By Mike

Christmas at Lynda’s was never going to be a quiet affair, with 3 daughters, partners and 5 grand children, she already had the makings of a large gathering. When you add in her parents, sister Jennifer and partner Barry along with their dog Bessy, Jo and I there would be nearly 20 for dinner.

Thankfully this being New Zealand and summer time the ranch sliders will be fully opened and the house extended out into the garden.

The day started off early for John, Lynda’s husband, and Bryce, Jo’s father. They were up at the crack of dawn getting the spit roast ready to cook the lamb.

John thought it would take at least four hours for the lamb to cook. However as it turned out after a couple of hours they had to turn off the spit as the lamb appeared to be nearly cooked.

Jo and I arise just after 8:00, our first task for the day is to get breakfast. I make it first to the kitchen and start cooking the bacon and scrambled eggs. Jo arrives shortly after moaning that the others had opened a present without waiting for us. To try and keep the peace I offer a present from me for her to open, but she refuses. I try again, but she declines this time changing the subject by pointing out that something smells as its burning. I quickly return my attention to the oven to find that I have cremated half the bacon. Not a very good start to the day for me.

We take the remaining bacon and eggs outside and have our breakfast in the morning sunshine, taking in the succulent smell of the lamb slowly cooking on the spit next to us.

After breakfast has been cleared we open a present each from the pile left by Santa overnight. Jo is still complaining that the others have now opened two presents to her one.

Jo & I then prepare some nibbles for when the other guest of the day arrive. These include a platter of cheese and a selection of olives, vine leaves and sun dried tomatoes, both with selection of crackers.

10:00am soon arrives and Jo and Lynda announce that its time to crack open the first, of many, bottle of champagne.

As the other guests arrive, so do more presents, more food and more drinks. For each group has been given part of the dinner to prepare, thus saving Lynda any worries in the kitchen.

That is one thing about a Millington Christmas there is never going to be a shortage of food or drink.

When everyone is present the serious task of distributing the gifts gets underway. The eldest grandchild, Jorja, is given the task of handing them out, in between opening her own.

To start off with everyone is give a present to unwrap, saving the embarrassment of opening your gift under the gaze of twenty pairs of eyes.

Soon however it is only the grandchildren who have any to unwrap, which they do with great enthusiasm. Not one of them discarding the present and playing with the wrapping.

With the mass of new toys to play with the children are over whelmed, thus giving the adults chance to play with them.

The time disappears quickly and lunch is served. John is not sure how to start carving the lamb and takes some advice from Bryce.

We all sit down for the feast. Everyone enjoying the delightful spread put out for them.

Just as we are finishing a few spots of rain appear. This quickly turns to a heavy shower. I think this was sent to remind me of home.