London Christmas!

Kia ora whanau

Aroha mai from Tu & I for the lack of blogs in the past few days, we have had a crazy few weeks in the UK and now Europe, but are slowly catching up! With the manic European schedule, some blogs will be shorter... but all with just the same amount of punch! Fingers crossed :)

Luckily we were onto it and after each little leg of the trip, we would make notes on what we thought was pertinent to share with you all on the blog, so we didn't forget anything. So I'm going to go back a few days to Christmas Eve, departing NYC for London, UK.

So we woke up on xmas eve at 4am to catch an early 730am flight to London. We had heard there was going to be snow... thankfully that didn't impact on our flight out of the US. Landing in London was a treat, we were greeted by Uncle David (Tu's mums brother and Tu's godfather). There is nothing better than getting off a long flight and having whanau there to meet you. Kia ora uncle x

We get back to uncle's place in Herne Hill for their xmas eve dish - Shepherd Pie and it is JUST what we are needing after a day of airport/plane food. The house was lit up with fairy lights inside and outside, a christmas tree, fire place already to go, and the hot meal in the oven just topped it off. Uncle & Aunty had just completed renovations on their third floor to their place and we would be the first to stay in the brand new wing! Beautiful views of Herne Hill and the Shard from the bedroom, so homely, thank you both so much for having us. After wrapping a few gifts (for Uncle/Aunty and of course, each other) we called it a night, promising to be up at 7am to help cook the turkey.

Nek minnit... 9.30am rise and we rush downstairs to join in for some breakfast. Grandma Sylvia (Aunty Jills mum) is sitting at the table. Aunt & Uncle are gently rushing around in the kitchen, stopping here and there to have a chat or a laugh. We reckon it's about time for some of that French Champagne we bought from Duty Free to compliment our cereal so pop goes a bottle and it instantly feels joyous haha.

The traditional turkey is cooking nicely in the kitchen and all the stove tops and bench space is covered in kai. "Need any help" we constantly ask and they reply with "No, sit, eat, drink, relax"... Feeling helpless, Tu and I indulge in the snacks that were laid out in the lounge and champas and singalong to the xmas carols and gospel singing. Now, Aunty is the super organised type. She has a runsheet for the cooking on xmas day, and also the Sunday(s) prior to xmas are whanau prep days to make the xmas pudding and other additions to make it easier on the day. The runsheet - wow. My kinda style! Cooking times, schedules to put on the beans, to baste the turkey and to bake off the stuffing balls. Everything. Amazing.

Dinner time happens at 2pm... oh what a spread. Turkey, ham, and all the trimmings with a range of condiements; some from the Caymans, another bitter sauce, a bread sauce for the turkey, cranberry of course and some other ones. We also have Grandmas traditional christmas pudding recipie... DIVINE!

I now understand how Christmas feels in the Northern Hemisphere where everything is wintery and cold, and snowy. The fairy lights, egg nog and fireplace we see and hear about in the carols is exactly what we experienced (minus the snow!) and it felt really cosy. I must admit though, I was feeling particuarly homesick this day, knowing that I was not home with my whanau... being away from home at xmas was a tough one, but I was surrounded by whanau and had such a special day.

Later that night after filling our bellies, we sat in the lounge together and watched xmas movies and drank night caps and ate chocolates and snacks and then opened pressies, which traditionally happens after the Queens speech (for the London whanau)... Tu bought his uncle a beautiful photo of Tu when he was a baby pictured with his uncle. I think Uncle David loved it. We even got gifts! Such a nice day/evening... Merry Christmas whanau xxx

Boxing Day...

Another unplanned sleep in, is in order waking to bubble & squeak for brunch, with left over cold meats and some Blanco. Spoilt! After brunch we take a drive into the city for a bit of a city tour with Aunty & Uncle. They point out the main places to see and visit. London Town is a beautiful place... lots of old looking architecture and a big river running through it. Easy to imagine what it was like 100 years ago. Tu and I then spend the night in the city to catch up with some friends we met on the Inca Trail back in South America. Ended up having a big night of English tapas, wines, shots and dancing in London city! Epic!

The next day, well... the sleep in was even worse. Thankfully Aunty & Uncle didn't mind us sleeping in and just kept saying "you're on holiday" which we'd been hearing a lot through our trip. I wonder when that excuse just won't cut it anymore.. Anyway we decided to pop off to the movies again and see the Hobbit. Aunty & Uncle hadn't seen it and we were keen to see it again lol. Before the movie, we smash some fish and chips, England style and then catch the flick. Afterwards, Tu & I meet up with one of his very old and good friends from college, Nigel Moresi. Had a great dinner, drinks and caught some live music before calling it a night as we had an early start the next morning catching our first Contiki!

While our stay was short and sweet in London, we managed to experience quite a bit and spend time with whanau, old friends and new friends. Thanks so much to Aunty &Uncle for having us. It was so great to meet you both and to be with you and Grandma for christmas. One that we will never forget.

Arohanui...

Time to get our hashtag on and join the Contiki craziness #noregrets

 

 

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