Winter Wonderland and Carols at St Pauls

When I arrived back in London Town from my saucy trip to Worcester, something marvellous had happened. Catherine White had arrived, fresh from rainy Brisbane! I met her at 10am at the Odeon in Leicester square and we sat for some time in McDonnalds (in the warmth), where I was caught up on Brisbane business.

We then went on a quick janut throgh the halls of the National Portrait gallery - where the finalists and winners of .. umm.. that really important international photo portrait competition were being displayed. However, we had only just finished with that exhibition before we realised we were almost late for a very important date.

That important date was to meet the fabulous Josh Pearcy at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Winter Wonderland, as with most CHristmas markets around here, appears to be "German" themed. There were endless stalls selling crazy winter hats, small christmas figurines and various CHristmas wares. There were also many fabulous rides including a crazy mouse coaster, a coaster thta was largely inside a mental dome thing, giant drop and a million zillion kids rides. I was disppointed to note that the zipper wasn't there. The zipper is the only ride that has my heart. After cold donuts and a delicious crepe, we purchased a whole lotta lollies and strolled the alleyways. I would probably have paid to go on the funhouse. it was pretty awesome- all crazy mirrors and moving floors up in there. After this, we walked through Hyde park to Oxford Street - the street I seem to always end up on. Here, Cat was introduced to the concept of "Primark". It truly is a wonderful street. (as an aside, Phebes and I have decided to brave the boxing day sales there.. just for fun).

We then had an important task to do. At 5pm we started lining up outside St. Pauls for the 9 lessons and Carols service, due to begin at 7:30 pm. Even at this early hour, the line was already out the door, around the corner and behind the construction work. About 2 minutes into lining up Cat looked up and sighted snow. And it begun. Waiting in the snow. fortunately there were 2 gorgeous kids with their grandparents in front of us, whose "hiding under coats" antics kept our spirits up. As the line began to move we became anxious. not only were we waiting for ourselves, but we were also holding places in the line for Hannah and Amy, who had not yet turned up. However, both arrived in the nick of time and we settled on a pew towards the back.

The little boy singing were gorgeous, the orchestra was triumphant, and the lessons (with their celebrity readers) were quite funny in parts, but certainly evoked a Christmas magic in the air. My only complaint as, with only natural amplification, you had to concentrate REALLY REALLY hard to hear the choir at times. The singalongs were great as well- although Hannah and I really struggled to NOT sing the descants. We did have a childish break down at one point when the lyrics of O Come all ye faithful - "very God" as a whole line to take up a lot of notes was hilarious. Also, the rhyming of womb an come in one of the other carols was quite humerous.

After the Service, we packed in to a tight space at a pub overflowing with Work-Christmas-Party-Revelers in a nearby street. It was nice to have a beer with my australian friends whilst on the ohter side of the world.

A fabuloulsy christmassy day!