Last post - Christmassy London

Oxford Street

Regents Street

Carnaby Street

Trafalgar Square

Christmas time in London - the last post about our visit - 

but not the last time I visited at his time of the year! Promised!

Emilie's daughter

via me

The curious history of English Christmas Dinner at Guildhall Library

Twelfth Night Cakes

During our visit to London we attended Dr. Peter Gross's discourse about the history of Christmas food. Dr. Ross did that in such a pleasant manner - it was the highlight of our stay! He talked about the turkey and that before the turkey became popular, which was around 1567,  (until the discovery of America one had not turkeys!) one would eat peacocks, swans or geese. Especially the peacocks and swans would become very dry and tough if they were more than 9 months old. He also explained that depending on the bird the verb for carving would be different, i.e. a swan one would brake. (That's funny!). We learnt that the word turkey comes from the fact that Turkish merchants would sell the birds and as they came from Turkey... It is all logical! Whereas in earlier days one would have spend a week's wage to buy a bird it is nowadays only 10 minutes. 
(I have not yet made up my mind whether this is good or bad as a lot gets wasted and the birds are fattened partially under bad circumstances...).

Dr. Peter Ross said that the Christmas we celebrate today was very much invented by Charles Dickens. I guess he is right! Who does not think of his stories during these days?

There were many interesting assumptions as well as facts we were introduced to! I could have listened for hours! The following impressed me deeply - it refers to the third from last photo: On Christmas morning men would get up early and bake a baby out of dough for their wives (Jul dough) and presented it to them on Christmas Day. 
Dr. Ross said that the custom is still alive with elderly men but just in very few places.

In the end we had mulled wine and sherry and tasted fabulous mince pies!

Unfortunately I only realized when we came back home that Dr. P. Ross has published a book about curious food. See below. It can be ordered at Amazone. I think that is just what I will do!

Dr. Peter Ross

I loved to bathe in the English language and the wonderful narrations and stories of Dr. Ross.

It would be fantastic to go back to England and improve my language skills. And then - I feel so privileged that I was able to attend! It gave us idea to prepare an English dinner ourselves and that is what we will try and do. Post to follow! What I can say though, we will not make a turkey but a roast instead. I hope that is ok too.

Be well and thanks for stopping by!

  ♥   Emilie's daughter    ♥

PS. Have a look at Guildhalls website. 

There are many interesting events going on and according to Dr. Ross they have a thousand cookery books one can look at! What a treasure!

SantaCon in London, Christmassy pubs and fun

SantaCon took place in London last Saturday.

The streets and pubs were crowded with them!

We enjoyed the Christmassy atmosphere in the pubs

 Even the beers come in a Christmassy manner

It was just fun

  ♥   Emilie's daughter    ♥

pics by me