My 200th Post : Christmas is Here

Well, it's definitely Christmas now, as we went to The Salvation Army's Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-fields Church in Trafalgar Square (we went there for the first time last year and enjoyed it so much that we vowed to go again - and we did!). We sang 4 carols and I haven't sung properly like that for . . . well . . . since last years service! We sang my favourite carol - 'Once in Royal David's City' it always gives me shivers down my spine! Afterwards we went to the National Gallery for tea, a look round the shops, I say shops because there are 3 in the gallery, all the same, but sometimes one sells different things from the others, like different christmas decorations and postcards. We also managed to look at a few paintings as well then we made our way back through the pouring rain, past the Salvation army brass band playing carols on the steps of St Martins and to Charring Cross, and for once we got a train immediately!

A few leaves hanging onto the trees in Shirley's garden

That big grey cloud at Bluewater on the morning of the North London tornado

Although the sun came after 30 minutes of the downpour

Trinny and Susana at their book signing in John Lewis - presenter of 'What Not To Wear' (obviously never taken the advice for themselves!!!!)

Bluewater has had the same Christmas decorations outside for almost 5 years!!!

Although they look lovely at night - but someone didn't check if they were all still working!

Beautiful though

But new decorations inside

The Carol concert - 10 mins after this and it was packed to bursting point

Love the chandeliers!!!

Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery (as it says!)

St Martin-in-the-Fields, right next to the gallery

Not much has been happening. Although very sad, shocking news. My Kindergarten teacher, her son was drowned in a boating accident in August and we only just found out through her sister (who was my teacher too in year 6) in a letter in her Christmas cards. Him and two other friends were on their way to the Regatta in Dartmouth when a P&O ferry ran them down, the boat sank and they drowned. All the bodies have washed up and now so has the boat. It was such a shock as his mother used to talk about him in class when I was 6 - I still remember - and I might have met him once although he was 10 years older then me. Please, if anyone reads this and is Christian in any way, spare a thought and prayer for them and their families.

Emy xxx