December 26, 2009 - Boxing Day

Greetings All,

Christmas is over and we are on our way back to Liverpool. We left London on a sunny balmy day with the temperature 9C. The snow is all gone and the grass is green again. The roads were clear though somewhat busy around the roadworks on the motorway and we saw a rainbow on M6. The trip home took just over four hours as we had a quick stop for a washroom break and shared a sandwich. The roads got busier as we approached Liverpool as there was a game on at Liverpool, Liverpool versus Wolverhampton Wanderers. Good news, Liverpool won 2-0, a good end to 2009 at Anfield.

We hope you've enjoyed this segment of our travel blog and our first Christmas in the UK. We wish You all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Ta Ra for now,

Sandy & Fred

December 25, 2009 - Christmas Day

Merry Christmas All,

Christmas Day is finally here and for Fred and I it was a very relaxing day. John and Adrienne have a very specific routine and we stayed out of their way as they organized and prepared Christmas dinner for 6 of us. Joining us for dinner was Stewart and Janet, friends from Ascot just outside of London. They arrived around 1:00 p.m. for Proseco and hors d'oeuvres which were supplied by Janet and Stewart.

Supper was turkey, roast potatoes, mashed brussel sprouts, fried parsnip sticks, sausage stuffing, cranberries and gravy plus copious amounts of great Italian wine. Dessert consists of seven different items, from sweets to cheese and crackers. We all enjoyed our meal, each others company and it was a relaxing afternoon and evening with Portia supplying the entertainment displaying her gift opening skills for Stewart and Janet.

Fred and I had clean up duty after the guests left and we all relaxed for a night cap before heading off to bed. John and Adrienne have been very gracious hosts and we had an excellent week in London and a fantastic Christmas.

Cheers,

Sandy & Fred

December 24, 2009 - Christmas Eve

Seasons Greetings All,

We had a fairly relaxing day with a bit of last minute shopping for Christmas dinner for John and Adrienne. We had an early dinner of Duck Lasagna and salad and then headed off to the Royal Albert Hall for the Christmas Carol Concert. John had purchased seats for us with a great view of the stage on the first level off the floor. The concert is fantastic with the Mozart Festival Chorus and the Mozart Festival Orchestra in period dress, a reader and a guest soprano, Rebecca Bottone. To top it all we also get to participate by singing carols at certain times during the concert.

Now for a bit of history of the carol. The carol was a form of both song and dance long before it was associated with Christmas or Christianity. In the times of ancient Greeks choros was the word for circling dance and the chorus that preformed it. This was thought to be a forerunner for the carol and was so popular and entertaining that even Plato frowned on people giving such performances just for pleasure. Now over time the modern word carol comes from old French 'carole' meaning song of joy. This also began as courtly dancing and song in medieval times. This practice spread where by it reached England in about 1300 it was a popular form which told stories and celebrated religious themes not only during Christmas but other festive times like Easter. Until the 16th century there were three types of carol: serious ones for religious use, those by famous composers sung by professional choirs and cheerful ones for dancing. In Elizabeth I's time the sacred part of the carols became more important. For a while in the 17th Century under Cromwell any carols were considered frivolous and as such were suppressed. It was not until 1660 that carols came back but were not heard in church and were sung by the common people often on Christmas Eve going from door to door. These carols were passed on to families and children by word of mouth or song and were not written down until much later in 1846 when Queen Victoria made carols popular again as part of the whole re-invention of Christmas. Since 1878 carols were now very popular and a big part of our Christmas celebration.

After the concert we headed back to the flat for dessert and to open presents. A Christmas Eve tradition that John and Adrienne have. It is also one that my family (Sandy) used to have when we were older, as my Dad worked afternoons and would come home around 11:00 p.m. He would shower and change and we would have a buffet meal and open presents allowing everyone to sleep in and for my Dad get some much needed rest. Portia, John and Adrienne's Westie, loves Christmas and opening presents. She is quite talented at it and we were all entertained by her. With presents opened, we all headed off to bed after a Great Night!

We hope Santa was good to you all,

Sandy & Fred

December 23, 2009 - Hyde Park & Sake Tasting

Seasons Greetings All,

Today found us heading off to Hyde Park to check on the festivities happening there. The weather had warmed up in London and we were not plagued by the snow and ice as the rest of the nation seemed to be. The newspapers were saying this is the worst weather that they have had in the last 25 years. To us it is just good old Canadian
winter weather, which by the way we had hoped to leave behind. Anyway I am repeating myself but just let me say a spring coat today would have been good rather than the fake fur I was wearing. It was way to hot for the Tube.

