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Diary – 2021 December
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All my diary pages going back to 2009
DRAWING & PAINTING:
1 December
While out shopping we saw this winter scene in a shop window, but we couldn't decide if it was an icy path to the house, or a well used ski slope! It is just right to start the Christmas season mood.
2 December
This is the wonderful Christmas display at Shortlands Station. The Father Christmas face on the model is a bit startled looking, I think it was made for some other more scary event! Plenty of Grinches around but the station staff are determined to have a proper Christmas here anyway.
I like to see Nativities in shop windows, and this shop was actually selling them, so there were several.
We travelled on to Carshalton and after shopping sat by the ponds for our sandwiches. After we left, all these pigeons came in to clear up any crumbs, which were very few indeed!
5 December
Today was the Santa Dash in the park, finishing in the shopping centre area further along the high street. Everyone finishing gets a medal on a ribbon.
Time to do the Christmas tree. Someone has untangled the lights for me, my job is to get the decorations on, starting with these favourites, which are older than me!
All done and sparkling. These snowflakes fell off the tinsel, I will stick them up somewhere.
6 December
We went to Watford which is north of London. Another lovely big size Nativity in the shopping centre.
We had our snacks in the warm, and then this train came past us twice, it all helps to keep the children entertained while presents and toys are being secretly bought.
9 December
In the afternoon we went to Somerset House by the riverside to watch the skating. This year they have some new skate aids for grown-ups, but no children's area or penguins this time.
There is always a huge tree next to the ice rink. Here is The Strand, which leads to Trafalgar Square.
We walked to Covent Garden, with an even bigger Christmas tree. There are lots of specialist markets stalls and little shops, with eating places on the lower floor.
I really like this sparkly selfie tunnel, and these Forest Domes where you can have a meal in the warm, surrounded by trees and lights.
The we went on to Seven Dials, which has seven streets meeting there. The monument has six sundials, and the monument itself is the seventh item of interest, just to keep it all matching!
Next, on to Trafalgar Square, with Nelson's Column and the big tree given every year by Norway. The little group on the right were singing carols, but I think they might need an amplifier next time!
This big Nativity display is here every year. There are lots of Christmas cabin stalls all along in front of the National Gallery, selling food and souvenirs and other Christmas stuff.
11 December
Today we went to the Christmas Tree Festival at Christ Church, Erith, which is close to the Thames. We look forward to it every year. Carols are playing all the time and they echo around the old church.
At the front is this little barn with the large Nativity figures and real straw. Brown Teddy's favourite tree is this one with the white dove wings on top.
Above the altar is a beautiful projection of the Star of Bethlehem.
My favourite is this tree with voile pieces to spread the light. I am glad we have cold LED lights now, the old bulb lights were hot and might set it all on fire! I just love these crocheted bells and we are going to make some for next year.
I really like this waiting room at Bexleyheath Station, very cosy and smart. Some talented person has done a lovely chalk drawing of a stag. Or maybe it is a reindeer for Christmas?
13 December
Hurrying through London Bridge Station, we just had time to get a picture of their tree with a special star on top. Through the window we saw this fox and robin on a tree stump.
16 December
We are at the river Thames at the end of a gloomy afternoon, and Southwark Bridge illuminated underneath.
This is the recreated Globe Theatre. This riverside lighting column looks like a setting sun, descending on St Paul's Cathedral.
We then walked down Clink Street, these are the last remaining fragments of Winchester Palace. Then on to Borough Market, where all the food stalls were packing up for the night. London Bridge railway tracks are immediately overhead.
17 December
We went to Canary Wharf to see what Christmas things were there. The trees are all wrapped in white lights. This is the covered ice rink, we could not watch as there was no access, so we just had our sandwiches on the park bench. I like all these red fleeces on the cafe tables, for the chilliest person in the group.
This tunnel leads from the street into the Crossrail building, it is very colourful inside, it reminds me of bus seat moquettes.
We went up to the roof garden, partly covered and partly open to the weather. We saw some flocks of goldfinches eating seeds off the trees, all twittering together. This is a good place for them to shelter when it is really cold and snowy.
Paths wind along either side to the restaurant at the very end. Outside the coots have a very cosy private house to stay in at night.
Further along are these huge old cranes on wheels, now just historical items. Apparently each foot had an engine in it to move it along.
We walked back to Cabot Square, it was rather chilly watching the cold fountains and spray.
24 December
We have a pair of robins resident in the garden, they come and sit on the pots when they see someone in the kitchen. I have spent the last week putting a red ring round some programmes I don't want to miss.
This illuminated candle decoration is my favourite, with swirling glitter and a colour changing light. In the middle of the shelf are all my little wire trees.
Brown Teddy will be watching the Noraid Santa all night and then dashing to bed when he gets near the UK, but we will switch off long before then.
25 December
Early morning I looked out the kitchen window and saw a blackcap eating the cotoneaster berries. Later on our regular robin came for his breakfast.
I have a few extra things for the wood pigeons, as it's Christmas Day.
The Yorkshire puddings turned out really well, and plenty of roast potatoes to go round. The Christmas pudding and other goodies are waiting in a delicious pile in the corner!
The stuffing balls are a little overdone underneath, but easier to dish out. Dino was first up on the table getting his teeth into the dish of Yorkshires.
After Christmas dinner we watched the Queen's speech, here is the band playing on the steps at Windsor Castle.
We love our Queen and always cheer her on during the speech. Here she is looking very relaxed and happy with Prince Philip on a holiday in Scotland. What a lovely friendly neighbour she would make!
Then we watched the new Mary Poppins film, here she is floating in on the wind holding a runaway kite. They go on a big undersea adventure when they jump into the foamy bath tub.
Halfway through the film, we paused it so we could have our Christmas pudding. We cut bits off and microwave them for a minute. We always have the stripy ice cream.
Look at this wonderful tablet and stand, I shall have a great time playing with this. Brown Teddy is already eager to read his new Rupert annual.
26 December
A relaxing day, especially when there is a big box of sweets to open, and Rupert adventures to read.
We watched the World's Strongest Man competition, it wears us out watching them lift all those ridiculously heavy things, and in the second picture actually walking along with them!
29 December
Today we went to Wandsworth shopping centre to get a computer bit. We found this amazing go-kart area that goes round in figures of eight on two levels.
We waited for our bus outside the Town Library, I like to see these old heraldic statues kept in good order and colourfully painted.
We went to Battersea Park. In the sub-tropical trees part, some of the palms are wrapped up against the winter. The breeze was rippling over the lake, but with so many big trees everywhere, our walk through the park was quite pleasant.
It was a lot windier when we got to the Thames riverside. Not much goes past at low tide, so we only stayed a short while and got the train home.
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