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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Friday 28 December 2012

A truly European Christmas

Arrived back at the boat last night after a very memorable Christmas. Our daughter in law Iwona's parents were over from Poland and gave us there version of a Polish Christmas.  Christmas eve is the traditional time for presents and Christmas dinner in their country so after Vwacha ( Iwona's mum ) had slaved most of the day in the kitchen, we eventually sat down to  beetroot soup and pirogi ( meat pasta) for starters, followed by fish ( should be carp but had fried cod instead ) with pickled cabbage, mushrooms, gherkins and a mountain of boiled spuds. Then for desert, a pie consisting of layers of pastry filled with cherries and custard then baked in the oven. Delicious. The grandkids opened a few presents that night but the majority was saved for Christmas day when Santa was due to call. After the grandkids had gone to bed Kevin ( Christine's partner ) got out the talc and cardboard feet and made Santa's footprints leading from the garden door to the tree with all the presents underneath, then to a table consisting of a sausage roll ( no mince pies! ),  glass of milk and a carrot for Rudolph, and finally out through the conservatory door. I think us adults enjoyed this part of Christmas most as there was much hilarity when giving out instructions of where and how the footprints should be placed.



 To make sure we were all up before the kids, we set the alarm for some silly o clock and crept downstairs ready with the camera to capture Oscar and Josh's faces when they saw the footprints and all the presents under the tree.


It was a great success especially when they saw the footprints, and soon paper and cardboard was flying in all directions revealing loads of toys.

Utter devastation and mayhem but so enjoyable.
We couldnt leave the dogs out so they also got a gift from Santa,


Christmas pudding tennis ball for Jade

and for Echo, a turkey squeaky toy.
 Then it was our turn to do the traditional Christmas meal and judging by the empty plates of Iwona's mum and dad, they enjoyed it to!. All in all we had a fabulous time with our family but as much as we enjoy Christmas I'm glad its only once a year.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Christmas gets qutie busy when you celebrate it twice - Richard's family hail from Poland so we celebrate twice as well. Very wise to give the carp a miss - cod, or just about any other fish, is nicer :-)

Sue, nb Indigo Dream

Jacquie said...

What a lovely way to celebrate, I particularly loved those footprints. Isn't it lovely to see how other countries celebrate, with their traditions & foods. Have a fab & healthy New Year. Jacq & Stein.

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