Xmas markets. Again.

Ant Wars II:

Who'd have thought there were so many German Xmas Markets in England - how do they manage in Germany when all the markets are over here? 

Still, Wilson is LOVING it… especially the Xmas food! There may be no ant-related snacks, but he's making up with extra jacket potatoes and crêpes :-)

Riding with Father Xmas

How many times can one anteater ride on one ride? I had to go visit the ATM twice to keep this ride fed to Wilson's satisfaction… and when we finally left (Cheesy Wotsits crisis) he still wanted more!

This anteater is insatiable!

Xmas market

Now it's Xmas Markets! I have to admit, it is quite fun, and it helps me see Xmas once more through the eyes of childhood, since everything about it is new and fresh and magical to Wilson, as it once was to me and many years later to my children…

A gift from Wilson!

You've just got time to make Wilson's Hi Wilson! Advent Calendar - it will really get you in the mood for Xmas. 

Download the first picture, print it out and cut round the solid 'door' lines. 

Then download the next picture, print it out and glue it behind the first picture. 

Wilson recommends that you do this second bit with your eyes closed, so you don't spoil the surprise of what's behind each door -- good luck with that!

W assures me that this Advent Calendar will get everyone in the Xmas Mood!

Wilson makes the news!

Oooh! Wilson is in the Birmingham local paper! 

He is very cross that the report got both our names wrong, by the spelling mistakes (ant-eter indeed!) etc, but I think he's quite pleased with his dare-devil depiction in the story... and secretly, he loves being called 'exotic'! Also, he thinks his profile works well in the photo!

This is definitely one for his Cuttings album!

In search of Xmas

We've been trekking from store to store visiting all the Xmas displays. Wilson keeps telling me, and anyone else who will listen, that Xmas will be better that Talk Like a Pirate Day and Halloween rolled into one!

For myself, I'm finding it a bit difficult to feel Xmassy when the sun is shining, the weather is warm and it's still only November, but W's mood is quite contagious!

Flying is 'in his blood'

While we were in Selfridges, Wilson saw something which brought back some painful memories for him: his expulsion from Flying School. Before I could stop him, he'd climbed up a shop display stand and was wing-walking across this amazing model bi-plane hanging from the ceiling. He says he 'wanted to get a better look at the robins on the landing-gear'.

It's £3000, it's diesel powered, and no, he's not getting it for Xmas!

Wilson learns about Xmas...

Back at the hotel, Wilson reacted pretty much as I expected when I explained Xmas to him: he was hysterical with excitement. I drew the curtains and made him breathe into a paper bag to calm him down, but I can't imagine he'll get much sleep tonight. Or on Xmas eve. Or possibly any night in between.

He remembers seeing a model of Father Xmas in Selfridges, so I had to take him back there so he could see him again, now that he knows who he is!

Wilson discovers Christmas...

Wilson and I visited The Bullring today. In Selfridges, Wilson noticed what he assumed were left-over Halloween decorations but in fact are Christmas decorations. He has never heard of Christmas but, remembering what happened at ASDA when I told him about Halloween, I tell him we'll talk about it when we get back to the hotel. 

I wonder whether the Pharmacy will let me have some Valium without a script?

Booking in...

Here is Wilson getting ready to check in at our hotel. We're sharing a room, so I hope W is not too restless... or flatulent!

I think the hotel's WiFi is expensive at £12 for 24 hours, but W insists he needs it to research Adam Ant. 

CityBreak!

Here we are on our CityBreak to… Birmingham! 

Wilson is very excited (although, naturally, he slept for most of the journey). As we approached Brum he woke and saw a roadside hoarding advertising a concert by none other than Adam Ant! 

I spent the rest of the journey telling him about Adam Ant, his band, the 80s, New Romanticism,  Malcolm McClaren and Bow Wow Wow, 'Prince Charming', 'Stand and Deliver', the two drummers… Ah, they were heady days!

I was enjoying my reminiscing when I noticed Wilson had nodded off again!

Fifth of November firework fun!

Bonfire Night! Sparklers, toasted marshmallows, hot soup with ant garnish, story-telling and singing round a roaring bonfire… 

No fur was singed and Wilson had a brilliant time!

To ease any sense of anticlimax, I've planned a short CityBreak holiday for the coming week -- I think Wilson will love it!

Waiting impatiently for darkness...

Wilson very impatient waiting for darkness to fall. He has drawn up an extremely complicated chart showing in what order all the fireworks are to be lit - I hope he's not disappointed as I've only bought a packet of sparklers and a couple of Catherine Wheels. 

We'd better pop down to the shops and get some Roman Candles and rockets...

Remember! Remember!

Wilson is still on a sugar-high from his Halloween excursion, so I've said nothing so far about Bonfire Night… but I have bought a few fireworks. No bangers, mind, just pretty ones.

Halloween

Here's a picture of Wilson Trick or Treating with some friends. He brought back a huge stack of Treats (which I'm trying to ration so he doesn't make himself sick) but, although he had a great time and enjoyed himself, he was a little disappointed he didn't get to use any of his Tricks. 

Having seen them, I think it's just as well that he didn't...

Acknowledgements

All the source photographs of the lovely Wilson are used by kind permission of TamanduaGirl, http://www.livingwithanteaters.com/