Christmas Day was our turn to host Geri’s extended family at our airbnb. Lu and I began cooking around 8am. 

We were making a roast ham, various platters of sausages, cheeses, plus two different Christmas pastry wreathes, one with a baked brie at the centre and twists of pastry wrapped bacon radiating out from it. The other was a wreath made with a sausage stuffing over cranberry sauce with a piece of brie on top of the sausage ball. We also had mince pies, a Christmas Cake and a Christmas pudding, a large bowl of potato salad, pickles, breads. We worked on with only a short break to exchange small presents.

I had made my usual present of a Boler Family calendar with photos taken in the year. We had some cracking ones this year.  All our gifts were thoughtful and well chosen. We are doing our main present exchange at Lucy’s flat in early January. 

Everyone arrived about 3 – there were 13 of us in total plus a small dear dog called Lucifer, and it was very convivial from the word go. Lots of wine, champagne, … palinka….. the food went down a storm. We flamed the pudding and sang We Wish You A Merry Christmas as we brought it in which seemed to go down very well. Everyone had a spoonfull with brandy cream… some had two!!!!! We in turn tasted the palinka – a local spirit. wowzer it was strong. Here you can watch our reaction.

Later the cards came out and the evening passed very well.

I paid for my pudding indulgence with horrific heart burn in the night which gave me a migraine. We were supposed to go to the outdoor spa this morning at 8am but by the time the paracetemol had kicked in, it was too late and too crowded. Instead after lunch we went on a tour. Firstly to a high point on the Buda side overlooking the river and the city – amazing views. 

Then to Vajdahunyad Castle, a most amazingly atmospheric place on the Pest side of the river. It is a copy of a Transylvanian castle. Beside the castle is a huge open air ice rink, the biggest I’ve ever seen. All around are food and drink vans selling gorgeous looking stuff. We stopped and got hot toddy type drinks. Daisy had hot chocolate with rum.

 We walked a little around the park and then walked up to Heroes Square, anothe stunning location. A great space with classical style monuments to national heroes and by similar style great buildings. Well worth a visit.

Finally we drove down to the Parliament which is by the river. It was getting a bit cold by then, so we didn’t linger.Came back to the flat and watched Hercule Poirot – A Haunting in Venice. 

This has been a very memorable Christmas, so much fun, one we shall always remember, and I do very much recommend Budapest for a winter visit. We are back again in August and this visit whetted our appetite for that.