We are no longer caught up the hurly burly of work, which in our situation, meant schools, when Christmas was a haze of Christmas activites, stressed teachers, children and parents, and commerical hype. We now approach Christmas in a much more leisurely style, including being able to complete our Christmas shopping during quiet days, well before the madness starts. There is time to have leisurely lunches, and enjoy carol concerts, church services, and generally enjoy the preparation for Christmas Day.
Time, for example, to enjoy the glorious red sunset above our back garden.
As dusk starts falling about 3.30 p.m., a walk around the neighbourhood, gave me a chance to look at the Christmas lights in front gardens. The one below was a blaze of garden creations. They must have plenty of money to pay the resulting high electricity bill.
Our contribution. A golden Christmas star, hanging in our front window. Family members unkindly call it a 'brothel light' due to the strange orange/red light that spreads out around it.
I attended a lovely Carol Concert in a beautiful old church in Bromley, although it was very difficult to actually find your child amongst all those faces.
We went out for a pleasant lunch in a village in Kent, when it rained heavily all day. Miserable weather.
The reflection of our Christmas candles in our conservatory windows. So comforting.
Another Carol Concert, this time in the Jubilee Church, lead by a very joyful and competent choir.
Our first Christmas lunch, delicious, and great company too. At the Jubilee Church.
But I could not resist including a photograph of the problems facing shoppers as Christmas Day approached. This carpark was full of cars, both parked and trying to get out of the carpark.
Christmas celebrations are still continuing in the van Dam household, due to having a family spread out between four countries. More about this later.
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