happy partying as they say

it was good to hear that y'all in oxfordshire got together.

we tried to call you hugh and margaret, but didn't have much luck. anyway had a lovely chat with steve and a cool video thingy with nic and jen. it was great to see them moving around their apartment in shorts!

we had a really lovely christmas. we have to admit that last year we felt a bit sad, and that sadness led to our acknowledgement that we still sorely wanted a family. this year things are looking a bit different as we have our agreement and are just sending off our dossier to mali!

one of my closest friends jane who, inspired by us, has decided to adopt as a single parent (she had a child who tragically died with her previous partner)has shocked us by telling us that even the home study in england costs £5000, then you are looking at another £15,000 for an international adoption wheras here it is free. so, despite quite an unexpectedly elevated social charges bill last week, we are feeling quite thrilled to be this far down the line without even having spent a penny on the process.

we have had a lovely few days in which, despite our problems with poo systems and the like we managed to relax: two gorgeous days of shopping in les halles and feasting and cooking and drinking and scrabbulousing and talking to friends and family, then a fabulous party at our friends' hugo and kate who run a very lovely vineyard, with all their leftovers - the bread and cranberry sauce and turkey julian always craves plus christmas pud ice cream and silly games and carols.julian says to tell you CP30 was there ( i don't know what he's talking about but if you're a trekkie you will) the day after tomorrow my other closest friend sally arrives with her family so we will have some kiddies around which will be nice.

i am off to paris on the 3rd and will be away for almost 10 weeks on and off. i am not looking forward to being away but the projects are very rewarding. don giovanni doing continuo and an opera by lully with emanuelle haim.

meanwhile, people of the african adoption forum are journeying to bamako to pick up their little malian angel. one day hopefully that will be us. get your last minute words in quick as i am trying to get the dossier together before i go to paris!

we wish you all so much joy and good health, and hugh and margaret in particular. we wish you all the best with your up-coming hospital appointments. i am sure it will all go well, but it must be so nerve wracking for you both. we are always here for you if you want to talk through your fears.

love and a very happy 2008 to you all in merrow-smith land.