The Natural History Museum London

Over the summer we took a trip to the Natural History Museum in London. We have taken the boys once before and they loved it and Joe was desperate to visit again. Luckily our great friends Ruth Darren and Finlay were visiting London at the same time so we all met up and visited together.

What absolutely amazes me is that is it free, I can't get over this as it must cost a fortune to maintain and run, and there is always something new to see. 

Joe and Fin loved the planet earth section and found going up the escalator into a red glowing planet really exciting, to be honest they whizzed around this section buzzing from one stand to another looking at the pictures, trying the interactive features. Whilst the rest of us took our time and read the notes attached to the exhibits. It was quite difficult to read and keep one eye on that pair buzzing excitedly around. They loved the earthquake simulator, and found the whole section around that very interesting.

But what they really wanted to see was the dinosaurs, last time we visited Joe was only 2 and found it really frightening, it was great that this time he really enjoyed it. And spent some time looking at all the species, marvelling at how huge they are. 

Piccolino, Heddon Street, London

Last Saturday my good friend Lisa and I ate at Piccolino on Heddon Street in London's trendy Mayfair. I don't know if you have ever been to Heddon Street, it is the loveliest courtyard full of wine bars, restaurants and even an ice bar, set just off Regent Street. I have eaten here before, and had drinks at a few of the bars. As Lisa had not seen much of London I decided to take her here, as it feels really chic and continental. 

We were so lucky it was a hot day, so London was living outside. With tables outside the front of all the bars and restaurants filled. It was such a lovely summers atmosphere. 

A Stranger in the Streets of London

Something happened on Saturday afternoon at Euston Station that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. A good friend and I were sat in the sun we had just eaten a lovely salad from Marks and Spencer's and were waiting for the Train to take us back to our lovely comfortable homes in rural Lancashire. 

Then a man approached us, now being a frequent visitor of London seeing someone homeless isn't new to me, I have always looked the other way, had quite a harsh view of people begging.  The man was a Londoner and was asking for money, he had been beaten black and blue in fact I would go as far to say I could not look at the injuries on his face, both his eyes were black and purple, his face and lips were swollen, bruised and cut. 

He asked for some money, My Friend struck up a conversation with him asked him about his injuries, he spent some time telling her he had been to the hospital but discharged. As they had this conversation it struck me he was just normal, just like me yet homeless and beaten. I sat with my head down reading emails, completely unable to engage in the conversation feeling really uncomfortable. My friend gave him some money he was very polite and off he went.

When he left I told her I thought she was very soft, it probably sounded harsh but I really meant kind. She looked at me and said he is human, someone's son and I hope if someone I love needed help there would be someone there to offer them kind words and help. 

A Lovely Day in Covent Garden

Last week we took the boys to Covent garden for the day, they have been into London many times but are always so excited, they love London and the novelty of going on the underground with all the hustle and bustle.

They were amazed by all the street performers, and spent ages watching them; in fact they watched one performer for 40 minutes. I totally lost the Will to live as is was seriously boring, however Chris and the Boys seemed quite amazed by this man doing an escape act. To be honest he really dragged it out, but they loved it, so I was happy to sit there bored, whilst they enjoyed the experience.

A day out in London, The Changing of the Guards

When we went to London last summer we decided to take the boys to see the changing of the guards. It is something they have never seen before. We were lucky as it was a beautiful hot day, we arrived about 10 minutes before the start, however I would advise anyone planning to go to get there about half an hour before, as it was very busy. 

Regent Street With No Cars!

We recently went into London for the day and were so lucky to find Regent Street was closed. I could not believe it, as someone who has visited and worked in London. I was so excited. I don't think Chris and the Boys could quite relate to how giddy I was, but how wonderful a pedestrianised regent street. It was called Summer Streets, and whilst it may have been inconvenient for drivers having to find a route around this, for tourists it was great.

A bus covered in astro turf