Christmas Lunch

 As we had the Family Dinner the previous evening, Lisa and Mark invited us for Christmas Lunch.  It turned out to be a loooong lunch, a games afternoon and then Dinner.

Reid Christmas Gathering

 This year, our Christmas Eve Gathering was at Adam and Kate's place where Adam had managed to set up a massive feasting table.  As usual no one had to go hungry on the night.

Even Louie got a bit carried away by the occasion insisting on the full regalia!

Following the main course we all played the Christmas (Bad Santa/White Elephant) Game.  The usual hilarity ensued.

The extended process of reallocating (stealing) gifts usually sorted out the most inappropriate pairings and made for a long and hilarious session of after dinner entertainment.

Christmas Catch up

 We met up with the Russells at Clive and Jan's place for a pre Christmas lunch.

Times have certainly changed as we chatted about medical events and interventions we had endured since we last met. Mercifully we then moved on to future plans in the optimistic hope that they will come to fruition. On the way home we visited Terry and Tricia's place to see the progress of their pot based patio garden. It has grown enormously since we last saw it.

Lisa's Birthday Lunch

 As Lisa's birthday was on Saturday this year, we went out for a Birthday Lunch at the Chirnside Park Country Club.  Hidden away in the middle of suburbia, it presented Google Maps a challenge to get us there (we had to resort to Apple Maps).  It is a surprisingly big operation and despite the numbers in for lunch, the service was good.

Lisa adopted a less conventional photo style.

Granny took the opportunity to update the boys on the latest social media trends.

Lisa had received a microscope for her birthday so we had to check it out!  Very compact and a great image.  The microscope was good too.

Cathy and Lisa's Birthdays

 Family celebrations for Cathy and Lisa's birthdays is always a calendar juggling exercise with so many end of year activities demanding time as well.  However, this year we found a date to combine both celebrations into one.  We have found it easier to manage with a smorgasbord approach with a range of meals so everyone can choose their meal. It worked well again.

The fact that it was a combined celebration meant the cake also had to be combined.

Once the candles were extinguished, the topping up could proceed.

Eighteenth Birthday Books

We have been keeping a record of our history with all our grandchildren and on their eighteenth birthday we have produced a photobook to celebrate that history.  Holly and Sophie turned eighteen this year and we have finalised their books and were able to give them to each of the girls today.

Heading Home

 From Yering Station we headed for lunch at the St Andrews Hotel.  It was a short and very scenic drive through the Warrandyte Kinglake Nature Reserve above the Sugarloaf Reservoir.  There seems to be a small but vibrant community around the St Andrews area and the Hotel is a very regular host to many bands and performers.

Doing Dinner

 Our evening meal was booked in at Meletos Winery about ten minutes drive from our accommodation.  We were a little apprehensive about the meal as our lunch had been a little OTT.  However we decided on entrees only and that did the trick although they were larger than expected.

Our breakfast at Chateau Yering was served in a light filled atrium constructed between two much older buildings on the property.

Wine Tasting

 While staying in the Yarra Valley, it would be a crime against convention and good taste if you did not do at least one wine tasting.  Luckily Yering Station was next door to our accommodation so it was only a five minute walk to the Cellar Door.

We tried a number of their wines and were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed their chardonnay.

Chateau Yering

Our annual getaway with our travel group was taken much closer to home this year with a one night stay in the Yarra Valley preceded by lunch in Warrandyte.

The sustaining lunch ensured we could make the arduous 35 minute journey to our accommodation at Chateau Yering.