Chapter 33

Final month, festivities and farewells - Part One

Once we decided to return home to Australia, our calendar started to bulge - plus we had Christmas - so bodies bulging as well!
I had subscribed to many email alerts to get good deals of things happening in London.  One which caught my attention was Swan Lake being performed at Sadlers Wells.  This was a much acclaimed modern interpretation of the classic ballet, so this pas de deus pirouetted off to see it.  Absolutely amazing!  Music brilliant and the "gay" interpretation of the story, interesting.
I needed to explore Regent St and Oxford St again, but when I saw Pip's face, (how "long" is long) about a shopping expedition, we agreed that he would go to the Imperial War Museum and the London Transport Museum while I did this. Better for me as well, as there is not always a "husbands" chair around.  I thought I would employ Santa's little helpers, (my credit cards) for the day!
The winter weather was dealing out some chilly but wonderful sunny days, so we went further into Kent to explore where Pip's mother was born - a seaside village called Faversham.  We went to St Mary's Rd and stood outside #35, the actual house where she entered the world, one in a long row of terraced houses.  After this, we headed about 3km to St Bartholomews in Goodnestone, a simple and unassuming Norman church in a field, where his grandmother was married in 1920.  After here, we went to the cemetery to see where some family members were laid to rest. 

35 St Mary's St

St Bartholomews church

Another trip down memory lane was to return to the home Pip lived in when he was a small child, a place called Chislehurst, again in Kent.

House at Chislehurst

Staying in the area, we visited the Chislehurst Caves, a labyrinth of man made tunnels totalling 35 km, forming an underground maze over 6 hectares, and up to 30m below homes and woodlands.  Originally dug for chalk and flint, it first opened in 1900.  They have been used for munitions storage, concerts, mushroom growing and an underground "town" or air raid shelter protecting over 15,000 people every night during the blitz.  Complete with church, hospital, and a citizens advice bureau!  Some of Pip's family were evacuated here during WW2, so quite pertinent.

Inside the caves (pinched from Web)

A pre-Christmas treat with Pip's cousins was a "White Cliffs of Dover" journey with the leisurely pace of steam travel.  A dozen carriages pulled by two beautifully preserved steam locomotives - "Black Fives - 44871 & 45407, The Lancashire Fusilier".  We enjoyed a five course meal in a wood-panelled Pullman-style dining carriage with a few festive "bevvies"!  Round trip around six hours.

Near the top of our bucket list, was to experience a performance at Royal Albert Hall and what better time than Christmas.   The performance of Carols by Candlelight by a large choir and full orchestra in full 18th century costume was exhilarating, and the music consuming.  We did get the chance to sing as well, a bit daunting in the venue where we have seen DVD concerts of Rod Stewart, Simply Red, Adele and many others perform.........but we made an all out effort, albeit out of key!

Orchestra & choir

Before the show

Ah, then Christmas was upon us......... the time of nibbles, turkey, ham, mince tarts, wine and chocolates.  Not only was the stocking stuffed but we were as well!  The amount of food was as impressive as it was excessive. 
We enjoyed an "Eve" lunch with family and friends at the local pub.

Then it was Santa's big day.  We woke up to the delicious smell of the bird roasting, and the table set for the repast.  The tree was guarding a wealth of gifts which seemed to have grown overnight.  To our amazement, Hamish (cousin's dog) had earlier sniffed under the Xmas tree and had torn the paper from the only present that was addressed to him!  Cleverly, he ignored other gifts containing chocolate.  Clearly, he couldn't wait for everyone else.  It was a wintery day, but we were snug, and so different to Singapore last year! 

 

We headed north in our Rav 4 rental car to Stratford-Upon-Avon to meet up with friends.  The purpose was the season start of the hunt - a traditional Boxing Day event.  Hunting is an issue that divides the country, but Warwickshire has a very strong tradition with this sport dating back to 1791.  We were keen to be a spectator along with about 1000 other people at Upton House to watch them head off over the fields.  Exhilarating! 

 

We went for a walk in our "wellies" and then headed to the pub - only to help stick with tradition, mind!  This was followed by another tradition, "Christmas leftovers" for lunch, but what a great spread!

We then said our sad goodbyes to all the Hawksford family.  They have been wonderful to us, and we can't thank them enough. MWAH!

Lots more festivities and farewells to come.  See you in Part 2 shortly...

Till the next blog.

Love Annie

XX