Right, a quick summary of events over Christmas and New Year. This also doubles up as a belated Christmas card to everyone, seeing as I didn't get my shit together this year for sending proper cards.

So, just to pick up where I left off, I was in Guildford for Livi's birthday which was fab. Kate had the great idea of preparing pieces of felt that made Nemos from Finding Nemo, and having the children glue them together at the party. It was a great success, as were Chris' many games (musical statues was a favourite).

I flew to Munich for Christmas, leaving the UK on the Saturday before and returning on the Sunday after. It was lovely: we had a white Christmas, with loads of sledging and skating with the kids. And I finally got to meet Tim's kids again (I hadn't seen them since Michaela's wedding eight years ago). We had a fab time, especially on Boxing Eve, which was the night Danielle turned sixteen. Michaela and I conspired to get her drunk and have a memorable birthday. I think we managed that! But let it be said that Danielle was a willing subject.

It was so nice to catch up with my E.ON friends while I was in Munich! I had fun with Mathias & Veronika - as well as Lizbeth and other friends - my first weekend there, and then on the Monday afternoon I went in to the office and caught up with everyone before a select few of us headed to the Augustiner for a few beers. It was bitter cold that evening; the snows started in earnest. It turned into a Big Night, and I finally made my way home from the third or fourth bar at about two in the morning. The snow that was falling was just delightful. It really brought back fond memories of the time I spent here a year ago (it feels like so much longer ago!) with Lee working at E.ON and skiing all the time. I suddenly realised it's going to be a long while before I ski again. That made the gentle snow falling silently outside the taxi all the more ravishing.

Michaela was kind enough to take me with her to the new IKEA that has opened near her house, so that I could again feel the joy of shopping for my home. Only obviously it wasn't for MY home; nonetheless, even vicarious DIY made a pleasant change from all this fab sightseeing and visiting I've been doing. We bought much shelving, and I spent the next day or two building it. Their cellar area has never been so storage-friendly!

Then it was back to the UK. I stayed with Selena in Slough for the Sunday evening and Monday day, before flying up to Edinburgh to spend Hogmanay and New Year with Simon & Hester and their lovely friends. We did have fun! Lots and lots of beer, food, conversation, music and cooking, in various locations (Dunoon, Edinburgh, the list goes on).