Christmas Holidays 2007

Well it might be pretty miserable weather much of the time - it might be gray and cloudy and dark and gloomy. But, an English winter is not half so bad when its Christmas time. The school term ends in mid-December and in England its time to hunker down and celebrate Christmas. Invariably this can mean shopping, shopping and yet more shopping - but there are greater delights to be found in this country.

Of course for me this Christmas would be extra special as well because someone special would be coming over to England to spend some of it with me. I speak of course of my wonderful and delightful partner - Yani.

Her coming galvanised me into a fit of planning - in particular some nice trips to undertake and some delicious restaurants to partake of. There was also Christmas Eve and Day to consider. For this Yani and I would travel down to some relatives I have living on the South coast of England - at Bournemouth. The Frames family were putting on a Christmas party for friends and family - with the food, mulled wine and presents to match.

For the rest of our time - it was my turn to treat Yani. After her wonderful dedication in showing me around the Czech Republic and parts of Germany I had a chance to show her some equally wonderful things. For this I arranged trips to Reading Abbey, Winchester (including its stunning cathedral and palace), Bournemouth (with its beaches and family), London (Oxford Street shopping, the British Museum and the Tutankhuman Exhibition) and finally but not least, a day in Oxford (Oxford Cathedral, Christchurch College and the Pitt Rivers Museum among others).

Finally there were also some little explorations of my home village of Sherfield-on-Loddon to undertake and a New Year's Eve party with friends in the village.

The day after Yani arrived from Prague (21st December), we headed out for a day trip to the nearby town of Reading. Tucked away in Reading is the pleasant setting of Forbury Park and the old Reading Abbey ruins. A fine misty winter's day added a touch of mystery to the day as well.

In a sense the Abbey continues on. Behind one of the few remaining enclaves of the Abbey you can see the Catholic church of St James. The Abbey was closed, by the way, under the auspices of Henry VIII in the 16th century.

The burial site of Henry 1st Beaucleric - King of England. His crown fits rather snugly on my head don't you think? Chuckle!

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Sumer Is Icumen. This famous medieval song revolutionised religious music and was written in Reading Abbey in the 14th century.

A touch of the numinous in the Abbey.

Mystery and the joy of discovery entwined together.

See my learned and sagacious gaze? See my words and oratory put forth to the people? Ok, well maybe not - but here's me giving an effort at it anyway.

After finishing out time in the Abbey ruins, Yani and I entered into the nearby Reading Museum. Here, a reconstruction of the what the Abbey would have looked like in its prime.

The Reading Museum also has a full replica of the Bayeux Tapestry spread throughout an entire floor. For those not in the know, the Bayeux Tapestry recounts the conquest of England by William the Conquerer in 1066. A propaganda piece it covers other themes as well. Note: It took about 15 Victorian ladies a year to sow this in the late 19th century. All the details are accurate except for one. The original tapestry shows a nude male figure (with full reproductive organs). The Victorian ladies were not err..liberal enough... to countenance including this and instead put a pair of pants on their figure.

An Egyptian display brings a bit of fun to Yani and I.

The River Kennett and the River Thames nestle the town of Reading between them. Here, the River Kennet runs behind the main shopping centre in the town - the Oracle.

Yani and I attend the Chaccone Brass Carols night in Reading Town hall. A choir, organ playing, Brass musical pieces, carol singing and guest African musicans made for a delightful night in the lead up to Christmas.

On the 23rd (a Sunday), Yani and I and two friends from my current living abode of Sherfield-on-Loddon, traveled to the ancient capital of King Alfred and Anglo-Saxon England - Winchester. First up was the 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas service at Winchester Cathedral.

The Cathedral contains the coffins of 4 Anglo-Saxon kings, a Norman king and some of the powerful bishops of yesteryear.

Winchester Town Hall

In his mighty prescence I stand - King Alfred the Great. In English history his presence is immense - he stopped the Danes conquering England and resurrected the Christian religion from the dust and obscurity into which it had fallen in the 9th century.

The town centre of Winchester is a delight. The best of what England can offer for small charming towns and quaint archictecture.

Jive band on the High Street.

One of the old gates of the now non-existent city wall.

Here Winchester Castle once stood.

The main part of the palace (and for some time the law courts) left behind on the site of old Winchester Castle.

Inside the palace. Here we find the legendary 700 year old reconstruction of King Arthur's round table.

