Christmas is coming

Enjoyed our 2 days away and managed to dodge most of the rain - it was bad on the journey each way and overnight but OK during the day.

We arrived in Winchester at 11.00am on Friday and, having parked the car at the hotel, we walked our socks off till 4.00pm. Unpacked, had a quick swim then back to the High Street to watch the parade of lanterns (100s of them made and carried by children) and official opening of the market stalls/huts. Had a nice pub meal for lunch and Italian meal after the parade before tumbling into bed at 10.00.

The Christmas Markets were great fun and looked great lit up at night. Decided to give the skating rink a miss though. Yesterday we drove to Southampton and finished our Christmas shopping at the West Quay shopping centre - The 3 story IKEA is amazing! As we had had a Full English breakfast, we only needed a soup for lunch. Back for a swim/sauna/steam again before walking back to the Cathedral (well over half a mile each way) for the Advent Carol Service. The choir was amazing and the place packed to overflowing. Found a nice Chinese Dim Sum restaurant for supper then back to the hotel for an early night.

Glad to be home again even if the legs are still aching after all that walking and shopping. Just catching up with Iplayer before I unpack and get stuff ready for washing - that can wait till tomorrow. Pictures below

https://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee102/jane-poppytree/Holidays%20UK/Winchester/?albumview=slideshow

Piccies look great Jane and sounds like you had a good but tiring time
Wow would love that jar of marmite

Jane... lovely pics!!! They has some wonderful signs on the shops. And those paper lanterns are amazing.

Lovely pictures Jane, loads of sheds with lots of different goodies inside. The lanterns and lights looked great

Wow lovely pics Jane sounds like you had a great time

Sounds and looks like you had a great time , lovely photos

it looks wonderful Jane

Looks great Jane, I couldn't see the photos on Martins computer and then forgot to look again until now

Thanks Jacky - how did your demo go?
I was tempted to join you but was in the mood to make some Christmas cards for once so kept going.

poppytree wrote:Thanks Jacky - how did your demo go?
I was tempted to join you but was in the mood to make some Christmas cards for once so kept going.

It was really good, she was demonstrating the Gypsy too but not looking into that - will see how I go with the machine first She was good and showed me and let me have a go right from the beginning so should be able to work out what to do when I am allowed mine The next problem is deciding what cartridge I would use most. There are 2 with it so will see how I get on with those and I have the Design Studio to go with it too so will have lots to play with I was very good and only bought a set of Christmas text stamps and an ink pad