*Stop The Cavalry* It's The 2014 Christmas Chatter Thread

Gettingtherequickly

Well, just as I thought I was getting my mojo back and could think about moving forward, life has dealt me a curved ball, but this time a lovely one.

Had a message from one of the rellies in Egypt on Wednesday, well not a message per se, a photo of his visa! Apparently he was supposed to be going on a training course in Germany but somehow the visa situation got messed up so change of plan to London, coming on Sunday night, on course in Paddington until Thursday when the rest of the group fly back and he stays for an extra week! It will be so nice to recipricate their kindness when I am there. All I have to do is plan what to do. He has been before, so all of the usual tourist bits are out, except maybe the London Eye, so if any of you have any suggestions it will be much appreciated. At the moment, I have booked a table at a Lebanese restaurant (Groupon deal, £28 for 2, reduced from £70 odd, not sure it was ever worth that, but reduced price in Knigtsbridge will be good value) and he wants to eat at my favourite restaurant, so that is sorted. He has managed to get a Shengen visa, so Eurostar to Paris is planned, but I don't know what else to do. He wants to spend some time at a cordon bleu school of sorts, but one of my cousins is a chef in one of Hugh F-W places, so I will get her to organise that for him. I have to factor in that I will be working, so evening events will be necessary, but I am going to be very tired by the time he goes back. His daughter will be 4 while he is here, so think it could be an emotional skype call that day. Just as well my bathroom will finally be finished tomorrow and I can start to put some shape to my place.

After all my moaning about my sister sorting out mum's flights, karma kicked in! I shouldn't laugh, but she is 4th dan karate black belt and mistimed a kick on Wednesday, result - 2 broken toes! Was I being awful thinking about karma? :D

mandco

gettingtherequickly sounds like your going to busy

welcome to those joining

fieryangel when it comes to xmas dinner prepping what you can before hand is the key most of the sides can be prepared in advance, set the table the night before then on the day its just heating/serving.Personally I don't even cook xmas day we have a roast xmas eve and then cold meat & buffet style munchies xmas
day.

Quidsy sorry things aren't going too well but extra time with ds over xmas sounds perfect

Kiwi13 vouchers/money always seems like a more expensive option it can be a fine line between staying in budget and feeling tight for not giving enough or spending more than you really want to esp when you know you could get an actual gift for less But for those hard to buy for or ungrateful for what you get them its a better use of money and time.

freespirit bet you can't wait i second what pigpen says and aslong as its ok with dd take lots of photos/video not long to go now

wanted to get some bits in the la senza sale but it was manic you couldn't even get in the door did manage to get some little people character sets for £1.25 each in tesco and 5 trousers/tops for taz for under £15 in asda sale
Hb didn't have much xmas stuff out but did have red/white candy canes 79p(found these hard to find last yr as most had green in) & My 1st xmas red fluffy fleece blankets and baby xmas elf/santa outfit/costume @ £3.99 each. did find some mini colour/paint by number & scraper foil 39p & barbie/moshi colouring book sets 39p so my donation box is coming along nicely.
Anyone else noticed the shops are becoming really busy already? not so much the main stores but the like of Hb & £land have huge queues even during the wk

forgot to mention tesco have 500g tubs of caburys hot choc 1/2 price £1.49 & bags of mini marshmellow 82p if anyones making snowman soup

Ruth_honey

Gettingtherequickly wrote: »

Well, just as I thought I was getting my mojo back and could think about moving forward, life has dealt me a curved ball, but this time a lovely one.

Had a message from one of the rellies in Egypt on Wednesday, well not a message per se, a photo of his visa! Apparently he was supposed to be going on a training course in Germany but somehow the visa situation got messed up so change of plan to London, coming on Sunday night, on course in Paddington until Thursday when the rest of the group fly back and he stays for an extra week! It will be so nice to recipricate their kindness when I am there. All I have to do is plan what to do. He has been before, so all of the usual tourist bits are out, except maybe the London Eye, so if any of you have any suggestions it will be much appreciated. At the moment, I have booked a table at a Lebanese restaurant (Groupon deal, £28 for 2, reduced from £70 odd, not sure it was ever worth that, but reduced price in Knigtsbridge will be good value) and he wants to eat at my favourite restaurant, so that is sorted. He has managed to get a Shengen visa, so Eurostar to Paris is planned, but I don't know what else to do. He wants to spend some time at a cordon bleu school of sorts, but one of my cousins is a chef in one of Hugh F-W places, so I will get her to organise that for him. I have to factor in that I will be working, so evening events will be necessary, but I am going to be very tired by the time he goes back. His daughter will be 4 while he is here, so think it could be an emotional skype call that day. Just as well my bathroom will finally be finished tomorrow and I can start to put some shape to my place.

