This is the first time I have ever written a non optimistic-life-is-wonderful post on my blog, but this evening I am tired and disappointed. Just because of a bit of snow. my brother and his family - who should have come to spend Christmas with us - cannot come and WE ARE NOT PLEASED.
Heathrow airport is A MESS
the tunnel between the UK and France is A MESS
the roads could be A MESS
We are not talking about a metre of snow here,
but 20cm or 8" max!!! I mean, come one, some of you are
coping with 30" of snow for months on end, but you don't
cancel Christmas for goodness sake!!
So if you want to pop over from Sydney, Brisbane, New York, Adelaide, Atlanta, California, Turkey, Texas, Estonia, Pakistan, Buenos Aires, Italy, Arizona, Sudan, Hong Kong or South Africa or one of the other places where
I have been read ...........
I have been read ...........
FEEL FREE
there'll be plenty to eat and drink!!
photos thanks to Google images
Posts
I'm sorry your family cannot make it. :( Driving long distances with snow is taxing and dangerous. I've had to "skip Christmas" with my parents and brothers two years in a row due to 400 miles of driving + snow. This year I am renting a car that can go through snow and will make it or break it. I waited too long for plane tickets...
ReplyDeleteThis IS disappointing. We've been watching the news and its quite remarkable how the snow shuts things down when a country is unaccustomed to it.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, pout for awhile, have a cup of tea (or glass of wine) and I hope that things will look rosier.
Oh so sorry dear- what a disappointment. news here is Ben's plane broke and he is still not home but we have hopes for this afternoon....that is if we don't float away..
ReplyDeletebut of course there is "no climate change happening"..don't get me started.
We had about 5 inches a couple years back and they canceled school here.If you don't have the equipment to handle it, everything grinds to a halt- and it makes no sense to pay and store equipment for a once a decade storm I suppose...and like dominoes everything tumbles down.
Fire up skype and keep the cameras rolling I say. At least you can talk all day that way and see the present opening etc...
Merry Christmas Dear...it is still a wonderful world and maybe they can rush in just post Christmas for New year...
wishing you merry ; D
Oh Sharon , how I would love to pop over from Brisbane ! Dont tempt me please , I am aching to return to France !
ReplyDeleteHow dissapointing for you , Im sure you will still have a wonderful Christmas because you will make it happen. We are also not having family for Christmas for the first time , as everyone has moved to different parts of the country & even London. They are all to busy to come together. Its sad for my little ones , as they are used to a "big' family get together. However I will pull it together to make our day special.
Wishing you & your family a wonderful Christmas & new year.
Karyn x
Dear Sharon, I know how you feel. The skies dumped 20 plus inches of snow on us yesterday. More to come later today and tomorrow. The power was out for 12 hours. But we can still get around because we are used to the snow.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you will not see some members of your family this Christmas. You live in such gorgeous surroundings...that will soften the disappointment just a little. Go out and take some more of your gorgeous picture. You may not have any snow at all next year and you can fool us next Christmas with your snowy pictures.
Merry Christmas
Gina
Oh bloody hell Sharon, I am not surprised your not pleased, I would be furious too. Pour yourself a very large drink.
ReplyDeleteDespite the disappointment I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
XXX
You have a beautiful blog. Here us hoping your family does make it.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, let's have some eggnog.
I'm sorry your family won't make it. We have alot of friends who have been stranded and not able to be with their families too..
ReplyDeleteSending warm hugs and much love to you! xxoo
I love your blog, its gorgeous. I am in Australia where we usually have hot Christmas's. I have been following it all on the news as I also have friends caught up in it. Hoping some Christmas cheers comes out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, but we wouldn't be able to get there either. One airport kind of shuts down everything.
ReplyDeleteHola Sharon tienes un blog muy bonito,es un placer recorrerlo.A partir de ahora te estaré siguiendo desde Buenos Aires.Que tengas una linda navidad!!Marina
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry your family cannot we with you. I grew up in Chicago and 20cm of snow was a light dusting. LOL
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side... Be glad you or your family are not stuck at Heathrow. They are asking people to stand outside because there isn't room in the terminal. PLUS... They have no where else to go.
I am sorry to see your sad news. We live in a snow belt area in Traverse City, Michigan. We average 150" of snow every year, but we are prepared for it. We have been watching the news and the reports of the delays caused by the bad weather over there. What a shame and of course it doubles the pain when it's an important holiday like Christmas. I've had to give up a Christmas or two because of the bad weather since our family is 250 miles away from us. Too bad they can't re-schedule and come another day. Cheer up, have a glass of Eggnog with Brandy and Nutmeg! Greetings from Traverse City, Michigan... Liz
ReplyDeleteDearest Sharon,
ReplyDeleteIt's not the 20cm of snow, it's because they're not equipped to handle it... But safety is priceless, more valuable than a full pantry of food for Christmas!
