I spent my birthday enjoying the Bournville Christmas festival and the switching on the lights of the gorgeous tree. We have done this for a few years now. I love it, but it does get really crowded and it’s difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. It’s worth it though.
Bournville Village Green
Bournville village green has a row of quaint shops and a pretty rest house in the middle of the green. There are several paths leading to the rest house, but only two of them that don’t have steps. Thankfully, I know which path to take now. We got there a little early and managed to get into the rest house which sells some lovely little gifts, mostly made by local residents.
The Bournville rest house was built in 1914 to commemorate the silver Wedding anniversary of George Cadbury and his wife Dame Elizabeth Cadbury. Boo, bought some little gifts and I bought some lovely Christmas cards which show the rest house, the Christmas tree and the Carillon. They were made by a local artist Milan Illustrator.
The Carillon
The Carillon is bell tower instrument played with keys, it truly is an amazing instrument and I have written about it here. It is played on Saturday afternoons throughout the year and you can sit on the benches of the rest house and listen. Then on the run up to Christmas they play Christmas songs and carols. Being a key played instrument the bells can play many tunes, from Jingle Bells to Frosty the Snowman. I didn’t get a good photo of the Carillon because of not being able to get nearer as it was so crowded. Plus, it’s hard to take photos from a wheelchair. I angled this one to miss all the people and catch the pretty lights and you can see the light of the carillon behind the trees.
For a very different experience The Ladybird’s Adventure has written about a wonderful trip to see the Christmas Light Trail at Delamere Forest.
My Birthday
I was lucky that my birthday coincided with the lights switch on. A great treat to get out and it only rained a little. It wasn’t as cold as last year either.
The day started quiet, and I had some time to catch up on the Netflix series 1899. Then I opened my presents and cards (the ones in the post didn’t arrive thanks to the postal strikes!) and wondered if anyone else was going to get out of bed at all! By lunchtime the whole family were up, my eldest daughter made me lunch which was lovely. Then we went to Bournville where I caught up with a friend I haven’t seen in ages. We are planning a proper catch up at Christmas.
After our trip to Bournville we went home and got ready to go out for a meal. I picked a restaurant which was just 10 minutes away because Graham had to make two trips to take all of us. It’s not often we all go out together but it’s lovely when we do. Poor Graham having to do so many trips though. I had a lovely meal but skipped desert because I had a birthday cake waiting at home.
I had a really lovely day, but I wish I could stop getting older now!
What a lovely birthday treat. It sounds like a wonderful trip out.
It sounds like a great birthday. I have sent a card and I am guessing it has been delayed. A few of mine were earlier in the week. x
Happy Belated Birthday! You have lovely shots of the trip and beautiful tree. Have a great week!
Happy belated birthday! It sounds like a lovely day and perfect that it fell on the day for the lights switch on. The Bournville buildings are so quirky and interesting and that tree is huge!
Fab festive photos – Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.