London Weekend

At the last minute, we managed to get tickets to go and see Billy Elliot.  It's not recommended for children (lovely authentic North of England colloquialisms = lots of swearing) so Auntie Julie took the kids to spend the day doing "fun stuff". 

Mum and I jumped off the tube at Knightsbridge, walked into Harrods (I find the food court fascinating and mildly repulsive at the same time; so many people starving in the world, and others who can pay £5 for a coffee), then walked down toward Belgravia, Eton Square, and ended up at Victoria.  (We had our lunch in Pret A Manger, where a cup of coffee is 99p, haha). 

The details of what Auntie Julie did with the kids are a little sketchier, but there are rumours that they went to Wagamama's for lunch, did a little clothes shopping, visited the Princess Diana playground and went to Hamley's.  Cole came home with a Magic Set from Hamely's and we have been watching money appear and disappear ever since; Chloe got a set of nail polish pens and has painted more nails with more designs; Carys got magic pens and her face painted. 

We met back at the apartment on Saturday night and had dinner.  On Sunday morning, we got packed up to go and then took a quick trip to Highbury to the Breakfast Club.  We had to leave to go to Heathrow around 1pm ~ it takes a good hour on the tube. 

Back on a plane and Carys sat in the row ahead with Granny ~ right as we got to the end of the runway, I could hear her say "Granny, have you ever crashed a plane?". 

I love flying into Belfast.  One of the reasons I hate going into Dublin airport is that I don't recognise anywhere.  But flying into the harbour?  Amazing.  I love the first glimpse of land out the plane window.  Right away we try to figure out where we are.  (Narnia!  We're in the land that inspired CS Lewis's descriptions of Narnia). 

An hour later and here we are!  Lindy came and picked us up and we headed to her house for dinner.  Before too long, Carys had wellies on and was in the river.  Everyone had fun playing with the new guinea pigs, Elvis and Sammy.  Chloe and David were happy to see each other.  And before we left to head to the Spa, both Catrina and Kirstin had their nails painted. 

It was pretty late when we got to the Spa, but nothing would stop Cole and Carys from going to see Alex and Dawson.  Claire came out to visit us and we had a good time catching up.  After a crazy week, we were all ready to have a little down time.