Slept quite well following the usual pattern. And awoke to peaceful quiet. There seemed no hurry to arise so I made sure we took our time. The magic of Christmas morning is not the same without the excitement of small children. Though there were lots of teenage ‘believers’ in the family back at the house !
When I felt ready, we wandered down to brekkie where I heard a dog barking. This alerted me because dogs are not allowed at this hotel. Must be an assistance dog, I thought.
We negotiated our way round brekkie. It is a magnificent buffet-spread here at the Hilton, by Exeter Airport. I always make T coffee because the machines defeat him. He chose his own food items, including fruit and a hot selection and a croissant. And he sat down.
Requiring cutlery, he set off again, returning with more coffee and a new fresh fruit selection and no cutlery. Third time cutlery hunt was almost successful, but resulted in a 3rd cup of coffee and a banana. And no cutlery.
4th time was lucky.
Once he had worked his way through the food and coffee mountains, we returned to the room, gathered up our possessions and went to Aylesbeare where H went mental upon our return.
We shared some presents with the junior Roberts family, their parents and June and John. This was all peaceful and pleasant. In the meantime, the Illis were still in Streatley and Dave R set about preparing the most magnificent spread. Masses of vegetable dishes, including sprouts , amazingly tender Turkey, bread sauce and gravy to die for. It will be very daunting for whoever is responsible next year, to live up to this.
A conversation around this time of day revealed J and J had also heard occasional dog barking through the night at the same hotel. Further online research revealed that the hotel now accepts dogs! This could be very helpful for future visits. Heidi had disturbed all the Roberts during her sleep over by crying. Despite being allowed in the bedrooms.
The Illis arrived just in time to join in the feast. T remained confused by it all, but seemed content with his photo book based on our autumn trip. There were quite a few dogs in it, and to his eternal surprise, himself. And other interpretations of the same.
We enjoyed another mega present exchanging session and I feel quite overwhelmed by the generosity of the family towards us. A new iPad! Handbag, warming shawls and all sorts of other goodies.
T was starting to find the day long. And that meant he was getting irritable, so I took him back to the Hilton. H sensed we were about to depart and abandon her and tried to escape with us . By now, she even had Minnie for a companion.
Back at the hotel, T then set about investigating the small number of items I had brought in from the car.
Thought for the Day
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