A Christmas Spectacular of a week!

Another busy week!

It's lovely going away in the lead up to Christmas but it also means that 'all' the jobs

 have to get done in a shorter pocket of time.

I hadn't wrapped a single present, so that was top of my 'to do' list before the kids came home!!

I LOVE wrapping presents but it's something I like to take my time over.

I've also had a lot of people to squeeze in for a coffee, catch up and pressie swaps before Christmas. On Monday I met up with Nicky and Sonia, on Tuesday, my lovely friend Sam, for a morning mooch around Frome. Possibly a new yearly tradition xx And on Wednesday I met my old Sainsbury's boss for a long overdue catch-up. There are still a few other people, where time has just not been on our side and will have to meet in the new year.

Frome was lovely. I've not been for years. In fact, the last time I think I went, at least with my friend Sam, was over 10 years ago when we still lived in Shepton. I must go back, as there are so many lovely independent shops. I think I stopped going because there was so much press about it being the new 'in' place to go and London/Celebrity peeps had started to decamp there. The Frome Independent Market, on the first Sunday of the month was lovely, but has just got too big and busy, and has become a victim of it's own success. It was lovely and quiet on the Tuesday we went, so maybe that's the way to do it.

Sophie came home on Tuesday, Sam returned on Thursday.

Wednesday evening we headed over to Bristol. 

We were lucky with the weather at first, the forecast had been for rain, but it more than made up for it later that evening as we were leaving. Absolutely torrential!! I don't think I've been so wet. We just had to throw our brollies and coats in the boot to sort out once we got home!! Made for fun drive home (not!!) Driving at night isn't a pleasant thing at the best of times but in utterly torrential rain, is was horrible. And typically, it stopped as we entered Street, nearly home!!

We started off the evening with a fabulous meal at Moltobuono. 

An independent Italian restaurant on Park Street. 

Delicious food!!

You could have easily have thought you were back in Italy xx

And then the main event.... the Christmas Spectacular at St. George's.

This is our fourth year going and is one of my favourite things to do at Christmas.

It is a bit of a trek over to Bristol, and it's always one of those evenings when the thought of having to go out is just too much of a hassle, but once there, you are so glad you ventured out and made the effort. It's just a fantastic mix of serious and fun instrumental pieces and the same for the choir, a mix of old and modern pieces. Mix them altogether and add in a little audience participation, and you have a fabulous evening.

Thursday was a catch-up day. I was greeted by the early arrival of Father Christmas out of the roof, whilst making my morning coffee. We live opposite a Primary School. Last year it was Elf on the Shelf, this year the main man!!

Jeff went and collected Sam from Bristol Temple Meads train station on Thursday evening. 

It was another evening of torrential rain. It has been so wet here. 

We have had in the mix, bursts of dry weather. I do love to go up to our bedroom at this time of year, to try and see the starlings fly past the Tor. I either luck out in a morning, as I open the shutters or time it just right around 4pm, to see them flying back to their roost over at Ham Wall.

Friday was a hair cut day for both Sophie and I over in Shepton. 

Then Saturday, a day of no plans!! Finally! I did a little baking. Not my favourite thing to do but the buns are yummy, so worth the effort and few are being gifted xx

I took myself off for a walk late afternoon, in a dry spell, to the top of Wearyall Hill. I had hoped to see the starlings out in the wild but it's been the case four times now, that when I go out to see them, they are flying in from a completely different direction!! Still the burst of fresh air did me the power of good.

Saturday night and Strictly Final time!
And the last series with Tess and Claudia at the helm. It will be interesting to see what happens next year. It's been a great series. I did have a soft spot for George and being a local Bristol boy, it would have been nice to see him win, but they were all good and deserved of the top spot.

Winter Solstice Tor view.

Today is the shortest day of the year, where the days start to get longer from this point forward. Definitely something to celebrate. I do not like the dark, wet, heavy days of winter.

We are headed South later. Today is the festive catch-up/gathering of my side of the family, down at Strawberry Fields in Devon. It's an hour drive for Mum and Dad, two for us, three for my sister. I used to always host it here, but now mum can't really travel far and needs disabled access, this is the best we can do! Tomorrow we do the same with Jeff's side of the family. And again, due to the need for disabled access, we are meeting in Wells Weatherspoon's!! Will do a round-up in a pre Christmas post xx

Best go and get ready!!

Buon Natale

Jeff and I have just returned from a fabulous few, festive days in Italy.

Day one

We had a very respectable 10.55 departure from Bristol airport, arriving in Italy at 14.10.

We stayed in Lucca, a 20 minute train journey from Pisa. 
We had visited Lucca for a morning when we were here last Easter and had earmarked it for a place to return to, as a morning just wasn't long enough.

It was a public holiday on the day we arrived. It could have gone one of two ways - all closed up, super quiet or lots going on, super busy. Thankfully it was the latter. So we dropped off our bags at our accommodation and headed straight out,

It was wonderfully festive and we joined the crowds following a band through the narrow streets, into a small courtyard, playing festive tunes all the way. A right time, right place moment x

Everywhere was lit up....

....just as we'd hoped x

Day two

We were up and out early and on a train to Florence by 8.30am

We stayed in Florence for a few days previously, so had 'done' Florence. 

