Sunday and there was still plenty of snow around here along with a LOT of ice! We had a very lazy start to the day which basically equates to the kids (and Tony) arguing over who's turn it is on the PS3. We had a big ol' fry up for Brunch in the vain hope it would keep us going for longer today.
the entrance/exit
We got ready and left just after 2pm for our drive to Loughton to drop off all the birthday and christmas gifts to our in-laws and park our courtesy car on their drive (very handy). Spent around 15 mins chatting to Tony's parents and using the loo before we took the slippery walk to the central line.
German Gingerbread - it smelled SO good
We arrived around 4.30pm just as it was getting dark and could see how busy it was already. Throngs of people milling around all dressed up for the arctic conditions. Had a quick look at the ice-rink and then wandered around the stalls, German Bratwurst, Gingerbread, Crepes, craft stalls plus all the usual Burger & Coffee stands. I am always amazed how everything seems to cost around £5 at these events.....guess it does away with the need for much change to be given!
my 3 kids plus their cousin Ella & her boyfriend
Shortly after 5pm we made our way to the ice-rink and I found myself a good spot to watch (good but bloomin cold) and got my camera ready. If only I knew how hard it would be to photograph inbetween the other 1000 people zooming around and falling over, stopping in front of me and crashing into the barriers. That said I got a few shots and the hour went by so quickly.
Lara & Ella whizzing around
This was Lara's first time on the ice and I was a little worried, but that didn't last long, she literally got on and took off! I guess the last few years of rollerblading and "Heelies" really helped. After the skating finished, I waited around for what seemed like an eternity for them to swap the skates for shoes again and meet me outside. First thing outta the kids mouths were "we're hungry" so went off in search of some stalls to part with lots of "fivers". I am fussy about my burgers (which I don't have very often) so Sean and Jack together with my niece Ella and her boyfriend all had Angus Burgers £5 each....while Tony, Lara, my sister Diane and me had a big fat portion of chips. I had far too much salt, vinegar and mayo on mine but who cares its a day out right! We finished ours with some cappuccino's (2 of them cost........yep £5 lol).
Jack & Tony
We continued to walk around the stalls and listen to a live band playing but really it was almost 7pm and getting very very cold, I had started to lose the feeling in my fingers and toes and the kids were pretty tired after the ice-skating so we filled our faces with a portion of Churro's with cinnamon sugar and choccy sauce then decided to head back to the train station.
Sean doing his "thing"
We said our goodbyes at Hyde Park Garden underground station as my sister, niece and her boyfriend are travelling to Shoeburyness. We looked at the trains, first one terminated at Leytonstone, which would mean waiting around on an open platform so, we find a seat and wait the 5mins in the warmth of the tube station instead.
Lineup for the next series of Dancing on Ice lol
We called into our in-laws again and the kids filled up on cold drinks (how can they do that!) while Tony and I had a nice cuppa tea/coffee and a chat to his parents about their plans for christmas etc. Tony then loaded our courtesy car up with gifts and bottles of wine and we were on our way home again.
Self-explanitory but pretty lol
We arrived home eventually around 9pm and were met by two very excited dogs who were not best pleased to have been left for the afternoon/evening. It was the first time we had left Ollie and Dexter for so long and there were no little "surprises", the Christmas tree was untouched, I call that SUCCESS!
All in all a good day, full of memories.
The Perry's at the end of the day!
Thought for the day:
Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.
Author Unknown
