Paris Engagement!

Nick surprised me last week by whisking me away to Paris on the Eurostar train, which goes underneath the English Channel.  I knew he was planning to take me somewhere, but I didn't know it was Paris! We saw all the sights, including the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, climbed up the belltower of Notre Dame, visited Sacre Couer, walked the Champs De'Elysee, ate great food, and enjoyed the ambience of Paris.

Then came the Eiffel Tower.   I had never been up to the top, so this was definitely number one on my list of things to do.  Unbeknownst to me, this was where Nick was planning to propose to me! In fact, it was the main purpose of the whole trip.  I can honestly say I had absolutely no idea.  So there I was, flitting about the top of the tower taking photos of Paris from every angle, as he got more and more agitated trying to get me to stand still for a moment so he could ask me.  Finally he came beside me and we looked out across Paris.  It was absolutely freezing at the top, and so windy! He cuddled up close to me, and I suggested we head back down out of the wind.  He said, "Well, before we do that.....Andrea Smith, will you marry me?" and opened up that telltale little box, with a beautiful ring inside.  I was completely speechless.....for several seconds that were probably the longest of his life.....and then said "Yes!" I was stunned for several minutes afterwards, and couldn't stop laughing and smiling and hugging him.....then the happy tears started and continued for a while.  So now we are officially engaged, as of December 4th, 2012!!

Christmastime in England!

One week ago Nick and I said our goodbyes and signed off the Queen Elizabeth.  Signing off does actually entail a literal signing of one's name on the ship's Articles (rules, codes of conduct, contracts etc).  We got off the ship around 11am in Civitavecchia, Italy, en route to Rome's airport.  It was a very rainy, windy day, and just getting to the coaches with our luggage proved an ordeal.  Our flight was delayed 2 hours leaving the airport, which was no surprise to the flight attendants on our British Airways plane.  Apparently Rome has a reputation for never getting flights through on time, and the bad weather compounded the issues.  To help keep us entertained, they opened up the cockpit for visitors.  We eventually joined the queue, and when we got there one of the pilots had to step out.  The other decided to invite us to actually sit in the pilot seats!! He even offered to take a photo for us and answered all our questions.  It turns out our plane was over 25 years old, and still had analogue displays.  Very interesting to look at.

Nick's "mum" Lynn met us at the airport with warm coffees in hand for us.  It felt so nice to be "home"! I've been settled into Nick's room, while he's been booted out to his tiny old room, now a study. Since arriving we've been on a bit of a whirlwind of sightseeing. On Friday, we went to the Christmas market in Winchester, where I tried my first mulled wine - sort of like what we know as hot apple cider, but with hot red wine and spices.  It isn't very strong, just really warms you up and feels festive.  I've also discovered mince pies, which are absolutely everywhere.  Starbucks even gave them out for free with every festive drink purchase in one location.  They are tiny little pies filled with sweet raisin mince.  Saturday we headed down to Portsmouth, where we visited the HMS Victory - the ship captained by Lord Nelson when the Battle of Trafalgar was won: a real turning point in English history.    We toured the ship, but were also really lucky to be there when a Dickens Victorian Festival of Christmas was one - characters from Charles Dickens books were dressed up and wandering around engaging the guests, they had set up sets from that era and even had a street covered in snow.  Nick was even accosted by some "loose women" which was hilarious. For Sunday, we got to attend church with Jason and Jen, Nick's sister.  It was a really neat experience, they have a fantastic church.  The day we went, about a dozen babies were dedicated!! So many young families there give the church a lot of life.  After the service, we went for a very traditional afternoon tea in Lyndhurst with Lynn.  Lyndhurst is a really beautiful little town in the new forest.  They are known for putting little Christmas trees in what seemed to me to be flagpole holders.  But apparently they wait all year for just this use! I'm loving the feeling of Christmas in the air everywhere here!