Last Christmas in Germany

Now that Pam and David have decided to stop being German and become British again this was going to be their, and therefore ours, last Christmas in Germany before they come back to Blighty.

Getting There

Just like last year we took the overnight ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge, before driving through Belgium then Holland to get to Germany.

Highlight of the trip out was Leah winning the £110 top prize on the Bingo.

Learning from last year which was bitterly cold, this time we were prepared.  Armed with extra thick socks, hats, scarf's and even gel hand warmer things, Europe turned out to be quite warm!

Munchen Gladbach, Germany

Having safely arrived at the Kings, Kev and David (along with Stephen) got straight back into the hunt for the ultimate Gluwein mug and headed towards the little Christmas Market at Munchen Gladbach.

We weren't sure if you got to keep the Gluwein mugs as you are really supposed to pay for them.  So we hatched a cunning plan and sneaked off with them whilst no-one was looking.

Munchen actually had two Christmas Markets, neither of which where very big but they did have the all important Gluwein and Bratwurst stalls as well as a small ice rink.

Whilst wandering round we made sure other long standing traditions were honoured.

Maastricht, Holland

On what we know as Christmas Eve Eve (December 23rd) we went to the Christmas Market in Maastricht which claims to be the oldest City in Holland. 

This market was much bigger than at Munchen Gladbach, though not anywhere near as big as the one at Düsseldorf last year.

Food find of the day were these spiral chips things.  The spicy one Kev had was a bit too spicy but Leah's plain version tasted fantastic.

The Gluwein hunt reached new heights when we found these natty boot shaped mugs.  Now just admit it, you are jealous you don't have any aren't you?

Christmas Eve

The first job of the day was to get some holly to decorate the Christmas dinner table.

With a couple of bags of holly located it was on to eating...

....drinking...

...and SingStar....

...before pretending to be Father Christmas and putting out some of the presents from Santa.

Christmas Day

With the presents delivered and Santa safety on his way back to the North pole Leah and Harry started opening them.

SpongeBob seemed to be a big hit with both father and son.

As was Leah's iPod.

Whilst Pam went to ever more extreme measure to avoid having her photo taken.

It took the combined brains of two members of the Army quite a few hours to put together Harry's Lego toy, and even then nobody was quite sure what it was!

Then it was time to set the table ready to eat, complete with the holly we fetched yesterday....

...a job which generally went without a hitch.

Christmas Dinner was a Goose, Duck and Turkey extravaganza made all the better by the real holly scratching your arms whilst eating it.

Then finally, much to Harry, Leah and Tracies delight, it was time to open the rest of the presents

Going Home

 

The arrival of Boxing Day mean it was time for us to leave, head back towards Zeebrugge and catch the ferry home.

 

 

P&O had clearly learnt their lesson this time, bingo was cancelled!

 

PS.  Below is Kev's impressive Gluwein mug collection.  Admit it, you want one too!