Lit up Harrods in an empty London

London on Christmas Day is special. There is no public transport at all, meaning that the city is as empty as you will ever find it in the day time. There is still traffic and there is still tourists, but there is nothing like it.

The traffic in Knightsbridge and especially on Brompton Road, which passes by the iconic department store Harrods, is still relatively thick (albeit not as much traffic as usual). During the dark hours of the day Harrods is lit up and driving by it is always a special feeling. A true London land mark.

Information on the bus stop:

Maria.

Playing with the camera.

Finally we went to Fielding Court, a roundabout close to Covent Garden. It has seven roads going out of it and there are Christmas lights in each one of the roads. 

Oxford Circus as empty as you will ever see it

In Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. There were only two of us so it was difficult to have a full traditional Christmas table, but we had meatballs, sausages, ham and some salmon plus Swedish hard cheese (Vasterbottenost) and hard bread (knackebrod). It was a very nice evening.

The day after we decided to head out and look at London. London on Christmas Day is special. There is no public transport at all, meaning that the city is as empty as you will ever find it in the day time. There is still some traffic and there is still some tourists, but it is a very special feeling. Here Oxford Circus in late afternoon.  

Oxford Street close to John Lewis

Regent Street.

Carnaby Street. 

Tomorrow Boxing Day sales start. It will most likely be far busier.  

Bedruthan Steps is a little piece of heaven

There is a stretch of beach in Cornwall, England - between Padstow and Newquay, which is called Carnewas (or Karn Havos, meaning rock-pile of summer dwelling in Corning). You can get access to the beach via the Bedruthian Steps (or Bos Rudhen, meaning Red-one's dwelling in Cornish), a flight of steep steps, which cannot be seen from the road. They are well worth looking for, however, as the views are breathtaking. There is a car park at the top.

We visited during low tide, meaning that we could go down on the beach and walk on it. There were signs everywhere warning visitors not to swim due to heavy rips, fast tides and submerged rocks.

Almost all rocks were covered by something...

…and when we looked closer it was clams!

They urge you not to swim in the ocean… Surfers don't always follow the rules… 

Everyone was playing on the beach - both small...

…and large

Lower Slaughter might be the cutest village in England

We love the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire England might very well be the prettiest place in this country. We have particularly fallen for Bourton-on-the-water. To be the Cotswolds it is relatively large (3,297 inhabitants in 2009) and it has a lovely little high street with several shops and restaurants. We usually have dinner at The Croft, another favourite, which once served me the best duck I've ever had. We arrived there in the dark and made sure to take some pictures of the Christmas lights.

This is what the view above would have looked like without glasses...

Close to Bourton-on-the-water is Lower Slaughter (there is also an Upper Slaughter). The Slaughters are famous because of their cuteness and we might very well stay there next time. The pictures from below is from Lower Slaughter. First off is the famous Old Mill.

On the walk back from Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-water it started getting dark.

Lots of street art when you are close to Shoreditch

One cool thing about living close to Shoreditch is the street art. The lady below is on the wall about five minute walk from our flat. They guy is just around the corner from her. Both are pretty cool.

Visiting Tintagel castle - King Arthur's birthplace

Tintagel Castle in Cornwall England, or Dintagel as it's called in Cornish, is probably the busiest castle we have been to. Allegedly King Arthur was born there a long time ago. The castle is in ruins but it's very pretty. And it's a perfect place for family fun!

House in the village

Winter wonderland skyline

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a real treat. It's similar to the traditional German christmas markets and you can find the best bratwurst in London and lots of good mulled wine. On top of that there are lots of attractions and games. No wonder it's busy on the weekends - this Saturday late pm/early evening the queue was an hour, which is worse than previous years when I have been. We took a raincheck on going in but even so, the views from afar were breathtaking!

Happy third advent

Not long now - after today there is only one Sunday left before Christmas. The atmosphere during the holidays is as always special. For me these holidays are maybe more special than previous ones as a whole new adventure will start. Happy third advent! 

Camera: Canon 5D. Lens: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L

St Ives is a Cornwall gem

Second only to Cotswolds, Cornwall is the most amazing place in England, and one of my favourites in Cornwall is St Ives. It's a very small town and it's difficult to find parking but it really is one of the most charming places I've visited and of course it has a little beach where children are playing. If it's lunchtime you can have a Cornish pasty, bring it with you and have it by the beach looking out over the water. If not there is plenty of chances to buy ice cream. I warmly recommend a visit!

Musician on the main street

On the way out of St Ives