Try to make the best of it, you cannot control mother nature.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas anyway!
Mariette's Back to Basics
I'm so, so, sorry. I was living in fear that my husband and son would not get through Paris from Beirut last night but I'm so happy to say they made it!
ReplyDeleteI believe in Christmas miracles so you never know what might happen between now and then. Let's keep hoping!
I'm so sorry for you Sharon.I'm not going to harp on about how the States copes with so much more snow... although I have many travel anecdotes where I have been stranded due to the ineptness of UK transport links... All I can say is, try and enjoy the season... knowing that your brother and family are safe and well... and will at some point get to visit your lovely home and when they do, it will be all the more sweeter... Perhaps he may be able to get out for New Years? In his absence raise a glass of the good stuff and toast him in his absence! Take care. Lx
ReplyDeleteI’m on my way Sharon, I like red wine and plenty of it…lol. OMG I love gargoyles and I have that same picture something here on my desk in the form of an antique postcard. They crack me up do you notice he’s sticking his tongue out at the world?
ReplyDeleteOh honey, if only we could ... sending besos .. from a very sunny and hot Buenos Aires...
ReplyDeleteSorry about your Christmas! Hope you find ways
ReplyDeleteto enjoy it even though you must be very
disappointed!
Jane
Flora Doora
Oh that is so disappointing. Hopefully they will be able to come a little later. It won't be quite the same but I have a feeling you could make it quite an occasion.
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas day forecast is for 32 degrees so it will be Christmas under the air conditioner.
I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and new year full of hope and joy. I have enjoyed your blog and trading comments very much this year. Merry Christmas Deb
Bonjour Sharon,
ReplyDeleteSO sorry to hear your brother and his family can't join you for Christmas! It is a bit crazy, we've had snow, but not enough to grind all of Europe to a halt - but what do I know.
Perhaps for the New Year they can join you. I wish you a wonderful Christmas!
Mimi
oh Sharon....
ReplyDeletei am so sorry....
your frustration is totally just & right!
i could visit you if i was still in sydney but probably not from the uk!
at least you know he & his family are safe...but they are also probably as frustrated as yourselves...
hopefully you can share this special time together in the new year...?
oh i am just so sorry...
melissa xx
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this!!! If I would I would love to come over and help you eat and drink and make merry...Hugs, Dzintra♥x
ReplyDeletethat is so disappointing for you, and I am sure your brothers family too. waving from (just south of Brisbane) where it has been raining for what feels like weeks and today is sooo humid. Have a very very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you are disappointed but maybe your brother and his family will reschedule their visit and it will turn out to be perfect timing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit you with my husband and 2 sons for Christmas, but California is quite far away and I have read about Europe's travel mess. Have a Joyful Noel dear.
I've read your post, I've read all the comments, and I've decided you are a blessed woman this Christmas! You are lucky to have family with sense enough not to travel, you are blessed to care so much as to be disappointed, and you are equally graced with the well wishes and heartfelt pangs or your readers ( and I wonder how many of them you actually know personally). While it's no speedy cure for a sad spirit, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and happiness in knowing that so many of us reading feel your blues and wish you well.
ReplyDeleteThat's to bad about your family! I know what it feels like to be thousands of miles from home and no family for Christmas! Here's hoping you'll find a way to make this the best Christmas ever! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
aka:tot
Grrr! My daughter cannot come this year and I am not pleased either! My pretty girl!
ReplyDeleteCan you skype? At least while you open up the gifts?
I'll be thinking of you...
-Ann
I feel your pain this is my first year with an empty nest and with all the rain here in California it is not only empty but wet as well. My thoughts are with you. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteDear Sharon!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you won't have your family there with you this christmas... perhaps they can get there for a post christmas celebration.. although I know.. it won't be the same!!! so.. you didn't mention Sydney!! I will gladly pop over from Sydney... hahaha... will be spending christmas alone this year.. and you know my need to see a white christmas one day!!!
Anyway.. I just wanted to say.. Thank you for all your kindness, support and friendship this year.... I feel very blessed for the friends I have made in blogland..so please know that you have been part of my bright moments this year..
