Hibernating and Christmas

I wasn't feeling well earlier this week and the cold weather didn't help to dispel the achy impending flu/cold feeling, which I always find worse than actually being sick. Not to mention I was wrecked from the previous week's festivities... Monday night I was hibernating under my duvet by 8 pm, while my neighbors were out Christmas caroling in the -3 C. I even went without the mulled wine gathering at Francois's house after the carols--or instead of the carols in the case of Corkman (as I was later informed).
I slept about 17 hours... I must have been a bear in a past life. A couple of days later I started to feel a bit better. I walked to the local shop on the icy road and the weather seemed a bit more bearable. Still not in party form though.
Waking up Christmas morning was peaceful and relaxing. I opened my presents from the US on my own and then headed to Nanny Moses' for my annual visit and a delicious Christmas dinner. There were only 10 of us this year, a small gathering for that crowd. Way too many roast potatoes were prepared; Nanny Moses and her daughters are used to cooking for twice as many for Christmas. I met the latest addition to the family, who shares her name with GoGo Girl. GG's mate and I discussed whether GG II would be as mad as GG. Distantly related, there is a chance. GG II's mum, Niambh, has always impressed me as a strong woman. She takes everything in her stride and is extremely capable.
I got caught up on the family news and even won at darts. OK, the kid was only eleven and it took me ages to get the final double to win. Always enjoyable visiting the relatives. It has put me back in form.

Still haven't written about Cuba

I have been awol for a few weeks... When I first arrived in Guadalavarca, I missed being online and writing for my blog. I did jot down notes here and there but am too lazy to get out of my bed and get them now. As the mojitos and Cuba libres started to flow, the notes dwindled.
I arrived at the resort early one Monday morning... only three days after I was supposed to have arrived. I am currently battling with Air France to try to get a refund after all the hassle they gave me. I have badmouthed them to many people, so I hope it affects their sales. Not to be petty.
Standing at the check-in desk, I looked around the open air lobby and spotted my friends who had been wondering what happened to me, according to the receptionist. They looked relaxed and happy. I joined them after getting my room pass. A coffee and cigarette later, I started to relax in the sunshine. Happy finally to be there. The receptionist came over to me again since she had apparently charged me too much. I ended up using three currencies to settle my bill. The resort was all-inclusive, meaning we ate and drank a lot. It is a great system.
After a while, Queenie and I went to get my suitcase and took the shuttle car to my room. She then instructed me on how to get to the beach and headed off. I followed her down. It was beautiful. Lying on a beach lounger, sipping my first mojito in Cuba, and catching up with my friend after not having seen her for seven months. Her husband, Outdoors Man, had gone fishing with an Englishman they had become friendly with at the resort. Heaven. For another four days anyway...