Guest writer 6 - oh come all ye protesters

Merry Christmas everyone! The BBC news site has informed me that I am officially sad to go online on Xmas Day, but the festivities here start late (and go on late) so I reackon I can fit in a quick blog.

Fi has gone to church (I went to the carol service last week so not feeling that guilty), and I am scoffing breakfast (at midday) and preparing for the mega lunch/evening extravaganza we have later.

Our first Xmas in Beirut will definitely have been memorable, and it is good to see that Lebanon, despite everything, is really pushing the boat out to celebrate. What surprised me a bit is that everyone seems to celebrate Christmas, whether Christians or Muslims, and this year with Eid al-Adha falling between Xmas and New Year most of the country seems to have gone on a much needed knees up. I have never known a tense atmosphere like the last month, it has really been very difficult to do anything meaningful - the country really is split badly. But as my Lebanese friends say this is really how it has always been; Lebanon is just the playground for greater powers as usual. It doesn't mean there will actually be any trouble.

The squares in the centre of town are still full of protesters but it is very much a hard-core of campers now, and we are not expecting any developments until the New Year. They certainly have some good Christmas trees down there, and it is all very friendly. Diplomats are still running around trying to get a solution, but it will still take a few weeks. Probably a deal of some kind will be done - the alternative is too awful to contemplate.

We threw a big 'solstice' party on Thursday and around 50 people came. Quite hard work getting it all ready, but Fi did a great Steak Pie and I did a North African Lamb thing (thank you Jamie Oliver) and we still have loads of cake left as everyone brought things to eat. The interesting thing about Christmas here is that the Lebanese follow the French model and have a big meal at home on Xmas Eve, then apparently Xmas Day is a major night out - whereas of course in the UK we go out on Xmas Eve then spend the day itself with the family. Thus we found ourselves with some friends in a deserted restaurant last night (a new place in Gemmayzeh called Copper), and tonight we will be in with about 20 of us eating and drinking for England while the pubs and cafes are packed.

The weather is lovely (still) and cold at night but warm in the sun in the day. We are expecting rain later on Boxing Day and maybe some snow in the mountains as we have vague plans to go skiing in the New Year. I am working 3 days between the 2 then got the first week of 2007 off. Still it beats freezing fog in London.

Have a happy Christmas and a great New Year wherever you are!