Missing Christmas

We're heading off to Egypt via one night in Bangkok ( :) ) next week. My husband has always wanted to see the Pyramids and do a Nile cruise so we're finally fulfilling that dream. Alexandria and Istanbul have been on my list for a long time too so they're in there as well. Can't go all that way and be so close and not do Petra and float in the Dead Sea, of course. It's all very exciting.

BUT for the first time since 1975 and 1976 we're missing Christmas with the family.

At first it seemed like a good plan and we didn't mind because our families are close and we see everyone throughout the year on a regular basis, plus we promised exotic gifts from foreign climes when we return. First a friend issued invitations to his 50th birthday for the week after Christmas Then even worse a nephew announced he and his partner were getting married on Christmas Day to take advantage of the fact the family will be together and her mother and sister will be visiting from Europe. Waaahhh. Then last week a young friend invited us to his wedding in Melbourne just after the New Year.

So we're missing 2 weddings and a 50th birthday. Our only consolation is we'll be drifting down the Nile.

Seasons greetings to all