It's normal to have a roast dinner without being baked ourselves in the forty degree heat. Celsius, not Fahrenheit. Not a salad in sight, and no ice-cream. Hot roast potatoes straight from the oven, with hot minted peas and lashings of gravy. Warmed Christmas pudding with warm brandy custard. And not feeling so uncomfortable from the heat, just by eating far too much.
The one thing I will miss this year, is being able to make the lemon meringue pie which my grandmother used to make. Instead of doing a traditional family Christmas this year, we've opted to spend our Christmas dinner at one of the local pubs. Where we get waited on and we can walk off some of the three course meal getting home. We'll start with the traditional Gilbert/Webb morning croissants and champagne of course. That goes without saying. We've purchased a wee little ham, so Boxing Day will still feel a bit like Boxing Day with our left over ham sandwiches.
The English really do know how to celebrate Christmas, and the light shows on around town have been impressive. In the city and some of the boroughs and towns, turning a corner in a street can catch your breath. My favourite this year, of what I've seen so far, would have to be a tie between Carnaby St and Bond St.
Leicester Square has put a carnival in the centre of the square, which looks fabulous and has the most magical feeling. London feels special. It may be overcast and drizzly, but it has the most amazing celebratory vibe which I've ever come across over Christmas before. It's Bright and happy. Two words I would not ordinarily put in the same sentence with London. But it's exactly how I feel it is. And we're loving it.
Covent Garden has also got into the swing of things... literally and had a beautiful display of lights and attractions. We didn't get kissed under the mistletoe, but there's still time for that.
Hearing the kids laughing and playing on the Lego train made me smile. As much as I love Christmas, they wills always love it that little bit more. Seeing the kids faces when they see the lights, or the carousel or train for the first time is special.
The faces are pure joy and excitement and that's what Christmas is about. The happiness and joy of the children. Being with the people you love, and respecting the world we live in.
It's been fabulous having Sasha here as well. Having that connection to home has been so great, and not being left alone at home whilst Tony works has been great. Playing tour guide instead of tourist is fun. Although to start with, it's just been local while I've got over my first bout of the flu. It took six weeks. And, after not having had one for a few years, knocked me for six. But luckily enough it's come good, and we're able to start exploring the larger parts of London and beyond.
A trip to Cornwall for New Years has been planned last minute. And the place we're staying were amazing to accommodate us within 10 days of heading down there. Tony and I stayed at St Benet's Abbey when we were there in April, and didn't want to leave. So we're very much looking forward to being able to go back.
The weather has been very mild, but we've had a couple of cool days where we've had to rug up. And it's not just us needing the extra layers. You will see a lot of the four legged Londoners wearing their jackets and hoodies too.
So that's us for this year. We hope you all have the most amazing of Christmases and we wish you all the happiest of New Years. May 2016 be the best year ever for you all. 
Arohanui.
Jodi
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