Welcome to ArcticPhloss

On this tour we are in search of lights!

While we are based in London for Christmas (and the Boxing Day sales) we are off to the city of lights, beautiful Paris for New Years Eve and later in the tour we venture off to Tromso, Norway in search of the northern lights (or 'aurora borealis' to be more scientific) inside the Arctic Circle.

Thanks for joining us.


Monday, December 26, 2011

Boxing Day Sales - day 1 a great success!!

Hi everyone.

Boxing day sales started with breakfast at the Smithfield Cafe (opposite the famous Smithfield Markets) and then to Covent Garden for opening door sales.

Had a fabulous time at all our favourite Covent Garden shops then made our way across town to Regent Street and eventually into Carnaby Street where we found yet more shops full of great clothes at wonderful sale prices.

Dropped into a local pub for a light supper and off home with all of our purchases for the day -- both completely shattered!!




After overnight recovery, plans for Day 2 of the sales include a visit to Chelsea and perhaps a visit to Cheapside!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

From Brisbane to Christmas in London

Friday 23rd December, 2011

In typical 'nick of time' style we woke up, packed our bags and made our way to the airport - naturally there was time for a quick glass of fizz before boarding the plane! Just as we approached our departure gate, we saw our friends Brad and Mel who were about to set off on their own Hawaiian journey - it was great to have a farewell party!



After enjoying the airline food during our first flight (7 hours - Brisbane to Singapore) and then again during the second leg (12 hours - Singapore to Frankfurt), Phil still had room for a German beer and sausage while waiting in transit for our final flight to London. Didn't matter that it was 7:00am - Phil is convinced that international airports are 'time neutral'!



Christmas Eve

Arrived in London and hit some of our favourite places - Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, King's Road... Did some Christmas shopping and then relaxed by the fire in one of our favourite Chelsea pubs.



Shopping done...



Christmas Day!

Started the day with exchanging gifts Santa left under our candle tree. . .



and made our way to Christmas morning service at St Paul's Cathedral. The choir was amazing - the carols were beautiful - the setting was magical.



Wandered down Fleet Street to The Coal Hole on The Strand for our Christmas lunch - four gorgeous courses.





With massively full stomachs, we waddled via Trafalgar Square and Pall Mall to St James' Park to join some other waddlers.



Continued our quest to walk off our Christmas feast by strolling up New Bond Street. The Christmas lights on the shops were really beautiful.



There's no public transport in London on Christmas Day so walking is the best option. That is, of course, until you realise that you've walked so far that you're actually a long way from home. That's when you look to Plan B - the cycle hire scheme! We hired bikes in Mayfair and rode via Regent Street, Soho, Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Bloomsbury, Holborn, back up to St Paul's and home to the Barbican. Legs will be sore tomorrow - but gee it was fun!!!! You wouldn't know from the photo below which was taken in a very well lit tunnel, but our ride was done completely in the dark (although it was only 5:00 in the afternoon!) making for great viewing of the Christmas lights.





Legs willing - Boxing Day sales tomorrow!!!


Merry Christmas, everyone.


Merry Christmas from St Paul's Cathedral

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Northern Lights our ultimate goal!



This beautiful picture of the city of Tromso, Norway under the northern lights would be the ultimate climax of this tour which will include a visit to Paris during New Year celebrations and then off in search of the Northern Lights in Norway.

Not long now - we are off to London just before Christmas, lots of shopping, theatre and sightseeing as well as a visit to Hammersmith to see a soccer match with our two favourite teams, Fulham and Arsenal, can't lose really!

We will be up and publishing soon and we would love you to follow us.

Phil and Louise