Curry Evening

The Duff family gathered at Euan & Cathy's house last night.  Rowena and Heather cooked a curry specially for the evening - and very fine it was too.  Jane and Chris were visiting with their children - complete with an electric shock pen and magic marker pen to keep everyone on their toes.  And Richard nobly donated some of his Christmas beer - for which YC was most grateful.  Here are a few photos of the evening.

the assembled throng

assembled throng mark 1

enjoying the starter

a jolly time was had by all

Heather & John

Congratulations to Heather Duff and John Ridley who are engaged to be married.  John proposed on Granny Duff's seat in The Haven.  The only hitch was when some people were inconveniently using the seat when Heather & John arrived there on their walk.  Fortunately after a few minutes, the other folk took the hint and bootled off, allowing John to pop the question.  Heather was delighted to accept.  They are to be married at Holy Saviour's Church next April. 

And if that wasn't enough cheery news to brighten your day, here's a merry Christmas cracker joke to send you on your way rejoicing.

Where do poorly gnomes go?  The elf centre.

Ho ho!

Christmas Edition on line

Click here (pdf link) to be taken to your Christmas edition of Birtley News.

What do you call 2 rows of cabbages?
A dual cabbage-way.

As Santa says when he's gardening - ho ho ho!

Happy Christmas.

Picnics in Peru

Nina Laurie is working and travelling in South America.  For the last 5 weeks she has been in Peru in Andahuaylas, a rural town in the central southern sierra which she has visited off and on for the last 30 years.  When she isn't working, Nina finds time to watch the local birdlife which includes 5 varieties of humming birds.  There is also time for picnics accompanied by coffee produced on her friend Isaias's father's coffee farm.  The mountain scenery is wonderful with walks up to 4,000 metres - check out the photo opposite.

Nina also finds to time to attend the local church which she reports is "slightly more lively than evensong at Holy Saviour's".  Watch out Nina, the 10 am family service at Holy Saviour's is waiting for you on your return!