Christmas preparations at the Equator

23 December 2008 (07.04 AM)

It feels rather odd preparing for Christmas when the weather is, for the most part, like a hot summer day.

Kisiizi Christmas TreeNevertheless, we’ve been doing ‘Christmas’ things for the last few days. Kate had the foresight to insist that we bought some fairy lights when we were in Kampala a few weeks ago, and has been making little stars out of surplus material and pillow stuffing. They’re chubby and pleasing to squeeze.

Do we need another batch?The tree itself appeared in our house 2 days ago, courtesy of John the gardener. The ‘trees’ are really the un-pruned tops of hedges, which are left to grow for exactly this purpose.

Christmas trees at Kisiizi - untrimmed hedges!On the Christmas food front, Kate made a Christmas cake a couple of weeks ago, which we’ll be icing soon; along with a Christmas pudding which we steamed for 3 hours (2 hours to go, we reckon) on the asigiri, the charcoal burner. Last weekend, we (well, mostly Kate) made mince pies. After 40, we’ve still got mincemeat (another excellent buy in Kampala) left over so I’m wondering whether she’ll make more…

It is strange having preparing for Christmas here, but rather nice that we can keep the same traditions as we do at home, albeit with short sleeves and outside eating…

A comment from Mum and Dad J: 23 December (10.58 AM)

Happy Christmas and God bless to both of you.

A comment from Mike, Gilly, Domy & Danielle: 24 December (08.34 AM)

Merry Christmas to you both – we’ll raise a glass to you from Ditchling ! xx

A comment from Mutaahi Edson: 24 December (10.19 AM)

For sure U made a nice decoration for the Christmas. Just at home in Ntungamo but will be back next weekend. Checked on your website & found intersting pics and I decided to comment.
Happy Christmas u & Kate.

A comment from Billy and Simon: 29 December (10.40 AM)

Happy Christmas both of you. You were missed this year. Thanks for keeping us posted on your work over there. It sounds like you are having an amazing time and making a real difference.

xxx

A comment from mary & rodney: 30 December (02.01 PM)

Hope you both had a lovely Christmas, and we wish you peace & contentment in your work and home life for 2009 xx

PHOTOS

Pleasing logs Ljubljana old town panoramic Cobbled street I love tea Fishpond Ljubljana Cathedral The sun on Tavistock Fausta's give-away - Fausta cuts the cake for her family At The Linhay Kate at Fausta's giveaway with Edith, Beatrice and Margaret

More photos at Flickr