A festive grand tour...

Happy New Year everyone!

The last 2 weeks have been a wonderful whirlwind tour visiting friends and family. We had a delightful Christmas in High Wycombe with my family, and also fortunately got the opportunity to catch up with some old friends which was equally excellent. The festivities were full of sumptuous food and hospitality from the Southern Rookes, and I was really proud to see them all being very much part of their local community by leading the work at their local Foodbank, and my niece also sharing her muscial talent at the local hospital. Big thanks to them all for a brilliant time.

Emily indulged this year's festivities with a particular fascination for Christmas trees, opening presents and developing an appetite worthy of those a number of years her senior. Her commitment to eating has to be admired, and included falling asleep in her high chair whilst still trying to cram in another morsel of turkey. Face first in her dinner - that's the classy kind of girl we're bringing up.

 The Supreme Being 'Christmas' look

 Present opening whilst squatting...not an easy task to master

'Merry Chistmas' from all the Rookes

Jogging off the excesses

It was then back to work for a few days before heading East for what's becoming a regular Hogmanay in North Berwick with Tanya's sister and family. This years celebration involved a somewhat wild party (on account of kids not adults), an obligatory spot of malt, watching the North Berwick Loony Dook, homemade steak pie, and walks up the Law and to the beach. Emily continued to take it all in her stride and particularly enjoyed pointing out plenty of boats and lighthouses, which are possibly her second and third favourite fascination after Christmas trees.

 The Loony Dook

Emily wanting to join in on the action

The return of John Gurney "Man of Steel"

Celebrating New Year with steak pie...boy was it good

And so 2013 came to an end. It was an absolutely fantastic year. It might not have topped 2012 for significant events, but it certainly has rivalled it for wonderful memories. Having Emily in our lives is a constant joy, and being able to share that this year with so many brilliant people made 2013 another 'annus mirabilis' for us. It makes me realise that the most important thing in life is how you live it. Let's hope 2014 brings more of the same for all of us. 

Wishing you all a fun-packed and wondrous year to come - big love Nigel, Tanya and Emily xxx