Visitors

 As revealed yesterday, we had Denise and Dom visiting us today. They weren't due until lunchtime, so we had a fairly relaxed morning, and the graven squeezed in some more family tree research.

By midday it was time to start on final lunch preparations. The curry was gently reheated on the hob, then put in the oven until needed, rice was prepared, bhajis were heated and naan readied. The Silver Vixen's salmon was readied for the oven and then we just waited for the guests. Apparently traffic had been heavy and it had taken longer than expected to get here. It made no difference to us as lunch could be readied for any time.

It was nice to see them both and we soon settled down to a chat and something to drink. Lunch was served in the Orangery. The curry went down a storm. It was a huge success and the heat that had worried the Gorse Fox yesterday, seemed to have mellowed overnight. It was now just delicious. We lingered over lunch... until we heard from Urban-Cub. Ellie had returned from Pistol Pete's, and did we want to come and say hello. Well, of course we did.

We wrapped up and wandered round the corner to Urban-Cub's and let ourselves into the back garden. We remained outside and Urban-Cub stood inside the door. Ellie rushed in and out, and across the square to her friend Broadie. (She and Broadie now have walkie-talkies so that they can talk to each other from home... even help us - though the Gorse Fox suspects we are just out of range).

We didn't stay too long. We settled back at home with some tea and later, some Christmas cake. We just sat and chatted until well into the evening. We heard about their Christmas, Emma, Remi and Louis, and Becky (and her award and promotion at work). We told them about all of our news and Cousteau-Cub and the Coventry Hobbit's new jobs. It was nice to be able to catch up.

They had an hotel room booked at the local Premier Inn and left us at about 21:30. They weren't sure whether they would head straight home in the morning, or detour via Trevor and Sue's in Brighton. They will make their minds up tomorrow.