It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

I've been pondering on why it feels that Christmas somehow seems more festive over here.

There isn't an over abundance of chrissy music in the stores, so it can't be that. I don't think there are any difference in the deckies than back in NZ. The stores do seems to be more in the spirit of it somehow than they are in NZ but I cannot put my finger on why that is.

I wonder if it is that the shortened days, and the prospect of another white one, fit more with my childhood perception of Christmas.

Last weekend, after a visit to the science museum, we decided to take the bus back to Victoria Station as the crowd waiting to get on the tube was too much of a crush. At 5pm it was already dark and our bus trip became and impromptu tour through the festively lit streets. Past Harrods and other delightfully decorated stores. The Streets have their best dresses on too, sparkly wrapped presents and baubles seemingly float above the shoppers. Down side streets we glimpsed trees, their shed leaves replaced with a crop of twinkly lights. The Eye has become a huge slow motion catherine wheel. Buildings have shed their plain daytime exterior and, like Cinderella, have been magically dressed in beautiful gowns of light and colour.