Tuesday 8^th January

Best Christmas Present Ever! 

On Sunday Dad and Fleur took a small family party to the Moscow Circus.  Just 27 of us in total…

Adrian Fleur Graham Pete Marguerite Pete Andrea Will Tim Chris Karen Kate Max Nicky Gavin Hamish Angus Claire Stuart Felix Jemima Katy Jeff Leo Eva Zoe Michael

There is a photo of the whole group, standing in front of the Russian-themed tents, and we look like a huge great circus troupe of our own, in our bright summer clothes, beaming cheerily.

The circus was great.  The very youngest of us was totally freaked because the opening sequence is extremely scary – why???  But the rest of us settled down after an initial fright and enjoyed it all extremely.  I think Michael (32) and Pete (66) were the most entranced, but I could see that Zoe, nearly three, was looking at it all wide-eyed, possible with a view to copying some of the tricks at home.  We will have to be prepared to catch her as she balances, tumbles, leaps, twirls!

India #63

On the big highway back from Rebecca’s “farm” we passed two camels, stylishly negotiating the traffic.  The one in the rear had a young rider snugged up, fast asleep on his soft saddle, while his trusty steed followed patiently on the footsteps of the lead camel.  We loved the camels.  Their owners always seemed to find nice shady places for them to rest and wait, and they would sprawl out on the footpath, looking out at the world with a most benign air.  I had always thought of camels as cantankerous beasts, but not at all, they were always elegant and courteous and calm.