Four sleeps until Christmas

If I were in Oz this time of year, we’d be enjoying mid 30 degree weather (40 this week), long sunny days, blue skies, a few BBQs in the backyard after work accompanied by a bottle of sparkling red, while busily preparing and counting down for Christmas day.

While I’m still trying to finish the preparations for Christmas and counting down until Christmas day, it’s a whole lot chillier in Blighty with not so much sunshine and no chance of an outside BBQ unless you want to develop frostbite on your big toe. I leave for work in the dark and I get home in the dark.  My wardrobe consists of everything long, black, thermal and padded to the effect I look like an Australian version of the Eskimo (well kind of). I’m definitely not used to the cold yet.

But it’s not all miserable.  A cold wintery Christmas, while something I’ve not experienced much in the past, is something I’m looking forward to. I’m hoping for snow but do know that’s not very likely. It doesn’t snow much in London so I’m told. When I open the curtains every morning I do momentarily hope I will see snow falling just like you see in the movies and hear in the Christmas carol… Keep dreaming Tania.

So what is different about Christmas here compared to Oz? The following comes to mind;

 1.  Christmas Lights and Window Displays in London

Ok so I know you get loads of Christmas lights in Oz, just take a drive late one night and you’ll find houses lit up like Christmas trees. But have you ever wandered the streets in London such as Oxford and Carnaby Street? And visited the likes of Fortnum and Mason to see their Christmas window displays? If you're ever in the need to make it feel like it's really Christmas then try it out.

Oxford Street

Outside Tiffanys

Fortnum and Mason window display

Fortnum and Mason window display

2.  The Christmas Jumper

In Oz you wouldn't think of wearing a jumper this time of year. Mid 30-40 plus weather and it's purely t-shirts, shorts and thongs (flip flops). So the fact 50% of the British population in London own a Christmas themed Jumper (thanks Wikopedia) is a new concept for me. I thought you only saw that in the movies e.g. Bridget Jones Diary, but no, it's all the go over here. 

I wonder if I'll get one for Christmas!

3.  Mulled Wine

The alternative to sparkling shiraz perhaps? My first try at mulled wine and I can safely say it is a good hearty warming winter drink. For those of you who haven’t ever tried it… mulled wine is typically red wine or port/claret mixed with various spices. Do drink it sparingly.

4.  Ice Skating

Temporary ice skating rinks start to pop up around key locations in London in November/ December. If you enjoy ice skating you can get your fix at places like Hampton Court Palace, the London Eye, Natural History Museum, Somerset House, Hyde Park and the Tower of London. Imagine ice skating outdoors while it’s snowing… it’s just like the movies!

5. Pantomimes & Christmas Theatre

Last year I was lucky enough to see The Nutcracker. But there is an array of various Christmas plays and theatre including the traditional Pantomime. In Oz we don't really see or hear about any pantomimes so in case you're wondering what they are... they're are a form of musical comedy for families in which the audience is expected to participate such as singing or shouting out phrases.

6.  Bread Sauce and Brussel Sprouts

Instead of the Killer Tomato it’s the Killer Brussel Sprouts for me. I have nightmares about Brussel Sprouts particularly since I'm still scarred by being forced to eat them as a child. You can jazzy them up with bacon and bits but seriously I can't eat the things.

Then there is Bread Sauce….can't say I'd heard of it before but if you want to try it with your roast Turkey this year follow the link to Delia's recipe.

And yes these are all served up with Roast Turkey which is a tradition in both countries no matter what the weather. 

Well time to go and finish some off my Christmas jobs such as ice the cakes. Thankyou for taking the time to read my blog and wherever you are in the world have a safe and happy Christmas.

A stay at the South Place Hotel

It's not often you take time out to holiday in your own city. Typically you want to escape it. Think of the smog, crowds, cement... who really wants to stick around for that?  Wouldn't wide open spaces, green fields, flowers in bloom and fresh country air be what you crave? Perhaps it's what you prefer, I know it's typically what I prefer.  But sometimes it's worth staying local and pretending you're on holiday.  We recently stayed at an inner city hotel right smack bang in the middle of high-rises, cement, road works and after work crowds. Now that might put you off, but you have to have an open mind and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by my two nights stay at The South Place Hotel.  

Located just near Liverpool Street Tube Station (less than a 10 minute walk), South Place Hotel is unassumingly set among city work blocks.  Unless you knew it was there or if you walked past during a Friday after work drinks session you would walk straight past. 

A new and modern hotel, South Place has only been open for 12 months but its surprising the level of detail it has to make your stay extra special. At the reception desk you are provided with a refreshing minted tea to sip on while the friendly staff check you in. 

The rooms are modern, not huge but big enough for just a two night stay. A comfortable bed and pillows makes it extra hard to get out of bed in the morning, that and probably one to many glasses of red the night before.  The motorised blind completely blocks out any sunshine (let me rephrase...light) so if you have flown in the night before and feel like wasting the day away you wouldn't know what time of day it was.

I loved the detail in the room, from a fresh lemon and lime for your G&T to personalised directories of activities to do either in the hotel or nearby. Then there's the 'oranges and lemons say the bells of st clements' body products in the bathroom.

A great restaurant doubles as a breakfast room and I can highly recommend at least trying the breakfast one morning while you are there.

The hotel has its own games room equipped with pool table, lounges, library, board games and even a turntable if you want to try your DJ skills. Once again I lost all rounds of pool.

If you want an excuse to stay in London after work one night or are looking to surprise your other half, then stay at The South Place Hotel.

Bye for now!