Thursday night we had our traditional family get together at the Bocking Club.

Today we visited Hilary's friend Pam who lives in Switzerland and who was staying with her sister in Brightlingsea.

 After completing the work on the heating it was then to make mince pies and buns for when Claire, Darren, Maisie and Poppy came for Christmas Eve lunch.
Then Ray and Craig joined for Christmas Day dinner and Sacha joined us in the evening to see the dogs open their presents.

 The lead up to Christmas was very busy as Hilary had the boiler replaced at the cottage.
So the old airing cupboard had to go, new cold supply and wiring in a new controller for the plumber's and then rebuilding the airing cupboard before Craig came to stay Christmas Eve.

We just spent a few days on the boat and took the chance to visit Hilary's step mother.
Last night was the Marina Christmas dinner and we took the chance to meet fellow boaters.
It was bright crisp morning at the marina when we left.

 Hilary's boiler has now packed up so the rush is on to get things ready for the new one.
Meanwhile Ruby see's her first real snow and the neighbours tree struggled under the weight of the snow.

The last few weeks I have been working in Hilary's loft laying the floor, pointing the gable end and make preparations for moving the boiler to the loft.