Family Christmas

We have had a lovely Christmas Day. It has been the first "family" Christmas for many, many years. Urban-cub and Pistol Pete hosted us in LA. Cousteau-cub and the Coventry Hobbit were there, we were there and, of course,  Ellie was there.

Ellie had been eager for us to arrive and, with help from Cousteau-cub, made a video call to find out when the Gorse Fox and ~Silver Vixen would arrive. "Come on Grandpa, there are presents" she explained. When we arrived, she started handing out wrapped gifts before we had even removed our jackets. There was no stopping her. There was also no definition as to whose present was whose. This was soon under control as we gathered around the tree and drifts of wrapping paper started to form around Ellie.

Lunch was the usual sumptuous affair that you expect at Christmas, particularly when Urban-cub is doing the cooking. The table creaked under the weight of mountains of food that had been prepared. We all tried our best but there was still sufficient left over to feed a regiment of the British Army and the crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth (as long as they brought their own drink).

After lunch, Urban-cub, the Silver Vixen and Gorse Fox took Ellie for a walk to the new children's play area that had been opened near their house. The ground was very soggy, but the play area was well equipped and was clearly a big hit with Ellie. She tried the swings, the slides, and a roundabout, while Urban-cub and the Gorse Fox both had a go on a zip-wire (without falling off and ending in the mushy ground beneath.

It was a lovely afternoon but by early evening Ellie was getting tired. The Gorse Fox and Silver Vixen said their goodbyes and headed home.

It was so nice to have the whole family together in one place for Christmas. That was, really, the best present the Gorse Fox could have wished for.