Maurene's Amaryllis burst in to bloom just in time.
The Central URC ad hoc choir bursts in to song and raises funds for Christian Aid as they delight passing tourists
The sanctuary is filled with the glow of candlelight in anticipation of the Service of Lessons and Carols
Maurene excitedly closes her eyes as she and Jessica prepare to tuck in to Christmas Dinner. Please note the consummate British vegetables on their plates -Brussels Sprouts and Roasted Parsnips
As our food digested we gathered around the television to hear the annual Christmas Day Queen's Speech. This was our first year to listen to Her Majesty as nationalised British subjects. If George Bush were given a "1" and Barack Obama a "10" I would give the Queen a "6 "for her rhetorical skills.
A few Christmas photos

These are in chronological order starting from the top. Well, actually, the Amaryllis didn't bloom until Christmas Eve.

The Open 2008

Ouch!

Even the greatest female distance runner of all-time has bad days. . .

Winning Wimbledon in the fading sunlight. . .

This is supposed to be synchronised diving?

The sports photographs of Tom Jenkins

I don't consider Tom Jenkins, of the Guardian, as much of a sports photographer as I do an artist. His sports photo are worth the price of the paper. This is some of his best from 2008.

Jake

Maurene and Lilly

Our friends Jo and Dean visited yesterday and brought along two-month old Lilly. You may remember them from an earlier visit when Lilly's brother Jake was just a baby. He has grown up to be quite an active little boy. We kept Lilly for a short time while Mom, Dad and Jake went in to the Christmas Market.