The Old Dart

Last week for the kid's mid-term break, we undertook a long overdue family trip to London.  The week was a good balance of exploring the city with the kids and also catching up with some old and dear friends.  It was fun to play tourist for a while and all be together in all types of weather!  We took in a range of London sights and experiences during the week, with regular rides on the tube and the big red double decker bus being a positive feature.  We stayed in an apartment near Russell Square tube station so everything was in easy reach.

Killing time in transit - Athens airport enroute to London

We emerge off the tube; map in hand.  Where to find our apartment?

A "hot chocolate" birthday for Sarah!

The pictures tell it all:

- Fantastic views from the London Eye, in a rare moment of sunshine!

- A visit to Arsenal football stadium with Angus.  He got to 'touch' his favourite player Jack Wilshere's playing shirt in the Arsenal changing room, and has vowed to never wash his left hand again!

- A visit to Howarths of London; apparently the shop for all things 'oboe'.

A new oboe in hand! We're all done for the next 10 birthdays :)

- Visits to various London sites including a spot of Christmas ice skating outside the Natural History museum in Kensington.

Anyone for some M&M's?

Kensington Palace

For any Harry Potter fans out there!
Platform 9&3/4 at Kings Cross Station

- A number of visits to Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus with the early Christmas decorations and lights already appearing.

Remembrance Day festivities

Sam and Anna having a dance at Covent Garden!

- A chance to watch the West End show "Matilda", based on Roald Dahl's book.  To quote Sam and Jessie: "that was the best thing of my whole life!"  Angus loved it too, despite this deceptive photograph.

- And of course a chance to catch up with a number of old and dear friends.

Fiona Prior and Sarah

The Prior and Piper clans combine for an evening!

We had a great week all up and were really thankful we could do it so spontaneously. The visit reminded us of what it would be like to live in a colder climate, and the hassle of keeping the kids warm They just wouldn't believe us when we told them it was cold (6 degrees) outside.  We often take the mild climate in Cyprus for granted, but we certainly appreciated getting off the plane in Cyprus to a pleasant 22 degrees.  Only now, in mid-November, are we starting to get a touch of winter.