Limehouse Basin Marina, London, UK

It looks like this might be the final post of the year. Christmas was spent in Amersham, Bucks, with the Admiral's mum and dad and sister, Susan . We had Ben and Jessica and the babies over and Josette arrived on Cristmas Eve. We all had a great time and we are all now back on the boat in 

Limehouse.

James and Katie arrived on the 28th with the  excellent news that they are now engaged to be married. We are all very pleased, the happy day is to be announced.

Julie arrived yesterday, the straggler, Jennifer is still gallivanting in St Barts and will hopefully be with us on January 4th. Josette went to Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay but the rest of us chickens are looking forward to a nice dinner and plenty of champagne and a view of the London fireworks to see  New Year in.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all our readers 

Sydney, aged 3 3/4,front and centre  at her stage debut as Mary in the starring role at the nursery school Nativity Play

The Admiral, friend Hilary and sister Susan 

Sydney and Genevieve

Christmas dinner in Amersham

trying on the mermaid snuggies

something sparlkly

the happy couple, James and Katie

Danny and Lee and us at Limehouse

Limehouse Marina, London, UK

We are back at grey and rainy Limehouse Marina following our third and final visit to Europe's great capitals. This time we went to Budapest, Hungary and a very good trip  it was. The city was more spread out than Prague and walking distances were longer to see the sights. Out hotel was excellent and the baroque architecture there and throughout the city was very impressive. The weather was quite mild for the time of year but very grey for the first two days we were there. We walked miles and miles looking about the city. On the first day, we wandered around the Erzsabet and the Parliament district and on the second day the Castle district. We were going to go to the City Park and the warm baths but the weather was so dreary we didn't quite make it.

We found some nice restaurants and went to see The Nutcracker at the amazing State Opera House, a great production with brilliant costumes and set design. The sun decided to appear on our third day but having to leave for the airport at 1.30 pm precluded a visit to the baths. Oh well, next time we visit we will get there.

St. Stephen's basilica

A view of the Danube from the Royal Palace

The Fisherman's Bastion

The Parliament Building from Fisherman's Bastion

Matthias Church

The State Opera House

St. Stephen's Basilica

The Royal Palace shrouded in mist

Breakfast at the Boscolo Autograph Hotel

Hot Chocolate and Sachertorte at 

Budapest trams

Sydney on the carousel at the Dickens Festival in Rochester