Christmas Tourist with Kerry and Craig

Kerry and Craig were in London over the weekend so we met up on Saturday for some Christmas tourism. They (well, Kerry) were looking for a sparkly angel Christmas Tree topper. So we tried to get to Harrods. Our navigation skills were questionable (we blamed a dodgy app) and we ended up in Carnaby (totally the wrong direction). But we did find choccywoccydoodah cafe and shop. The cafe was booked out but the shop was very cool.

We tried some of the cake and surprisingly it wasn't the best. I guess you go for the chocolate which was really impressive. After a sit down and a drink, we started some shopping. All window shopping but it was pretty.

Regency Street.

We eventually found Harrods. However London seems to have sold out of tree toppers. :( We tried Harvey Nichols later as well with the same amount of success.

Harrods.

So we started walking again. We wouldn't have had to walk so much but the tubes were ridiculous. You would think a weekend so close to Christmas they would stop playing around with the tube lines. But no.
We also tried to get Craig to try ice skating but he was not keen. Maybe next year.

Ice rink at the Natural History Museum.

It took a while but we made our way to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It was rammed and just worse. Very pretty but mostly fair ground. I has hoping for more stalls.

Entering.

Rammed.

We did manage to get into one of the revolving bars.

:)

However some bits, mostly the Bavarian village, were very strange.

This was about 3 stories tall.

We gave up early when it started raining. And started walking again. We finally found a tube station that was open. And somewhere to have a drink. It was outside, under an awning but it was fairly dry and we could sit down. I did over 21,000 steps. My feet hurt. But worth it. Lovely day. :)

Christmas at Kew 2

Due me booking so early and others wanting to go later, I ended up going to Christmas at Kew twice. Which was fine with me. It was warmer last week so more pleasant walking around but less atmospheric. 

I think everyones favourite bit was the light tunnel.

Light tunnel

An Amazed Betty.

Trying to do back bends

:)

Everyone was also very amazed with the Hive. And it calmed them down. (I think there was quite a bit of sugar consumption. A lot of hyper people!)

Chilling

Trying out the Bee listening

Attempting pole dancing.

More sugar!

Hampton Christmas Fair

Sunday evening was Hamptons Christmas fair. They closed off some of the main roads and most of the shops had a small stall outside. The best was the Santa Train. Though I could not find Santa!

Santa Train

Nativity.

Entertainment

Not a clue

Snow machine!

More music

The Reservoir Dads.

Children's choir

Raffle

Too cute.

Teddy pile.

Chocolate shoes!!!!

Christmas Decorating

My tree arrived! It's a little smaller than I expected. But I think it's cute! 

Tiny tree

Because of it diminutive stature, all the lights and decorations would not fit. I made a load of cross-stitch stockings a few years ago and was excited to finally use them. So I had to improvise.

Decorating the shelves.

Slightly drunk looking fairy

Stockings.

This weekend I also managed to get all my presents wrapped. (It took a while as I seem to have more than I expected and my finger made life more difficult.) Yes, I have finished my shopping! And they are packed, ready to go home. I am really getting excited about Christmas now! We are having a full family Christmas for the first time in a long time. :)

Ready!

Christmas at Kew

Lights!

On Wednesday I took my first trip to Christmas at Kew (I am going again with some friends next time). And it was really cold!

Entrance

They have lit a lot of the trees along with path (about a mile long) as well as the exhibits, which are themed for obviously Christmas. There are also plenty of places to get food and drinks. :) 

Creepy tree

5 golden rings

4 calling birds

3 french hens

2 turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree

I really loved the light tunnel. To music of course.

Dancing elf.

Santa did not look this creepy in real life.

I ate at the fair ground, and I am really hoping we will again. I had tartiflette, basically baked potato, cheese and bacon. So nice. And they have rum punch and mulled cider and wine. No, I did not try all of them. But will give the other a shot next week.

They have a few fair ground rides. Why do carousel horses always look slightly demented?

Freaking out!

And some rosters as well

Lantern garden

I thought I read they were getting rid of the Hive. Thankfully they aren't (yet at least). And it looks great lit up.

The Hive

Looking up

 I also found a secret little stop which most people seem to miss. Unfortunately it was way too cold to sit outside and enjoy it.

Also hoping to visit again next, there is a stall selling amazing giant marshmallows next to open pits you can roast them over. (This is one US tradition I miss.) The strawberry and Champagne marshmallows were very nice. (Though an open fire is better. You can get them crispier!)

Roasting marshmallows.

Stags head.

Giant Candles.

More elves.

The grans finale is the light show over the pond and against the palm house. Very impressive. And it was so cold the pond/lake was frozen over. 

Snow flakes.

Drama.

I loved it! I can't wait to go again! And I am definitely in the Christmas spirit now. I have also brought a tree (a little smaller than I expected but it going to be dressed soon!). 

In other news, I spent today in hospital again, thanks to a vicious can which sliced open my finger last night. And would not stop bleeding. After 16 hours, I figured enough was enough. And spent 3 hrs in urgent care to make sure it was ok. It is. Just painful and gross. And I am still of occasionally bleeding on things! (Doing the tree tomorrow and my christmas wrapping is going to be interesting.)