New Year - Germany

Me and Andy hitched a lift with Jez back to Germany for New Year's.  Here's Jez and Andy waving the White Cliffs of Dover goodbye...

Jez lives in Gütersloh. They have great Christmas Markets with plenty of BBQed meat and Gluhwein....

We headed up to Winterberg for a few days for some New Year skiing.....and it SNOWed!!!

Bear Grills...

The teenagers (they wish) playing with their phones :-)

Jezzer escaping the woods before the wolves get him.  They do have wolves up here, but apparently the Wart Hogs are more dangerous!

We left Gazza the snowman to guard our apartment...

To celebrate New Year we went into Winterberg Town Centre.  I think the Happy Gluhwein is working...

This chap was getting his New Year's Eve fireworks ready.  Do you think he realises cigarettes are hot?

The German's celebrate New Year's Eve by letting off fireworks.  Everyone.  Everywhere.  It is bonkers!!!
Check out the video here...     http://youtu.be/Od_fuVcXyh4

New Year's Day....did Jez finally tell a funny joke?

The big thing here is ski jumping.  Jez is pointing to the Olympic Ski Jumps on the hill...

Done :-)

Great Trip.  Brilliantly organised by Jez.  Great snowboarding, crazy fireworks, excellent food and top beer.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Yule Yomp VII

Today was the 7th Annual Yule Yomp...

On the way to Westbourne through the cow field.  Some of the Yompers....Geoff, Oscar, Travis, Amelie, Fraser, Simon, George, Tory, Lyzz, Paul, Joe, Emma, Ellie, Ben, Lisa, Karen, Lily and Roland...

It was pretty chilly, Joe with his ice....

Measuring at Giles and Caroline's....

Lyzz, Simon and Roland on the way back to Emsworth...

Joe and Ellie playing football at Chalkie and Emma's house...

At Simon and Tory's we had a German sausage dish inspired by their recent visit to Berlin....Ya!

The kids played with a much less troublesome Simon :-)

At our house : Port and Cheese.    And After Eights dipped in melted Camembert!!!

Geoff...

Farndell cup stacking challenge.  Emma walked it!

Card games at Paul and Debs...

The loser had some special head gear to wear...

The Beach Road Acrobatic Display Team...

Yet another great Yule Yomp.  Thanks for all the great company, food, fun and frolics.  Here's to next year!

Fellows Panto Trip

The whole famile were here today for the Panto....Oh Yes They Were!!!  Lola, Lily, Lisa, Nell, Iris, Joe and Reggie on a walk round the pond...

Lunch at Grandma's...

Getting ready for the family photo...

Freddy is the Christmas Fairy!

PANTO!  The panto was Cinderella.  Lisa was dragged up on stage to help with the singing.  She was brilliant!

The kids table...

Lisa, The Fairy Godmother and Lola...

Joe with Buttons...

Peter and Julia made a fantastic post-panto meal at our house...

Joe and Iris had a date....

Lily teaching Papa how to use his new iPad...

Great day.  Brilliant to see everyone and thanks to Mum for the panto...

Fellows Boxing Day Fun

All the lads went to see Pompey lose to 2v0 Wimbledon....Come On Pompey!!!

After the Pompey game we came back to our house for family pressies...

I think Julia is pleased with that...

More pressies...

Mary and George cooked a fantastic meal.  The kids dining room was in the front...

Fun and games...

Great fun family day.  Panto tomorrow...

Christmas Day

It's Christmas Day!!!  The kids are engrossed in their stocking presents.  Lisa reading Silver Dolphin and Joe playing with Match Attax cards...

Wendy and Graham came for the day.  Karen cooked up a fab Christmas Dinner...

Then is was Tree presents....  Joe with his remote controlled car....

Lisa with her CD player...Mumma Miaaaaaaa

Joe trying out his indoor boomerang....it worked!!!

Wendy and Joe (I think he is happy!)

Merry Christmas everyone...