Some
months ago, Bridget's best friend Sue said she'd be
celebrating a significant birthday in December, and
asked if we'd all like to come. "Why tell us
so early?" we asked. "It's on Lundy
Island" said Sue, "so we need to book
now ". Aha.
So
come early December, Sue's family, us and another
of Sue's best friends and her daughter assembled on
the north Devon coast for the trip to Lundy. During
winter the only way to get to the island is... by
helicopter.
Matthew
was particularly excited by the helicopter ride, and
wore his helicopter t-shirt especially. The aircraft
can only take seven passengers at a time, so it goes
back and forth carrying people and baggage until everything
is transferred.
Sue
booked Millcombe
House, the largest accommodation on the island.
Built in 1836 by the then owner of the island as a
summer retreat, it's a seven bedroom, three bathroom
(five toilet) Georgian style house, located in a sheltered
valley looking straight out to sea. Once we got the
central heating working and the sitting room fire
lit, it proved to be quite snug. The kitchen was huge
and featured a long wooden table for informal eating.
The
children were initially confused by all the rooms,
so were keen to make signs for all the doors. James
and Matthew brought their signs home to use on their
own bedrooms.
Lundy
is only three miles long by a mile wide, but even Bridget
and Sue found that the short days meant they were not
able to get to the far end. We did have some lovely
walks, and James got to see deer as well as the local
variety of black rabbit (a medieval species). We also
had a brief glimpse of a peregrine falcon.
December
means nativity shows, and this year James and Matthew
performed the "Donkey's Christmas Story" at
a children's concert at Prestwood Methodist Church,
and took the parts of the donkey and an innkeeper in
the Chesham nativity play. They enjoyed both, and held
up well at the Chesham event even though it was an evening
service that followed a long afternoon of rehearsals.
Before
Christmas Bridget and the boys went to visit Grandma
Marie and Grandad Andrew in Ipswich for a few days,
to pick up the presents, see the Ipswich Father Christmas,
and to drop in on friend Katharine and her newly-born
daughter Susan.
We
all had a great Christmas. James and Matthew have
been playing with all the new toys, and craft activities
have filled the time when the weather has been less
favourable. In between eating, we had several trips
out, to the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth, to Marlow
(to feed the ducks), to World's
End Garden Centre (to see the fabulous Santa's
Groto), to the panto at Aylesbury,
and to see friends. Grandma Brenda was with us for
the Christmas period, and then went to stay with Malcolm's
brother for New Year. That's it for another year;
here's to a great 2006.
