NaBloPoMo 9: London again

Awful early start with Phoebe and I screaming at each other over hair and me trying to rush out the door to catch my London train. Every morning I feel like I've done a full day at work before I've actually sat at my desk. Had a cry waiting for my mercifully delayed train and then again when I realised I didn't have a spoon to eat my breakfast. 

Knitted all the way into London to try and calm down. Nipped into Boots at Waterloo to buy some mascara and slap some tester blusher on to make me feel more human. The liminal space of the tunnels between lines I find very soothing, with the whoosh of warm air and the slap of feet on floor and very little talking.

. Did not envy the three classes worth on a school trip on the Tube, the many teachers and helpers coralling the tiniest, stopping them from eating their snacks and leaving their coats behind.

As it happened they were off to the same museum as me. Spent the day with other Comms leads from visitors attractions hearing about the industry and case studies, very helpful and excellent food.

Home on the slow train. Back into chaos, though had a steak dinner waiting for me. Children wanted to get ready for bed with me whilst I changed for dance, so suffered through that and read Phoebe a quick story.

Dance not as great tonight, quiet and I wasnt feeling it

 As it happened, the online shopping order didn't arrive, so I went off to the 24hr Asda to buy pizzas for tomorrow and breakfast items and randomly emergency school shoes for friends tearing their hair out having lost their kid's shoes. Right place at the right time and all that. Left them on their door handle on the way home.

NaBloPoMo 8: sticky fingers

Up early for a Sunday as it was dance show day today for the kids. Got myself dressed, then went downstairs to hoick Phoebe away from the TV and into her clothes and resting breakfast before going to wake Lydia. She'd not gone to sleep till late, nerves I think. 

Body doubled Lydia so she dressed and then set her to breakfast as well whilst getting to alay her nerves. 

Then off to the Thornden Hall for 9am with three packed lunches as I was going to help with doing hair for the dance school. Super foggy on the drive, with the kids singing alphabet songs together and bickering alternately as we went. Discussed faking it till you make it and how the most important thing today was to smile throughout your performance even if you go wrong.

Always strikes me when I go to the Thornden School with its excellent facilities the difference in funding and feel between these suburban or small town schools and the city centre schools. 

Then having dropped the kids in their respective age group rooms, walked into the chaos of pre-show prep. Today, I was grateful for years of life experience and feeling confident enough to just muck in, asking for help and guidance when I needed it but with enough knowledge and experience to get on with the job despite not knowing any of the helpers and kids.

I think I must have done around 40 or so buns and pony tails, through from centre part slick backs with tiaras and pearl pins for the seniors, butterfly buns for the middles and high ponies for the littlest ones. This year I was not afraid of the gel and slathered it on, fighting over the one bristle brush with the perfect firmness of bristles to smooth all the fly aways. My hands are still sticky after having been washed multiple times.  

Once all the hair was done, I quickly ate some lunch and went to help with dressing the tiniest before waiting for Tom and his Mum to arrive to watch the first performance. 

Happily everyone did very well, including both my girls. Both remembered to smile, Lydia had particularly expressive arms, hands and upper body movements, and Phoebe was one of the most confident in her class, giving it some sass. Had a little happy cry as I've been anxious about this, whether it would be too much for Lydia or if Phoebe would be too scared. We had good seats in the second row so had a fab view.

After the show, said goodbye to the mother in law, and went to meet my sister and family in the car park as we were looking after my niece Aoife whilst they went to see Bill Bailey. She was full of the joys of her recent birthday parties and trips to see live action Frozen at the theatre. 

Tom went out to pick up the second hand bike we'd bought Aoife for her birthday and whilst he was out, I set Aoife up with colouring and building toys whilst I made dairy free chocolate pudding for dessert this evening. Then we went out to the shop on the way to pick up the girls to choose bunches of flowers for them. I have such memories of my grandparents always presenting us with flowers after our dance shows whilst we were growing up, 'just like real ballerinas'.

