Munch munch

Yes, we're still trying to eat our way through the remains of Xmas and empty the fridges to create space for the New Year nosh. Turkey, stuffing, cheese, smoked salmon, chocolate log, cheescake, mince pies - that's been our meals for the last few days - and there's still plenty of each left.

Although Friday was completely inactive, on Saturday we decided we had to get out of the house, even if it was only to complete a few of the annual CAMRA pub surveys before we go away. We took the bus down to Ballater and did the rounds there. Got a chance to look at a few bikes as well - it's all so confusing. It seems you can get a pretty good bike with most of the things you would want for about £500, but then you see other ones for £3,000, even £5,000!

On Sunday, I went over to Gary's to watch the Man Utd match and have a spot of lunch - egg roll plus the obligatory mince pie. Today I had planned to go cycling again but the skies have been clear for so long that we wake to a good hard frost every morning, and some of the roads and tracks can be tricky and I don't fancy coming off the bike - my joints are dodgy enough, thank you. I actually went out earlier this morning just to test the conditions, but, at that time, it wasn't looking great - and it was really freezing, so much so that my fingers felt like they'd got frostbite. Most of the rest of our cycling group agreed but 2 hardy souls ventured out.

I am getting a little stir crazy, however. It's not retirement - it's always a bit this way at this time of year - especially when plans for exercise have to be cut short or cancelled. The weather is beautiful - lots of sunshine - ideal winter walking weather really. Jo had things to do, however, so we just went out for a short stroll - up through Burnett Park and back down past Inchmarlo. I took one photo at the entrance to Brathens forest:

Today is Dawn's birthday and tomorrow, Luca is 8 - can you believe it? Then, on Wednesday night (Hogmanay), we have the Masons and Kilgours coming over for dinner and to see the New Year in. No doubt we'll be entertained by the fireworks from the Tor-na-Coille and Freddie Duncan's party across the road. On Friday, we're off to the Simcoxes for a little soiree and by then it'll be less than a week until we head off to Australia. Kelly sent us this photo, taken from the end of her street, to let us see what we were heading to:

That's all for now.