Christmas Night & Boxing Day

By 19:00 yesterday we were all ready to tackle the Christmas Pudding to be followed by the opening of gifts. As far as I was concerned the piece de resistance came when mine hosts decided to open a 1988 Dom Pérignon Champagne.

With the cork well and truly popped and the figgy duff ablaze (not really see-able in this photo) it was a treat indeed to settle down to such a 'fine wine'.

Dressing gowns each for Liz & Jim,

a whole stocking full of goodies for me,

while Liz struggles to open a magnum of Champagne (from me to you),

Sylvia gets a new necklace,

all helped along with a drop of Dom.

This morning there was no rush to get out of bed and when we did I indulged in a large slice of Christmas Cake by way of breakfast. A sparkling bright day with little or no wind and remaining mild we left Sylv with the washing up and headed for the

You won't need telling who this is.

An excellent Oak and Beech Wood.

The Man of the Forest.

Willow Catkins adorned every hedge row in addition to which there were plenty of birds to see.

On the 'birding' front, before we had walk 500 yards we had a Tree Sparrow and in addition to Marsh Tit, there were Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, Peregrine, Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush plus a distant Red Kite.

A redundant Stone Quarry was of some interest, as was

the also distant Drax Power Station (we don't see many of these in Dorset) and fleeting

glimpses of the River Humber. Soon after we reached

and took a look around the village, starting with

The Castle Gateway,

The Bear, emblem of the Barnard family,

the village looking from the west

and resisted the Fox & Coney (Jim & I did return there a little later) with further on the Trinity Building (with bell tower) constructed in 1790.

Home Sweet Home

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard

It was a bit of a wild night of eating, drinking, singing and being among some seriously lovely people, what a great all round welcome.

Jim & Liz arriving at the Gallery Italian Restaurant in their village of South Cave, East Yorkshire

SERVICE!

Ah there you are - Maître d’ Luigi.

With a little careful photo cropping we could almost have been back in Venice.

We all decided on the Scallops as a starter, with a Pouilly Fume,

while Liz opted for the Lemon Chicken with the 2 Skinny Lads choosing the Pheasant along with a lovely Melbec. The wine brought back a few memories as the last time we 3 saw each other was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, home of the Melbec grape.

Gaynor the Owner, Moi, Luigi and one of the Waitresses who's name we didn't get.

Meanwhile over at the Fox & Coney Pub

Now that's what you call a Hat Trick! and a lovely scarf an impromptu present from Lesley.

I don't remember this dudes name, but he is of Jamaican ancestry but has never been there and comes from Peckham - thanks for the chat.

It's Been A Hard Days Night

Home Sweet Home and quickly into dressing gowns

and down the garden to the Summer House for a nightcap or two.

Wizzard - Go on treat yourself!

Like most I would guess it was a stay at home day today with

Jim, a real dab hand in the galley, making the dinner. You can always tell when he's going to make a pie as the first thing he gets out is his rolling pin.

A quick look through the port hole to see if everything is going alright.

A starter of Gravlax, King Prawns and Sushi was followed by about the best soup I have ever tasted, consisting of roast butternut squash, parsnips, carrots and a touch of curry. All of this complimented with a bottle of '99 Krug. After a longish break and a bottle of MacGuigans Blend, Jim had the audacity to make me carve the turkey, he said he didn't like the thought of chopping up one of his relatives. Jim's mum Sylvia and partner Liz thought it was funny!

At the time of publishing, there are still presents to open and Champers to be quaffed, but half way through the meal I could no longer resist the temptation to open 2 gifts from avid readers of this Blog. First was a long outstanding omission from my DVD collection, Roy Orbison "Live @ Austin City Limits", while the other simply took my breath away the "2011 UK Britannia £2 Silver Bullion Coin". Both from friends I truly love, now I really have to rush and see what Jimmy the Mean has bought me.

A HUGE MERRY CHRISTMAS
TO ALL OUR READERS, HAVE A GREAT TIME!

With My Little Ekulele In My Hand - George Formby

It was always going to be a long run from Weymouth to South Cave, a small village just outside of Hull, but the very fact that it rained continuously for the whole journey made it a little easier to bare. I wouldn't have been able to get out and about anyway so what better way of passing a wet day that going to visit 'very special friends.

Glad to be back at Beverley Road after a long absence

Jim the Medic, was quick to serve the Spanish Chicken accompanied by beer, Charlie Herring Tau Syrah, Rusty Nail and several other alcoholic beverages.

You don't get away without being Ukulelied in this house, but some relief was had when

Liz arrived back from a Girlie Night Out! The music was varied ranging from Rosin Murphy to David MacAlmont, and Pink Floyd to Chas & Dave and at 03:00

there was just time for a 'Quick Step' before Liz called it a day. Jim and I followed some 30 minutes later so needless to say it was

not at all an early start this morning, when my hosts were keen to show me their local Nature Reserve.

A good start with Siskin

and Goldfinch feeding in the Alders, and

a couple of Twitchers in the hide.

Views from the Hide.

Teal Island

and Teal in flight.

Gulls on nearby fields.

Song Thrush

and something we see precious little of in Dorset - Tree Sparrow.

Another hard day at the office and well deserving of a pint,

so off to the village of Goodmanham and more particularly the pub of the same name.

I don't remember having such a warm welcome in any pub from locals,

Landlord Vito, centre, and staff alike.

a great 'sing song' was to follow, George Formby eat your heart out, along with great fun

with every one there.

Liz unwrapped one of her Christmas presents a smashing Tambourine which added to the musical success.

Back home it was time to enjoy my Christmas Eve present to all 3 of us,

Foie Gras d'Oie and Sauternes

a nice little repast before going partying this evening, no knowing what time we'll be back so don't wait up!