The last snow fell on the 23rd as Marilyn made her way home from work. The bus journey took longer than normal as the drivers negotiated the slippery roads. We saw cars having trouble negotiating the gradual climb on our street. It had been a short heavy fall that seemed to catch a lot of people. At this point, it looked as though we were in for a disruptive white Christmas.
Christmas eve was cold and misty. Little of the snow melted during the morning as we prepared for our journey to Heathrow to pick up our son. The road reports suggested that once we got on the M40, we should have few problems although there were advisory notices especially for Scotland and the South East advising essential travel only. Once we left our street, the journey to Heathrow was without problems. The roads were clear. The flight arrived on time and it rained as we approached Oxford on the return journey and the roads were fairly clear by the time we arrived home.
We discovered that the Birmingham mall that we frequently visit doesn't have late nights on Christmas eve. Quite a change from the rush and bustle of midnight closing that we were used to in New Zealand. We find it amusing as the New Zealand argument was that tourists would expect the 24x7 trading hours but so far we have found the UK has civilised trading hours shutting down early on Sundays and not bothering with extended hours for Christmas.
Christmas day dawned clear with still a reasonable snow cover but by the end of the day most of the snow had melted. The family celebration was enjoyable with our granddaughter enjoying dressing up as Snow White. The day was relaxing and enjoyable. It was nice to be able to celebrate Christmas with both of our children, our daughter's husband, and our grandchildren. The first such celebration since our daughter married.
Now on Boxing day, with only a few signs of the snow that lay on the ground, the 4ÂșC temperature seems warm and refreshing. Now our attention is turning to helping our son find some accommodation in Milton Keynes so he can start his teaching job on the 4th January.