Far From White Christmas

Our hopes of a White Christmas were dashed with the forecast for a tropical 13 degrees on Christmas Day.  Despite the lack of snow, this Christmas promised to be different from our usual day of extreme heat, seafood and salad, slip n slide and storms.  This Christmas we would wake up in a hotel, share it with different family members, visit the pub and eat a warm buffet.

The stage was set on Christmas Eve when we arrived back at the hotel from the pub. We were split between two rooms with the kids in one and Yvette and I in another.  To deter the children from attempting to stay up all night to see Santa, we “convinced” them to set up the stockings, Poundland tree and gifts, snacks and letters for Santa in our room.  The excitement was still too much so Yvette ended up sleeping with the kids while I was left to complete the parent Christmas Eve duties watching the usual dad movies until the wee hours.

I was stirred very early Christmas morning by the first of the Australian family phone calls.  Since everyone else was asleep next door I tried hard to ignore the phone call and stay asleep.  After a few more attempts at making contact I realised my resistance was futile and answered the call, explaining that astonishingly the kids were still asleep.  We arranged to reconnect an hour later.  Unfortunately, I was still sitting watching TV and drinking coffee alone in the room when the hour was up.

Eventually I succumbed and knocked lightly on the door to stir Yvette.  We swapped places so Yvette could speak with her family and I could watch the kids.  It wasn’t long before Jack stirred wishing me a Merry Christmas.  Like an alarm clock, the words immediately stirred Harry from unconsciousness.  Audrey continued to snore loudly when all of a sudden she stopped mid-snore to literally jump up and join in the merry wishes.

We raced next door to join in the video call.  I admired the kids reservation at engaging in the conversation with a hoard of presents in clear sight awaiting their attention.  Their resolve was to be further tested when we instantly received another video call, prolonging their patience.  It was pleasing that they genuinely seemed more interested in speaking with family than opening their presents.

Immediately upon finishing the call, the excitement in the room was ramped up considerably as the kids had their first chance to examine the treasures sitting around the tree.  They started emptying their stockings with squeals of delight, especially at the authentic Wonka Bar Santa had gifted them.  Next it was time to exchange family gifts.  The kids were so excited at some of the treasures we had snuck in on our travels.  Some of these created great disappointment when we refused to buy them at the time we saw them (all the time knowing they would be Christmas gifts), like a glass quill from Murano and a Legoland T-Shirt.  Finally it was time to open the gifts from Santa, who apparently didn’t get the memo that our bags were already full. Luckily we had the foresight to buy Audrey a larger trunk for Christmas.

With the presents now open, it was time to have breakfast and get ready for the day.  We were surprised by the number of people who were staying at the hotel for Christmas and even more astonished that a further 200 were booked for lunch. Prying the kids away from their loot to get ready was quite a chore, but thankfully we had the promise of playing with family and friends to lure them away.

It was nearly 12 by the time we were ready and had walked to my cousin Lynsey’s house to start the family Christmas.  After a quick wishing of Merry Christmas and exchanging stories of the gifts received, we wandered down the road to my Aunty Terrie and Uncle Billy to wish them good tidings.  We were warmly welcomed with Sangria and lager.  With our drinks finished it was time for the Bardsley Christmas tradition of meeting at the pub.  I say Bardsley tradition, because the whole village turns out and the place is shoulder to shoulder teaming with people.  Although different to the traditions of home it was a welcome inclusion as it was a last chance to share an ale and say goodbye to many of the friends and family we had met on our trip.

After a good number of hours, we headed back to Lynsey’s with a crew of people for a traditional Christmas buffet.  We devoured gammon, turkey, beef, lamb, vegetables, pork pies, baps and a host of other goodies.  We all continued to pick at the feast all afternoon and into the night.  Obviously, there was an equally healthy selection of beverages to select from also which were also enjoyed well into the night.  The kids all spent the whole time upstairs playing and having a cracking time without any conflict.

While a totally different way to experience Christmas we loved it.  Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and the difficult task of saying goodbye loomed.  While we would have the chance to catch up with some on Boxing Day, many of the goodbyes were final ones for the indefinite future.  The realisation then took hold that our time in the UK was coming to a rapid close.  It was tough to say goodbye but necessary.  The kids found it even harder than I did with Audrey needing to be torn away.

We headed home for a good rest before our final day in the U.K.

Mark (on behalf of the wandering winrows)