Another Christmas in the UK

Another 2 weeks in the UK has passed. This time much less eventful than 12 months ago when getting COVID disrupted our trip. Now one would not even know such a thing ever existed. There are still a few signs lying around in restaurants that need to be taken down, and there was the odd person that I saw over the two weeks wearing a mask (including some flight crew); but other than that, there was no need to always book everything in advance or even show a vaccination certificate when coming into the UK (Kenya does want to see that though).

Of course there was another inconvenience, which is that of various workers being on strike. We had to change the odd plan or two to meet people who feared they might not get trains back home, but mostly we were driving which was not affected. The weather is also an inconvenience in the Winter in the UK. I missed the snow (Andrea and the kids got some as they arrived earlier than I), but did get enough dry days to go running every other day on average, and took the dog for a walk most days - even going to some new places, which was nice. And with the kids walking as well, without complaining, which was even nicer!

Apart from all the usual family stuff (including spending time with an Uncle who's recovering from some leg issues, and a father with some other leg issues) we took the kids trampolining, ice skating, and to watch some Pantomimes. I had some fun driving some supercars as a present, watching an "immersive experience" of the Peaky Blinders, and failing to escape from an Escape Room. Christmas of course meant presents, chief of which were clothes, games, toys and a computer console. It had been quite a performance buying the gifts in Kenya with multiple trips to markets, including one that was held at the school with items costing no more than a few dollars which the kids could go to and buy things for their parents (who gave them money, but were not at the market).

It is wonderful to spend time with the family, especially as our kids grow up alongside my sister's two kids (though several years behind). We certainly overdid the Amazon buying, the food eating, and even sleeping in some days. But isn't that what the holidays are for?

Now, back to unpacking, cleaning, and enjoying thirty degrees sunshine at lunchtimes and weekends!