When we got there, the audience were just leaving so left Aoife with my parents who'd arrived to watch the second show whilst I queued to pick up the girls. Phoebe came out full of beans and joy, Lydia distraught that she'd not got a medal in the prize giving, feeling keenly it was unfair. So had to spend the time walking to the car trying to calm her. I'd built up in my head that they'd both be excited and this would be a nice memory for us all but instead I'm there trying to be someone's emotional regulation yet again, being yelled at yet again.

Once home, Lydia calmed down whilst arranging her flowers, but Phoebe kept losing her cool over music up dance to in the game they were all playing. So much for a nice hour catching up with my parents whilst dinner was cooking.

Managed to get everyone round the table eventually for the roast gammon dinner Tom had made, and Ellie and Andy arrived back just as we were finishing our main course. Never knowingly under catered worked in our favour so were able to rustle up another couple of plates for them. Aoife birthday cake and chocolate pudding for dessert and a few peaceful moments whilst the kids played to help my mum with her email login woes.

Everyone left at kid bedtime, and I spent the evening snuggling Lydia trying to get her to calm down. I've since been prepping for work tomorrow and am about to do some Christmas shopping.

NaBloPoMo 7 grumpy day

My day for a lie in scuppered by Phoebe needing help this morning and only Mummy will do. Lack of sleep from late nights and disturbed nights massively catching up with me and I've had zero tolerance for anything all day.

Spent the morning shopping in town for this year's selection of autumn socks and the highlight of the day being using my free tea and cake My John Lewis vouchers.

Then spent rest of morning getting kids to do their homework and gradually getting more and more annoyed by their whining. Nipped out to get bread and sausages rolls and took lots of deep breaths but it didn't help. 

This afternoon, put washing away, successfully refresh my curls and had a nap which helped a bit, then helped Tom prep dinner. Dinner was hard with kids refusing to use cutlery or sit still.

I often worry a lot that me being grumpy at my kids what feels like all the time will lead to them hating me when they're older and needing therapy. It sucks because I wanted them so badly and worked so hard to have them, and now I find parenting so very hard. I thought I'd be naturally good at it, but it turns out I suck and have no patience. I lost it all after having PND with Phoebe.

Did first half of bedtime and then prepped the Vinted parcels and Autumn socks parcels for postage. Listed some unworn shoes of Tom's that sold really quickly. Once he'd taken over bedtime, dropped parcels off on the way to the gym and lifted heavy things for my mental health. PBd my squat which was cool. 

Barbell squat 5 x 5 28kg

Dumbbell bench 5 x 5 2x10kg

Dumbbell row 3 x 8 2 x10kg

 Leg Press 3 sets x 8 x 47kg

 Chest Press Machine 3 sets x 8 reps x 14kg 

Lat Pulldown 3 sets x 8 reps x 25kg 

Leg Curl→3 sets x 10 reps x 20kg 

Cable Curl 3 sets x 8 reps x 14kg  

I know they're not huge numbers but they represent huge improvement for me. 

   

   

NaBloPoMo 6: London Baby

Up bright and early to get into London today for a day of interviews. No Phoebe wake ups, but she did appear in my room around 630am as I was rushing around.

Drove up to Southampton Airport Parkway whilst stuffing my breakfast in my gob and parked the correct side for the London train for once. Train delayed slightly, but got in with plenty of time. Less enamoured with the three lads blaring music from their phones and arguing about how to book trains on the Uber app to use their discount. Stuck my headphones in and actually did some work.

Once at Waterloo, marched over Waterloo Bridge enjoying the brutalism on the South Bank and stopped to buy a pastry for my colleague and I to see us through the day of interviews.

morning

evening.

Full on day of interviews. I have been the interviewer more than interviewee these days. 

Had a bit of time before my train home so took my colleague out for a drink and a chin wag. Train journey uneventful. Just about made it home in time for a quick outfit change before going to the cinema with Tom to see the Ghosts film with a snuck in sushi and canned cocktails tea. Really only makes sense if you've watched the TV series, but it was charming and laugh out loud funny. 

NaBloPoMo 5 : I'm a firework

No Phoebe wake ups tonight hurrah!

