Mistletoe,and..,Whine,Anne,kno travel,insurance Mistletoe and.. Whine?

Torres del Paine is among the biggest of Chile’s national parks, occupying almost 600,000 acres (242,000 ha) of land in the south on the border with Argentina. It is also among the most important, receiving a significant proportion of domes Like any American, traveling occasionally is just what I love doing and I bet you share the same stuff with me. But traveling does not mean that you would be safe. Escaping from our job and other stressful activities is just something that w

Anne knows instinctively that it's not going to be the most harmonious of Christmases, this year. Donald's Great Aunt Esme, well into her eighties but with razor-sharp wits and a tongue to match, arrived half an hour ago, only to look each member of the family up and down appraisingly, and pronounce that Anne had 'put on a lot of weight'. By now firmly ensconced in Donald's favourite armchair, Esme's already on her second sherry but still in no better humour, grumbling bitterly about today's youth, the government, the price of eggs - and anything else that springs to mind. She complains that the sherry is far too sweet, whilst proffering her glass for a refill.It seems that it's not only Esme who has reached that 'awkward' age. The children, too, at fourteen and twelve, can be hard work at times and are seriously miffed that they have been sworn to be on best behaviour... no fighting, no bad language and no monopolising the TV whilst Great Aunt Esme's here. How unfair is that? "You are SO out of order", James had wailed, when told of the house rules. Now, after a massive Christmas dinner with all the trimmings - the turkey 'a little dry' and the sprouts 'not quite cooked enough' (according to Esme) - both boys sit on the floor in stony silence, bored and dejected, sighing frequently and glowering at Anne. Donald has poured himself a very large brandy, presumably in an attempt to dull the pain. Anne prays that he doesn't overdo it and end up regaling Great Aunt Esme with his repertoire of very ribald jokes - Esme is rather prudish and would not be at all impressed.As she goes to tackle the washing up, leaving Donald and a slightly inebriated Esme putting the world to rights, Anne reassures herself that all will be well in a couple of days. The boys will be off to spend New Year on their Uncle's farm and, with their young cousins, will find plenty of exciting things to occupy them. Meanwhile, Donald has planned to whisk her away for a romantic break in a luxury hotel.It will be the first time that they've been away together, just the two of them, since before the children were born. On arrival at the hotel, an atmospheric 16th century coaching inn with a delightful olde-world charm, they are greeted with a warm welcome from the friendly hotel staff, whilst a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers, chocolates, a fruit basket and a bottle of the finest Moet et Chandon, chilling on ice, await them in their room. The en-suite room is superbly appointed, classically decorated and has the most decadent four poster bed, bedecked with crisp, white linen and a sumptuous quilt. There are even scented oils and fluffy 'his and hers' shower robes and slippers in the bathroom. From their window, there are stunning views of the beautiful gardens. What bliss! This is the perfect holiday retreat.Having unpacked, Donald and Anne look in at the superbly equipped health club. Anne has an invigorating swim in the heated pool, followed by a relaxing sauna, while Donald heads off to the gymnasium to attempt to shift some of those excess pounds he piled on over Christmas. Then it's back to the hotel room to polish off that bubbly and a few of those chocolates. OK, so they'll be undoing any good they gained from all that physical exercise at the health club, but who cares?A little later, fortified by the champagne and hungry after all the physical exercise at the health club, Donald and Anne feel that a bite to eat is in order and set off for the bar which offers a tantalising selection of light snacks.After a leisurely stroll around the town and a little shopping, they return to their hotel room to freshen up and prepare for their four course gourmet New Year's Eve dinner. The restaurant is warm and full of character, festooned with bright but tasteful decorations. The waiters are attentive but unobtrusive, making sure that their guests receive the best possible service.After a superb dinner, Donald and Anne move to the lounge, replete and happy, settling down on the soft leather sofa in front of a real log fire to see in the New Year and toast each other with yet more champagne.In the morning, a full English breakfast, served to them in that wonderfully soft bed, is a very special treat and adds the finishing touch to a perfect, relaxing break. Before they leave for home, there's just time to check on the boys and to give Great Aunt Esme a quick phone call, to wish her a happy New Year. Yes, she's very well, thank you, and she had a lovely time with them at Christmas. Could Donald just remind her of the joke about the vicar and the barmaid? She's forgotten the punch line, but it was an absolute howler... Article Tags: Great Aunt Esme, Great Aunt, Aunt Esme, Health Club