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.

Sun Pods

As Blighty gives out another blissfully cold day with weather warnings the focus on all news channels, I thought I'd share my new invention. 

The sun pod.

No these are not sun beds that aid a glowing tan and skin cancer. These are sun pods for the light we so lack and the vitamin D our bodies crave.

You know those outdoor portable heaters, well this is an enlarged version set up like a street light but they give out the necessary Vitamin D for our healthy bones (and minds).

The pods are so large a cafe can be set up under them and you can sit and enjoy a lovely cup of coffee in pure warmth and light.

Aaahhhhhh to dream.

Meanwhile the latest BBC forecast...5 degrees and steadily falling to about 2 overnight. Snow and flooding on top of it.

Please bring me snow and skip the rain....!

Surviving Winter

If I thought my glorious tan, which I had worked so hard to achieve, could withstand the midst of a really cold winter in Blighty then I was up for a shock.

My once tanned skin is so luminous that when I look in the mirror I have to pinch my cheeks a few times to get the blood circulating. I kind of look like a vampire without the fangs.

Makeup doesn’t help. And I refuse to succumb to the fake tan craze that the poms are renowned for. Yes I’m buggered and will be forever more a luminous whitey. I wish to god I had inherited some of my ancestors dark skin.

I could be quite cheeky and suggest that the lack of sunlight and vitamin D may attribute to the high proportion of red heads over here.... but there may be another reason for that!

Those skinny legs that I worked so hard to get brown are no more. The poor things don’t even get out much except when I’m at home in the comfort of a heated apartment.

Thermals are a standard item to be worn daily and after a while you totally forget what sexy was like.

Heels well what are they? It’s winter boots and trainers at the most and I reckon if I had to wear a proper pair of heels for a day my feet would die of shock.

Then there’s the bleakness of the sky that greets you every morning when you wake. You get a few of those days in Oz but they are soon forgotten when you have beautiful blue skies for the majority of the time. But everyday that I get up the clouds are hugging the trees, mr jack frost has been and if I’m really lucky it will be raining and windy on top of it.

brrrrrrrr

It’s completely unmotivating and I wonder how people get things done when really all you want to do on days like that is curl up and go back to sleep or read a really good book near a roaring fire.

Yes I am painting a pretty grim picture so you’d be surprised that I have only been back in the country since late January and haven’t actually had to survive the whole winter... yet.

I do want to reassure you that there is beauty amongst this bleakness of winter and a whole lot to be thankful for.

I’m now married and live with the love of my life. No more travelling 20 plus hours to visit one another on the other side of the world. Phone bills and travel expenses are definately down.

It’s a good excuse for hot chocolate and marshmallows.... yum!

There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing white fluffy snowflakes falling outside your window. They are yet to settle mind you, but it’s pretty exciting when you see it.

Slow cooker meals that warm up the whole house and smell so good. You definitely can’t do this in the summer.

As I sit here writing this post the latest weather forecast for the weekend is snow.... mmmmm looks like I might be wearing those thermals for a little longer!

ps... Yes I'm finally back writing in my newly designed blog page. I hope you like it, not sure if you've missed me but one things for certain.... writing helps maintain my sanity! Bye !