Christmas in the country

I spent Christmas with my surrogate family this year, it's not the first I've had with them and it likely won't be the last. They live in a small village (population 300) called Feckenham in Worcestershire (yes, the place the sauce comes from!).

It's a really lovely little place with a great community of people that all know each other. On Christmas eve "the kids" spent the afternoon at the pub getting sauced. Then we went to the village square to sing carold around the tree and drink mulled wine. There was quite a turn out for that sort of thing, but Feckenham is just that kind of place.

Singing in the square!

Prezzies under the tree!

Christmas morning we all woke up to see what Santa brought us. He was generous and kind to everyone. There were SO many presents. The dog, Tess, got overexcited in all the wrapping paper covering the floor and was a little sick for all the excitement.

Tess and her antlers in the paper.

At lunch time we all headed over to the local pub "The Rose and Crown" for a free pint or glass of whatever you wanted. It's a tradition every year - the owner of the pub just wants to give everyone a little thank you for their patronage. We had a HUGE turkey dinner with all the trimmings and promptly all fell asleep on the couch watching telly. It was a great day!

On boxing day half the village came out for the 33rd Annual Boxing Day Walk, where everyone gets their boots on and treks through farmers' fields' and along paths through the countryside. It was really beautiful and good little trek that took about two and a half hours.

Start of the walk.

A real country shot.

More in the country.

I had a great Christmas, family bickering included. I hope you all did too!

On the news front, I am in the process of getting a room in a house... I'm very excited and should (if all goes well) be moving in next Saturday. More to come in the new year... in the meantime, party like it's 1999!!!