London

 The guards Chapel, we missed the Carol service last year, when I was taken ill, hubby promised me we would go this year. Very highbrow, just wonderful, with guards band high up out of sight on the right, 6 personnel with herald trumpets, (the long horns for a fanfare) at the back and the choir, it was a good service in an historic building, I came away feeling very festive.

Monday we spent a few hours walking, here in Covent garden, with loads of beautiful decorated trees, undercover. It was busy but as expected less people about, just a few photo's as the whole area was decorated, full of colour and cheer.

And outside

The only shop we entered was Liberty, I have never been there before, I have seen many programs on TV showing the interior, loads of panelling and dark wood, it did not disappoint. Hubby enjoyed all the interior, so much beautiful wood, and the extra seasonal decorations, this one is presently is in the main hall on the ground floor.

The trip was not about shopping, Liberty was the only shop we entered, I headed for the Christmas shop and purchased these three baubles for my tree, mission accomplished. The chocolate coin will be shared and if I can keep the outside tidy, I will make it into another decoration. 

We walked to St James palace, and was extremely lucky whilst we were there the guard duty arrived, marching with a band, escorted by mounted police, it added to another layer of our history and hubby's days in the Welsh guards. Regent street was at 5.30 pm on Sunday night packed full of people walking, on bikes and the rickshaws for hire, as we weaved our way along the street people were darting about, stopping for photo's, bedlam comes to mind, I would hate to live in such a crowded place.

We arrived home late on Monday evening, our coach journey took longer due to traffic as we left London and again around Guildford, it did not matter to us at all, one lady was worried about a connection at Portsmouth ferry terminal, so the driver diverted there first stop in the city instead of last and she was in time, nobody complained. 

We are both tired, we did so much walking, 19,000 steps on Sunday and 15,000 on Monday, originally we had hoped to have two nights, sadly our hotel was booked, we could only get one night, we do love the hotel it's location is perfect for us, we were on the 18th floor, so I was really glad the storm had passed. Now back to Christmas preparations, we are almost there, I am now really feeling festive.