Phoebe needed a lot of prompting to get dressed but then did actually do it. However spent morning having a screaming match with Lydia to get her to actually get dressed. Sigh.

She'd apparently forgiven me by the time we were walking to school. Drop off successful all round, then rush back home for a day of email and meetings. Calls today about tomorrow's interviews, team meetings, occulture and the audience opportunity it represents and 1:1s with my reports. Also did some video editing. 

Finished up and had some soup for tea as Tom and the kids got back from swimming, then rushed upstairs to get ready to go to dance. Quick stop to drop off and collect parcels en route.

UV Glow party themed night tonight, and on taxi duty to help the beginners. Larger crowd than usual due to the theme night and a really good buzz. Nice load of beginners too including some youngsters. Hope they come back.

Spent rest of evening happily dancing away enjoying everyone's glowing outfits and the swishy costume I'd bought for a fiver off Vinted. I'd paired it with Phoebe's light up scrunchies. So so so much fun. Though hard to see people's hands and feet lol!

NaBloPoMo 4: ladies what lunch

Hello again.

7am wake up today with no Phoebe woo! Got myself dressed and Phoebe appeared to demand grumpily that I dress her. Held out till I was finished and then went down to help, and looked in on Lydia who was dressing. Tom gave kids a scotch pancake each to help with hungry.

Down for breakfast and packing bags and out the door again with minimal shouting, another win! Met one of Lydia's friend en route whilst walking to school, and the kids sped off chasing them on their scooter. Got to juniors just as Lydia's class was going in, and then rushed up hill to drop Phoebe, having a chat about sycamore key helicopters and who celebrates Diwali.

Drop off done, sped down the hill to make in back in time for today's meeting on organisational structural change. Knitted a sleeve on a baby cardi whilst listening in. Also had call from nurse about a medical condition of Phoebe's.

Once my half day was done, skipped out on the gym again to meet my friend Nicole from Dance for lunch in Lyndhurst. We went to the Forge cafe and had some really nice food. Could have talked for hours, she's so interesting! 

On the way back for the school run, dropped off a Vinted parcel and just about made it back in time for picking up Phoebe. Lydia goes to a friend's for tea on Wednesday to save me dragging her to Phoebe's ballet which I super appreciate.

Took Phoebe for tea at the Sainsbury's cafe in Portswood before ballet, her preferred spot at the moment. Mini all day breakfast for her and fish finger sandwich for me. Then sped over to ballet in the Portswood Residents Gardens Pavilion. Lucky residents who subscribe to have such fancy gardens and tennis courts. 

25 mins of knitting in the car later, back home to drop Phoebe with Tom for some quality Daddy Phoebe Lego time in a bid to get over this only Mummy will do phase. I went to pick up Lydia before getting into the bedtime whirl as Tom was going out. 

Much shouting from me to actually get Phoebe to stay sat on the toilet later, fortunately Lydia pretty self sufficient this evening. Needed to use her picture card chart, but that's actually pretty helpful. 

Now in bed with Phoebe again waiting for her to drop off. a bomb site of a kitchen awaits me as the cleaner is off sick this week. Might squeeze in some yoga again tonight like last night if I'm lucky.

NaBloPoMo 3: errands completed it mate

Another 730 wake-up with a Phoebe in bed again. Going to have to put out her little camp bed next to ours again tonight as my sleep quality is in the toilet with the bed sharing. Had incredible bedhead this morning.

Went and woke Lydia as her alarm hadn't gone off and got her started dressing, got Phoebe's clothes and got her dressed in my room then sent them both downstairs to get their breakfasts. Got myself dressed and shoved my breakfast in my mouth. All out to school in time with minimal grumping again which felt like a win, though Lydia spent a chunk of the walk shouting at me about something that I've since forgotten. 

Dropped Phoebe off and had a brief catch up on the walk down the hill with the mum of one of her friends. Back home for a morning of meetings. Today my weekly catch up iwith my other team lead who looks after the other half of my Comms team, my wider team meeting and a meeting to discuss annual planning prioritisation principles.

