London's Christmas Lights
You might have noticed that I haven’t called this post ‘Christmas Shopping in London’ and that’s because Easymalc don’t do shopping in London at Christmastime, in fact I don’t do Christmas shopping anywhere – and come to think of it, I don’t do shopping anywhere at any time.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, you may well wonder why I’m bothering to write anything at all about the subject, especially as I’m not a lover of the over-commercialisation of this time of the year either.
Well, the first reason is that whether I like it or not, the second week in November is when the Christmas lights start to be turned on in London, and the second reason is that Easymalc’s household has been having a family day out up in ‘The Smoke’ at Christmastime for a few years now, and both my wife and daughter have a different concept of wandering along Oxford street to me, and so I content myself with taking a few pictures of the lights and pop into a hostelry or two while they’re wasting their time in the shops.
It may have seemed at the beginning that I wasn’t too keen on spending much time in London’s shopping quarter at this time of the year, but it’s surprising how quickly I can warm to the idea after one or two beverages and a few clicks of the shutter to get into the Christmas spirit. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like it.
We’ll be back up here again this Christmas, and no doubt I’ll be able to add a few more pictures to the album – or at least those that aren’t blurred, but when all’s said and done we have a great build-up to Christmas in our own way, and I reckon it would be a crying shame if the internet took over completely from Christmas shopping in places like the West End: Mind you, it’s also a shame to find out at the end of the day that I’ve probably spent more on food and drink than the girls did in the shops – or is it? Who said I don’t like Christmas shopping?
Originally posted 2019-11-12 14:00:02.
Lol… you did make me laugh re he shopping…. They fair start early with these lights.
I would be careful going to a Christmas Market this year too. They’re a magnet for extremists!
So I’m seeing. Doesn’t seem so much trouble up here at the mo so we are gonna head down the road to our local Ferry light one and ligh swich on on Thurs. But you’re righ.
And where to afterwards? The Ship, the Fisherman’s or somewhere else? 🍺
Awww.. Well it may depend where we can get in. Not cos we have been thrown out of any of these places–not so far anyway–but cos the Ferry will be mobbed and it does not take much for these pubs, the Arch too to start bursting at the gunnels. I would like to say if they are we will get into Jollys whatever but then again….. we’ve seen times when we’ve been lucky to get in the door there and it is huge. But rest assured we will not let the side down and there’s many to pick from in down town Ferry Central..lol.. before, if all else fails, there’s the PO Bar, which is that wee bit removed but actually one of our nearest pubs. and it is fine too.
Hope you had a good night! 😉
Alas, at home afer he Mr took not well
I’m sorry to hear that Shey. I hope he’s feeling better now. You can tell him from me that I often spoil the wife’s pleasure for health reasons too. It’s frustrating for us men, but it is for you ladies as well.
That is very kind of you Malc. Yeah, sometimes things can be difficult that way. But hey that’s lifeaand I gather it was abso freezing so…
It was freezing down here too with our first snow of the winter. You were probably better off staying in as it turned out.
I hear it was baltic cold.
Beautiful lights (and photo’s) but I couldn’t think of anything worse that London at Christmas (Shudder) – you;’re braver man than me Malc!
Thanks Stuart. You need to be brave just to elbow your way to the bar.
I can’t stand the over-commercialisation of Christmas either, Malc, so I’m definitely with you on that. I’m slowly going more medieval at this time of year, discovering how it was before the marketing nuts got hold of it, and so far what I’ve found is much more appealing. Still, the lights do look good, so I’m not surprised you photographed them all while the girls were shopping. I’d also much rather be outside looking a them and partaking of a nice mulled wine or mead than trawling round the shops, which I also hate. The only Christmas shopping I do now that’s not online is at the Ludlow Medieval Fair, which is coming up next weekend – can’t wait for that! But thanks for showing us the London Christmas lights – and I have to admit the Fortnum and Masons window is something else. 🙂
I don’t know if they still do them, but Medieval Banquets used to be something I enjoyed around Christmastime. Tewkesbury Abbey and Caldicot Castle immediately spring to mind. They were great fun.
Wow – I’d jump at the chance to go to one of those! 🙂
I did go to one at Warwick Castle years and years and years ago – it would be great to do another now that I know more – I think the experience was a bit wasted at the time.
You didn’t know how lucky you were!
Oh I know – I’d love it if we could go on one now!
You and me both.
😀 Hic!
Why not arrange a Medieval Banquet of your own and invite all the neighbours round to quaff Sticky Rogers?
Not a bad idea that Malc!
I’m with you Malc, I don’t do Xmas shopping either.
As you know I live about 40 minutes door to Oxford St. shop window by bus or Tube (the bus stop is 300 yards from home and the Tube station about 10 minutes walk so it evens out) and it is many years since I saw the Xmas lights. I briefly lived in Soho some years ago which is why I know all the pubs as I demonstrated to you once (remember the “lady” in Molly’s?) and this time of year was absolute murder. Forget peace on earth and goodwill towards men, it was more a case of Hell on earth and every man for himself!
I am firmly in the bah humbug camp although I thoroughly enjoyed this post and I shall let your excellent photography serve as my exposure to the madness of the season in that part of the world.
Do I remember the ‘lady’ in Molly Moggs? – You bet I do 🙂
Loved that Malc – excellent! And wonderful photos too. I love London but, apart from iconic places like Harrods and Liberty, think there are better places for Christmas shopping. Bah humbug etc!
Thanks Mike. I don’t know those two pubs 🙂
After such an intriguing intro, I just had to read your page! 😉 Fun writing; and to see how you change to the positive side in the middle the page! I don’t ‘do’ shopping either, so I would opt for a drink instead as well. Although I think I would swap the beer for a glas of wine instead 🙂
See how shopping can turn into a wonderful experience Simone?