Christmas reunion in Hartburn

"Baa baa!... blah blah!...baa baa blah!"

Even before their boxes were opened I could hear the returning sheep as they were carried up the path by the Postman. They were all so excited to see each other they couldn't stop talking about their amazing adventures. In the end I gave them a small pine cone and the one who had the pine cone could speak while the others promised to be quiet and listen.

Not all the sheep made it home for Christmas. Some got delayed in the post. Some missed their connections. Some were having such a good time where they were, they decided to stay a bit longer....and some have not been in touch for a long while and may even have been kidnapped! We hope to hear from them soon (even if it is only a ransom note!)

INTERPOL will mount a global search for them early in the New Year and it would greatly assist their enquiries if anyone who has not seen a blog from the sheep they sent on, would be kind enough to inquire into its last known location.

Those sheep who did make it home in time for Christmas were Lance the Piper, Esther of Elsdon. Lady Maairy of Corridge was hand delivered by Dick the Vet on Christmas Eve with a pressing invitation to continue her travels in 2012. Oliver of Otterburn arrived very flat all the way from Australia. We fear he may have been run over by the Mail van or trampled in the Customs que. However, having an exceptionally thick fleece, he is non the worse for wear and a quick tweak of his horns quickly restored him to his former handsome self.

By an amazing coincidence, Zoe" of Hartburn arrived back in the same post from David and Trish in Calgary, as her good friend Matilda did from Di in Vancouver. (What are the chances of that?) Zoe" and Matilda, with her distinctive black fleece, had had such a great time together in Vancouver last March that Zoe" had invited her to come to Hartburn for the Christmas reunion.

On Christmas Day, Lady Maairy and Esther of Elsdon were still talking and spent so long in the bathroom 'powdering their noses' that they nearly missed the main course altogether.

The sheep drank lots of pink champagne and ate copious quantities of their favourite broccoli, politely declining the turkey, sausages and bacon rolls.

Each found a silver charm in the Christmas pudding and all posed for Esther to record the event.

Crackers pulled and jokes read, still wearing their paper hats they crowded round the TV to hear wor Majesty give her Christmas speech to the Nation.

Some were a bit disappointed that she wasn't wearing her golden crown studded with diamonds and sapphires, rubies and emeralds.

Lance the Piper thought one of her Grandchildren might have left it in the dressing up box.