Feliz Navidad

On Christmas Eve I left my rural retreat for the less rarefied air of the outskirts of Fuengirola for Christmas with friends and god-daughter. The plans for mass preparation of the Christmas feast the night before dissolved in vodka and tonic. Unfortunately, my resolve not to partake in Karaoke also went the same way and resulted in a midnight rendition of 'Fairy Tale of New York' with me in the role of the toothless Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. It was a rousing number, people were singing and dancing, despite mine and Jan's singing efforts!

Christmas Day arrived with only the slightest of headaches that several gallons of tea and Nurofen soon saw off. Presents were opened with the usual oh-s, ah-s, thank you-s and lovely-s, until Jan opened her presents from Ed. It would seem that 3 boxes of Maltesers, a plastic knife sharpener and a printer cartridge were nothing to make a song and dance about. To give Ed his dues, the new mobile had not yet arrived and there was a 50euro note with one of the packets of Maltesers. Not that I am one for moralising but there is definitely a message here: Don't leave things to the last minute, thereby avoiding wrath of partner on Christmas Day.

We need not have feared that lack of preparation would affect the meal. The goose was stuffed and roasted, the potatoes and parsnips cooked nicely in the goose fat and the remaining veg arrived at the same time in the fashion expected. The wine flowed, the food was eaten and dominoes were played until the early hours. A pleasing and enjoyable day that saw me retire to bed with a hangover already starting!

My journey home was uneventful, though I did get stuck behind a silver Berlingo van part way up the mountain. It seems that the shepherds on the lower slopes are less inclined to walk their livestock - the back of the van was filled with three woolly sheep who seemed quite content with their mode of transport.