That’s not all we did at the weekend, but it took up almost half of it. Ean and Vikki came down for a day in London and a day in Kent’s, if not Europe’s largest undercover shopping paradise. Saturday was filled with jobs and more shopping for the festive season, while the evening was spent at Seabright’s Barn, literally a stone’s throw away from Andrew and Sheila’s, where we enjoyed traditional Christmas fayre and joviality in the company of my local Starfish Project speech therapy group.
While we were eating and drinking, Ean and Vikki explored the bright lights of the big city, and planned the day that lay ahead for them in Kent. I bet those lights weren’t as bright as the ones at Bluewater’s Winter Wonderland, though, with dodgems, a towering ferris wheel, other fairground rides and a glowing Christmas market in attendance. We’d booked ice skating, and although fun, the rink itself was a little crowded with, well, little ones, but we enjoyed ourselves all the same. (Vikki in a good sports tradition, retired early, though, due to boot fatigue and ill-fitment, a common problem using universal skates.)
With the final of X Factor providing Sunday night’s entertainment, a warm-ish chilli to banish the cold and gins and vodkas to lift the flagging and tired spirits, we were soon on the phones voting for local boy Olly Murs to be crowned 2009’s champion of ITV’s big talent show. It wasn’t to be, though, and while disappointment gave way to bewilderment, amusement was gained through the previous night’s finalist Stacey Solomon (above), with her endearingly comical demeanour and personality. And it’s the memories of amusement and laughs with our guests which sum the weekend up – we don’t see my brother and his girlfriend often enough, and we can’t wait to host them again.
We had a fab time, thanks for having us! Looking forward to coming to stay again real soon. Love Ean and Vikki x