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I hope there’s no bad luck involved in getting your Christmas blogs up after the 6th of January but I say better late than never.

I can safely say I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas this year because on Christmas morning my beautiful girlfriend arrived at Heathrow terminal 3. We had an emotional reunion like something out of a Richard Curtis movie at the arrivals gate and then a hectic 5 days began. Poor Sara was carted around the country meeting friends and family without ever getting a chance to catch her breath. Well actually we did have a couple of hours at home on Christmas Day but that was full of champagne, smoked salmon and exchanging gifts. Before the jet lag could finish her off we headed over to see my Johnston cousins and catch the tail end of their Christmas dinner. We were just in time for Christmas pudding and the dessert wine so it was very well timed indeed.

On Day 2 we headed out to Cambridgeshire. Not only did I get to introduce Sara to the delights of the Trump and Gold families but also the unmatched joy of a drive through the English countryside listening to Test Match Special. It was a lovely crisp fenland day full of bright sun, good food and excellent company.

When the sun departed Andrew produced Chinese lanterns which we lit and watched rise and disappear into the night: a beautiful end to the day.

The next day was closer to home. We didn’t need to make it any further than Kew Gardens to meet Alex and Jonny, Jess and Tom. It was another cool and crisp day and we did the tree-top walkway which I hadn’t done before. I was glad that Sara got to meet the Cottons and glad that Jess wasn’t sick like the last time we all went to Kew (I think there was some dodgy hot chocolate going around that day).

It was then off to the East End to see Peter, Eleanor, Ellie and Richard. We had a lovely meal and excellent chat although we didn’t get too far with the boardgame I had brought. War on Terror - the game - seems like a fun idea but the rules are by no means clear and maybe none of us were in the best state to make much sense of it by the end. Or maybe that’s the point after all? Anyway it’s the thought that counts.

After that we had a day to ourselves and a chance for a romantic stroll around London: St Paul’s, Tate Modern and the South Bank. It was lovely and thankfully the weather stayed dry if still pretty chilly. But a winter trip to Britain wouldn’t be complete without a cold grey day with some rain and the next day certainly delivered that for our trip to Oxford. If the sightseeing was cold at least we had a very warm welcome with my Aunt Anne and her family. On the way home we also managed to fit in a cup of tea and some delicious cake with my cousin Emily and her family so Sara’s visit proved a wonderful chance to catch up with my family.

And then she was gone. The flying visit was over and the countdown began to my next trip to Canada. Since it’s taken me so long to put finger to keypad to the wait now is only 2 more weeks! Joy!!