As is the custom here, we celebrated Christmas yesterday on the 24th. As usual, it was a big team effort with the food. Emily and Ali made a whole table full of starters.

And Colin produced a lovely joint of beef.

I spent the day preparing all the vegetables. We had a lovely dinner, and afterwards it was time for Secret Santa. Everyone gets a gift, but you don’t know who bought it. I got a lovely bottle of Scotch.

Ali unwrapped socks, a book, and a coffee cup full of chocolates.

Emily was pleased with her t-shirt.

Colin got a big parcel containing beer, potatoes, crisps and Jägermeister (a herb based liquor).

Val got lots of socks. These are something of a novelty, as they’re not sold in matching pairs – every sock is different.

Tradition demands that we play Yahtzee after dinner. Ali was triumphant. All in all, a lovely evening. This morning we had a bit of a lie in, and a wander around the village. Wengen is looking splendid in the sunshine.

A Merry Christmas to everyone.