Once my half day was done, legged it into town on a mission. When I have multiple errands to run, I like working out the most efficient circular route to get me to all.my stops. Today it was cash machine, Irish passport photocopying so I can renew Phoebe's UK passport, Vinted parcel drop off, alterations collection, body tape purchasing, coffee, the back to school for pick up. 

Very pleased with the alterations, always fantastic to have things that actually fit. Get very annoyed by not being able to buy pretty much anything off the shelf that fits where I'm short. At £40 a go it's not cheap and I do as much as I can myself, but these dresses were beyond me. 

Big girls took ages to come out of class today. This term one of Lydia's friends is coming to tea at ours pre Cubs on Tuesdays so I was listening to them moan about how hard their PE lesson was today - apparently the worst day of their lives and they couldn't do sit ups.

Just managed to get to the infant school in time to get Phoebe, she was second to last to be picked up. Down the hill to the car, usual disagreements about who is sitting where and having which snack. Got them home and playing on the monkey bars to burn off some school stress whilst I started dinner and then they went off to do some crafts.

Tom got in and was hovering about the food so swapped so he cooked and I put washing away and hung up wet washing as is his preference. Dinner was meatballs and mash. Kids on one at the table, especially Phoebe. 

Took her off for poo time and hair wash and we had a grumpy time all round shouting at each other. Honestly I feel like a crappy parent because I cannot keep my cool at all when the kids start losing theirs.

Eventually got Phoebe to chill out a bit, bribed her with many sweets to try on the potty and Cbeebies to sit still so I could do her hair. Her curls are a mission, needing various special potions and potions. I try and do a wash day once a week and keep her hair in a protective style till the weekend.

She's fallen asleep on me now, going to try and extricate myself ready for the onslaught when Lydia gets home. Ignoring operational chores tonight as need to alter some clothes for the girls and do the ironing.

NaBloPoMo 2: Werky Werky Werk

Phoebe up in the night again about 230am. Asked me to go sit with her in her bed, but took her ages to settle. Every time I tried to escape, she woke up. Eventually left her cuddling her Belle toy and listening to lullabies on her Yoto at 4:30am.

Tried to get back to sleep, rousing briefly when Tom left for work at 630am. Then up in a panic with my very last get up now alarm at 730am and Tom ringing to check I'd actually woken.

Lydia fortunately was dressed and Phoebe awake, in part thanks to me turning on the Yoto radio in their rooms remotely whilst I dressed. Got Lydia downstairs and eating then went back and helped Phoebe get dressed in the interest of time. Did manage to make it out the house in time with minimal grumping all round. 

Dropped Lydia off at the junior school then up the hill up to the infant school, Phoebe chattering all the way. She managed to come a cropper playing with her friends and bumped her hands. A kind mum had scooped her up and I cuddled her till the bell went.

Wandered home, then into a day of wrestling Excel to try and get an annual planning layout I liked, answering emails, catching up with a colleague who'd been on leave and other colleagues working on nature and regional comms. Interspersed with tea breaks and eating my lunch in the sunshine on the sofa in the conservatory amid the drying washing.

Also had the windscreen repair man here as far had developed a mystery crack in the windscreen. Tom rang about 330 to say he'd not make it home in time for after school club pickup, so wrapped up my last call early and agreed the windscreen guy could put the car key through the door. 

Marched up to infant school to get Phoebe first, enjoying the blustery air twirling leaves to the ground as the light faded. Then down the hill again to get Lydia. She'd sweetly got an extra biscuit for Phoebe from club, which was helpful as I'd forgotten to pick up snacks in my rush. Spent the walk home being shouted at for various things and had an emergency loo stop at our friends the Diaz's on the way past for Phoebe.

Once home, plonked kids in front of TV and rustled up a chicken korma using leftover roast chicken and half an open jar of curry paste from the fridge. Got Phoebe to help me to keep some space between the girls. Tom walked in just as I was serving up which was good timing.

Post dinner I did some online Boots shopping and got ready for dance, listening to Phoebe and Tom have a barney and Lydia and Phoebe both appearing to brush their teeth as I got changed. On a good day I let them choose my make up when I get ready for dance but everyone was too grumpy for all that. Took Phoebe down to her room, gave Lydia a kiss and then snuck out to avoid more drama. Had my cosies on over my dance dress to stay warm and confused everyone at dance by stripping off after the first track.