A closer view of King Arthur's table. Until recently the palace had been converted into Winchester's Law Courts. The Judges chair would have just been below the table. Imagine going to court with the judge sitting in majesty below King Arthur - rather sobering one might think.

Our day in Winchester ended and it was time to have a special Christmas dinner in the lead up to Christmas - just two days away. I invited a neighbour (Yoona, an exchange Uni student from South Korea) over to attend as well. I was told by Yani and Yoona that the meal was most fine. We had some Port and a Christmas Pudding to finish it all off as well.

Dinner finished and any male's dream comes true - two girls wrapped around me. I jest of course...

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Well the next day (Monday the 24th), Yani and I headed out to visit the Frames family in Bournemouth (relatives of mine). Christmas Eve was to be the big get-together with friends and family. Presents, a delighful meal and wonderful company made for a most pleasant and fun evening.

Most of the gathering for the evening.

Where this appeared from is not known - but it soon became popular with all - dork and nerd alike.

Sisterly shenanigans!!

The aftermath of unwrapping presents.

An iconic scene from Christmas Eve 2007 - Silvis with his hat and camera.

Another iconic image from the night - Crystal wnet crazy with her new 12 megapixel baby.

Andy (a friend and guest of the Frames family), cooked up a sumptous Christmas Day feast and rather proved he knew what he was doing.

Christmas night - doing this and that. In this case playing The Chocolate Game.

Yani and I headed to London on Boxing Day. That night we found that the only restaurants open were Indian. So it was Butter Chicken, Lamb Balti and Naan Bread that night - we were not complaining as you can see from Yani's smiling face.

27th of December - The Millenium Dome.

Inside the Millenium Dome - The Tutankhamum Exhibition. Many of the treasures from his tomb are touring the world at the moment.

No photos allowed, but I sneaked a few in here and there. Here is the coffin of Tut's probable grandmother.

To keep the theme going Yani and I headed over to the British Museum in the afternoon. We also met up with Silvis who had been at the Frames Christmas bash. I then proceeded to open jaws by touring Yani and Silvis through some of the main artifacts and explaining some of their significance. Here for example is The Rosetta Stone!

Part of the Western facing of the Parthenon. This and many other pieces have been kept in the British Museum since the late 19th century. Lord Elgin brought them back to Britian with the permission of the Ottomon Empire - who were then ruling Greece. Needless to say the Greeks now want them back.

One of the greatest archaeological museums of the world. Perhaps only equaled by the Louvre in Paris. Yani and I both enjoyed it immensely.

A moment of reflection?

A moment of good old Aussie Bundaberg Ginger Beer drinking at the Australia Shop - Covent Garden, London.

On the night of the 27th, Yani and I had a nice adventure shopping in London. Eventually ending up on London's famous Oxford street we managed to track down just the coat that Yani wanted.

Well the New Year was getting closer and Yani would soon have to head back to the Czech Republic and her University Studies. But in the meantime, a last trip beckoned. And for that my old favourite of Oxford seemed just right.

Wowee!! See, the coat was well worth the hunting. Bought in Oxford Street, London - worn for the first time in Oxford itself.

It was a beautiful sunny winter's day - all too rare in England. Behind Yani is the Oxford Museum and further back Tom Tower, which stands above Christchurch College.

A climb up the University Church of St Mary Magdelan proved to be a glorious moment. The sun was full out and we could see all of Oxford in its glory.

All around the tower were spectacular views.

Views included the nearby Radcliffe Camera (the University Reading Room).

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A tour through Christchurch College and Oxford Cathedral and visiting the anthropological Pitt Rivers Museum finished off our day.

Well actually dinner at a French Restaurant finished the day off. Here Yani had proven to her that Strawberry ice cream can in fact taste good. The desserts were particularly mouth watering and perfect for an evening spent together.

Some scenes around Sherfield-on-Loddon for us to explore.

The Four Horseshoes Pub

New Years Eve celebrations were held courtesy of the Invitation of a flatmate of mine - Charlie.

Celebrations were held in this wonderfully quaint English home atmosphere -
the home of Charlie's boyfriend, Will.

From the left: Charlie, Will, myself, Yani.

You know, I think we cut a rather fine couple indeed.

Yani puts some Wellies on to get home. Plus Charlie already had some funny shoes on. Cue, funny photo opportunity.