After all my moaning about my sister sorting out mum's flights, karma kicked in! I shouldn't laugh, but she is 4th dan karate black belt and mistimed a kick on Wednesday, result - 2 broken toes! Was I being awful thinking about karma? :D

I can't find any 241 offers for London eye. I thought Days Out Guide did them, but no sign now.
Personally, I always enjoy a trip down the river. Lots of good shows at the theatre. If there's anything you fancy, I'll see if there's any decent offers on. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was very good. We've just booked to see Miss Saigon, and got Evita coming up in a few weeks too.
Worth looking at Time Out offers, as they sometimes have some excellent restaurant deals.

pigpen

mandco wrote: »

freespirit bet you can't wait i second what pigpen says and aslong as its ok with dd take lots of photos/video not long to go now

I know what my girl is like. she didn't want any pictures and I took them anyway and when she said.. oh I really wish I had pics of this.. I gave her them all.. She was really grateful and very surprised!

Gettingtherequickly

Ruth_honey wrote: »

I can't find any 241 offers for London eye. I thought Days Out Guide did them, but no sign now.
Personally, I always enjoy a trip down the river. Lots of good shows at the theatre. If there's anything you fancy, I'll see if there's any decent offers on. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was very good. We've just booked to see Miss Saigon, and got Evita coming up in a few weeks too.
Worth looking at Time Out offers, as they sometimes have some excellent restaurant deals.

Thanks for suggestions, friend has also suggested Jack the Ripper walk and wandering round Covent Garden. The more options I have, the easier it will be to get a plan together.

Ruth_honey

Gettingtherequickly wrote: »

Thanks for suggestions, friend has also suggested Jack the Ripper walk and wandering round Covent Garden. The more options I have, the easier it will be to get a plan together.

Covent garden is nice to wander round. Especially the market.
We did a loo tour recently, which was good fun. If you do a Ripper tour, I think looking in trip advisor is a good idea because a lot of people are basically just pushing their own book. The ghost bus tour was a giggle. Not serious at all, but still learnt plenty.
You could write lots of ideas down and just pull a few out of a box at the start of the visit and get booking...

willow_loulou

National rail do 241 london offers if that helps Getting there quickly, I took my dd there earlier in the year and used this website http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2310951/Best-websites-exploring-London.html
Go see the Tower's river of blood if you get the chance, the poppies are just so incredible.

Free spirit thank you xxx Im so wrung out I am not sure what to do with myself so I have got the crochet out to do instead of that sleep stuff. Love is a complicated thing is it not.

freespirit66

Evening everyone, its nearly half ten and i still have my ceiling fan wizzing round, i am so flipping hot its ridiculous. Looking forward to tomorrow DD1 is organising DD2 baby shower so we are going to look to see if stuff is cheaper online or in store so we are going to Home Bargains, Matalan, Poundland, B&M and Asda (not all for baby shower i need a couple of xmas bits to finish stockings)

GETTINGTHEREQUICKLY oh what a lovely surprise for you, i agree with RUTHHONEY my DD1 has done the ghost bus tour and she said it was hilarious and well worth it, she has also done the Jack the Ripper tour and enjoyed that, about the karma but very understandable, i think we all would have thought the same

MANDCO oh god yeah i will have to make sure she is happy with it she is fiery at the best of times never mind being in labour, otherwise i will have to be very sneaky and do what PIGPEN says she did, her daughter was glad when she saw the pics

PIGPEN sounds exactly like my DD2, i have only got 1 photo of her pregnant and that is rubbish on my phone so i will have to find my camera out and take some decent ones before its too late

WILLOWLOULOU yes it is a complicated thing you are right there, hope you have a nice quiet relaxed weekend and catch up on some good sleep, and have some crochet time x

freespirit66

Duh!!!!! i keep forgetting, i am doing a small tea hamper for my friend, a nice mug, some posh biccies and some posh tea and i have made up this little ditty to go on the tag but im not sure what do you all think? Is it ok?

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
ITS NEARLY 3
PUT YOUR FEET UP
WITH A NICE CUP OF TEA


OR

pigpen

freespirit66 wrote: »

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
ITS NEARLY 3
PUT YOUR FEET UP
WITH A NICE CUP OF TEA


OR

I'm getting mine this .. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thomas-Sabo-Charm-Genuine-Mama-/381000168933?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_FineJewellery_CA&hash=item58b56135e5

she had one but lost it so I need a super cheap one .. and I will find one