Saturday:Caitlin, Mim and I dressed up in Belly Dancing gear and went in the St Mary's Street Parade through Hamilton. Caitlin tried to disguise herself by wearing a wig, but her friends and teachers still recognised her. Her job was to carry the CD player. None of the other students turned up, there was only me and the three professional dancers - and Mim. She looked great in her outfit. And Deb's brother Geoff with his pet python, Arena or Athena or whatever she was called. Nobody bothered looking at the belly dancers, only at the snake. Just as we finished parading the rain started.
Mim got to hold the snake afterwards, which she thought was just great!! I told her not to try doing that to any snake she should see on the property! We went for 'coffee' at Darriwill Farm cafe and everybody kept staring in the window as Geoff had the snake (in a bag) on his lap, trying to warm her up.
Then it was home to rest up before Dani's 50th birthday party at 8pm.
Boy, it was cold! It was held at Dani's daughter's house, in the garden and we all huddled around a fire in a 44 gallon drum. The weather had fined up and it was a pleasant party. After cake was cut and Alice had given a speech for her mother, Dani's boyfriend proposed to her. Very romantic! The kids were given glow sticks and got to play 50 glowstick pick up in the dark.
We got home at 11.30pm and the girls crashed.
Sunday:The Coleraine Hotel Social Club Christmas party was held at midday. The food was wonderful, the jumping castle a big hit and all the kids were excited to see Santa arrive in a firetruck.
After a busy afternoon down at the pub, we returned home so I could do a bit more gardening. Why? Because that was the last day we could burn off without a permit. So a pile of dead branches, lattice with an unwanted climber and gorse bushes were bonfired!! (With assistance from Michael and his can of diesel)
I was totally exhausted by Monday, but had to do a thorough clean of the house before Margaret arrived on Tuesday night.
