Happy Holidays…from London with Love

Welcome Christmas….The weather has officially turned now into crisp mornings where you want to just stay snuggled under the duvet.  It is a welcome change though from all the sunshine.  It really makes it feel like the holidays are beginning.  As if Spain wasn't cold enough for me I decided I needed to venture out to colder climates and hop on over to London for a quick trip.  As always my trips fly by too quickly but every minute of it was packed with fun, friends and holiday cheer.  I took an early flight on a sunday with the hope of having the whole day there….that did not end up being the case.  Once again crossing into the UK was a trial and took forever.  I happened to arrive at the same time as a flight filled with groups of teachers coming over.  You would think that would make it quick…the whole group with one person and stamp away.  Nope…each one went

Harrods designer windows

separate and had piles of paper work that had to be gone through.  I think I waited about 2 hours just to get through the line.  The good thing was by the time I got up there they were so happy just to see a normal tourist with a passport they just stamped me through with only the basic questions.  Silver lining I guess.  So, after cab, airplane, bus, tube and bus again I unlocked the door to Lauren's place and felt like I was home again.  Since I arrived a bit late I changed quickly and headed out to meet Helly at the ballet.  Now this wasn't just any old ballet show this was a performance by the Ballet Boyz.  They are the ballet company that Michael Nunn (dad of the family I have worked with in London) co-founded.  I have heard all about them and seen a rehearsal but this was my first time seeing them perform.  I was so excited to see them and also so glad Helly was with me.  When the lights went down and the boys came out I was not disappointed at all.  They were beautiful, powerful, and amazing.  I couldn't take my eyes off it the whole time and wanted more when it ended.  It was like nothing I had ever seen before.  Please check out the website balletboyz.com and if you get the chance go see them.  They are beyond

Christmas Market Hyde Park….German cookies.

talented!!!  Helly and I had a nice catch up too that night during the intermission.  So lovely to see her and hear all about her new teaching job and becoming a home owner in London.  The next day was pretty much friend day.  I bussed and tubed it around town seeing everyone.  Bella and Rudi were my first stop.  As always Rudi was lovely and chatty.  After our initial hello there was a few moments of silence where he was having a little think then he just turned and said " I love you Sara".  I tell you, kids can just melt your heart sometimes.  After a quick cup of tea and whirlwind chat with Bella I was off to South Kensington to have lunch with Polly.  It is always a treat to see this girl.  She is one of the most genuine, honest caring people I know.  She is the type of person you would trust with anything and can always have an amazing time with.  I am so lucky to have her in my life.  Our lunch was comfort food and conversation which on this cold day was perfect.  As our fish pie and chili were finished Polly headed to work and I went back to East Sheen for my next stop to visit Anja, Lilly and Lara (friends of Michel and Diana who I have adopted as my friends too).  We spent a lovely evening sharing a

Hyde Park Ice Rink

glass of wine while being entertained by the girls.  Lara had some really sweet new Disco dance moves which had us all cracking up.  I was sent home that night with some beautiful drawings from the girls and a heart filled with love.  As I headed back to meet up with Lauren I was overflowing with joy.  I was in my favorite town, getting to spend time with so many beautiful friends…it doesn't get much better.  I really, truly feel so blessed.  The next day I was on my own all day but had a plan.  That plan was to pack in as much Christmas as I could into one day.  I hit the ground running in the morning with my first stop at

Santa stops here….for a drink

Harrods.  In all my times there I have never stopped in.  I was told the designer windows were lovely and they truly were.  I did a quick walk through, looking at all the items I could not even afford to look at, and watching the Harrods doormen dressed in green carrying out bags and boxes for other customers.  It was a bit like in the movies where the very rich lady walks in front of the man carrying more then he should humanly be able to.  After my commercial Christmas moment I headed into what I hoped would be a bit more traditional christmas stuff in Hyde Park.  Arriving there and walking under a carnival style sign to enter I knew it was not going to be exactly what I wanted but figured I'd give it a go.  The first bit was pretty good.  There were lines of cabin style booths with all sorts of crafts and goodies.  Then there were German beer gardens with mulled wine also and of course there was an ice skating rink.  It is always fun to watch people trying to be cute and romantic on these while getting bumped and knocked into by the kids who are attempting to stay upright.  My most important find in this carnival style christmas was Santa's Pub.  In case you ever wanted to saddle up to a tree shaped bar table and share a pint

Christmas…South Bank Style

with jolly old St. Nick you now know where to go.  After all my walking I popped into my favorite Westminster pub (St Stephens) and gave my feet a rest.  While I relaxed and read my book I all of a sudden was struck by the fact that all the people sitting around me in this pub were speaking Spanish.  I had to laugh (on the inside of course) because one thing I was excited about being in London was to be surrounded by English (with that lovely accent) again and here I was in a English pub hearing nothing but Spanish.  Just another moment of comedy for me in my crazy adventure.  Back to the christmas day…with rested feet I

walked across the bridge to the South Bank Christmas Market.  Here I found my christmas moment.  It was gorgeous.  Lines of shops along the water selling everything.  Tasty mulled wine (which is now my favorite holiday drink), bright lights and holiday music playing.  Everyone was in scarves, hats and gloves but the weather was just right for this glorious night….plus a couple glasses of mulled wine and you are toasty anyway.  I wandered around taking pictures and just stopping and taking it all in.  It was beautiful and I didn't want to leave however I had to because my night had another stop…dinner in Richmond with 3 great

Many good times have been here….and more to come!

ladies.  We met up at the Pig's Ears which has been the location of many amazing nights from tin foil giraffes in a pub quiz to making friends from across the room.  This spot is dear to my heart and always a great place to begin an evening.  Dinner was also lovely at a new restaurant in town but the best part about the night was the company.  Helly, Lauren, Claire and I chatted, drank and ate having a great time.  It is so interesting how people come together.  We all met by chance because we worked helping the same family but yet have become great friends through the process.  I sometimes think back to that moment of accepting the job in

Two of the best ladies (Helly and Lauren)….Lucky to know them!

London.  I had no idea how much my life would be changed by it.  Of course I knew I would have a great time but never expected to find friends who have become family.  I have heard people (including myself) many times say that their inner circle of close friends is full and they just don't have room for more.  I now don't believe that can ever be true.  You just have to open your heart a little wider.  I look at these people who are now in my life because of these experiences and I can't imagine my life with out them.  I am so grateful to have started out my holidays here and am looking forward to this coming Christmas season.

Happy Holidays from London with Love!