Christmas 2020

Good morning everyone, I hope 
you all had a good Christmas and are  
relaxing now in this week before we say 
goodbye o 2020 for good. 

I write this as a very happy and blessed lady, for the first time in two years we had all the South African family together under the same roof on Christmas Day.  Big Guy arrived as you know the Sunday before and we had a wonderful week with him, he was still working but just to have him home was a huge bonus.  The girls were kept really busy settling into their new home, they came through on Tuesday and we had a fabulous dinner together, luckily with the sun setting so late here at the moment, just after 8.30pm, it is easy to have dinner and for them to still drive home before dark.

On Wednesday we went through to Kleinmond to a new restaurant which has swings as tables and chairs, thankfully not all the tables are swings, but it has a wonderful atmosphere and their food is excellent.

Thursday dawned bright and sunny and we were up and out early to avoid the crowds, we took a drive through to Hermanus to a place called Ficks Pool.  This unique Restaurant is built into the cliff in a small cove where there is also a tidal pool, what a fabulous experience. We were so early that we had to wait for the restaurant to open and then enjoyed the most delicious smoothies, their huge drawcard is the atmosphere and location and I can only imagine that late afternoon when the sun is setting on a windless day it must be idyllic.  When we were there the sea put on a real show with huge waves and lots of turbulence, no one even thought about the tidal pool which looked more like a whirlpool 😁.  A quick, last stop at the shops and we were home before it got too hot and too crazy.

The long awaited Christmas Day dawned and the four of us exchanged gifts whilst having tea and mince pies (an absolute favourite in our family). We had a quick video call with Miss Muffet and Co  before going  through to lunch with Poppet, Princess, BigBear and BabyBear.  I must say this, those girls outdid themselves in every possible way, the decor, the food and everything in between was absolutely amazing and,   just like that the family was all together.  This was my greatest wish, prayer and Christmas gift and I count myself beyond blessed to have had that day with them all, especially when I know so many families could not be together, we still had two partners missing - Sonshine and Princess' boyfriend, but set out to enjoy the day and make it memorable.  Everyone had contributed in some way to the meal and in our 'new' tradition, which we started three years ago because of the size of our family, we did Secret Santa gifts.  There were many, many laughs, oohs and aaahs to be heard which continued throughout an exceptional lunch and the rest of the day. Memories of childhood fails, events, milestones and stories were retold and it was everything I could have possibly asked for. Charlie and Jill have become friends (princess' doggie) and I know that his second Christmas was a happy one and in direct contrast to last year when he was alone and on the streets.  The rest of the weekend we spent time at home just relaxing (including me baking up a huge batch of crunchies and rusks for Big Guy to take home)  just enjoying our time together.  Today Big Guy flies home which I am dreading, I am already praying that our next get together will not take as long.

This week will be spent quietly as I intend to rest and relax after today, also very prayerfully as Sonshine goes for his CoVid 'clearance' test and tries to find a way to get home before more restrictions are put in place.  I will say this, it is the quietest we have ever seen Bettys Bay over the Christmas period which has been much appreciated and enjoyed.  Hubby still has a server to build for Poppet as well as a Lap Stand for an order which came through on Thursday.  The Bears finally got the keys to their new home last week and have spent days cleaning, painting and sorting it out, they  are hoping to finally be in by the 4th of January, to begin the next step on their journey, I can't wait to see their home 😁.

There is not one of us who has any clue what the New Year will bring in, after 2020 I do believe that we are prepared for most if not all things.  I do know this for a certainty .......... the same God that brought us through this year and kept us safe will be taking us into and through 2021.  He has never ever let us down and is the one constant and unchangeable in our lives.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a blessed New Year, I pray it is filled with God's Grace, Mercy, Healing, Wisdom, Protection and Provision in EVERY one of our lives and families.  Please, please stay safe and well and make the absolute most of every opportunity you get with your loved ones.  I would also like to thank each one of you for your participation in this Blog and in my life.  God Bless.  Ciao ciao.

Christmas Lunch Table & decorations 

 

Swing In

Ficks Pool