Day 88 – December 27th – Thank goodness for friends

Another short one as I’m well and truly ready for bed, but suffice to say that today didn’t quite go as planned. Up at 7:30am, I went for another lovely run with my uncle, and then we had a relatively quiet morning taking stock after Christmas and farewelling Grandma who was heading back home. The Johnson grandparents rang to say that Kings Cross station was closed, but a quick check online showed that I could still get to Finsbury Park, and then use the underground to make my connection.

Though there was no hint of it in Barton (where my uncle lives), there had been snow in the north. Into Doncaster and then much of the way down to Cambridgeshire, my view out the window was of dusted fields and sparkling villages. English Christmas perfection.

Then we stopped at Peterborough, and it seemed like there were no more trains going further south – there was just too much congestion around London. All of a sudden there was total chaos, and no clue as to what was actually going on. After boarding and then getting off two trains that were cancelled, I decided to phone a friend, and the Dunks were kind enough to come to my rescue and picked me up from Huntingdon. A glass of wine and an evening of post-Christmas downtime, I was relieved not to be spending my night on an unknown station far from anywhere, and incredibly grateful they could come to my aid at a moment’s notice. Thank goodness for friends!

Day 87 – December 26th – Humber Bridge and Scrabble

Up at seven, My uncle David and I decided to tackle the Humber Bridge on our run this morning. Though we made it both across and back, I have to admit that five and a quarter miles still feels like a long way.

We had my aunt’s Auntie Heather and cousin Paul round for a jolly lunch. More wine, more flute carols, then an afternoon of scrabble with grandma. We each won a game, though I was a little miffed to loose became I couldn’t get rid of both the Q and J at the very end of the game!

Back down to Kent and flute practice tomorrow.

Day 86 – December 25th – Christmas!

It’s been a bit of a marathon: croissants for breakfast with the Johnson grandparents, off to grandma Hilditch’s for tea and a mince pie (mine of course), then off to my uncle’s with grandma in tow for (lovely, vegetarian-friendly) lunch. Mini flute recital, wine, presents, Queen’s speech, afternoon walk, more wine, Doctor Who Christmas special, skyping Australia…

Grandma and I digesting Christmas lunch!

Grandma and I digesting Christmas lunch!

Day 85 – December 24th – Mince pies and carols

Making mince pies...

Making mince pies…

Christmas Eve, and my ‘Christmas Day’ celebrations with the Johnson side of the family. We skyped with all the Australian family this morning, catching them rather tipsy near the end of Christmas catch-up dinner. Then I made mince pies under the watchful eye of grandma. Though I do know how to make pastry, I think she was just quite anxious that I get it all right, and kept wandering into the kitchen to remind me of what to do next! With our combined efforts, though, the mince pies tasted fantastic – not quite like mum’s, but also not far off! I had so much fun that I really didn’t mind too much how they tasted, and was pleasantly surprised that they turned out so well. Yum.

....and the end result!

….and the end result!

As for the afternoon, we had a bit of a relax, some presents and I played some Christmas carols. I now have a huge supply of chocolate-coated ginger, some warm socks and another jumper. Christmas time is family time, and it feels so lovely to be up here spending time with my grandparents. Round two begins tomorrow!

Day 84 – December 23rd – Fish, chips and shopping

I arrived in Grimsby late last night after a long train trip, and am now staying with Grandma and Grandpa.

A trip into Grimsby this morning to finish off my Christmas shopping and get a few warm jumpers (I’ll need them come January), and dinner out at a fish and chip restaurant in Cleethorpes were the main events of the day. I was rather decadent and had double helpings of mushy peas. We also called in at a relative’s (I think she’s a second cousin?!) for coffee and a pre-Christmas catch-up. At 4:20pm it’s dark, and much warmer inside then out. Time for a good book and a relaxing evening I think!