Christmas in Bournemouth

Being away from my family for Christmas was probably the only time I have even slightly missed being in South Africa.  But on the other hand, I was more than excited about having a white Christmas so I wasn’t complaining too much about being away! 

A friend of mine from Montessori training college, Ali lives with her boyfriend Simon in Bournemouth, a coastal town in south England and his parents had been kind enough to let me stay over on a few occasions when I was visiting Ali.  So when they heard I was going to be alone for Christmas they were kind enough to offer to have me join them for their Christmas dinner.  London’s public transport completely shuts down on Christmas Day and cabs double their prices, so its not really where you want to be on the actual day.

When I got to Victoria Coach Station to catch my bus, the weather was very cold and snowy and I was worried my bus wouldn’t be able to leave.  But, after an hour and a half delay, we finally got on the road and I was on my way to Bournemouth J

When I got there, Alana and Simon picked me up and we went to join his parents at a Chinese restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner, where I tasted duck for the first time, delicious!!

We had all decided to buy a present for each other, so Christmas morning we woke up and swopped presents, which was really fun.  I called my family in South Africa to wish them Merry Christmas and then we headed off to church.  Only once we got there did we realise it was a Catholic Church, which none of us had ever been to!!  Anyways the people were really friendly and welcoming and it was an enjoyable service, though we were the only ones who didn’t know the que’s for sitting down and standing up when singing the carols!

Once we left, we headed to Simon’s familys’ house.  We spent most of the afternoon chilling by the TV and opening gifts.  There were so many delicious snacks that by the time dinner came I was almost full!  It was my first time having a turkey instead of gammon for Christmas dinner, but it was amazing!!  And served with brussel sprouts, my favourite veggie!  It was great to feel a part of this English tradition.

Once we had had dessert and were ready to head off home, we discovered that it was minus 12 degrees outside and had to scrape the ice off Simon’s car and let the engine run for a while before we could even drive.

Even though I wasn’t with my family, this was definitely one of my favourite Christmases!