Dance was good tonight, nice and busy. Had some epic dances with my dancing friends and learnt some pretty new moves. I feel so alive and relaxed when I'm dancing. One of the few times in my life at the moment where I feel completely free and consumed by one thing only. There were even cakes to celebrate Rita's birthday tonight which was lovely 

Have just got back at 23:30. Dance clothes in the wash, car plugged in, just about to make myself rattle taking my drugs and supplements. Night all. 

NaBloPoMo 2026 no 1: back again.

Hello all, here I am again for 2026.

Woke up with Phoebe getting in my bed at 6am. She's been unsettled since the end of term in the summer and appears in the night every few days and most mornings. Gave her a hug and dozed until about 730 when she started to wake up properly and thrash about. Got up to get her breakfast, eat my own and give her her medicine then left her watching cartoons and went back to bed.

At some point, Tom got up to go play squash and Lydia must have gotten up as well, but a perk of the kids getting older is that they get their own breakfast and are happy to watch TV, so I had a gorgeous lie in till about 1030am.

Got dressed, then went downstairs to check on kids, and set them up making new baby cards for our neighbour. I hung up washing and made lunch of last night's leftover jacket potatoes from our Halloween party and scrambled eggs on toast for those who prefer it in time for Tom to return. 

Kids have been very bickery and winding each other up all half-term, so spent lots of the day playing referee and futilely shouting at them to leave each other alone.

After lunch couldn't stand them in the house anymore so made them come on walk so I could drop a Vinted parcel at the InPost locker which turned into Tom taking them to the park instead. They went on the miniature steam trains which they all love. Had to rush back as Phoebe needed a wee, with Lydia and I going to the Tesco Express en route to pick up new baby goodies for the neighbours. 

Once home, Lydia and I tidied away the Halloween decorations outside, then Tom suggested playing games for a bit in a bid to do nice things with the kids, so we played Twister, which was my stretches for the day. I read Phoebe stories and Lydia played on her chin up bar for a bit too. 

When I could feel myself really losing my cool I went off to the gym whilst Tom was cooking dinner. Lifting heavy things makes me feel slightly better about life. Day B today: 

Barbell RDL 5 x5 28kg

Dumbbell OHP 3 x5 2x6

Lat pulldown 3x 8 27

Hip Thrust → 3 sets x 10 40kg 

Seated Cable Row → 3 sets x 10 14kg reps 

Shoulder Press Machine 3 sets x 10 reps 9kg

 Leg Extension 3 sets x 10 reps 25kg 

Tricep Pushdown →3 sets x 10 reps  25kg

Trying very hard to make myself build some muscle at this stage of operation turn forty and get really hot. 

   

 I'm also in the middle of a tooth scale and polish treatment, and considering if there's anything I can do about the loose skin post weight loss.

Once home, helped Tom to get dinner on the table and calm grumpy children. Tried dinner by candle light and calming music which helped a bit, but them not using their knives and forks was winding me up. 

Post dinner, I started tidying the kitchen until summoned to give the girls their bedtime hugs. Phoebe's just dropped off and is snoring away next to me. Back to school tomorrow. Evening of ironing and knitting awaits me. And the rest of the kitchen.

Playlist of the day:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RRezMkCJMT5cMvHiJ1pCv?si=LMSqTSLuRXSm1Xx6tJ9GfA&utm_source=copy-link&pi=n67R8sxJRgy6z

NaBloPoMo 29 and 30 home again

Saturday 29 November

Gentler morning this morning. Sat in the older part of the dining room today, admiring the old ceiling. 

Started the day with a boat tour of Bruges. Our captain was very funny and informative. Thought it best to do this before it rained. 

When we got out the boat it was 11am and the carillon of bells on the Belfort had begun it's concert for the day playing 'I just can't wait to be king' from the Lion King which was surreal!

