London lights

Merry Christmas from our other home, where we arrived Christmas Eve.

It wasn't our best flight - I'd rank it second to Cora's 10-month-old disaster as our worst. (Think forgetting the umbrella stroller for a start, and overtired screaming toddler and that same toddler throwing up all over herself and mummy on our descent to Heathrow...) 

But all good (and bad) journeys come to an end, and soon enough we were exchanging warm hugs with Nan and Pop. They loaded the girls and our luggage into their car, and we were off to see the Christmas lights of London before we caught the train home to Somerset.

Covent Garden

 It was chilly, crowded, and fantastic, walking around on Christmas Eve surrounded by cheery Big City hustle and bustle. Our first stop after we took the Tube into the city was Covent Garden, where we warmed up with a baked potato.


Then we made our way to the festive atmosphere of Regent Street, a beautiful West End shopping district.

 Here is the Liberty Department Store, established in 1875 and occupying a gorgeous Tudor-style building from the 1920s. This was a fun store to explore, as was seven-story Hamleys, which rivals FAO Schwartz as the largest toy store in the world.

 The famous Christmas light displays were beautiful!

We were ready for a nap on our 2-hour, 20-minute train ride home. We are so grateful for the chance to spend a brilliant Christmas Eve together!