Coming from the land down under, our Christmas is usually hot, so we gave away traditional Christmas fare a few years ago, for lunch round the barbie. Smoked salmon with lemon juice from the lemons on our tree and/or prawns, usually with seafood cocktail sauce and crusty bread for starters, as well as cheeses and dips and crackers, then we cook anything we like on the barbie. This year I have little steaks, flavoured sausages, little pieces of chicken in different marinades, home made potato salad which includes mint from the garden, and a green salad with cherry tomatoes from the garden, with a balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey and mustard dressing that John makes.

We are working up to it slowly today (Christmas Day) but tomorrow will be the family day and the big gift giving day. One of the starters tomorrow will be brie and pieces of crusty baguette, washed down with a gorgeous French aperitif - Pineau de Charentes. MMMMM!