Then we caught a glimpse of a marching band parading and decided to follow it. It finished in the courtyard of our next intended destination, the Gruuthuse museum which was a funny coincidence. A Scout band looking at the flag I think.

 

The Gruuthuse was the palace of a medieval nobleman, then renovated in the 19th Century for the burgeoning tourism industry and told the story of key periods of the city's history. Lots of very beautiful things, and some lovely views and the tiniest window in Brugges for spying on the gatekeepers to make sure they weren't corrupt. Also enjoyed the oratory where the lords could attend mass in the Church of Our Ladywithout having to leave the house and sit next to the locals.

Next stop was the church of Our Lady to look at their art. I do enjoy visual art in churches and they had some beautiful modern pieces too, but I find some of baroque style stuff very over whelming and cold 

Waffles in an adorable tea house called Het Kleine Huis for lunch, only a handful of tables but delicious food and a friendly welcome.  Back to the hotel via some shopping for a drink and some more sauna time. 

Then we went out again to find some drinks and nibbles for dinner. Everywhere very busy, much busier than our other days here, I guess with Belgian as well as international tourists here for the markets. Ended up in Leutz Social Club for cocktails then on to Poule etc Poulette for croquettes and fries. 

Home for bed after that, I was woken up by the people on the room next door coming back late slightly inebriated...

Sunday 30 November. 

Just on the Eurostar on our way home about to reach Lille. Another gentle wake up and breakfast, followed by some packing. It's amazing how quickly I can pack up when it's just me and not the kids! Was fun trying to fit all my souvenirs in. I've managed it in one rucksack and one carrier bag which I'm pretty pleased with. Jess has managed to squeeze in 12 bottles of beer for Andy!

We walked from the hotel to the very impressive modern concert hall, thinking their cafe would probably be more spacious for our rucksacks. It was indeed and we had a couple of drinks here whilst people watching. They had some kids activities happening and families were arriving to have breakfast and chat whilst the kids played. Loads of cargo bikes!

Then a walk through the park to the station, an hour back on the train to Brussels. We stocked up on lunch in the Carrefour Express. Hummus and crackers for Jess and prepare van de chef and salt and pepper rolls for me. 

Eurostar is 15 mins delayed but seems to be making up time. I've really enjoyed this trip and the train travel. Works definitely do something like this again!

NaBloPoMo 28 25000 steps in Brugges

Woke up gently and went to breakfast. Hotel had a lovely spread, so stocked up for the day. 

Then off on the Visit Brugge self guided app of the world heritage sites that took us all around the city. I can't get over how pretty it is here. It all looks like a fairy story came to life.

I think we might have visited every one of the many many chocolate shops buying souvenirs to take home. It's lovely to be able to browse without small children asking to buy everything!

One of the favourite things we visited today was the Benguinage, today home to nuns and single women, based on a community of historic Benguines, a community of religious lay women who lived on the site. I found them fascinating, the way of life giving them a way to live independently of male control, supporting themselves independently. They didn't take permanent vows, could come and go as they pleased, and often worked in healthcare, education and textiles. The community ask that those visiting do so in silence and it was quite something to see the groups of guided tours passing through silently. 

We came back to the hotel about 3pm for a cuppa and a snack before checking out the sauna and steam room in the basement vaults. This refreshed us mightily for heading off to the light trail around town. The first site we visited wasn't open which was when we discovered it didn't kick off till 5.30pm. so we used this as an excuse to drink some gluwein in one of the Christmas markets, before returning our shopping to the hotel and heading out again. 

The light trail was fabulous and took us all around a different selection of city sites. Really recommend it.

Dinner of croquettes from the Christmas market before more exploring and heading back to our hotel for another drink in the hotel bar. 

Just had a shower and am all cosy in bed. Looking forward to museums and boat tours tomorrow. 

NaBloPoMo 26, 27

Wed 26 Nov

Managed to get kids up and dressed early enough that there was time for piano practice and TV before school. Managed to magic away a pair of Lydia's gloves somewhere in the house in between getting them out get bag to give them to her and actually giving them to her. 

