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This was the first Christmas I’ve had in the UK since 2006 (actually, I think it may have been since 2005 as I think we spent Christmas 2006 at Fi’s family in Guernsey)!

I finished nights on Monday morning and so had plenty of time off before Christmas to get my things in order but poor Fi had to work until 21:30 on Christmas Eve up in Gloucester – rubbish! We’ve also had some of the most horrendous weather over the last couple of weeks that I can remember, particularly in the South East where my parents live. Over a foot of snow fell there and temperatures have hit -6! My sister spent 7 1/2 hours getting back from work one evening when normally it would take less than 30 mins! Anyway, Fi was late finishing work so we didn’t leave Gloucester until after 22:00. The weather was terrible – there was thick freezing fog and ice on the roads. We ended up getting back to my parents before Santa arrived, had a chat and then retired to bed.

Christmas at the Pettet’s has changed quite a lot since I was a kid – largely because nobody lives at home anymore. Fi and I woke up and opened our stockings before having breakfast. My sister and her fiancée arrived at about 11:00 and helped with the cooking. We sat down to a turkey lunch at about 14:00 which was very nice. My brother, his fiancée Sherrail and son Callum pitched up soon after and finally we were allowed to open our presents!

Fi is used to a very different present-opening experience than the free-for-all Pettet approach. At her home, everybody takes it in turn to open their gifts so that everybody can appreciate the present. I like this approach. At my house, everyone seems to rip open their presents as rapidly as possible! It doesn’t help when Santa (Dad) rocks up with a mountain of toys for Callum!

I got some nice presents for Christmas. Fi bought me lots of small things as we had decided that we wouldn’t overindulge as we have recently spent a lot of money of renovating our house. I got Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles Rock Band for the Wii (awesome!) as well as the digitally remastered first season of Star Trek on Blu-Ray which I can’t wait to watch. I also got lots of nice books and other presents, too many to mention here. I think Fi liked the presents I bought her including a pretty new dress and a dressing gown. My Mum actually cried when she opened my present of a new Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for her Mac!

Boxing Day was another day of overindulgence. My Mum laid on a buffet dinner for my family, uncle Ash, Babs and my Nan. It turned into a massive Wii session in the end (little Callum is completely obsessed with Mario Kart.).

I got a chance to see my sister and Stuart’s new gaff as well as my brother’s new flat. I even popped up to my Dad’s Mum’s house for an hour with Fiona. I always enjoy seeing Nan as she is one of those people who always looks on the bright side of life. She is (pretty much) housebound following bilateral neck of femur fractures but she hasn’t let this get her down. She’s also great for family gossip!

Fi and I had to leave on Monday morning at 06:00 to get to Gatwick to catch our flight to Guernsey (which is where I am now). We got here uneventfully and had a belated Christmas Day here in the evening. Fi’s Mum cooked a fab ham for mains with chocolate roulade to follow. We also had some amazing Chateau Neuf Du Pape that was 10 years old. I got some more great books as presents and Fi’s Mum bought us some beautiful Robert Welch candlestick holders for our new home.

Fi and I went out for dinner last night at a Michelin guide-recommended pub here in Guernsey called The Swan with Tammy and Dickon. The pub is lovely and does fantastic gastropub food (I can wholeheartedly recommend the steak pie and chips.). We were meant to be going round to Fi T’s parent’s house to celebrate Max’s birthday but the poor sod has contracted some nasty gastroenteritis (it sounds like oyster-induced). I had plenty of fun in the pub though…

Today is another action-packed day. We’re off to town for a spot of shopping in a moment and then we’re going for lunch with Dat and Papa. I think we’re meeting Cath and Katie for mulled wine afterwards but I may just let Fi go as I’m rather embarrassed about a massive spot on my forehead! Later this evening, we’re staying indoors at Fi’s Mum’s place as she has invited the neighbourhood round for drinks and nibbles. Should be interesting…