Poorliness

What a strange build up to Christmas for me. I'd been so looking forward to all the festivities and Christmas-i-ness all around - the late night shopping, mulled wine, present wrapping, kisses under the mistletoe, tree decorating, food shopping, party food, etc, etc. But instead I have spent the whole last week feeling wretched and most of it curled up on the sofa or in bed - coughing, wheezing, pill popping and general snivelliness. On a small upside it's one way of loosing 5lbs in preparation for the Christmas over indulgence! (but I wouldn't recommend it!)

Finally it's the 22nd and I am perhaps back in the land of the living be it with a giant balloon still surrounding my head so everything feels and sounds a little hazy! Ho hum! We've spent this weekend in London with family celebrating Christmas 'avec le Backhouses'. Apart from the fact I couldn't taste most of the food it was all quite delightful and thank you everyone for the first of my Christmas pressies!! Did you know you can get a whole YARD of jaffa cakes!!?! Oh Joy, I am in Christmas heaven! Also keeping me going was the amazing book 'World without End' by Ken Follett. The absolutely captivating 1200 page sequel to Pillars of the Earth which he wrote over 20 years ago. Loved every minute of it and it was one of those books that it was sad to finish.

Emmanuel School kicks butt at Rugby!!

We were chilling out on the sidelines at an away match against St Dunstons school today - watching our nephew Callum play Rugby. Obviously with such charming sideline cheerleaders they were bound to win!! Great game and lots of hard work for the zoom lens that has been sitting neglected in the camera bag for the last few months! Go Emmanuel School!

NEC Bike Show

The largest motorcycle show in the UK and I was lucky enough to accompany my dear husband - oh lucky me!! It's overwhemingly HUGE - 4 exhibition halls full of bikes, accessories, oh, and more bikes! (Oh how I could dream if that space had been full of scrapbooking stuff!) We stayed all of the 8 hours it was open and I'm sure I checked up at least 5 miles in mileage from walking around! But I'm happy that he's happy and he's VERY happy. A new bike helmet for Chris - and proudly sporting a great St George's cross so perfect for him riding around north America - just to make sure everyone knows he's English! Clearly it's not just about the latest models of bikes - this one's just for Chris!! And me trying out my future choice of bike. Just cause Chris has lowered his standards and gone Jap doesn't mean I can't keep up the family standards and ride Italian!! just need to get in a little practice before I get let loose with this lovely Ducati.