A section of Hyde Park has been made into a Winter Wonderland Fairground that is set up to look like a Bavarian Village. There are rides for the kids, a skating rink, stalls selling food, trinkets, beer, mulled wine and sweets. We wandered around checking out the sites and I took a number of pictures for my Facebook site. We grabbed lunch at one of the stalls Fred had roasted pig, stuffing and apple sauce on a ciabatta bun and I had a sausage on a bun. From the park we walked along Knightsbridge Road. I remark that if we go down a street that we passed we would be walking back towards the flat, Fred responds you are right. Before he can ask or wonder how I knew that given my good sense of direction I let the cat out of the bag. There was a sign for The Nag's Head a pub we have frequented on previous occasions and I know we have walked from there no problem.

It started raining so we opt to take the tube back to Victoria Station rather than walk. That was a Big Mistake, it is hot, crowded and I am overdressed. At Victoria we escape to the outside and despite the rain, which now is only a light shower it is a relief to be in open air and make the short walk back to the flat.

Tonight we headed out for a sake tasting at Zuma's. This is generally a Christmas Eve Tradition of John and Adrienne's. However, because the carol concert at Royal Albert Hall is earlier this year we are doing it tonight. Our first tasting is a warm sake Dewazakura Oka and it is very good. The next is a cold sake Kokuryu-Jumai-ginjo. it is also very good. Zuma itself looks to be quite an interesting restaurant, a place to try in the future. We then head to a pub where we had hoped to have supper but it was crazy busy and loud so we headed off to the Thomas Cubitt. It is a pub near the flat. Pints of beer for the guys, wine for the gals and fish and chips all round. At the flat a night cap of wine for John and Sandy, while Fred samples one of the beers he purchased at the market (Bateman's Victory Ale). A good night was had by all.

Cheerio,

Sandy & Fred

December 22, 2009 - Christmas Season in London

Season's Greetings All,

We left Liverpool on the 20th in sleet and snow reaching finally dry roads just south of Birmingham. The weather in the UK has taken a turn for the worst and according to the papers one of the worst seasons in years. That figures, seems to be our luck in getting Canadian like conditions while we are away from good old Ontario. I guess the good lord just wants us to feel like we're at home where ever we may be. The weather was so bad that the airports in Manchester and Gatwick closed down in order to clear the snow and de-ice the runways. The chunnel was also affected with people being trapped in the tunnel as well as stranding people in France, Belgium and England.

On Monday Fred and I went window shopping to look at the decorations in the major stores. Hamleys, a major toy store, Fortnum and Mason also known as the Queens Store and a few others on Regent Street are well decorated with Christmas themes. Harrods was a disappointment as the windows were mostly covered with paper and signs announcing % off sales. As it started to rain, we decided lunch was in order and stopped in a Pub called The Bunch of Grapes not too far from Harrods. It really poured down while we ate lunch so we cut our walking short and headed back via the Tube. The rain later turned to snow which I personally much prefer to rain. After supper John took us on a tour of the lights.

Oxford and Bond Streets as well as Regent St. were well lit. Sloane Square was also done very nicely. Disappointingly, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the Parliament Buildings were not lit. John told us that in past years they have been much better. I guess everyone is cutting back. I must make note that they do not go out in decorating homes with lights like they do in Canada just the big department stores and town squares.

On Tuesday we all went to Borough Market to get supplies for Christmas dinner.
The fresh produce here always amazes me. The variety and size of the fruits and veggies is incredible. The beer stall is a hit with the guys. Some of the Christmas beers come in 24oz bottles and again a vast array of varieties. Well stocked with goodies we head back to the flat. After lunch Fred and I head off to finish a bit of shopping then go for a walk along the Thames Embankment. We walked down to the London Eye across the bridge by the Parliament Buildings then back to the flat with a stop at the Morpeth Pub to wet our whistles and to give Fred a chance to warm up as it has turned rather frosty. A large square of around 2 1/2 miles in all for our walk today. Later, back at the flat we are entertained by John and Adrienne in the Kitchen. John baking and Adrienne tidying and providing advice, not a good combination. The treats are yummy all the same in the end and they survive the experience of the two cooks in the kitchen that have very different styles.

Cheers,


Sandy & Fred

December 18, 2009 - Christmas Season in Liverpool

Seasons Greetings All,

I though I would give you a quick update of what has been happening with us since our return from Ontario and before we head to London to take in the sites and celebrate Christmas with John, Adrienne and Portia. My body clock continues to be screwed up after a week and a bit home so we have tried various ways to try and get back to a normal sleep pattern for me, as Fred has had no problems at all.

