated because Claire & Jeremy have kept the boys at home because the boys aren't well. We missed them. We all gave Ella her gifts because she is having Christmas day with her cousins Amelia and Charlotte Rose.

She was in a gorgeous mood: lots of killer smiles, hand waving and showing off her athleticism on the floor. She's had her first hair cut already and has scored quite a few killer outfits for Christmas.

Josh & Jody's present to us was this speed machine - so funky and European. It certainly will add to our cache when the young set are considering a visit!