There have been so many lovely little things about this Christmas holiday, I am spoilt for choice, really.
1. I started with a haircut. No picture, because the weather ruined the blowdry before I even got to the tube, but it looked fabulous.
2. Secret Maps exhibit at the British Library. I expected this to be heavy on the 20th century and was pleasantly surprised by how many early modern maps there were to scrutinise. I particularly liked the one setting out the Canadian border after the American Revolution, that was apparently hidden by Britain in a later border dispute because it support an American claim. Classic. Love the idea that maps could just be hidden in a cupboard or something.
3. Dinner with very long-term friend Richard, who I hadn't seen since 2019. He's a dad now. So weird. Love it.
4. A stay at the NYX hotel in Holborn, with a visit to their spa. They gave me sweets on check in, amazing. I think I had a short stay booked here in April 2020 that I had to cancel: I remember the pool, which seems to have some sort of glass portion to the floor so you can see what's underneath it, whatever that is. I didn't have my glasses on, obvs. Also in London: a wander around Liberty (Christmas heaven) and then Fortnum and Mason (Christmas hell, solely due to the 30 million people all doing the same thing).
5. Dinner with Saff and Kate, enjoying a Jamaican feast, as in days of yore.
6. I finished the Christmas jumper! Pictured here on its way to a carol concert, when it was not finished (I had not embroidered the berries across the back) but I completed it during a work meeting on the 22nd, perfect timing.
7. A little blue Tiffany box of joy from Mr Z, who managed to buy me something I love that I didn't even know I wanted. I ordered him a much less indulgent gift and it hasn't even arrived yet, eek.
8. Boxing Day walk with Mother Hand. We played Pooh sticks and fussed other people's dogs.
9. A number of visits to the newish community sauna in Bristol that my knitting group friend Jess told me about. It's quite rustic but it does what it needs to. I haven't braved the 5 degree cold plunge yet...maybe tomorrow.
10. A trip to hot yoga. I hadn't been since 2021; when I downloaded the app to book the sauna and it told me I already had a login, I realised it was the same app I used to book the hot yoga before, so decided to let fate guide me back. I picked a class with an instructor I used to see at bikram, who remembered me, which was nice. I don't mind doing yoga in a heated tent but I really do think I sweated more than anyone else and their showers seemed to be, once again, out of order. I remembered that that is why I didn't go back in 2021, when the showers were off-limits due to covid. I did not appreciate having to put a woolly jumper onto my clammy self. I want to go back but will need to make better wardrobe plans.
Bonus: I've managed almost a whole week of 8+ hours sleep. Mostly 9+ hours, truth be told. I have completely stopped waking up at 6am. I am partly attributing this to the new Christmas PJs and new Christmas bedding (Christmas hit this house hard this year). Next week is going to be B R U T A L but I have enjoyed this week.
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