Good … To The Last Drop

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Chris just left for work. It’s Tuesday morning and, with the exception of last Friday when he went to the office for the day, we have been on vacation for the past 2 1/2 weeks. We are both relaxed and rested and ready for a whole new year. Hello 2012!

Ahhhh vacation! After arriving in Barcelona on December 17th, we spent four days with Justin and, for a portion of it, Mari and Hana.

Just one of the pretty Christmas streets in Barcelona

We probably put 50 miles on our shoes wandering the city and 5 pounds on our frames sampling the amazing food and drink. All dressed up for Christmas, the city was most beautiful after dark which, coincidentally was when we spent most of our time out and about. Dinner at 10pm, bedtime at 3am, back on the street by noon each day. Exactly what we were looking for and precisely how one should enjoy this town. Until next time … adios Barcelona!

Next it was on to England for a fantastic Christmas week with the family. Simon met us at Paddington Station upon our arrival from Spain and stayed with us for most of the rest of our visit. He always takes days off from his job when we visit. I love that about Simon!

The ensuing week was a flurry of activity nearly impossible to describe but here is my attempt in 600 words or less.

Christmas tree at Nigel & Karen's

A fine large family dinner at Moff’s home welcomed us to England. Following that we had one fun night with Helen and Mike in the bucolic countryside of Kent before we headed off to a Friday night birthday party for Paul & Avis’ daughter Florence. Next it was back to Kent for an unforgettable Christmas Eve with Nigel, Karen, their 4 kids and enough extended family to fill a huge dinner table with the sort of stories and laughter that can only come from years of shared connections.

Before we knew it, it was Christmas morning at Helen & Mike’s  – where time moves just a bit more slowly than the rest of the world. Presents came first, then (a very late) breakfast was followed by a gorgeous walk through the countryside, some board games and a perfect Christmas dinner. Boxing Day (December 26th to our USA friends) found us at John & Christine’s home for more presents, more food (thanks Christine and Jill!) a few visitors and a few games. My gosh I love family time!

For our last two nights we splashed out for a hotel room in central London – a luxury given the exchange rate these days. John and Christine had gifted us with tickets to a ballet on the 27th so that evening found them, us and Simon & Jill all dressed up at Sadler’s Wells for a performance titled “Nutcracker!”. Expecting the classic holiday-season ballet, we were wonderfully surprised by a fresh and modern twist on the original. More Tim Burton-esque than traditional, it was a fun night out with the family. Justin met up with us after the performance and we finished the night off with a nightcap and a final farewell to him as he headed back to Frankfurt.

Christmas table at Helen & Mike's

And then, in the blink of an eye, our last night in the UK was upon us. Simon & Jill arranged an evening with friends (Annie, Eddie and their gorgeous little Francesca), my old friend Raj drove in from the coast to have dinner and drinks and somehow we managed to while away more hours than I expected just getting caught up. At this point we were both feeling (quite literally) fat and happy. The eating must stop soon!

Simon joined us on our last day for lunch and a quick tour through the National Gallery before heading off to the airport. Ahhhhhhh! What a fantastic two weeks it has been. Good … to the last drop. We are fortunate to see the Petty clan at least once or twice every year but to join them for Christmas was, quite simply, priceless.

But wait … the fun wasn’t giving up the ghost just yet. Our flights were smooth and on time and by Thursday night (the 29th) we were back at home for a few more presents that we’d left behind and a night of jet-lag adjustment before the New Year’s weekend commenced. A quick unpacking job, a grocery delivery and a few loads of laundry later and by 6pm on Friday Chris was on his way home from the airport with our good buddies Mark & Laura – in for the weekend from Madison.

We ate, we drank, we laughed, we played Dixit and Ticket to Ride, we went to two movies (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy & The Skin I Live In) we brunched on Sunday and took a walk through the North End of Boston on Monday. On New Year’s Eve Danielle joined us as did Claude & Lisa for a simple dinner of steak, soup and salad and more board games and bubbly.

At the end of it all, after Mark & Laura returned home yesterday we spent an all too quiet night on the sofa watching the Rose Bowl and reflecting on just how fortunate we are. We have family who really LIKE each other, we have good friends and good health and a comfortable life. We are rich in all things that really matter.

As we begin 2012 we hope the same for all. Happy New Year!

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