Visit to the UK - Christmas 2010

5 weeks in the UK, 6 houses, 3 hotels and 13 different beds slept in, 48 hours in “cattle class”, 40 airline meals, 4 hire cars, countless meals out, even more great meals in, a lake of wine, all of our best friends and family and at least 2 inches on the waste-line……..what a great trip it was and a huge huge thank you to all that hosted the Dorsett crew .

Departed Canberra on a very pleasant 27c day and arrived at Heathrow 2 days later -6c….hardly noticed the difference!! The girls quickly gained a grasp of the warmth through layering (5 Aussie Summer T-shirts = 1 UK jumper). Can’t complain though, as we landed 2 days before Heathrow closed for 5 days – we would have had 5+ days in a hotel in Bangkok (sounds nice, but trust me, its not a great option – more later).

Hereford (Sals Mum & Dad)...what a welcome:

With no Christmas shopping done prior to departing (luggage limit 20Kg each) the first week equated to a UK economy boosting stimulus package which I believe has been formally recognised by a positive movement in the UK’s pre-Christmas retail figures………Sal was more than happy to help, and continued to do so at every possible opportunity during our visit……baggage allowance, ha, Sal laughs at baggage allowance. 

Shopping in the snow

Enjoying the festive snow 

-16c and we are out for a run! - mad dogs and Englishmen

Snow 'lady' time - I would say that the kids helped, but this little beauty was going to be on display, so in the interest of good presentation, I ensured that all girls took on a supervisory role......hands off, don't touch!

Modelling the latest in Australian winter wear.

A meal with friends in Ledbury.  

Christmas Eve and the excitement is building

Christmas eve, in bed by 8pm and asleep by 1am, up at 3am....

Christmas Morning.

Santa has been and its all smiles and even a few tears of joy from No1.

 Christmas day – thanks to all that arranged for the traditional White Christmas, it couldn’t have been easy and to have it all removed/melted before we departed for our UK friends / family tour was just perfect.

 A huge thank you for the beautiful gifts and a special note to my Mum and Dad – seriously, you know that you have a reached a very special time in your parent / son relationship when you receive a green dayglow Mankini……touched……..but possibly not in the right places…….to be honest, at the moment the chaffing prevents me from wearing it all day.