A Tuscan Christmas eve

 I couldn't wipe the smile off my face this morning as we woke in Tuscany. The views over the valley were even more beautiful than I had remembered. This morning, the first thing to do was head to the local supermarket for a few supplies, like breakfast things, snacks to have in our apartment, etc. A trip to the supermarket in Italy is something else - especially at Christmas time. Along with the regular items to be found were aisles full of Christmas treats, speciality pastries and Pannetone in every flavour imaginable. 

We returned to La Maesta and enjoyed reuniting with our favourite place, taking a walk around the property. It is of course, Winter here, but the weather is not intolerable. We sat outside and enjoyed the views, and Shannon called home to check in with the Walshs. We joined Stefano, Rosalinda and Virginia for coffee and met Stefano's sister and brother-in-law, who had arrived for Christmas. This then rolled into lunch which we thoroughly enjoyed. Rosalinda made a delicious fettuccine ragu, followed by roast beef, salad, and slices of Pannetone with coffee.

It was nice to spend time with the family and help Virginia with her English homework! Her English is excellent, and her knowledge of grammar is most likely better than mine ;-)

For the afternoon, we decided to visit Arezzo, a beautiful city nearby, only a ten-minute train ride from Castiglion Fiorentino. We took our time wandering the streets, brushing shoulders with the locals who were busily buying last-minute Christmas gifts and enjoying the atmosphere. In the main piazza, we came across a Christmas market, which was quite similar to those we had seen in Germany. There were stalls selling Christmas decorations, gloves and hats and of course plenty of food. We stopped at a small cafe on the main square for 'Aperetivo'. This is the time in the late afternoon that Italians enjoy a cocktail or wine with snacks before dinner. Shannon had a Negroni, and I had my favourite, an Aperol Spritz. We sat and enjoyed watching the people go by and many, many dogs. It got dark by 4:40pm, and the beautiful lights came on. We got the train back to La Maesta and will soon join the family for a Christmas eve dinner.

Making magical memories

Up up and away. I'm writing this part whilst waiting for our plane to depart Heathrow airport.

This morning we had a fond farewell to our hosts. It was such an honour to participate in their family Christmas traditions over the last week.

There are just a few differences I have noticed that I would
like to mention. Christmas Bon Bon's are

called Christmas Crackers. These are also cracked all at once whilst each person is crossing arms and making a circle around the table.

Christmas morning presents are handed out and opened one by one, where with my family we hand them out and collect a pile each and then open in a bulk lot.

We sampled Brandy Butter for the first time, a mixture of butter, sugar and brandy. This is put on top of plum pudding along with whipped cream and vanilla custard.

Breakfast on Christmas morning consisted of bacon sandwiches and Bux Fiz. The bacon was sliced much thinner, almost shaved, then (as there was so much to be cooked) placed in the oven where it was cooked and become crispy. Jamie performed this task and then each was left to own to build each sandwich.  Bux Fiz is a commercially produced and bottled mix of champagne and orange juice. Very nice.

We have now landed at Munich, passed customs and collected baggage. It is now that Katie and I are on the train to Munich city centre, a 45-minute journey.

As the plane came into the airport, we were greeted with blue skies and a warming sun that was illuminating the snow-covered fields and villages. Now we are passing through these fields on a new and modern electric train. There are many conversations around, few in English many in German and others, well who knows.

W have now returned to our accommodation, but we have done much since the last photo and paragraph.  Katie and I disembarked the train at Marienplatz, the centre square of Munich and after a short walk over the icy streets found our Pension (German for B&B).  It is very clean, we have our own bathroom, TV with all German-speaking channels and good WiFi.

As we were in awe of Munich's nighttime beauty whilst walking to our accommodation we immediately dropped the bags after check-in and were out in to the icy streets to explore. The inner city is so pretty at night with may Christmas lights in place.

 After walking around for about 1 1/2 hours we went to our pre-booked dinner at Donisl.  This family-friendly beer hall was lovely and provided Katie and I some relaxation and a good chance to sample some Barvarian delicacies.

And now after a brief walk around after dinner we are back at our pension. I'm typing my memories of the day and wondering what will come tomorrow. 

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Due time for a walk

Well after such a filling Christmas lunch and an evening of more food and wine we retired well stuffed around 10:30pm

It was agreed we would first thing in the morning before breakfast head off for a walk, to help with the overindulgence of the Christmas table.

We rugged up with many layers and headed off.

First stop was along River Ember where we stopped for a couple of photos

Then onward through the common grounds where we crossed the River Mole.

In this part of Molesey, the houses are quite old. 

 The Bell Hotel is from 1460.

 

St Mary's, East Molesey - My Grandparents were wed here in 1932

This morning walk provided a lovely burst of sunshine and blue sky, for the first time since we landed on Saturday afternoon.

We returned for some relaxation and crumpets for Boxing Day breakfast, with others having things like pancakes and toast. 

We then found a copy of Melbournes Carol's By Candlelight on YouTube and were able to stream this and show our relatives.

After getting our Australian Christmas fix we went on another journey this time a walk with Tony where we went in another direction and saw some sights we had not seen before.

Then ended up at the Ice Rink in the forecourt of Hampton Court Palace. 

However this walk was quite tiring and required a stop for a refreshment, Katie asked the barman for a very summery drink, a Pimms. 

After this very necessary stop, we headed back for a Boxing day lunch. 

This afternoon was spent with some neighbours letting off some very big fireworks and a number of people playing 'Cards Against Humanity' and me writing this blog. 

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I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

Last night we attended the Christingle  Service at St Mary's Church in East Molesey with our cousins Lynanne and Yazmin. This service runs every Christmas Eve and is split over two separate services as the church is packed.

We were presented with Mulled wine and
mince tarts. The children were all presented with a Christingle which is an orange that symbolises
Christ and has lollies stuck into it along with a candle.

We managed to get a seat close to the front, unaware of what to expect I was slightly surprised when a man comes up to me and asked me to do a favour. Unwearyingly I said yes as he went on to explain my duties, fire warden!

In the corner close to my seat was a bucket filled with cloths that if in the event I see a child on fire I am to get the bucket and throw it over the child.  Thankfully no child did
catch alight throughout the ceremony and I was not needed to perform my fire warden duties.

Yazmin and her Christingle

Katie leaving the Church

We ended the evening with a meal at a local pub and then returning to see the process of presents being placed under the tree. 

We have dreamt of a white Christmas for the past few months and this morning we were presented with

clouds, a little wind and patches of rain but no snow.

Christmas morning started with a bacon sandwich and then the present opening.  

Lunch was just lovely and much credit should be given to Norma and her helpers for the fantastic feast.

Ross and Yazmin

Jamie and Norma

Stewart, Tony and Lynanne 

It would appear that for one of the helpers, it may have been a little too much!

It was over after not too long and he was back to it with the ceremonial duties of lighting the Christmas pudding, Well done Jamie.

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