AN UNFORGETTABLE
CHRISTMAS
I was an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and posted to a one
year technical staff course at the Royal Military College of Science
in Shrivenham, England. The course started in early January so in
mid-December, my wife and I plus our two ankle-biters (sons - three
and five years old) departed for the UK. We were not too worried
about housing as it had been arranged for us to take over a rental
unit from a Canadian officer who was returning to Canada after
completing the same course.
On arrival in Britain, we spent several days in London so I could
make all the necessary arrangements with the Canadian High
Commission. It was very pleasant as the weather was mild and there
was lots to see and do. Finally, we caught the train to the Cotswolds
and it was from this point on that our fortunes went rapidly
downhill. For one thing, we were dragging along far too much baggage,
and I don't just mean the kids! We weren't aware that you had to
manhandle all the luggage yourself if you wanted it to arrive with
you. Otherwise, if checked, it might take several days! If it hadn't
been for a kind Vicar's help when we got off at Swindon, the nearest
rail centre to the college, our luggage might have continued on to
Bristol. Also, the weather had turned very chilly and damp. At
Swindon I caused a minor international incident when I tried to hail
a taxi in the pouring rain, without queuing up for it. Eventually we
got our taxi and made it to Shrivenham and our hotel, the Barrington
Arms.
On checking in, we received the rather devastating news that the
house we were to take over had been quarantined as one of their
children had measles! So we steeled ourselves for a prolonged stay at
the hotel over the Christmas period. Now to many this might seem to
be a fortuitous event as hotel life can be most pleasant - no cooking
or housework, attendants at your beck and call, etc. But this was a
very old hotel with few amenities. The rooms were small and heated
only by a gas heater which gobbled up shillings at an alarming rate.
The children were located in a room down the hall, not adjoining as
we had wished considering their age. We literally knew no one in the
town. Even our Canadian confrères were wrapped up with
preparations for moving back to Canada or conversely moving into
their rented accommodation and had little time for us. So it seemed
we would be at our own devices for the holiday season. Adding to this
was the fact we didn't have warm clothes as we had expected to be
domiciled quickly and reunited with our possessions which we had
shipped from Canada earlier. Things did not look too bright for this,
supposedly the merriest of seasons.
But things are seldom what they seem. In no time we became
relatively acclimatized to the weather and local habits. The cool
rooms were compensated for by thick down quilts and sherry. The early
morning wake-up with hot, strong tea served us in bed, made getting
up a pleasure. The English breakfast was a cholesterol nightmare but
incredibly tasty and fortifying. And we were pleasantly surprised to
find that the British are not at all reserved, (except perhaps in
London). The innkeepers, an elderly couple, doted on our children to
the extent that one night they heard the youngest crying in his room
and comforted him until he went back to sleep. We didn't find out
about this until several days later. The pub in our hotel had a
wonderful fireplace that beckoned you to sit and stare at it over
glasses of brandy. The "regulars" became friends in very short
order.
A few days before Christmas, we noticed wheel barrows filled with
holly, free for the taking, brought in by the local farmers. The High
Street was decorated in the Olde English tradition. Then on Christmas
Eve, the street in front of the church filled with the local
townspeople all joining with the Vicar in singing carols. We did as
well, making it one of our most memorable occasions!
On Christmas day, we were invited to a fellow officer's home for
dinner. We had a splendid time and the children were visited by
Father Christmas. Several days later, we finally moved into our new
home. Our British neighbours made us most welcome offering advice and
assistance. "Come in for a spot of tea and biscuits, dears; you must
be weary." We were truly made to feel at home!
The rest of our tour was just as pleasant. But we'll always
remember this particular holiday season. To us it exemplifies the
true spirit of Christmas.