Meeting Santa at Mount Stewart

We arrived at Mount Stewart a little too early for our appointment with Santa, so we crunched along the gravel drive behind the house and made our way to the lake where we really did see seven swans a swimming (well, two swans and five cygnets)

Then we headed back to the festive departure lounge in the car park where Bea coloured in her reindeer until the North Pole Express pulled up. A rather glamorous title for a mini bus with santa stickers on the window.  Nonetheless, it was driven and navigated by two elves and jingle bells was blaring from the stereo.  We sped up the hill to the Temple of the Winds for our audience with Santa.

A friendly elf greeted us and we climbed off the bus and followed him on a short walk to a secret door in the hillside.  He unlocked the door and guided us along a tunnel to the elves workshop.  Wrapped parcels lined our way until the children bravely knocked on a little door.  We were greeted by a lady elf who was very worried just when she would get the rest of her toys made.  Still, she ushered us in, giving us mince pies and gingerbread and a nice warm drink.  

There were lots of little toys for the children to play with.  Beatrice was very taken with a Jacob's ladder.  There were also dressing up clothes which none of the children showed the slightest bit of interest in.  Then Bea joined with the elf to make a paper snowflake.

She proudly showed it to her Dad and we continued to wait in the odd little round room.

Then all of a sudden there was a knock on the door and a friendly elf called each child by name.  They followed her up a winding staircase and ushered us into Santa's sitting room, where he and Mrs Claus were waiting.

The children sat on cushions in front of Santa and told him what they would like to be when they grow up...."Fireman, Farmer, Princess and (Bea) a pilot"  The elf then checked her list to discover that they were all on the nice list.

They were then asked what they would like for Christmas...."a fire engine, a tractor, a bike and (from Bea) a little Miss Muffin doll"

Mrs Claus then read us the 'Night Before Christmas" and Santa promptly fell asleep.  

When we managed to wake him up, he told the children to look beneath his tree.  There was a present with each child's name.  

As the other children tore off the wrapping, Bea was happy to pose with Santa and Mrs Claus.

Then we exited by Santa's magic window, to catch the North Pole express back to the car park.  

By this stage we had long forgotten our mince pie and were ready for lunch, so in the cafe Bea asked if she could open her present...

guess what it was....

a GIANT little Miss Muffin doll.

Christmas magic!

Then we managed to dodge the raindrops to enjoy a bimble around the grounds, as Bea searched for the 12 silver bells on the Winter trail.

Can you spot the reindeer?

Happy, Happy Christmas adventures!