So yesterday was going to be family cerntred with lunch at the Huntsman then off to the Holmfirth Christmas Parade. The Huntsman is one of many pubs/restaurants that pop up around the countryside with no other buildings in sight but seem to do a great trade.

Anyway when we got there it became obvious that there were some extra plans afoot. The Happy 60th Birthday decorations were probably a giveaway.

It was seriously cool to have another celebration of this milestone with the English branch of the family tree. Its a rather likeable branch with three particularly impressive twiglets at the end. Am I overdoing the metaphor?

So a hearty lunch was consumed by all. But we were warned off dessert by my Uncle who managed to produce a birthday cake. It seems that when we were in Beverley the other day he had spied a cake shop with an uniced fruits cake with a Christmas ribbon. Seems in short order the Christmas effects came off the almond and white icing on along with suitable decorations. Very impressive. As was the rendition – everyone here sings in local choirs. The guys on reception said it was the best rendition of Happy Birthday they had ever heard and I’d have to agree.

Managed to make lunch last until nearly 4:00 when it was time head down to Holmfirth for the Christmas parade. Catie was playing in the band leading the parade. She plays the Sousaphone so is usually easy to pick out. Jasper was in the parade as one of a number of Jack Frosts wearing a mask and cape made in art classes. Lots of the ids in the parade carried lanterns they had made. Of course it was pretty much dark at 4:30 when the parade began so not a late one. Last time we were here we went to a Christmas concert in Holmfirth which he family were all part off. Nice to experience another local tradition.