Family (part) and Friends

 The big day had arrived. The Gorse Fox and the Silver Vixen had been invited to Urban-Cub and Ellie's for Christmas lunch so we had a fairly leisurely morning. Because Cousteau-Cub had been on night duty, she and the Coventry Hobbit wouldn't be joining us - but we will make up for that tomorrow.

Ellie had been with Pistol Pete overnight and was dropped back home late morning. We turned up soon after. Considering Urban-Cub's is a fairly small house, she had arranged it so that we could all sit round a couple of round tables laid in a figure of eight. 

Darren's mum and step-dad arrived and the festivities began. We had met Barb (Darren's mum) in the past - an absolutely lovely woman - but had never met David before. He was nothing like the image that the Gorse Fox had created in his mind. As he owns a civil engineering firm, the Gorse Fox had an image of a big bull of a man, whereas he looked as if he would be more at home behind the boardroom table of a consulting firm. We got on like a house on fire.

As usual, Urban-Cub laid on an absolute feast, with Darren helping as sous chef. We had all of the traditional Christmas food and all the accompanying trimmings (including some Yorkshire puddings the size of a small county).

Christmas presents were focused on Ellie, obviously. She seemed to gain several more Barbie dolls. (Heaven alone knows how many she has now). She also got a 2-wheeled scooter (as opposed to the 3-wheeled variety she has been riding).

By late afternoon it was all getting a bit much for Ellie, Barb and David said their goodbyes and headed off home. The Silver Vixen and Gorse Fox left soon after. Ellie was going to need a good night's sleep as tomorrow it all begins again.