A new year beckons

We weren't late to bed last night, and didn't have loads to drink, so we all woke up with clear heads this morning! Keith was worried about one of his credit cards that he had tried to use in Berlin, but had used the wrong pin number, so I suggested we drive into Northampton and visit a cashpoint machine where he could reset the number.

The roads were quiet when we drove in, and the town was deserted, with just a handful of people walking about. I remember one New Year's Day going into the town, and it was a depressing experience! This morning, we drove up Bridge Street, and it wasn't a cheerful sight! The whole street was rundown and tatty! Keith managed to sort his card out, and I drove to my new place of work to show him where he needed to pick me up tomorrow, as he was going shopping. 

Back home, we decided to eat at about 5pm, and I prepared the red cabbage well in advance. We'd asked Keith to buy it already cooked, but he wasn't able to find any, so we had to do it ourselves. Sophie had shredded the cabbage and sliced an onion for me while we were out, which helped. Keith had also prepared the vegetables and the pigs in blankets.

I sweated the onion, before adding the cabbage, a teaspoon of cinnamon, cranberry sauce and white wine vinegar (the recipe had called for red wine vinegar, but it had to do!). While this was simmering away, I diced two apples and added them. The aroma smelled delicious, and I let it simmer away all afternoon.

Sophie and I started on the Champagne while relaxing this afternoon, and my daughter hoovered and tidied up. Once the turkey was in the oven, we were on countdown, and we all pitched in to help with the meal. We sat down at 5pm and enjoyed our turkey, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts cooked with bacon, honey roasted carrots and parsnips, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese and red cabbage. Phew!

While we were eating, we discussed this Christmas and toyed with the idea of going out on Christmas Day for lunch. I used to go out with my parents when I was growing up, and a favourite restaurant was The Falcon in Castle Ashby. It was a real treat to get dressed up and go for a sumptuous meal!

After eating, we cleared away and collapsed on the sofa with the remnants of a bottle of the Biddenden white wine, Ortega. Our viewing choice for tonight was Crocodile Dundee, and then it was early to bed for me as I am back at work tomorrow. Groan!