We really just wanted to soak up the atmosphere of Florence at Christmas.

It was so much nicer without the crowds and big tour groups.

And we lucked out on the weather too.

It was warm enough in the sunshine to sit without a coat.

All I wanted, was for it to not rain!!

So we had a lovely day strolling through the streets of Florence.

And at night enjoying all the lights.

And there were plenty to enjoy!!

The Florence Christmas tree lights were only turned on, on the 6th, the Saturday that we then visited on the Tuesday. We didn't know, or we might have changed days, but the Olympic torch passed through Florence the following day, ready for the Winter Olympics. I guess it would have been busier and more crowded but it would have been cool to see it.

Day three

And we decided to spend the day in Lucca and explore it fully.

We sat inside mostly to enjoy a coffee and pastry for breakfast. It was cold, particularly in the mornings and evenings and when you weren't in full sun. I don't mind the cold if it's dry!!

We decided to spend our morning walking the city walls.

 A complete walk around Lucca's city walls typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The circuit is 4.2 km (2.6 miles) long. We did exactly that, we ambled, whilst joggers, cyclists, speed walkers passed us by. It was very pleasant. There are many points at which you could walk down into the city but we did the full circuit.

We then did a little window shopping. 

Lucca is made up of lots of small, traditional, independent shops and cafes.

We shared the most delicious lunch. 

Ravioli a la bolognese and a pork with caramelised onion focaccia, absolutely 'squisito!' 

Might have shared a tiramisu for pud too !!

I may have treated myself to a little Italian ceramics!! We spotted this shop on Monday evening. I had my eye on some little spotty and stripy cups but they had gone, so I chose this gorgeous plate instead. And I'm happy to report that it made it back home in one piece too.

We then decided we'd not done enough steps!! and we would climb the 217 steps to the top of the bell tower of Duomo di San Martino. It was only €3 each. We easily averaged 20,000 steps a day!!

It was worth the climb. You got fabulous views from the top and you could make out the city walls we'd walked that morning. We climbed the more popular tower, with the trees on the top, when we visited last year so did something different.

It was lovely just to take in all the sights and sounds, smells and tastes of an Italian festive season. I had thought we'd be coming home laden with panettone but it was actually quite expensive. I guess it's their main festive cake, so lots of artisan bakes.

For me, I love eating out. I love not having to think about what to make, shop for the ingredients, cook!!! It's one of the biggest treats of the holiday for me, enjoying eating out. And you get to try different foods, enjoy different surroundings, listen to the locals chat, even if you can't understand a word of it!! 

Jeff is better than me. He has spent the past five years, teaching himself Spanish and has recently started to learn Italian. I am going to 'try' and focus in the new year, to do the same. I much prefer Italy as a country to Spain, and I think Jeff is coming around to my way of thinking too. We have two trips to Italy already booked up for next year and we feel it's important to try and get a few words/phrases under our belt before we go. Admittedly, we should learn some Greek, but in our defence it is very tricky and much harder to learn, but as we will be there for a chunk of time in the summer, we will try our best to learn a bit for there too.

Day Four

We were unsure where to go on our fourth day. Pistoia won, but it was possibly the wrong decision. We should have possibly headed in the opposite direction to the coast. It was slightly higher up and the sun didn't burn through the whole time we were there. It was cold, damp, misty and murky.

We spent our time sat in cafes.....

and mooching around the shops.

Enjoying the festive touches.....

.....before returning to Lucca for lunch!

It was then time to pack up and head back to the train station, to make our way to Pisa.

Our original plan was to stay in Lucca for our final night but there was a train strike happening on the Friday. So rather than risk there not being a train to Pisa in the morning, we decided to spend our final night in Pisa. 

It meant we got to see Pisa's Christmas lights.

I thought the Leaning Tower of Pisa might be lit up but no, it was the same as normal. 

It was so quiet compared to our previous visit.

There was a new art installation by the city walls to enjoy.

We went back to Ristoro Pecorino for our final meal.

Jo and I went there when we visited Pisa, and I made Jeff go there last Easter, 

Sophie too, when we visited in March!! 

The food is delicious, so a good reason to return. 

We ate inside this time, so it felt like a new place!!

Day five

Our final morning in Pisa. 

And last pistachio croissant for a while!!

We woke to fabulous blue skies and sunshine. So we made the most of it and spent a chunk of time, just sat outside soaking up every once of sunshine we could.

It's been a fabulous few days in a fabulous country. 

Just what we needed. 

Jeff only really switches off from the busy term, once we go away.

He no longer has the temptation to check emails or 'just finish something'. 

So it's a complete break!

I am thankful to the organised me, who got the house ready for Christmas before she left!! 

I just have the presents to wrap and the food shop to do! 

Sophie comes home on Tuesday and Sam, who is now up in the Lakes with Poppy, returns home on Thursday. I have a few coffee dates in the diary, our two family gatherings in the coming week and we have a night out in Bristol to look forward to. So a busy week ahead.

So Buon Natale from Jeff and I. 

As always I post pics, videos and lots of info whilst we are away, over on our travel Instagram page @hap_pea_travels and Jeff writes a blog HERE if you are interested. I love to see places and find out information about our trips from Instagram posts or blogs. So by doing this, we can share any tips or info we find out about and you never know it might inspire someone to go there too xx