Tuesday 2nd October

Tuesday in London was a lovely and very full day. We started by meeting Stephen, Lillian and Daniel in Hyde Park for brunch. Alice and Finbarr were thrilled to see their first squirrels and have been on a quest ever since to get as close as possible to one (they did very well today in Green Park with a squirrel coming within 1m of them!). It was a bit chilly so we sat inside for brunch, overlooking the Serpentine (lake) and watching the kids feed ducks. It was such a typical day in Hyde Park - autumn leaves starting to show, squirrels scampering and horses being ridden. The kids found a playground and had a lot of fun, while we tried to fit in as much chatting as we could before the Mollisons had to head home to Holt, Norfolk.  So sad to say goodbye as it could be a while before we get to see them again and before our kids get to play with their fun-loving cousin, Daniel. Thanks so much Stephen, Lillian and Daniel for making the effort to skip school and work and come to London to meet us!
After saying goodbyes, we caught my old bus and the kids' first double decker red bus, the No 9, to Piccadilly Circus. Of course we sat at the top! We were on a mission to find one of the open top tourist buses so we could do the sightseeing tour around London (this way the kids could get an overview of all of the top spots, to see what we wouldn't have time to look at properly- this time!).  We found one and saw all the sights, except for Peggy and Tink who did their trick of falling asleep (apparently they've slept their way through this tour a few times now!!). After a couple of hours of trawling through London traffic and seeing all the requisite London highlights, we jumped off and I met up with my friend, Judy Kent, who I worked with at the Sheraton Belgravia.  We had a few coffees and did our best to squeeze in 19 years of stories and catching up. Judy was the PA to the hotel General Manager and was and is great fun.  It was so lovely to see her and she is looking amazing.  We could only meet for a while - July travels for work now, so it was fabulous she was in town at all this week.  
After leaving there and grabbing some food for dinner, we quickly got the ladies of the house glammed up for a night at the theatre in the West End. Peggy, Tink, Emily and I had pre-booked tickets to Les Miserables - my favourite musical.  It was beautiful and I managed to cry all over again.  What a fabulous day!