Winter wonderland ...

This photo was taken from the Princess Diana Memorial Walk in Hyde Park looking across, towards all the lights and festivities.  I agree it's not up to my usual brilliant standard but with a bit of imagination, there are lights glowing in the background.

I'm pleased we went - it WAS fairly cold, but it's amazing what a layer of thermals with several more on top can do.   Last time I came, Steph was talking about the German Christmas markets - and this proved to be pretty similar, with a Show Weekend funfair and circus added for good measure.

 If you could only see it, there's a pigeon eating its fill on the 2nd potato from the right in the top row.  I hope the stall owners didn't think they'd found a cunning storage spot for their next batch of pancakes - I don't think that was the only bird that had found that particular feeding tray!

And who'd have thought I'd be ice skating in the middle of Hyde Park three weeks before Christmas?  No?  Well, someone had to take the photos.  It was rather fun just standing watching it all though - reminiscent of so many old movies from the past - I found it fascinating.

There were some terrifying (from the ground) rides and activities that people were enjoying and the whole place had a party atmosphere which made for a most entertaining afternoon - but ever the brave hero that I am, my feet never once left the ground. The one ahead, rotates the full circle while each chair also rotates a full 360 degrees.  I must be getting old!!

And there was a mini circus - which had just finished as we passed by - mothers and children streaming out of the tent with wide smiles and candy floss.

All in all, a bracing, entertaining afternoon.  It was great sitting in a restaurant, by the Serpentine, drinking hot chocolate and watching the world go by.  It was amazing watching all the swans suddenly leave the water and march, in a line, across the grass towards their beds somewhere behind the trees - and also to note that as the swans departed, the coots (little black birds) took their spots on the edge of the water and appeared to be hunkering down for the night as well.

By 4.30 pm we had walked back to Victoria Station to catch the train 'home' ... past the high walled (and razor wired) perimeter of Buckingham Palace, Queen Boadicea in her chariot and beautifully lit Christmas trees and decorations all glowing in the dark.

It's a pity my excellent ability with the camera doesn't stretch to night photography ... it's a sight to behold. I vote for Christmas to be transferred to June in New Zealand ... any takers?