Anthony and I farewelled our friend Janjo (pronounced Janyo) who is on her way back to New Zealand, and leaving her Gareth husband here with us. Crazy woman. Anyway, we saw it fitting that Janjo, her sister Somon, Anthony and I went to the Winter Wonderland that is being held at Hyde Park at the moment (through to Jan 4th would you believe).

We went early, but not late enough to miss packing into the tubes like sardines (though on the Piccidilly line, we had enough space for a 2 bedroom apartment! – sorry injoke).

The crowds were thin when we got there, which left us with much glee and space for roaming and exploring the (mostly German themed) stalls, of which there were many

Janjo and her sister Somon
(yes, I know… flash didn’t go)

There was fudge, chocolate covered fruit, lollies, garlic on bread in a garlic bulb store, toys, puzzles, necklaces, hair clips, puppets, frogs that croaked, and numerous amounts of other goodies to explore. It was wonderful going with Janjo and Somon as they delighted in everything that was to be played with. Janjo and I also went on one of the Haunted house rides, which was fantastic for the cheezie factor.

A camera man from GMTV saw us taking the above shot, and asked if he could film us taking that shot again, for the morning crew. He helped us with this second shot by putting some light on us I didn’t get to see the bulletin because I had to get ready for work

These were the beautiful wooden toys in one of the stalls. They were so lovely I wanted to buy them all!

There were many goodies sold in this stall – the hearts you can see are gingerbread hearts… may of them had football (soccer) teams on them! LOL

Janjo couldn’t resist buying me a dark rich chocolate covered banana

By this stage Ants had turned up. I hadn’t known that his phone had died, so he’d been looking for us. Now it was food time. We stopped and got a Kransky (they were out of XXL though ) and Janjo had some mushrooms, which turned out to have pickled egg on them (she doesn’t eat egg) which made her very sad.

Then we had garlic + cheese on bread. I haven’t had dairy for a while, so it felt weird eating cheese again. Unfortunately it wasn’t nearly as garlicky as I would have liked.

We wandered back around the stalls again. Janjo and Somon brought some presents, from the wooden stall. Anthony, couldn’t resist the lolly stall.

Peek a boo, no use hiding!

I love the look on that chick’s face

Oh, and Anthony found a pig hat. There were also ducks and frogs. If there was a cow, I would have brought it for my sister

Back at the hairclip stall, Janjo and I spent far too much money on hair clips named Swinky and Klassi Klypz But they were pretty, and totally worth it because they will make my life easier (well, that’s what I tell myself).

The night ended with us swapping engagement stories. Anthony is the better one of the two of us that tells the engagement story, but tonight he was too cold for his brain to work properly, so I had to tell it instead!!

And then back at Mile End, I said goodbye to Janjo as it will be the last time I see her, until we go back to NZ. *sigh*

Safe travels friend!

Current Mood: cheerful & cold & accomplished & sad

Tags: Christmas, Fairs, Food, Hyde Park, Janjo, Rides, Theme Parks, Winter