.. and a partridge in a pear tree!

Well, perhaps not quite a partridge but most definitely a parakeet - beautiful green, beautifully photographed (from indoors) and beautifully nervous.   But the proof is in the pudding -

It's getting very Christmassy here - it's amazing to be driving home at 4.45 pm to come across scenes like this - (taken, as can be seen, from the passenger seat)

That is just a private house and contains a revolving carousel, moving Santa etc etc.  The proceeds go towards the Blind Society, though quite how the money is donated I'm not too sure.

Caroline with a British Christmas tree.  

To take the trees home, they get fed (feet first) into one of these machines and they come out like -

THAT!  Damn clever these Brits.  And then, not to be outdone, they provide these clever contraptions -

(not quite so beautifully photographed) but if you could SEE it, it looks a bit like a dog's bowl with legs sticking out of the top, then the screws are fixed through it to hold the tree in place, and water in the bowl to keep the tree alive.

Some will remember that this time last year, the whole of England had come to a stop with a huge snowfall which lasted about 5 days.  At the time I wondered whether it was wise for me to stay on into December, but so far so good.  As I sit typing this, I'm looking at a beautiful sunny day with hardly a breathe of wind.  I haven't gone out in it yet, but I AM now wearing my thermals - with 4 degrees and dropping last night.

Quite apart from all of the Christmas excitement, we've been out for more meals together with the family and visited another daughter and her family for supper last night.   If I'm required to wear a Santa suit over the next few weeks, there will be no requirement for extra padding I fear.

This afternoon our plan is to 'pop into London' (now THERE'S a phrase I don't hear very often at home!) to see the winter wonderland exhibition. 

Or is it the Christmas wonderland?  You'll just have to wait to see my next blog for the answer to that.  But meanwhile, be good because Santa is watching and only gives such treats to good little boys and girls.

Ho ho ho -  I do so LOVE a winter Christmas!