Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2019.

We’ve had a whirlwind few weeks whilst in London – hectic to say the least! I’m looking forward to spending some quiet time with Mum down in Bournemouth whilst Ants heads up to North Wales to be with Dad.

It’s incredibly mild here in the UK, so no chance of a white Christmas, shame. I had hoped for some snow whilst in the UK, but we have until the 5^thJanuary, so fingers crossed, though not on the day we’re flying! That wouldn’t be good.

After the UK we head back to Chile, overnight in Santiago then our Patagonia adventure begins. We’re heading first to the mystical island of Chiloe, which sits at the point that the land breaks up into deep cold fjords and the snow-capped volcanoes line up on the spine of the Andes down towards Tierra del Fuego. After our log cabin adventure – which apparently comes with ‘en-suite’ Orcas and Sea Lions (really), we then drive up into the Chilean Lake District and bunk down in another log cabin under the gaze of one of Chile’s most active volcanoes, Villarrica. Ominously, the Mapuche people refer to it as Rucapillán meaning ‘devil’s house’. Let’s hope that it’s feeling sleepy whilst we’re there and not cruisin’ for a bruisin’.

Will report.

Meanwhile, enjoy your time with family and friends and let’s try and forget about the madness that’s gripping this world at the moment.

I’ll wrap up 2018 with two cheesy jokes from our Christmas cracker at dinner last night.

Q: Who delivers presents to cats?

A: Santa Paws!

Q: What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?

A: The elf-abet!