Well, it’s over, and its been all about chilling and trips to London
All that lovely build up. The buzzing and excitement as Christmas drew in and its over. But do you know what? It has been fabulous. This is the first year since blogging I have taken a proper break and I have loved every minute. Chilling out watching movies and sipping Baileys, having my little family at home, lazy mornings and scrapping dinner in favor of eating out some days. Seeing friends and family, trips to the cinema and making home-made pizza. Ahhh bliss, and lots of happy memories made.
We have been debating whether or not to go away next Christmas; every ounce of me wants to go off the Cameron House, or on a Caribbean cruise. But Toby loves Christmas so much; I think he is the most excited on Christmas morning. How can we pack him off and go away?
This year has been different
We usually take a festive lodge break the weekend before Christmas. Â However, because of the way the holidays had fallen we couldn’t fit it in. We ended up opting for a post New Year trip to London, and we loved it. The atmosphere was incredible, all the lights were still bright and twinkly and the sales were on. It was perfect, we ate out, drank wine/fizzy pop with friends, people watched, and shopped. And Jack discovered a love for shopping in London.
The highlight of the trip was seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a very special young man playing Mike Teevee. I have never watched someone I know in a show before. My Uncle Bill played the Artful Dodger in Oliver when it was in the West End but I wasn’t born, he went on to play Smokey in the Movie and whenever it is on, even to this day, our whole family watches it with a huge sense of pride. You can’t not love Oliver, can you?
Harry is the son of some of our best friends, the sort of friends that evolve into extended family. So I really struggled to hold back the tears as he did his last bow. The work that goes into a show is incredible isn’t it? And the cast and scenery of Charlie was just amazing. I honestly don’t think there is any better entertainment than seeing a show I just love it. But this was extra special.
It has got me thinking that cities may be the way forward for festive trips of the future.
Jack is of an age where he is happier mooching around Covent Garden, shopping in all his favourite stores. And Joe is happy anywhere, he see’s adventure in everything. I think he gets that from me. I have been saying for years I want us to spend more time in London.  It’s so easy to get to by train, and such a wonderful city. I think I may just make that one of my resolutions for 2017, to see wonderful glorious London in all seasons.
Hope you have had a lovely Christmas too, that time to unwind and relax is so special isn’t it?
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful Christmas. I took time off, too, and we got up to very similar things as you all did, just perfect. My husband was only saying this morning that he wants to go to London again soon and then see it at Christmas, would be lovely x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Ah thank you, yes it is so great to get that chill time isn’t it? And London was wonderful it made me realise we don’t visit nearly as much as we should have x
I fell in love with London the minute I arrived, there is definitely a special vibe in this city that you cannot feel anywhere else in the world. Hope you’ll visit more often, I’ll be traveling vicariously there through your posts đŸ™‚ xoxo, nano | http://www.travelwithnanob.com
I totally agree Nano its such a vibrant wonderful place, and yes I am planing on visiting much more this year x
What a wonderful Christmas baileys and mooching around Covent Garden sounds so special. I think city breaks are the way forward! Happy New Year ????
Yes I agree especially now the boys are getting older they just love London x
What a lovely Christmas round up Sarah. London at Christmas is so magical – so glad you had a good time. Well done on taking some time off at Christmas – I bet you are feeling really refreshed now.
Oh do you know what Joanne I really am, I was so ready for a lovely break and now raring to go and get back to work. And yes London was just perfect we had such a wonderful time x
Oh I definitely missed Baileys this Christmas! London is special in all seasons I think, but especially magical at Christmas with all the lights and decorations – you just can’t beat it! I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s a great show, but there really is nothing like watching someone you’re close to perform on the West End. I’ve been lucky enough to see quite a few of my friends achieve their dreams doing it and I’m always so so proud of them. I hope you have a wonderful 2017! #happydays
Oh wow thats fab Katy, I loved watching Harry. And yes the show was just incredible. You are so right London is always wonderful isn’t it? And there is nothing better than just wandering and people watching x
I have this fantasy every year of Christmas somewhere in a little cottage or lodge with an open fire with Christmas dinner eaten out somewhere within walking distance. No cooking, just quality family time… one day it’ll happen! It sounds like you had a lovely time in London and how special to watch someone you know in a show like that.
Stevie x
We had a fab time Stevie it is such a wonderful city to spend time around Christmas x
I think this year’s festive lights in London were very special – I love London too, and this time of year it’s so special. I don’t think you’ll ever get bored of London…then again maybe I’m biased!
How wonderful to see someone you know in such an amazing west end play. No wonder you were holding back the tears.
Have a good week
#WoTW
Yes they were Tracey, and yes how could you possible ever get bored of such a wonderful city x
Hi Sarah, your photographs are wonderful, I feel drawn into them almost as if I were there. I like to take a bit of a step back from blogging over Christmas, and don’t you find you have so much more time? How proud you must have been to watch your friends lad in the West End.
xx
Ah Debbie it was wonderful and yes its been incredible to have bit of family chill time x
Sounds like London was the perfect end to the festive season, and glad you completely switched off. I know what you mean about going away v staying at home. I would gladly go away as we have done twice before, but the kids love being at home now (that is where the PS4 lives lol). I think going away either before or just after is the way forward for us x
Yes us too Tracey, and lots of eating out over Christmas xx
How amazing to see your friend’s son performing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – what a wonderful moment. I love that your uncle was also in Oliver! – I can imagine it must make you very proud to watch it. London is such a beautiful place to explore and it sounds like you had a lovely time there đŸ™‚ #WotW
I know it was so great Louise. Yes it does make me proud and what a legacy to leave x
Oh it looks like you had a brilliant time. I had been considering going away for new years next year but it will have to be the year after now as everywhere was booked up already!! Not sure I could go away for Christmas – although a cruise I might be tempted haha! Thank you so much for joining us for #HappyDaysLinky x
Yes I could just do with a cruise now !!! And it was such a great time to visit Kate we loved it x
I miss working in London but I don’t think I will enjoy visiting there with the children until they are both a little older. I’m thinking of taking them to a show next summer for our anniversary. We say every year that we wan to go away for Christmas. My husband has to work them but he does have 2018 off so we might go away then #WotW sorry it’s late x
I love seeing shows, they make me so happy. I think I we are going to plump for going just before or just after Christmas unless we go on a cruise, then that would be different ha ha x