28 Feb 2026
Some Lovely Things
Plucking every ounce of good out of the winter months because, quite frankly, they have mostly been a pain in the arse.
A lovely day in London catching up with the girls. It is borderline impossible to get all six of us round a table these days so 4/6 wasn’t bad. We had a delicious lunch at Alma King’s Cross (which Arthur slept through the majority of – a win) and then an afternoon wandering around Coal Drop’s Yard nattering and shop browsing, including a chaotic visit to the photobooth. The photo strip makes me smile every time I look at it and I’m determined to frame it and get it on the wall somewhere. Cup well and truly filled up.
The snowman trail at Anglesey Abbey. I love these trails that Anglesey Abbey periodically put on, great kid entertainment and I’m always impressed by the art. Lovely little activity to start getting into the festive spirit.
Every third weekend in November, there is a three-day Christmas market at Ely cathedral and to me, it always feels like the start of the festive season. This year, they had a ferris wheel and we took the boys on. Alfie loved it but even as an adult, there is a certain element of childish glee at seeing the town from up high. Also, it was fascinating viewing the cathedral at a height we would never normally be able to.
Hunting out Christmas lights with my boy. This was the first year he had a real understanding that something was coming, and it was a joy to watch.
Watching The Polar Express with Alfie for the first time. He was mesmerised and so excited and it was such a joy to watch him experience it. The first time he’s sat through a feature length film as well!
Being the kind of house that has two Christmas trees – one in the kitchen, one in the living room – created a childish glee in me.
Celebrating Alfie’s 4th birthday. Still can’t quite believe we have a four-year-old.
The chaos of Christmas morning. Our living room looked like a hurricane had swept through it.
Doing one of those videos that puts a ‘reindeer’ in your living room. Alfie insisted on showing everyone on Christmas Day.
Arthur in his little Christmas outfit on Christmas Day.
The Christmas Day walk – it was cold, the skies were clear, there was a spectacular sunset. The ideal Christmas-day-walk conditions in my opinion. Also, that clear sky giving way to an extremely starry night; just felt a little bit more magical at Christmas time.
Wimpole Christmas light display on Boxing Day.
Staying in our pjs until midday, eating cheeseboards, allowing laundry and general house tidiness to slack in favour of watching The Polar Express with a hot chocolate for the eighth time. That period between Christmas and New Year is the best.
Watching the NYE’s fireworks with Alfie on New Year’s Day… five times. He was fascinated!
That slight relief of an empty calendar when January arrives.
Making porridge on cold winter mornings.
The feeling of it all being ahead.
Snow! I cannot tell you how desperately I wish to live somewhere that has proper snowy winters. It would be so much more enjoyable than the constant damp greyness. Still, it was great for the whole two days we had it.
January boredom had us redesigning the living room layout which escalated to a full-blown redecoration. Probably stress we do not need, but I’m looking forward to the finished result and the room working better for us.
Lunch dates with my gal Beth, we never don’t end up laughing slightly hysterically.
The Night Manager (spoilers warning…). I was unsure when I heard it was coming back because that first series was one of the best pieces of television in my humble opinion. I’ve watched it three times and am always struck by how slick and crisp it is, I wouldn’t change a single thing in it. And whilst the second series could never quite recreate that, it is still a cut above; when Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston are on screen together, it’s pure theatre.
Catching up with best friends in Harpenden – they took us to Brad & Dill and the fried chicken, nduja mayo, mozzarella & crispy onion bagel was sensational.
Dishoom dates with my sister, we drink chai, we put the world to rights, and then we go browse bookshops. A joy.
My birthday: an excuse to make a huge cake and emerge from the drudgy depths of winter to go out and do something nice.
Making pancakes and dancing round the kitchen to the pancake song from Matilda (IYKYK) on a sunny Sunday morning.
The collective sigh of relief at making it to the end of February. Spring is on the horizon.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Hey there!
