Time for a catch up, no? It's been a while, plenty has happened so I'll try and keep it brief.
Jackie's parents have been and gone. We had a great 2 1/2 weeks showing them around and having them here for Christmas.
So what have we done?
Winter wonderland was one of the first outings. Burgers, Bratwurst and Mulled Wine were consumed. There are loads of Christmas stalls, fair ground rides and games, food, booze and ice skating - what a great combo. After looking around winter wonderland we walked to Oxford St via Park Lane and some fancy car shops, which I think were of more interest than anything else for some in the group! The next day someone was stabbed on Oxford St near where we had walked, a bit of a worry.
The next thing was getting to Oxford. The people mover we rented wasn't big enough for all of us so plan B was required which involved Phil and Julie heading up on the
bus.
Next day (23rd) shopping excursion to Bicester Village, coming home via our first pub of the holiday season.
The Abingdon Arms in Beckley.
Christmas eve we caught the bus in to Oxford for some more shopping, and more pubs. First was All Bar One for lunch.
Then the famous
Turf Tavern for pints and mulled wines.
The girls headed back to the house, the boys took an opportunity for one more pint at
The Bear. A very small pub but Theo managed to squeeze his pram in, it blocked the way to the ladies toilet but the ladies didn't mind.
Christmas day started with light breakfast and presents. Somehow our Christmas tree had mountains of presents underneath it so the present opening was quite a big part of the morning.
I was on Christmas lunch so occupied myself in the kitchen the rest of the morning with some homebrew from the man of the house (who was in NZ with his wife so we had the run of their house). Christmas lunch turned out quite well if I do say so myself. Turkey was juicy and tasty, veggies weren't over done like I sometimes do, and all the trimmings were cooked well and tasty. I was quite pleased. Pav for dessert courtesy of Julie.
Boxing day, after turkey left overs for lunch we drove to
The Trout for a pint and then walked to
the Perch for another pint.
27th was a trip to Henley, a walk along the river and then a great meal at
the Angel pub.
Followed by a bit of shopping, they boys took the opportunity for another pint, this time at the underwhelming
Catherine Wheel.
28th was a quiet day at home, with a couple of pints at the very good local pub the
White Hart, probably best that we didn't discover that one sooner.
29th home to drop the car off.
30th can't remember, maybe a rest day.
31st Boys (minus Theo) went to Arsenal v QPR at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal won. We didn't even attempt staying up for midnight, had yum yum yum takeways and then to bed.
1st I took the in laws up to Camden Market, where it poured with rain, it always does when I go to Camden. We went to the icecream shop, then to a pub for (a pretty average) lunch. The bar staff had clearly been up since the day before but were in good humour. Turns out the pub (
Hawley Arms) was a Amy Winehouse fav.
 |
| This is not my mother in law |
2nd In laws went out on the hop on hop off bus tour
3rd I'm back at work, quiet day followed by dinner at Bodean's in Calpham
4th I'm at work, others had a quiet day.
5th Our wedding anniversary. A walk in the morning, included a bit of sheltering from the rain in a new bakery that wasn't open so we couldn't buy anything, very confusing. Once the rain cleared we made our way to a boulangerie for breakfast - yummy pastries. Back home, the babysitters turned up and we headed out to
Harrison's for lunch which was great. Food and wine was yum, service a bit slack but we had a great time. Came home via a new bakery where we got coffee.
6th I was at work again,
curry for dinner from you know where.
7th In laws packed up, final pub lunch at
The Hope in Wandsworth Common. A bit of a walk before heading out to the airport.
A great, very busy Christmas. No snow, in fact it was very mild and is only now starting to get cool.
Post with a Theo update within the next few days, I promise.
