30 DECEMBER 2013

A wet and stormy night in Aberdeen and we are off to the pictures to see Mandela. 

29 DECEMBER 2013

A really chilly morning today with frost on the ground and a car to scrape before I could go for the papers.

28 DECEMBER 2013

We will miss all the pretty lights around the house when Christmas has gone.

27 DECEMBER 2013

How many blooms can one orchid have.  This one is thriving in the conservatory.

26 DECEMBER 2013

Boxing day and the family is all here...what could be better.  Love having all the kids and grandkids with us.  This is Rowan's first Christmas and he seems totally overwhelmed by it all...NOT!

25 DECEMBER 2013

Thrashed at FIFA 14 in every game I played against a 7 year old......how does he do that??

24 DECEMBER 2013

Christmas eve and a snow blizzard has come through.   Maybe we'll get a white Christmas after all.

23 DECEMBER 2013

Two of the three kings at the Nursery nativity play.  Our little king got all shy and forgot his words....."I bring you Mhyrr"....bless

22 DECEMBER 2013

With winter in full tilt the lack of leaves gives the landscape a different view.  You can now see behind the trees. 

 

21 DECEMBER 2013

Great start to the morning.  Croissants and a cappuccino in bed for my wife xx.

20 DECEMBER 2013

It's not a fireball it is just the sun rising in the morning between the trees. 

19 DECEMBER 2013

The Christmas spirit is all through the house.  The living room looks really festive.   Six days to go. 

18 DECEMBER 2013

A very pleasant and entertaining afternoon at Matthew's school Christmas concert.

17 DECEMBER 2013

With Christmas getting closer the carol singers are beginning to congregate. 

16 DECEMBER 2013

Christmas dinner and a few beers with friends and ex-colleagues.  The annual trip to the Atholl.

15 DECEMBER 2013

So when a girl has a party to celebrate her 2nd birthday, she's allowed a little chocolate isn't she?

14 DECEMBER 2013

Panto with Matthew and Lewis.   It was Aladdin but spent most of the time watching the boys reactions.... magical

13 DECEMBER 2013

Sitting in the VIP lounge in Doha waiting for the flight to Heathrow and on to Aberdeen.   Going to be a long day!

12 DECEMBER 2013

A trip to the souk tonight was interesting. The sights and sounds and the smells of spices, coffee and hubba-bubba pipes was amazing.  The police patrolled on Arab stallions, after all, who would want to patrol on one of these?

11 DECEMBER 2013

Some of the amazing buildings in downtown Doha.

10 DECEMBER 2013

Arrived in Doha, Qatar.  VIP welcome and whisked off to hotel.  This is view from 7th floor room.

9 DECEMBER 2013

The Heathrow Hilton is connected to terminal 4 by a walk way.....miles and miles and miles of it.

8 DECEMBER 2013

The morning after the night before.  Car packed and just about to set of for home.  A good night was had by all at Thainstone House. 

7 DECEMBER 2013

Another day another Xmas tree.  Out for Xmas party with friends at Thainstone House.

6 DECEMBER 2013

A nice souvenir from my friends from Bahrain,  a senior police officers cap.

5 DECEMBER 2013

Another sign that Christmas is on its way.   The Christmas tree in the mansion.

4 DECEMBER 2013

Another angle showing the front of the mansion at  Bramshill. 

3 DECEMBER 2013

A pint of good old English bitter....Cheers.

2 DECEMBER 2013

Three of the course members finish today and the rest of the guys wish them luck.

1 DECEMBER 2013

Another wintery afternoon sky.  This time we see Bennachie silhouetted on the right.  Who would stay in a house with a view like this?  Brian and Bex, that's who.