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London Update 4 – Tis the Season

  • January 1, 2025
  • KK

London Update Nov 18 – Dec 19

Well, this will be my last post for 2024.  It’s been a great run here in London, and I’ll be sad to leave come Feb. 1. (However, my six-month tourist visa will expire, and I don’t want my UK entry to be banned for future visits!)

Christmas is always a hectic time of year. This is only the first time Jack and I have been away from our family for most of the Christmas holidays. It really is an odd feeling. The good news is our two daughters, Sarah and Kalee, will be joining us in Germany along with the grandkids for the week of Christmas. So, it won’t be a lonely one. London can be either magical and festive, with the whole city lit up and decorated and carolers serenading shoppers on the squares, or it can be serene and relaxing, quiet and peaceful as most Londoners leave to visit family, and the whole city takes a huge breath before the New Year begins.

But for the Stuarts, our lead-up to the Holidays was nothing but frenzied and festive. When friends realise your address is LONDON, they definitely take to heart the saying “Come visit”. Our home is always open because what is life without friends and family?  So, our first guests returned from their extended Greek trip to enjoy a little of London’s merry season. As I previously mentioned, the Brits begin Christmas much earlier than we do because they don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving and Santa’s entrance at the Macy’s Parade! We spent most of our time wandering the streets, marveling at the dazzling window displays and thousands of twinkling lights. Included was a trip to Horizon 22, London’s highest viewing platform.  It wouldn’t be the holidays without enjoying a few dinners out. We went out a few times with my good friend Joanna, who encouraged me to travel to her hometown of Capetown and, hopefully, one day, go on a safari. Jack and I had a nice dinner at Isola in St. Christopher’s place for our 39th anniversary and then a pre-theatre dinner at the Strand Tandori before heading to see Back To The Future— fun and enjoyable, but I don’t think it’ll be a classic!

39th Anniversary Celebration
Annabel's
Chanel
Cartier
View from Horizon 22

Thanksgiving was a true blessing as we attended the annual Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s, where a service has been held since 1958, honoring the bond between the U.S. and Great Britain—specifically the sacrifice of the 28,000 American soldiers stationed in Great Britain who gave their lives throughout the WWII. It is a very popular service, with more than 2,000 Americans filling the whole of the Cathedral this year. The service always begins with an American military Color Guard posting the colors, followed by music and an address by the Ambassador or Deputy. (This year, it was the Deputy Chief of Mission—and it was a great speech!) After the service, everyone is invited to walk through the American Memorial Chapel.  If you have never seen this, it is worth the £21 entrance fee (when not attending the service). During the Blitz, a bomb fell through the roof, destroying the High Altar but not the beautiful mosaic above it at the back. Plans were made to rebuild the altar (according to Wren’s original plan), but a new chapel would be built in honour of the American sacrifice during WWII. Eisenhower volunteered to raise the funds for it, but the Brits turned him down as it was a special thank-you to all of America and the shared struggle for freedom. At the center of the chapel is a large, red, leatherbound book with a personal message from General Eisenhower and the name, rank, and service details of the 28,000 Americans stationed in Great Britain who gave their lives throughout the War. The chapel has a stained-glass window representing  “service, sacrifice, and resurrection”. Below an image of the Crucifixion is the Ark – a ship in stormy waters, signifying the ships that took the colonists to North America and the journey back of the thousands who took part in liberating Europe. Around these images are the flags of the 48 States and 4 US territories (in 1958). It was easy for me to find the Lone Star of Texas. Overall, it was a beautiful service and a great way to spend Thanksgiving in London. Afterward, we had a lovely pub lunch at the Dickens Inn at St. Katherine’s Docks, then crossed the Tower Bridge to Borough Market, took a nice walk along the South Bank, and made a quick stop for Martinis at the Marriot County Hall.

Thanksgiving at St. Pauls with Stewarts
St. Paul's Cathedral
American Memorial Chapel Stained Glass
Grill at Dicken's Inn
Borough Market

There are so many festive activities in London during Christmas time; one of Jack’s favourites (not so much mine) is ice skating! A beautiful Christmas ice rink—Glide— was set up at the refurbished Battersea Power Station. As usual, London brought old bones (buildings) to life, and the area of Nine Elms and Battersea is living proof. The old Victorian hulk of the power station lay vacant and decaying for decades—that is until the American Embassy announced in 2008 that it would move from its decades-old address in Grosvenor Square, which was too difficult to protect, to a new fortress south of the river. The old adage “build it, and they will come” is certainly true for this area. It is a fashionable neighborhood and micro-city with dazzling residential towers, beautiful parks, upscale shops, boutiques, and restaurants. The whole area becomes a magical destination at Christmas with twinkling lights, festooned trees, and over-the-top decorations. Jack and a few friends skated around a giant tree while Kim, Rick, and I watched as we savoured our hot cocoa inside the Glass House Café. The next day brought us to Spencer House, one of London’s most luxurious and grand 18th-century aristocratic townhouses. Charles Spencer (the 9th Earl) and brother of Princess Diana is the current owner, although he does not live on the premises. Even though I have spent so much time in London, this was my first visit here. I would say it was well worth it. Before the Stewarts left London, we had to take them to Hamley’s—the world’s greatest toy store! It’s fun any time of year, but at Christmas, the elves work their magic here, and I think a few quid were spent on their grandkids’ presents! Next up were our friends, the Aquaros. Matt was here on business, so Maggie tagged along, and I showed her around the town. Another trip to the V&A, the Tower, and a fabulous tea at the Goring were on the docket. I have become quite adept at a Christmas lights walking tour, and the Aquaros definitely appreciated the excursion. We finally were able to visit our friends—the Rapps—over in Surrey, and had a delightful Sunday Roast, albeit on Saturday. It was great to finally meet his wife, Demi, and their two boys. The following week brought the Old London Gang together as Karen Porter, Greg, and Kathleen Walls came to stay. It was like a reunion from 20 years earlier. We ate, drank, and reminisced for days. Again, Christmas walks, tea at the Wallace, and lots of pubbing took center stage. Jack and I have been truly blessed with friends from all over, and we were lucky to have each of them take advantage of our address in London.

Liberty
Battersea Power Station
Inside Battersea Power Station
Skating at Battersea
Post Michigan Win Celebration at Churchills
KK & Maggie
Royal Horse Guard
Celebration with Rapps
KK and Karen
With Karen, Kathleen and Kermit
Trafalgar Christmas Tree

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2 Responses

  1. Kim Stewart says:
    January 1, 2025 at 11:20 pm

    Happy 2024 Jack and Karen. We are forever grateful for your hospitality in London. We loved spending time in one of our favorite cities with dear friends. We will see you stateside!

    Reply
  2. Mary Summers says:
    January 1, 2025 at 4:58 pm

    Thanks for taking us on a splendid sensory tour of one of my favorite cities! I could feel the chill in the air, taste the hot cocoa, hear the bustle of Borough Market and relish the glittering sights of Christmastime in London! I know yours was magical. Have a healthy and happy 2025 filled with more adventures we hope you’ll share.

    Mary.

    Reply

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