Christmas Eve! Already!!!

   Between the usual frantic last minute wrapping it seemed strange not to mention damn hot to be cooking festive fare on a boat in the Caribbean and there was lots to do. The chicken was portioned and marinated in ‘Baron Passion Fruit Sauce’, honey and lime juice. The leg of lamb was boned and studded with garlic and rosemary. Meringues were cooked in the microwave, fruit prepared and cream whipped for a pavlova. Mincemeat bubbled on the stove filling the boat with wonderful spicy aromas while I made the pastry. Coleslaw was made and attractively heaped into a ziplock bag as there was now no room in the fridge and suddenly remembering there was a party tonight we quickly made a big pot of popcorn for the boys (big and small!). Not exactly sophisticated party food though and unfortunately with people already gathering on the pontoon there was no time to do anything else but open a bag of nibbles. Moving faster than Santa himself I was washed and brushed up in no time and Si, CJ and I joined our neighbours. With festive lights and music brightening the evening we chatted for a short while until CJ felt tired. Si rustled him up a quick supper and soon after leaving a mince pie and Guinness in the cockpit and hanging a sack on the bunk he was fast asleep and we returned to the gathering just in front of Brindabella.

   Simon and I weren’t too late to bed either and after opening our beautiful cross stitched Christmas card made by Joice on Fair Encounter we had a quick tidy round ready for Santa’s arrival.