New Year's Eve...

It was a real batten down the hatches evening and I cannot begin to describe the ferocity of the storm we had last night - once again we had thunder and lightening and torrential rain so that the water butt overflowed and the pool level was raised dramatically.  The cats remain unconcerned as long as they can make sure they have prime spot in front of the fire!!  One unexpected by-product of the storm is that the cats both learned to use the cat-flap very quickly last night but having done so spent quite a time charging in and out at speed.

The temporary conservatory makes it easier to run to bed without getting soaked but there is still a short section where you are unprotected.  Still once you have made the dash you are rewarded by the Princess and the Pea bed with the down topper and duvet to engulf you and the electric blanket to keep you warm.  I retired early leaving John to watch the footie (and find the lens cover for the camera - but that is a different story!).

We woke to indifferent weather for New Year's Eve and unfortunately it has deteriorated as the day has progressed.  We are being bah-humbug this year and spending the evening here in Droushia with the cats, a couple of bottles of wine, Avatar the movie and some pretty tasty looking steaks.  It is not that we are billy-no-mates, we had invitations, but we just wanted to spend the day and night in together with the cats not worrying about anything. Mum and Dad are coming to join us tomorrow and I am cooking something special for them.

We spent this morning clearing up after the rain.  We are trying to get the cats to use the litter trays outside but the trays had both become casualties of the rain with a sloppy sodden mess where cat-litter should have been.  Undeterred we decided to adapt Ray's workbench which is attached to the side of the shed and make an area where the litter could be located and kept dry - as an added incentive for the cats to use it we added a couple of their favourite treats inside and for a while at least they looked interested - the only trouble is that their enthusiasm for the cat-flap last night has waned and we are back to shoving a very limp-pawed Chivers through.  He does however wail vociferously at the door when he wants out for the toilet.

I have spent time getting ready for the meal tomorrow - we are having slow cooked pork tenderloin steaks with jacket potatoes and veggies followed by Christmas pud for those that want it or poached oranges with an orange yoghurt cream dressing.  I was a very sad bunny and cleaned all my kitchen cupboards today so at least I know what I have and where it is!!  I know this seems a very random thing to do on New Year's Eve but Mum had asked if we might have anything we can put in a food parcel which is being put together for a destitute family that Mum's hairdresser knows so it was a good excuse to do that and end up with tidy cupboards into the bargain.

John is currently watching the early game Man U v Blackburn - the initial euphoria of Blackburn taking a 2.0 is now sinking fast as Berbatov has scored twice in quick succession - not that John is a Blackburn supporter he just doesn't care for Man U (to put it mildly!) still it transpires that there is a god and Blackburn managed a very unexpected win.

We are now getting ready for the texts, emails, phone calls and skype messages that we need to do to keep in touch with everyone and wish them all the best for 2012.