maryjanegriggs: OK the festive season in retrospect

First the ballet, The Nutcracker, at the Coliseum in St Martin's Lane near Trafalgar Square. It was a fantastic evening with the audience loving every bravura performance especially Act 2.
Prior to the ballet saw the xmas tree in wet Trafalgar Square - this tree is an annual gift from Norway.

Lots of people singing carols as well

This fabulous blue rooster atop the pedestal outside the National Gallery

Such a wonderfully intense blue in all the greys

St Martin in the Fields

The fountain and tree

My favourite bit

The wet doesn't stop people here

When the lights come on it's beautiful

This was taken about 4pm

The mosaic cupola in the entrance to the Coliseum

More mosaic

The stage from the lower circle

Looking across- there is the upper circle on top

The boxes close to the action

A magical stage screen

SAfter the show - the exterior of the theatre

The tree lit up at night

Still many many people walking around, spilling out of theatres. I couldn't believe how lively it was - reminded me of the Quay and the Rocks - but maybe I have been a country girl for too long?

Getting ready for Christmas included a visit to Covent gardens and another visit to Borough Markets.

Covent gardens - an antique market and lots of lovely shops

Great decorations

Another lovely tree

Huge Rudolph with red shiny nose in the wet

Amazing decorations

Another Rudolph I found

The busking opera singer was stupendous

My street lined with crab apples - they glow in the cold grey air

Leaving Fulham for Slough for Christmas.

Experiencing Christmas and New Year away from home is very worthwhile, you can enjoy everything without the feeling of responsibility and no stress.
Christmas with Czech side of Richard's family was mix of traditional English and Czech dishes, great company and civilised present opening.
Boxing Day presented the opportunity for a long walk by the Thames through almost overwhelming mud and leafy mulch. It was wonderfully grey but not too cold, wet but no snow.
However, very surprised to learn that whole of London transport system closes down for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and even December 27 was very touch and go re trains.
Made the South Western train from Datchet back to Putney and walked the kilometre to Putney East tube station to be confronted by apologetic station employee who suggested we get the bus service back at Putney Bridge - another 1.5km in other direction. No hint of a sign, no communication back at the first 'South Western' Putney Station. Different private companies so what should I expect?
All of this long walk was undertaken with usual baggage, in rain and with increasing need to find a 'ladies'. The pathetic begging at the Tube station worked and I was allowed to use the staff loo - this could be a first. Then we trudged all the way back to Putney Bridge, managed to fit onto double decker with hundreds of others and soon home. Always a joy to get home!

Magpie's nest in walnut tree in backyard at Slough. The English maggie is smaller and doesn't warble like the one at home.

This is a lovely garden with walnuts, peach, cherry and vegetables - it looks pretty good for Dec 25 - only 4 days after winter solstice.

One of the C17th homes along the route of our Boxing day walk - when it's dry it's time to get out of the house and enjoy the air and fabulous scenery along the Thames.