Wednesday the 16th we went to the football match, an 8:00 p.m. kick-off so during the day we headed into town for some money and a late pub lunch. For those of you who don't know how food ordering works in the UK, you go to the bar get your drinks and order your food, give your table number and the food is then brought to your table. While waiting to be served at the bar Fred sees a very good looking young girl approach the bar and ask the bartender if the All Day Breakfast is still being served. A young lad also waiting responds "Yes that's why they call it a ALL Day Breakfast" I asked Fred if she was blonde (sorry to my blonde friends and family) but he responded no though her hair was light coloured. The game was a good one Liverpool won 2-1 and I am allowed to go another time as Liverpool have not lost a game when I'm in attendance. LOL some good luck charm !

Thursday, after our haircuts we checked out the Christmas lights at Liverpool One and the Ferris Wheel which we have nicknamed "The Liverpool Eye". To ride the wheel is 6 pounds and the line up is huge so no pictures from the top of the wheel. For those of you on Facebook I have posted pictures. The weather has finally turned cold and our Canadian winter coats have finally come in handy. There has been no snow in Liverpool but some has fallen further north and in the areas surrounding London. The weather in Liverpool has been for the most part dry and sunny with a bit of rain on the odd day.

Here is a bit of trivia for you to ponder on as well. The following was in the Liverpool Echo a while back:

Wine Labels Gets 'Scouse' Translation:

A convenience chain is trialling wine labels written in local slang - including Scouse.

Spar is in the process of redesigning its labels and one idea was to tailor a wine blurb for each region.

A label for a Merlot was "translated" to fit regional languages.

The original read:
" A truly great Merlot which is ablaze with succulent blackcurrants and blueberries. This Merlot has legs like a thoroughbred, strong and forward, which tantalises your palate. Its full bouquet is a delight for your nose and will leave you yearning for more. This isn't a wine for the faint-hearted."

For Scousers it said:
"A totally boss bottle of Merlot which smells o' blackberry, choccie, a brew and toffees. Juicy and complex like, this bevey is top wi most scran 'specially me ma's scouse. Tellin ye, this is deffo a bevey that will leave youz and youz mates made up over yez Sayers pastie.

Well that is about it for now until we head to London on Sunday .
Take care and look out for our blog of our London Christmas experience.

Ta Ra,

Sandy & Fred

November 22 - December 8, 2009 - Canada

Greetings All,

Our time in Ontario was extremely busy upon our return from Mexico. We did have a chance to relax and enjoy with the Hosier/Pagazani clan. We had forgotten the great fun and chaotic time young kids can bring to a household. From Monday we found ourselves on the go to doctors appointments, banking updates,lunch with our good friends the Hummel's and Hickey's and finally Thursday we headed down to visit my mom. Sunday November 29th saw us back to the Hosier/Pagazani household for more great meals and a day to catch our breath.

Tuesday found us at the dentist where I took all the time so Fred ended up having to return, lunch with Barb our banker in Ajax branch and a catch up on old and current times.

Wednesday December 2nd found us off to Peterborough to visit Meaghan's mom Josie and her significant other Jim and to drop of Christmas gifts for Christopher and Meaghan. We had a game of One Eyed Jacks were the women remain victorious over the men but just barely. We returned to Oshawa Thursday for yet another doctors appointment (optometrist). Friday December 4th we got our flu shots and said our goodbyes to our most gracious hosts the Hosier/Pagazani family. Our next stop was Brampton were we visited with Amanda our niece for dinner, a game of Sequence better known to us as One Eyed Jacks and an overnight stay.

Saturday December 5th we found ourselves at the event of our stay in Ontario. Nicholas, our nephew's hockey game. We were advised by Sandra his mom that his team has yet to win a game this season and Nicholas had advised that he was going to score a goal today. Nicholas is 10 years old and has been playing for some time but we really don't know what to expect as our boys never played the game. They play three ten minute periods and it is non stop action from the get go. True to his word Nicholas had an assist on the first goal and scored the winning goal for the team. Apparently we are now their good luck charm as they got the win.

Our last stop was in Mississauga where we stayed with friends. Carol and Derek put on a great bar-b-cue and we stayed with Liz, Carol's mom who lives in the same complex. Liz treated us like royalty and we ended our stay in Canada on a very relaxed note.

Our flight back to Manchester was one of the best we have experienced yet. Fred upgraded us to Club Class on Air Transat and the food, service was awesome. We arrived back home in the UK at 7:00 a.m. and I got some flack over the number of times I have come in and out of the UK. Fred is also asked a number of questions. To the point I am advised by the customs/immigration officer that I should seriously consider getting a more permanent visa. So now I have to decide when is the best time to go back to Canada and get the visa processed even though I don't get what the issue is really.

Well we hope you have enjoyed this portion of our travels. We look forward to sharing our experiences this Christmas Season as we are headed to London for Christmas.

Ta Ra,

Sandy & Fred