Winter Solstice, Bodrum |
I don't know how many readers of this blog celebrate Christmas, but to all those that do, I wish you a happy one. I have handed over my red, Christmas pudding-adorned apron to my daughter as we are eating the festive meal at her flat tomorrow. I am only responsible for the meat. As it's a normal working day in Turkey, we shall eat in the evening, when my son-in-law-to-be arrives home from work, but we plan is to spend the afternoon walking the dog on the beach, with a flask of mulled pomegranate juice and some choice cheeses to remind us of the date.
After 12 years living in the UK, where I often produced a Christmas dinner at work before I went home to do it again for family, you can not imagine the bliss I feel at having no deadlines and no pressure to perform at Yuletide. I have spent less than 2 hours shopping for food and presents, got stuck in zero traffic jams and trawled around no multi-storey car parks looking for a space. If anyone here tells me that they miss Christmas in the UK, my jaw drops in astonishment.
This Christmas Eve afternoon I had the pleasure of listening to Prof. Dr Rüstem Aslan, Director of the Troy Excavations giving a lecture about the recent excavations and the new museum being constructed on the site and in the evening will wander down to the Mayor's drinks party for foreigners living in Bodrum, usually a Boxing Day day event but two days earlier this year. Archaeology and wine - a good start to the season.
. . and to you and yours Annie - we arrived at the cabin a few hours back in time to watch the sky change with sunset and the full moon rise over the lake - not a bit of tinsel anywhere - bliss!
ReplyDeleteYou are in the best place.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family Annie!
ReplyDeleteAnd to you and your April
DeleteHow lovely to be far from the hype!
ReplyDeleteHave a great - and relaxing-time.
I think we are all hype-avoiders
DeleteHappy Christmas to you all Annie. Beautiful picture of Bodrum - wish we were there. We moved house 3 weeks ago so I've only just got my head out of the 'Christmas isn't happening this year' bucket. 7pm on Christmas Eve and Dave is plumbing in the new dishwasher!!
ReplyDeleteHappy renovations - Who needs Christmas.
DeleteHappy Christmas Annie. Enjoy the low key no fuss Christmas. A real treat.
ReplyDeleteHope your went well
DeleteAnnie, I always am so relieved not to be in the U.S. at Christmas - it's got to be at least as stressful as the UK. Have a lovely, relaxed dinner with your family this evening.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a relaxing time too.
DeleteIt sounds wonderful and I'm glad you're enjoying it. :) Our Christmas is traditional, if rain-soaked and we're having a lovely time. :)
ReplyDeleteHave the floods followed you? I hope not.
DeleteUnfortunately they have. Our daughter's house is fine, but the Vale of York is like a lake in many nearby places.
DeleteGreat Facebook picture of your Christmas lunch on the beach. As much as we enjoyed the total chaos of my sister's - all fun and no ceremony - I had pangs of envy!
ReplyDeleteYes, you're quite right Annie, the Yuletide season in the UK is far too stressful, expensive and involves far too much cooking/overeating!! Your 'festive celebrations' sound perfect to me and well done to Esi!! Xxx
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