Happy Christmas

My lovely card from Colin and Katrina in New Zealand, says it all, thank you both.

We have a partially functioning very old computer, at last I can type properly and upload photos but not edit them so apologies for the poor quality.

Have a wonderful Christmas

All is calm

Still no proper computer, the local IT man couldn't fix ours so Mr FF is doing extensive investigation and there are lots of pieces from the machine on his desk. I am a bit fed up that I'm neglecting my blog and my friends, normal service will be resumed eventually so please hang on.
Meantime we've been down to Yorkshire on a Santa run and the heating is fixed.  This did involve three attempts to get under the floor boards and taking up the hall carpet that was only fitted, beautifully last year.  So Mr FF, never knowingly defeated, has sourced one of those kicker things and hopes to have the carpet reinstated for Christmas.
Speaking of which, I have made the usual half hearted effort for the festive period.    We have abandoned our usual £5 stockings and decided not to give each other presents at all.   I sent a cheque to charity and feel quite sanctimonious, also relieved not to have to traipse round the shops or add more items to our household.
We have two large steaks for Christmas dinner, cake, chocolates and drink, I hope you have enough too.

I'm doing my best

Still no heating in the bedrooms

The home computer is broken and I need to write so many letters

We have no Sellotape

Apparently I can't get an appointment at my hairdressers until after the New Year.  In Italy I visited the barber in the village where Mr FF goes.  Andrea only offers two styles, as evidenced by the male population, but I was able to get him to give me a version of the not too short one. That was weeks ago and I definitely need attention, why does everyone suddenly need a haircut.

Mr FF is on the case for the second and third problems, meantime until I can get him to crawl under the floor boards our new all British wool duvet is keeping us cosy.  If I can't get my hair cut I'll be staying in bed till January.

Home at last

We had what Mr FF would call a picturesque drive back from Italy, lots of snow on the alps but fortunately none on the roads, more snow and freezing temperatures in France, blizzards over Bowes Moor on the A66.  Finally we arrived home to discover our driveway covered in sheet ice, several attempts to get the car up, then we could barely climb the steps to the front door.  As I said picturesque.
Our stop overs were perfect, one night in a modern efficient Novotel outside Milan, one in a delightful French B&B, two nights in Yorkshire with my brother where we met our new grand niece and sister for Amelia, Esme Sophia arrived while we were away and is now 3 weeks old. 
The enthusiasm to be back didn't last long,  we both have colds, haven't had one of those for ages, feeling drained and lethargic.   The central heating isn't working in the bedrooms, which isn't a major problem but means Mr FF is going to have to go under the floorboards at some stage to check things. 
Then there's the small matter of Christmas.  I have told my family they will all get an Italian lucky bag this year, odds and sods I've picked up for them.  I'm also rootling through cupboards for anything to add, I just can't face going to the shops though I will have to go out soon as we don't have much food in the house.  Today knitting in front of the fire calls, though I must catch up with all your blogs so please don't be posting about how organised you are for the festive period it will only depress me.

Proper photos etc later in the week meantime I hope this one makes you feel warm, enjoy your Sunday.

Good morning

from Milan.  Big day of travel today, those bloomin Alps.  From our comfy hotel we are surrounded by mountains and most of them are white.  Hopefully we will be in France tonight and through the tunnel on Tuesday.  Driving home for Christmas indeed.