The school had a long holiday over the Christmas period this year - 3 weeks - so we decided to take advantage of a holiday offer and went to Malta for the first week.

The weather was mostly cool and bright, 15-16 degrees, and it made a change from the cold at home at this time of year (from minus 5 to plus 5, usually).  It was nice to wander round without coats, hats and scarves.

The holiday was a nice mixture of laziness and sight-seeing.  One day we took a trip to Gozo, which is a really interesting island of strange rock formations.

Upon our return from Malta we met Adie's brother, her Mum and her Mum's partner at the airport (they had had a long and eventful journey from England in the midst of the worst traffic) and they came home with us to spend Christmas here.  In this picture we are enjoying our pre-Christmas-dinner Sekt (German champagne) in the garden.

Ricky doled out the Christmas presents and a good time was had by all.

Prior to Christmas we had had a busy time as usual, with Ricky's 9th birthday and Adie's **th birthday (!) as well as the usual concerts at school.  Ricky was asked to conduct his choir at their concert and did it very well.

We wish you all a Happy and peaceful New Year 2008.

Updated 3.1.08