After the school run, back at my desk for a morning's work, including recruitment paperwork, social media content and lots more. Did some extra time to account for what I missed this week with various kids things and you make sure I'd stayed everything up pre holiday. Then a blood test and the school run. Only picking up Phoebe as Lydia doing gym and going to Rosa's for tea. 

Phoebe to ballet, lovely chat with her in the car about her day and what she could see out the windows. Very excited with her chocolate biscuit for snack. Home for dinner time and getting Phoebe ready for bed.

Lydia arrived home just as I was leaving to go to dinner with Jo and Claire in Stockbridge. Gave the girls extra hugs as might not see them in morning before setting off for my trip. 

Lovely dinner at the Three Cups in Stockbridge, such a cosy pub, even if parking is a bit of a nightmare there. And lovely to catch up with Jo and Claire. 

Home about 1030 for an early night. 

Thurs 27 November 

Up at the crack of dawn to get dressed for my trip. Took breakfast up to the kids and woke them at 645am so I could say goodbye. Lydia in particular very grumpy about me going but placated by the promise of a chocolate heart. 

After a quick breakfast, off to Bitterne station for my first train of the day. Made it to Southampton Central without issues, 30 mins delay due to signal issues at Sway on my train to London Waterloo. They adjusted the timetable so it only stopped at Basingstoke and Waterloo which worked on my favour as half the passenger who wanted the other stations normally served by this train like Winchester had to get off. So I actually got a seat. 

A colleague of mine joined the train at Basingstoke on his way to a meeting at our London office so had a good chat catching up on our way there. 

No issues on the tube to St Pancras either. Enjoyed the people watching. Apparently to be on trend like a Londoner I need a long wooden overcoat, some chunky metal earrings and an oversized shoulder bag.

Located Jess at StPs and we went to pick up some lunch from M&S to eat on the Eurostar and had a cuppa whilst we waited for our check in time. Lovely music box Christmas trees installation to fundraise for Great Ormond Street hospital.

Our check in opened at 11:30 for our 1pm train. Queues for check-in, but they kept moving pretty steadily, and no issues with the passport and security checks. Thought the new entry requirements for the EU might have been enforced by now, but didn't seem to be yet so no finger prints or questions about my intentions, just a passport scan and a photo at the electronic gates. 

Bit of a wait once through security but Jess and I having a whale of a time chatting. Got on to the train easily enough when boarding started as we only had rucksacks and settled in. So busy chatting that barely noticed when we got to the Eurotunnel! Arrived on time in Brussels for about 4pm local time. 

Off the train in to the rush hour crowds, Brussels station seemingly very shiny and clean compared to UK ones. The ticket app didn't like our UK cards so went to locate a ticket machine. Then up to platform 9 for our train to Bruges. Very busy train, people sitting on the stairs up to the upper deck and in the foot wells of the doors. But cleared out after the first stop so we managed to get a seat then.  Oddly only seemed to announce the next station immediately after the previous stop, not as we arrived at stations so had to keep an eye out.

Arrived at Bruges about 5pm into the cold and dark. Happily had accidentally booked our trip to coincide with the Christmas markets. Big installation of trees outside the station and light trail on as well. Very impressed with the quality of the Christmas lights throughout so far, all very tasteful and high end.

Walked for about 20 mins from station through centre of Bruges, stopping to admire the chocolate shops and the Christmas decoration shops en route to the hotel. 

Staying at the Dukes Arches hotel, an excellent find of Jess' . Beautiful building and interiors and a comfy room. Had a cuppa in our room before heading out for dinner and an explore. Booked a table for 8pm at the Diligence bar as they were busy when we passed and headed in to look at the main market and the shops that were still open. It's all like something out a fairy tale. 

Back to the bar for dinner, both had Vlaamse stew and fries and I tried a beer I'd not heard of. Really cosy setting, could have stayed all night. Probably a tourist trap but it was lovely. Came back to the hotel to enjoy their beautiful bar, Jess had a hot chocolate and I had a cherry lambic beer as a night cap. Just in bed now typing this. 

Planning on doing the self guided walking tour of the sites tomorrow and hitting the light trail in the early evening.