An Unusual Xmas

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Win Hilling. Stories for my Grandchildren

An Unusual Xmas

1969-70

In 1969 my husband retired and we took a trip eventually arriving in England. It was late December and we were temporarily living in a small hotel in London. We longed for a few weeks over Xmas time to be in a short lease flat, but there were none available. We were members of the Victoria League and I knew they had an office where members could receive advice whilst visiting England, so we called to see them.

All the accommodation on their books was taken, but they were interested to know our travel plans. After a while I was asked where we should be spending Xmas and would we like to spend it with some English club members. We accepted gratefully and arrangements were made for us to visit a family in Norwich. On Xmas eve when we went to get our train it was snowing and everything looked so clean and beautiful covered with snow. The countryside was like a Xmas card and we enjoyed every minute of our journey although it was dark when we finally reached our destination.

Our host was there to greet us and drive us to his home, which was a lovely large country mansion, very old and furnished with antique furniture which was exquisite with so much detail one wondered at the workman’s skill.

We were made very welcome and Xmas morning we all went for a walk in the crisp snow which was very deep and the 3 dogs found it hard work to run at all.

After a while we came to an old English Inn where we stopped for a drink. Our host was well known and we were warmly welcomed, and included in their Xmas fun. The walk home was exhilarating, the air so clean and crisp, and the dogs kept us amused with their antics.

Our hostess disliked cooking and preparing meals, but fortunately her husband owned high class delicatessens all over England so the fridges were full of delicious food. I really enjoyed helping my host set the table and arrange the food. We enjoyed each other’s company and he was grateful to have help. The house staff had been given Xmas off to be with their families.

There were other visitors and relations in the house including one New Zealand man who told us that he was also from the Victoria League and first started his Xmas visits to that family three years ago.

Our host and hostess were friendly warm people and were very keen to gamble on the horses. Much of their conversation was about adventures at the race course which kept us all amused.

The day we left we were taken on a trip around Norwich which was a place I had not visited before.

I corresponded with them for some years, but at longer and longer intervals until we stopped.