The Official Start to Christmas!

The festive season saw its official commencement this weekend, with the Annual Ballinger family pilgrimage to Ullswater for the Fezziwig Celebrations.

We journeyed up the M6 to the Lakes, arriving about 7pm Friday evening. The meeting point was a quaint olde worlde pub in the nearby village of Pooley Bridge. Once all 16 of us had arrived (including Little Ted) we headed out in convoy to the cottage. It was FREEZING and I had to sleep in my hat and a fleece as well as pajamas BUT once there we could truly relax and begin to ease into the festive season. We began by decorating the cottage with stills from the Grinch movie, care of Mrs Hoppy aka Aunty Sue - chief party planner for this year's event, Christmas tree, Ikea Gingerbread hearts, fairylights and all with select Christmas tunes from our ipods - oh the marvels of the BOSE sound dock! A festive mood settled over the group as Jackie's lentil and bacon soup was served. The requisite family showing off then commenced, as by this time everyone had had a drink - except the kids, coz that would be wrong!

Harry (my 9 year old cousin) and I entertained the troops with our version of Troy & Gabriella's 'Breaking Free' - the theme from High School Musical, and Aunty Jan indulged in a Baileys and a spot of table dancing to her new favourite tune 'Voodoo Child' by Rogue Traders, (yes she is quite, quite delightfully mad)

After a colossal fry up on Saturday morning, we wrapped up warm, loaded Ted into his all-terrain buggy and set out on a mammoth walk. 3 glorious hours of walking in the fresh air, surrounded by family and friends and absolutely breathtaking views....and a little adventure involving a flooded road, an improvised bridge (nice one Rich!) and everyone being EXTREMELY thankful for my wellies!!! We ended up back at Pooley Bridge for hot chocolate before journeying back to the cottage for Aunty Sue's famous chilli, a big old feast, festive cheer, dancing in the 'ball room' to 'December the 25th', Paul dressign as a Fairy, Ted in his Santy suit, Blankety Blank, introducing a new generation to 'Empires' and generally just wonderful Whobilation in abundance!!

Some of the photos are posted here - a truly wonderful weekend, perfectly ushering in the beginning of Christmas for us. 14 sleeps till Santa everybody! Deck the Halls etc etc. Tomorrow we get the tree!