Take care.. and enjoy the christmas season.. even if you do have to eat all that food yourself!! ciao ciao xxx Julie
Take care girl, It will still be a beautiful holiday for you. We have way to much rain here in California and soon we will travel by boat up our street. The rain would not keep my from a visit to you. Hey I know!! My daughter and I will step in for your brother and his family...We are on our way!! :) LOL!!
ReplyDeleteHave a peaceful one.
Un Joyeux Noel
xx
Dore
I'm really sorry. As much as the snow is beautiful, it does wreak havoc. I'm just so thankful my son got home Monday night from Europe. It was touch and go for awhile. Perhaps your brother could change his flight to Paris, then take the train? Or drive? I know, it's not going to happen. But 8 inches of snow--give me a break! Stay warm and I hope you can plan a get together shortly after Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh Sharon, I am so sorry for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI really can't understand why Europe has gone haywire for 20 cm of snow...I mean...that's normal for Europe...isn't it? We do not live in Africa after all.... I remember that when I was a child we usally had 50 cm to 1 mt of snow here, every single winter but that did't cause panic..I can't understand what it is happening now...lack of money to defreeze the airport? lack of will to do that? lack of any will to adapt to a little less comfort?? Who knows?
By the way...I really hope your brother will find a way to reach you.
Fra
Oh NO!! What a shame!!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many disruptions this year. Odd how the worst weather of the year falls at the busiest holiday time.
I'm so sorry that your bro and family won't make it, but I hope you have a good time anyway. I suppose they'll be obliged to rush out and buy a last minute Christmas. Bugger!
I'll echo Sarah's thoughts - oh bugger! We've finally got some warm Summer weather on the way here in the Adelaide Hills, 34C. on Chrissie Day yay! Thank you Sharon for all your visits & lovely supportive comments this year. I really value our bloggie friendship & your wonderful posts are always a highlight in my busy day. I'm sure you will make this Christmas as good as it can be given the circumstances - enjoy the magic.
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
Dear Sharon, I feel your frustration, every bit of it, having had our own Christmas holiday plans dashed because of the pathetic inadequacy of Britain in dealing with a few inches of snow (year after year). I would take up your offer in a heartbeat, if only I could get out of London! I'm a new follower of your lovely blog and plan definitely to book a visit to your guest cottage next year. Commiserations and I wish you a peaceful and happy christmas nonetheless ...
ReplyDeleteSharon, I hate snow too! I am in Atlanta and they are saying we may have a white Christmas as well. I guess my attitude is if we have to have snow this year Christmas is probably the best time for it. Last Christmas I was in Dallas and we had a white Christmas. Good gracious! Two white Christmases in a row! What's a good southern girl to do!
ReplyDeleteHello Sharon,
ReplyDeletevery sorry for you and your family. We ecxpected some of our friends from London, no way......
But please, send me some snow down to the Périgord! It's gray, drizzling and for me as a German no real Christmas atmosphere.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, JOYEUX NOEL,
Frohe Weihnachten
and Greetings from the Périgord - Karin
Oh Sharon so sorry to hear...it's the same here, we're not used to snow .....
ReplyDeleteHope you'll still have some fabulous days...
Hugs from a snowy Amsterdam
Erna
See Sharon how many people feel you?
ReplyDeleteCherish all the love and remember, Christmas is the season of miracles!!
Your Christmas will be perfect :)
Love you,
Terri
Sharon, much the same here . . .disappointing, I know. Here, family is going out of town and it will be the first Christmas for just my husband and I & the kids. I want to try hard to soak it up and make some new memories. I have to go with it, can't fight it, this is the Plan (if you know what I mean). Already new gifts have been presented . . . a friend I haven't seen for years called and has invited us for Christmas dinner! So happy to re-connect at this time of re-birth.
ReplyDeleteI hope the same happens for you, that inspite of this disappointment, new ways of celebrating and enjoying the season come your way.
The prediction here (MD/DC) is for snow on Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Good morning Sharon~ So sorry about your family not being able to get there- I am not a fan of snow either- seems like it always messing up plans of some sort. Hope your holiday is wonderful- and you never know, perhaps there will be a break in the weather and they will come! Btw...packing my bags and checking on flights from beautiful California to beautiful France! Sounds absolutely wonderful!!!
ReplyDelete:) Merry Christmas!
Oh you must be so disappointed! I hope things turn around and you have a lovely holiday anyway.
ReplyDeleteIn the capital of Argentina there is no snow but once it happened in 2007. I was in my buenos aires apartment and suddenly I saw it fall, people screaming: "It´s a miracle!" It was nice and shocking, but I´m glad I was there to live a unique moment in history!
ReplyDeleteKim