Lakeside Winter Wonderland 2025

We never made it to our annual Winter Wonderland visit before Xmas and instead squeezed it in between Xmas and New Year for 2025. Part of the reason was that we just didn't have time, the other reason was that Brandon was planning a date night with Maia on 28th Dec to celebrate their one year anniversary. So we killed two birds with one stone by driving them to Lakeside to save getting a train and then taking Holly to the Winter Wonderland for some rides and ice skating.

I am not sure whether it is because we went to the Winter wonderland after Xmas, but it seemed like there was a lot less stalls than normal. You still had the Bratwursts, Yorkshire wraps, crepes, mulled wine, hot chocolate etc, but none of the stalls that usually sell things like cheese, Xmas knick-knacks etc.etc.

Holly seemed to enjoy herself though and she had a ride on the Waltzer, Avalanche, some big crazy spinney thing and the Big Wheel. We tried not to intrude on Maia and Brandon too much and let them have some time on their own.

Lakeside Winter Wonderland 2025.

1 Year anniversary for Maia and Brandon.

 

Holly and Tina at Lakeside Winter Wonderland.

Me and Tina.

Holly riding solo on the Waltzer.

Then the Avalanche.

After Avalanche the little psycho went on this thrill ride.

Finally the big wheel with Maia and Brandon.

Despite it being their date night, Brandon and Maia were very good letting Holly tag along at times.

As we had to wait around to take Brandon and Maia home, it seemed logical to just pay for Holly to go ice skating as well.

The happy couple on their date which Brandon has been planning for ages.

Maia sorting out Brandon's collar on his new trench coat.

Turns out Maia used to live in Canada and is a bit of a dark horse when it comes to ice skating.

Needless to say she put Brandon and Holly to shame.

Holly held her own though and didn't fall once.

The young love birds.

The old romantic on young shoulders.

Strike a pose.

Maia showing off and trying to teach Brandon to skate backwards.

My little princess.

The lights in the ice rink looked very festive.

Trying to get a picture under the ice skating sign with all the letters illuminated and no one else in shot (almost impossible!).

Holly really enjoyed her evening out.

Brandon and Maia on the ice.

And again trying to learn new skills from the expert girlfriend.

Christmas 2025 Photo Dump

Xmas 2025 and for once I didn't really take that many pictures. So todays blog is kind of a dump of pictures from Xmas Day, Boxing Day and a few other events in or around Xmas. 

Xmas Day we spent at home as a 5 again, however we did change things up a bit this year by having our first ever Xmas Dinner out at the Toby Carvery in Runwell. It was actually really nice to have a more chilled Xmas Day and not have the stress of cooking dinner. The food was really good and we all came out of there completely stuffed. We had quite an early dinner at 2pm, joined my Lisa, David, Matt and Amber and therefore we still had time in the evening for a gammon sandwich and the endless grazing of snacks.

Xmas Day presents seemed quite boring in our household this year. The boys were mostly clothes, shoes, aftershave and things like that. As for Holly, she is growing up way to fast and also wanted clothes, make-up etc which meant for the first time since starting a family there was hardly no toys / games. Holly's main present this year was a new phone.

Boxing Day was again a little more chilled than normal as we took a well deserved break from hosting and instead we were at Nicky's. We all had a great day and again it really nice to not have the stress of preparing for Boxing Day which always used to put a but of a downer on my Xmas Day as the prep usually started late in the evening meaning I could never really relax and enjoy Xmas Day. So it was very much appreciated that Nicky hosted this year.

Santa had arrived for Xmas Day at Mersea Crescent and there was no shortage of presents.

Amazingly I only took one picture of presents being opened this year,

First time ever eating out for Xmas Day at the Toby Carvery in Runwell.

Joined by Lisa, David, Matthew and Amber.

Really nice meal and we all came out completely stuffed

Despite not wearing or needing glasses - Brandon's latest fashion accessory is to wear non prescription glasses!

My terrine starter - delicious.

Didn't take a picture of my roast Xmas dinner, but it had to be Xmas pudding for desert.

No stress this year as Boxing Day was at Nicky's so remarkably I grew some hair.

Holly looking super grown up with her new hair style for Xmas 2025.

Using a so called "naff" Xmas tree decoration as an ear-ring.

Xmas Cinema trip with H and B to watch the new Avatar film.

We may have eaten out on Xmas Day, but the kids and T still wanted me to make the traditional Jamie Oliver Turkey and Leak Pie.

As well as the chocolate house, Holly also made a Gingerbread House for Boxing Day.

Don't ask why she is wearing the leather jacket, apparently it is fashion and part of the outfit.

Lots of detail and icing. Just needed to prop all the side up to hold it together whilst it set.

Holly's finished gingerbread house for 2025.

London Christmas Lights Tour 2025

Staying with the Christmas themed blog updates, last weekend we went to London to explore Camden Market and then head over to Bond Street to start the Christmas Night Lights Walking Tour. For the last 2 or 3 years this has become a bit of a regular event for us at Christmas which we all look forward too. Unfortunately no Joshua this year as he was on an early start at work and was just exhausted. Instead we did have an extra person to take with Brandon's girlfriend, Maia.

Camden Market was really cool. I had forgotten just how colourful and vibrant Camden is and how diverse the food court is. You can pretty much get anything you want to eat at Camden. After Camden we jumped back on the tube to head to Bond Street which was the scheduled start point for our Xmas Lights Tour of London.

The lights were amazing as you can see from the pictures. I guess it must have taken us maybe 3 or 4 hours to walk, but that included stopping off in various shops and also coffee stop off etc. Our walking tour finished in Covent Garden where we watched a knife juggling uni-cyclist street performer before heading over to South Bank for some festive food and a mulled wine to warm up our insides.

Sweet treats in Camden.

Maia, Brandon and Holly tucking in.

I think she likes the Nutella.

Starting our London Christmas Lights Tour.

Looks like the King's crown.

Montblanc shop lights.

Anabel's at Berkeley Square.

Is this my Xmas present all wrapped up?

Holly and Maia at a Xmas tree in New Bond St.

The two girlies.

Sherwood St did the 12 days of Xmas decorations.

Three French Hens.

Nearly the end of 2025.

Advent calendar windows.

Regent St.

Some cool looking festive vehicles braving the London traffic.

Just a few lights.

The Xmas dinosaur - very festive!

Carnaby St never disappoints.

Rectangular shaped crackers and stars in Carnaby St.

Christmas Stars.

Pictures don't show how busy it was. Absolutely incredible the number of people visiting London just to look at the lights.

Maia and Brandon at the big tree in Covent Garden.

Pictures don't show how big this tree is.

Inside Covent Garden they have recycled the same decorations from last year. Still looks very good.

Knife juggling uni cyclist in Covent Garden.

Last little stretch of the walk heading over the river to the South Bank for some much deserved food and mulled wine.