A Capital Christmas - Part 1

We left home, and the churchyard in the crisp, deep snow....

So beautiful! Walked and slipped down to the train station and took Alice on her first train ride into London. I had a pocket full of biscuits for bribing her - sure she would be so excited and a total nuisance. We didn't need one treat! The dear little girl sat quietly on my lap, looking out of the window, for the entire journey. The biggest compliment came when a lady was disembarking at Marylebone, looked over and said 'Oh! I didn't realise there was a dog in the carriage!' We swelled with pride!

And London is beautiful and buzzing at Christmas. Lights everywhere. Hardly any snow up here either, just cold & crisp. Last night we saw 'It's A Wonderful Life' at the movies. I shed tears. It gets better and more poignant everytime I see it. Darling George Bailey!

This morning, Christmas Eve, my day of days, Paul took Alice for a looong walk in Regent's Park while I made coffee,tried not to feel too sad about not being where we are supposed to be, bought sticky cinnamon buns and ALL the newspapers (Paul frets if he doesn't have enought to read!) After a quick breakfast, we left Alice with the radio on for company and walked the mile or so to Soho for last minute shopping. First to Wholefood Market for cheeses, bread, dates, avocadoes, treats (!) Then it was lunchtime and we popped into Randall & Aubin for a glass of festive prosecco and something light to eat...

                                                            Paul in holiday mood!!

We had some fun, as opposite the restaurant was a neon lit sex shop...it was very funny to watch the furtive gentlemen looking around before dashing in...!

After lunch, Paul & I split up (temporarily!!) to do some last minute secret shopping before heading home...and now I'm here with Alice, cup of coffee, candles lit. My very favourite part of Christmas. The shops are almost shut...no time for more panic buying (which is really all it is at this time) Nothing to do but sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday.

And I have a wonderful background of Mozart's Don Giovanni filmed at Glyndebourne this Summer on TV.

If we can't be where we were supposed to be this Christmas, then I'm glad to be here.

Happy happy Christmas Eve to everyone. A special mention to my dear Twitter friend Sandy, who's undergoing an operation today. I send her love, special thoughts and wishes for a very quick recovery.

Have a wonderful day. I'll share the rest of our Christmas soon. xoxo