white christmas...almost

hello team, well its been a while since my last entry, getting a tad lazy over the festive period, so im doing a bit of catchup today, well as you all should know december 25 is christmas day, and as i couldnt afford to fly my family over here (or even just myself home) i was invited up to middlesborough to join in with one of my mates families for the festivities. now i live about 4 hours away by car, it ended up taking about 6 and a half, because my car is special. but i eventually got there, i was aiming to get to church on chrissy eve- but my car was to slow. so i got there and we just chilled- cant really remember what we had for dinner, but i do remember the homemade banana chutney- awesome. it was mint.

christmas morning was cool, everyone was up and buzzing that christmas was finally here. woohoo. went downstairs to the chrissy tree and opened presents. i was really spoiled and got a great haul of pressies-including a sled, cambridge rugby jersey and giant europe map and some other nik naks like choccies, books etc. it was cool as, totally spoiled. thankyou everyone involved. then it was time to head off to church, and back home for lunch- englandites take their christmas lunch very seriously, they eat so much. i work in a gym and we have been flat out since new years with people trying to work off all the food and alcohol they have consumed over the festive period. ate so much food, but it was quality food, not like the stuff we get at the hotel, and was very cool, afterwards we played heaps of board games(i guess theres not much else you can do when its like -10 outside), not the hugest fan, but it turned out alright- bit of a laugh. and after my extensive research of questioning people at work, ive found out that playing board games on christmas and boxing day is quite common, tradition even.

boxing day we went for a hike up in the mountains, visited a monument for Captain cook (yes the dude who discovered australia) as his birthplace was nearby, there was heaps of people out enjoying the walk/hike, i believe that this is also sort of a tradition on boxing day for the locals, either way there where stacks of people out there, nice view of middlesborough(its not a pretty city but you can see it all- so that means you have a good view of it) and the sea also, cant remember what the mountain was called but it was nice being out there in the fresh air/freezing icy wind.

and that ended my quick christmas visit up north, visiting a warm and friendly family (thanks guys) i didnt get to see any snow fall on christmas day, it snowed 2 days after i left. but the next time it does now im fully equipt to make the most of it with my shiny black sled. and if i should sled so far and get lost ill have my europe map to guide me home. great presents. great christmas. well as good as it could have been without a bbq, the beach, 35degree weather and cricket on the tv. take it easy. andy