After last week’s attempt to see the Christmas tree lights ended up in an unexpected visit to A&E for my son, we made a new date and yesterday, we had the most special mum and son day exploring the lights. And then to continue the festive theme, our little family of four visited a local National Trust property today where as well as doing a woodland walk around their grounds, we visited the house which has been beautifully decorated for Christmas. It’s unlike me to go in early for Christmas but with Mr S having surgery on the 12th of December and needing time to rest and recuperate, if we want to do some festive family events we need to do them early.
Saturday was a beautiful winter’s day, bright blue skies but with a definite chill in the air. I ran my home parkrun and with the views and sunshine on my face, it certainly gave me a real sense of peace in another busy week. We headed over to the Christmas lights in the afternoon, again on the bus as it’s so much easier and the journey is often cited as one of the most picturesque journeys in the UK. Whilst it was Black Friday weekend, we had ordered the presents we were after on Friday night, so we didn’t do much shopping, just pottering around the Christmas market before dusk fell and we could explore the lights. Part of the occasion is to have a special festive refreshment, previously it’s been freshly baked pizza, crepes and churros but tonight we went to a hut designed as a hot chocolate emporium. Quite simply it was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. You choose, milk or white chocolate, a syrup and then it came with all the trimmings, cream, sprinkles, marshmallows, a gingerbread man and a candy cane. We paid an extra £3 to get the mug with twinkling lights too, it just felt oh so festive. I went for white chocolate and butterscotch and it was perfect, the best accessory for walking through the illuminated gardens. The gardens are really Christmassy, along with all the different lights, there is a skating rink and an Alpine hideaway. The lights are so impressive, the trees are huge and there were lots of nice new touches this year, a tunnel of lights, the waterfall now featuring some polar bears too, projections onto nearby buildings, and some new displays. It was busy but it added to the atmosphere, and you could easily get to all the lights. It was also friendly and relaxed with people taking each other’s group photos, everyone simply delighted to be in such a magical space. My son and I both really enjoyed it and it felt special that even as a teenager he wanted to be with me to see the lights.
Today, we hadn’t really planned our visit to the National Trust property, we were looking for somewhere different to go and walk and remembered we had a free entry pass needing to be used up. I knew of their special Christmas decorations in the house but also knew it would be popular and we might not get a ticket as they only allow so many people in for a timed slot. However the weather was drizzly and grey and when we get there early, it was quieter than normal and we managed to secure a time only 15 minutes away, perfectly timed for a quick look around the shop! The house is always beautiful, but the decorations took it to another magical level. Each room and area had been decorated exquisitely. The trees reflect each room, the library was so cosy lit by candlelight, the ladies salon sparkled and the dining room’s tree complemented the beautiful greenery arch over the table. However, it was the other decorations which were so memorable, the beautiful fireplace, the moon display, the table delightfully set with a Nutcracker theme and a stunning paper display. The paper decoration was a cube around 1.5 metres high, with each side showing a scene cut from paper and lit. It really was breath-taking and I was so pleased we were able to tour the house today. We followed it up with a damp walk around the woods and gardens to blow the cobwebs before we came home and settled into a cosy afternoon in.
This was the weekend I really needed, there’s lots going on and our two festive visits felt like a much needed escape to a sparkly, twinkly world. The festive treats continue next weekend, with our town’s Christmas market which is a genuine highlight of the year and then when the boys go to football on Sunday, my daughter and I are heading off to Southampton for our annual Christmas shopping trip. I’m pretty organised this year, the children want a few big presents which we have already ordered thanks to looking out for offers. So far on my shopping list it’s Christmas pyjamas and a few decorations, I’ve no doubt on my daughter’s list there’ll be nails, eye lashes and a few clothes totally unsuitable for the winter weather! However, there will definitely be a special lunch with a few mocktails. What’s not to love?
Seaside Sparkles 