White Christmas Past

For another Christmassy trip down memory lane, I was thinking about our wonderful White Christmas last year in England. It really was completely magical, and while I don't normally go for cold it was so special having snow thickly covering the ground everywhere, that it was just like a fairyland and made the whole holiday unforgettable.

Here's some glimpses of what we got up to last year in a little village called Turleigh, just outside Bath in the UK. We awoke to this sight on our second morning there.

Isn't it beyond words beautiful?

Then the first of the sledging took place in the backyard.

We then took a stroll down the road for some more challenging sledging on the local slopes. 

A hike up the road to the local farmers market for some Christmas goodies including a nice big Stilton.

The boys took part in the nativity play at Bath Abbey - but don't look too thrilled to be lowly shepherds

Poppy spent most of her time being pushed around like this because we couldn't drive anywhere due to the heavy snowfall and because the village is at the bottom of a valley and cars couldn't get out. 

Self portrait taken during actual snowfall. I'm the only dill outside in it you'll notice.

On the train at Longleat to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. 

The man himself. 

Breakfast for the kiddies on Christmas morning in this charming 17th century English house.

European trees are so much better for decorating than our daggy Aussie ones. Sorry, but it's true!

Crack of dawn Christmas morning, still dark outside, opening Santa stockings and sacks.

Church service on Christmas Day in the local village. Very quaint and traditional.

All the cousins together.

A post lunch stroll through the snow.

Photos by Melinda Hartwright

I wish we were as happy and relaxed now, as we look in this photo!

We are still battling with various tradesmen about jobs unfinished, outstanding invoices, variations, extra costs, work not complete, work not compliant etc etc and it's really doing my head in. I just want them all gone and the whole thing finished so I can have something else to occupy my thoughts. I'm not really sure the stress and emotional toll is worth it - Thibaut wallpaper or not!

I hope your Christmas plans are coming along and you are feeling happy and festive and enjoying a large dose of Christmas spirit. I hope it warms up in Sydney soon, because it feels more like Christmas in July at the moment. We are off to Byron in January and I have my fingers and toes crossed that it will be hot, dry and sunny. Bring on 2012 I say!!