good wine with Brunsli and Breadfruit. However, due to a minor(replace with major) mishap with my passport and the fact that being part of the EU doesn't really count for much when it comes to travelling to Spain, I had to cancel and stay in England. To say that I was disappointed would be a major understatement. Despite the fact that they weren't expecting me to be in the country, my family and friends rallied round to celebrate with me (and to cheer me up) throughout the weekend and today. On Saturday I went to Shish for a meal with friends; I have to admit to having mixed feelings about the food, I enjoyed my starter but wasn't enamoured with the main course. It has a great atmosphere and was packed on all floors, but I think it is a place to visit for drinks and snacks. We had post dinner drinks here and I loved it; the decor is great, it's a bit like popping into someone's house for a glass of wine!
I attended the Christmas party of a very exclusive London hospital yesterday, it was held in a plush hotel in Park Lane. This company spend an awful lot of money on their staff functions and their 'more than £180 per head budget' seriously overshadows the fund I have to organise my work celebrations! One of the little extras they had on the evening was a caricature artist and of course I jumped at the chance to have mine done. I am not convinced by it's accuracy (but then caricatures aren't meant to be), but I do love it!
Prepare your base by crushing the biscuits and melting the butter. Combine the two together and then press into a flan case. 
If like me, your family absolutely love the taste, you will find yourself making extra so that they can take one home!
My sister insisted that we all wore hats at my very small New Year's Eve party. In fact, it was also my sister who insisted that I had the party in the first place! Of course everybody thought it was hilarious that my hat wouldn't, actually I mean couldn't fit on my head properly. My ill-fitting crown didn't stop me enjoying myself; I laid on a mean buffet and made cocktails to order - the perfect hostess! 
The celebrating of my Mum's birthday, presented another opportunity for our family and friends to get together. This year's gathering took place at her house and there were plenty of people there to share her day.
tually, if I'm honest the celebrations started a little earlier in the day, at the end of term party, which I took to be my birthday party! There was a lot of delicious food and plenty of champagne and of course lots of cheesy party music - I love cheesy music! 
JB made all the choices about his birthday yesterday; we started off with a lovely lunch and then spent the rest of the day at the golf course. He wanted to try the driving range and play adventure golf; I'm sure he'd had the day planned in his mind for a long time.
He hasn't left just yet, but my Grandad will be going back home soon; we had a little family gathering today to send him on his way. If I don't make it to Guyana next year, it will probably be two years before I see him again. Of course I would LOVE to go over there and with my Dad's house just about finished, I'll have a choice of places to stay! I do have travel plans already for next summer, so maybe next Christmas Grandad ;-)
