The Science Museum

Cars and planes

Daddy, the kids and I went to the Science Museum in South Kensington on Saturday. It was a pretty spur of the moment decision but we had a great time. Admission is free and it's a lovely big building with TONS to see and do.

I've wanted to take the children for ages, but we've never found the right time to go, so the last minute nature of the trip really gave us all the shove we needed. I'd made plans to see my cousin in the evening, so we only had a couple of hours to see a few things together.  The museum is sooo vast and there is so much to do, including scheduled experiments and documentary showcases that I'd definitely recommend going early and making a day of it. We'll definitely be doing that next time.

What we did get to see however was great and we watched a bubble show which I loved (I LOVE bubbles) and the kids did too of course. It really was a lovely day out which I would most certainly recommend for all the family.

Daddy and the girls checking out the steam trains.

Apparently this contraption took people into space.

Little bro getting his beauty sleep.

Back track

I take it back. London is by no means empty. I don't know what I was thinking even saying such a thing *slaps wrist*. On Friday, my li'l sis, nephew, my kids and I pootled over to Docklands, despite the completely packed DLR. We had a great time and even went on the Emirates cable cars; which if you are afraid of heights like me, were quite scary - lol (I'll blog about the experience later this week hopefully).

On Saturday the OH and I ventured out to the West End. We passed by the African Bridal Show, but got there quite late, so we weren't able to get the most out of it. We had the kids with us too so we didn't stay long. The highlight was bumping into Nicola from Belle Noir Bride blog. She really is lovely.

So we left the bridal show and hit the town. London was heaving. I suppose the weekend was always going to be chaotic in the city, Olympics or not. It was nice for the children to experience the hustle and bustle though. We squeezed ourselves through Regent Street and made the obligatory visit to Hamley's which the children LOVED as always. We then ventured through Carnaby Street and took a leisurely stroll through the intricate backstreets showing the children the hidden gems of London. (If you're on Instagram you'll see more pics I took on the day.) My feet were burning me by the time we began to head home. But then that's always a sign of a perfect day.

Here are a few pics. No captions I'm afraid. Still blogging on my iPhone......

Empty London

Source

Err...I don't know how to say this because quite frankly it's usually unheard of, but.....London is empty.

I thought that with a certain gargantuan sporting event taking place it would be complete and utter bedlam. I was more than a little concerned that the children and I would be confined to our little corner of East London, but I was very, very wrong. Being in London at this time has been one of the most pleasant, crowd free periods I have ever had the pleasure to experience.

Yesterday evening the OH and I took the kiddies to the park and it was great. No swarms of kids fighting to get on the swings and slides; bliss. *Note to self. More early evening trips to the park*. Afterwards we decided to go for a little drive and grab a quick bite to eat. We went as far as Stratford and stumbled upon the Olympic park. It was positively serene. The architecture is beautiful and the police presence high, however the hustle and bustle we expected was non existent.

It's really bizarre because I envisioned a completely different scenario. Not too long ago greedy landlords and even greedier estate agents, were rubbing their hands together with glee, as they prepared to rent out their properties for truly exorbitant rates, to cash in on Olympic fever. I wonder what they're doing now? And how all this will impact the already struggling economy.

As for me, there are a few events coming up in London that I thought I'd have to miss to avoid all the chaos, but the way things are going I think I'll be in attendance. We'll also make the most of the quiet time and take the kids on some sightseeing trips to see more of this great capital city we live in, maybe even make a cheeky hotel booking for us and the kids to enjoy. Happy days. Every little helps.

What is your experience of London at the moment? Do you think it's strangely serene or is it just me?

Along the river

I had big plans for Saturday, but a combination of laziness and disorganisation overwhelmed me and scuppered them all.


Determined not to let the day turn into a wash out, I managed to get the kids sorted, rouse the OH *sigh* and get out of the front door for just gone 3pm. As time was getting on we decided to mosey on down to Canary Wharf to get a bite to eat and see what was going on in the world.


We took a lovely long walk along the river and although it wasn't sunny the weather was nice, not too warm and not too cold with a lovely riverside breeze thrown in for good measure. 


I so love London. It's simply beautiful. I can't explain it but I have such a close affinity to this vibrant city. Ever since moving away to live in West Yorkshire for a year and then coming back, I have begun to see the city of my birth in a whole new light. Before I used to take it for granted. But now I relish all it has to offer and I want my children to enjoy it too.


Better started getting organised. Fun times ahead methinks....

Daddy with our eldest and our youngest.
Middle child was relaxing in the buggy
and didn't want to move. Tsk.

Our lil man is walking up a storm bless him.

Dinner at Wagamama. Yum,Yum

Leisurely stroll

Ships ahoy

Smiles aplenty....come on Daddy!!

Health and Safety

Fancy boat

London really reminds me of New York sometimes.
Especially here. Just need some yellow taxi's.

As soon as  I lifted my phone he said 'Cheese'
Such a clever boy.

My little girl is pooped. Home time..
Such a lovely afternoon.