Tree Lighting

Yesterday, I did a lot of reading during the day. In the afternoon, Sara and I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery. Sara had been to the Portrait Gallery before so she gave me a guided tour. There were lots of Victorian and Tudor portraits along with modern realistic paintings and a head made of blood. Afterwards, Sara and I went down to Trafalgar Square to see the lighting of the Christmas Tree. The tree was not there the previous day when I was in Trafalgar Square so I was quite impressed with how quickly they put the tree up. Trafalgar Square was packed with people, carolers, and street performers. There was a ceremony that preceded the lighting so we learned all about the tree and the relationship between Norway and GB. The tree was picked several years ago and they tended to the tree making sure it had enough light, nutrients and space. Then, a little over a fortnight ago, the Lord Mayor of Westminster and her family went to Oslo where they cut down the Christmas Tree. Then, the tree was loaded onto a truck and taken to the sea. It then sailed over to London and was put up in Trafalgar Square. Norway has been sending one tree a year as a gift since 1947 as a way to say thanks. The Lord Mayor of Oslo also said a few words and after some carols, the tree was lit. Afterwards, Sara and I got hot chocolate at Pret before walking home in the cold!