196 – Parents brought xmas with them!

As December fast approaches there are two types of people:

Mrs Claus aka Maria – sad about not having a xmas tree, googled creative ways to decorate your van, wondering what santa is up to (visited his house and reindeer in Finland during the summer, but he also lives in Wales with my nan), bought presents for our dogs and dug out their xmas bandanas, doubly excited as Ernest is a boxing day baby!

Scrooge aka Markles – was relieved to be largely avoiding xmas, only good thing is the xmas cake.

To tip the balance hugely in my favour my parents arrived with xmas cake, presents for the dogs, decorations and the cutest little tree 😄🎄

I’m so happy slowly morphing the van into a mini grotto. I’ve been colouring in tiny bunting, making stars, putting up lights, and day dreaming about xmas dinner. I even have a little gift under my tree from my bestie Gail who smuggled it across with my mum – bless you! Mark is less thrilled though he did eat the delicious cake – thanks so much Beverley!

Pont du Gard

In non xmas related news, we have had a lovely day. In the morning we took the pups for a walk around Pont du Gard, which is Frances most visited ancient site. It’s an impressive aquaduct bridge comprising 3 tiered arches set in lovely surroundings so it’s easy to while away an hour or two.

We then got the camping chairs out and had coffee and xmas cake in the carpark whilst enjoying the sun. Considering I started the day in coat and scarf, it warmed up wonderfully.

Nime

In the afternoon we parked up at a huge city edge shopping centre. This enabled Mark and my dad to bus into the centre to visit the ancient sites in Nime, and for mum and I to potter the shops and get some food in.

Mum made a scrumptious veggie shepherds pie, and I made a fragrant vegan rice pudding (our first of both since April!). Parents van has hot water, so I washed my hair…ah the luxury! (our pump still broke). And while the parents and I were colouring in tree bunting, poor Markles was doing a finance chore…though I think that was his preference 🤣