Catching up with the Kids

First day back in London and we spent it getting settled in. Haven’t quite got the sleeping patterns sorted but that will come.

First challenge for the day was to stock up the cupboards at the flat. We have a couple of supermarkets close by and spent the morning getting some basics. Best news is that they have brussel sprouts!

We then headed into Southbank and the market for lunch. We have spent the last two weeks running around north west USA and the Arctic but today was the first day we saw rain. In fact, we were glad

of the Arctic kit we had with us. We wandered down the Thames past the Eye and over Westminster bridge and back up the Strand which required a good coffee to follow. You forget how many people are here and school holidays along with incompetent umbrella owners make it a real challenge to make progress down the street.

Interesting changes even in the two years since we have been here. Big Ben is wrapped up to be restored and there is a notable step up in security in the public areas.

Fortified with caffeine we then braved Hamleys toy store in Regent St. Absolute chaos but fascinating. This was just a preliminary run at it but get the feeling another case maybe required. Good fun being a Grandad.

Mike and Jo had been in Ireland for Easter and arrived back mid afternoon. Ben and Lisa also ventured south of the river and into zone 3 for the evening. Only one missing was RB who was due to land Tuesday. Was great to catch up with everybody over dinner. Trick now is to fit all the things we want to do into our month ahead.