London.　

Portman place is just several blocks from Selfridges, Frazier's, John Lewis, Debenems and hundreds of other specialty shops along Oxford Street, Marylebone High, New Bond Street ( with all the high end stores from Armani to Ralf Loren to Sotheby's and Author Dunhill's signature store around the corner). The sales person at Ermenegildo Zegna, remembered Keith, and immediately organised coffee for us. Magic. The jacket that Keith liked is lovely and reduced to 1300 pounds, a steal! He will think about it.
Ben and Misato have settled into a large flat near Marble Arch area. We have become London-ties, having fun Christmas Shopping and we are spoilt for choice, I have found some lovely presents for al, including a few pieces for myself. Ah the temptation is so great. Love the Christmas lights and the smell of roast dinners.

It has been fun shopping in London, the stores are warm and packed with people. (It's cold outside and much warmer in the stores , reverse of Sydney where we excape to the malls for the air con). People are busy hunting and gathering their gifts, there is a sort of frenzy in the air. The snow has come and gone, we have slipped and slid from shop to shop. There is a crispness in the air, and the Christmas Spirit is upon us, no not whisky or cognac but a bit of frenzy and the pleasure of thinking of others anticipating the sparkle in their eyes when they open their gifts. It's like re-living childhood.

Nicole and Robin have had their flights cancelled. too much snow and the planes are iced up. They were able to reschedule to earlier flight. Several calls and texts later we heard they had boarded by 4.53pm and then held up to de-ice their plane for another 90 minutes. Robin wants us to be Santa and an elf and Misato and Ben to be the reindeers, thats his Christmas wish...to fly over. We want them here too.
They have arrived. Yes hip, hip hurray! We almost thought they would not be making it over.

Christmas Day.

　
We opened presents. Cooked and roasted our fine feast. Duck stuffed with chicken which was stuffed with pheasant and stuffing. Yum. Snacked on pate and smoke salmon. Drank egg-nog, champagne, pinot, port and coffee. Indulged in fine Christmas pudding and custard. An amazing feast, filled with laughter and teasing. We were stuffed and resolved to have an AFD it would be better to have an AFW, but that could be stretching it somewhat.

Boxing Day Sales.

Selfridges (11.30am opening) and the queues stretched around the store 4 to 5 people wide. I have never seen so many people. The security in the store was over whelming, Nicole and I braved the entry and followed the stream of bodies, we soon discovered that it was useless to do anything except leave, so we did. Mosh-pit!

Went to Reiss and then to coffee. Saw some dark youths (some gang) belting each other up about some stupid statements. They took their belts off and used them as weapons, there was blood in the street and I was concerned that they may even pull out a knife or gun, un-necessary violence. People, and we ducked for cover and moved away. As quickly it started it finished.

Moving on we found Misato, engaged in some serious shopping for mascara and then some food and tea. We were exhausted by the time we got back to the flat. Ben got his suit and we are all ready for some serious sight seeing, tomorrow, only after Misato gets that Chrystal chair from the John Lewis sale. Store opens 9 am and it's definitely an advantage living so close to the major department stores.
Nicole, Robin, Keith and I headed out to Buckingham Palace, (via a long stroll around Hyde Park). It was a really cold day, would it snow? Not sure. (But it did rain later tonight), We couldn't cope any more so we warmed up in a pub over mulled wine and chips, took snaps of Big Ben and met up with Misato and Ben for a ride on the London Eye. (The queues were long). We had a great Lebanese meal near Marble Arch later and listened to some dude playing an electronic piano or something. Tomorrow Misato and Ben head out for Jamaica and sunshine and surf. (Envious) Robin and Nicole are going to Oxford to meet up with Robin's cousin and Keith and I will just take it easy. Like taking a stroll along New Bond Street and surrounds soaking up the Christmas lights and window shopping. Tomorrow we are meeting up with Mike, Catherine and the family.