62 days and counting: THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS 21ST TO 23RD DEC

We have just spent the most beautiful weekend imaginable. We had arranged with our daughter, Jacqueline to pick up our grand-daughter Xanthi from school and to whisk her away for a weekend in London. Xanthi had no idea of this and everything was a pure surprise for her.

Father Christmas called to see us and gave us information on what to do in order to give Xanthi a special Christmas. We were told that since he was so busy, that Xanthi had been so good and that we were in England then we were to deliver her a very special Christmas present. Now, folks it should be remembered that all that follows was a gift to Xanthi from Santa and we were only the deliverers of this special gift.

She was met as normal by her Nanna and Jacqueline as she left school. Having no notion that we were intending to be there, she screamed with delight when she saw us standing there. She was then invited to join us on a train ride ‘to drop off some things for a friend, thus giving us the excuse to take her on the train to London.

Her face and squeals of delight when she eventually realised we were going to London for 2 nights was priceless. Even other passengers on the train were joining in her delight. All we told her at this point was that Santa had approached us and told us to take her out for a special weekend because she had been a really good girl. We refused to tell her our plans for the weekend, letting the events unfold progressively. Of course, we had special plans for her!

Not having been to London before she was a little anxious when we went on the tube train but soon got over it. As we approached the hotel and she saw the Christmas lights around the hotel her comment was “That’s well pretty”! She was more than happy with our room, settling in at ‘her desk’ and claiming the space as her own.

We were told by one of the passengers on our train about a Winter Wonderland fairground set in Hyde Park. Once we checked into our hotel it was off to Hyde Park where we had a whale of a time.

We started on the smaller rides and then progressed upwards until as a final ride we went on the ‘Wild Mouse’ roller-coaster, a ride which frightened me let alone a 9 year old!

It was only after the ride that she informed me that she had never been on a roller-coaster before!

The next morning we slept in til 9am. Since we had plans to shop for a new outfit and attend a show at 2-30pm it was a mad rush for breakfast and then a trip round Oxford Street for a new dress before returning to the hotel to dress for a trip to the theatre.

At this point she had no idea and it was only when we arrived at the Lyceum theatre for ‘The Lion King’ that she realised our evil plan.

The tickets had been purchased beforehand and the tickets sent by post. Guess what? This clown forgot to bring them but fortunately I had paid by credit card and thus was able to get a re-issue! Phew!!!

After the show we spent the evening walking around London in the pouring rain just enjoying the lights and the window displays of the city.

There's a great store to visit - the M&M Store near Leicester Square. A massive store with four levels all dedicated to M&Ms.

Since it was only a short visit to London we never got to the major sights but she did get to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament from the top of a double decker bus! Here was one happy little vegemite who was so full of energy that we had to call it quits at 10pm and return to the hotel.

Sunday morning finished our trip with a visit to Madame Tussauds and a photo session with Justin Beaver, the boy she is in love with and is going to marry.