Well, goodness gracious me - Cathar curries!

Earlier this week saw a large increase in activity around the kitchen with some lovely smells arising from whatever was going on there. The action levels reached a peak on Thursday morning, just before the unexpected arrival of some 13 of my favourite people, all of whom, for some reason, were dressed very strangely.

Soon all was revealed. I turned out that mum and dad were holding a Curry Tiffin lunch for a load of friends and that dressing up in true Indian style was requested. Some people excelled themselves at this challenge whilst others were a little more modest.

Another feature was the application of a large red dot between the eyes - apparently some Indian mark of one's status in society. Even yours truly was not excluded from this but then I suppose that is only right in view of my position in the social hierarchy of this family.

With dad in the role of head chef, some four large vats of curry together with a large assortment side dishes, nibbles, and other delicacies were served up followed by a scrumptious Indian dessert made by Auntie Jo.

Not unexpectedly, bottle stuff was, as usual, in good supply, but strangely there was also a pot of stuff which had various bottlestuffs emptied into it together with all sorts of spices and fruits and then heated up. Apparently this is called mulled wine - a new one on me - and it proved exceedingly popular. I did not get offered any to try so I cannot comment. However, the end result of all this imbibing was that a good time was being had by all.

I didn't manage to sample any of the curries either, but I did manage to snaffle a samosa, a bit of naan bead, and a bit of poppadum when no one was looking and they were yummy.

And now I also have a new best friend - Uncle Stuart and Auntie Jo's son Tom who was over here for Xmas. He is a lovely person and I spent quite a bit of time on his lap and even managed a bit of a snooze whilst I was there.

As I had been up all day organising and then socialising, and as Uncle Tim and Auntie Mary stayed over that night, it was very late by the time I actually hit the sack. Consequently I had a bit of catching up on my sleep to do the next day as well. Come to think of it, I might just need a bit more.

Oh, and by the way, it is three years to the day today that I came to live here in lovely Montazels. Where did those three years go?

Happy New Year everyone.