Let's Wrap It Up - Christmas Time

In our nearly 7 years of living away from home, we have managed to spend half of our Christmas' at home and the others here in London.  In 2010 we had a months holiday in New Zealand planned and in 2011 we had a glorious uninterrupted winter break in London.  Although we try to escape to warmer climes in the depths of winter in search of sunshine, we have certainly all fallen in love with the magic of the northern hemisphere festive season.
 
Working on Oxford Street, I spend my days avoiding the maddening crowds, with Christmas time being no different.  I often look out of our meeting room windows and see people scurrying around like ants laden down with high street shopping bags, looking stern and worn, and void of the cheer of the season.  Although all I have to do  to remind me that it is Christmas is look up, to see the darkened skies filled with a sea of twinkling lights.  Every year it takes my breath away.

The window displays are always amazing, the Christmas markets come alive, ice rinks glisten and spiced apple cider never tasted so good.  Our calendars are filled with drinks and gatherings, and we fall into a slow burning festive cheer... it is hard to get overly excited about Christmas dinner for three.

Always on the look out for a bargain trip away into the countryside, it never seems to materialise - the practical side takes over and I struggle to justify spending money to sleep elsewhere in winter when it is lovely and warm here... between skype sessions and late lunch we have created some lovely new traditions away from home.

As the photos show - pre-2010 Christmas was filled with London winter fun, followed by a glorious family affair of sunshine in New Zealand, with 2011 being a time of relaxation, friends and the great out doors in the UK. 

One of the highlights in 2011 was spending Christmas Eve at Windsor Castle.  Our wonderful friends Juliet and Paul invited us to join them and their family for Christmas Mass with Carols at St George's Cathedral.  As we made our way up through the Cathedral via back of house steps, walked quietly passed the Queen Mothers grave, and entered the nave, graced with arching gothic columns which felt as though they could touch the sky, we were reminded of how lucky we are to be living our dream.