London in summer

Big M has been doing numerous trips to London this trip to get a visa organised for a forthcoming trip to the US. On Monday little M came too and was very well behaved - we had lunch in a restaurant, bought some 'stuff' on Oxford St and then came home. So on Thursday J and little M both decided to come. We picked up our documents then went to Kensington Gardens to go to the Lady Diana playground. Of course we got lost and took the very long way round the gardens - big M was a bit concerned we were off the beaten path when semi-naked men in pairs kept scattering out of the long grass in front of us, hurriedly reclothing!! The kids didnt seem to notice at all. Or thought this was quite usual behaviour for a London park I guess. We got to the playground which really was quite fun - very overpopulated with nannies and darlings when we arrived, and gradual change of shift to parents and children later in the day. There was a huge pirate ship which J thought was wonderful. And a storytelling session. Of course little M stubbed her toe and had to be bandaided in the first aid centre, which she thought was wonderful (best ever Mum). Then we had to make the decision to beat rush hour or not, and they opted to stay. So we went for a paddle boat ride on the Serpentine, only half hour as otherwise main paddler (big M) might expire. Of course the world nearly ended when J lost his hat in the water (Ben gave me that hat - I cant lose it!), but big and little M performed a miraculous hat resuce using superior boating skills. All very funny for big M, but very serious for J who said afterwards 'you and M were really good - but I was a bit hopeless wasnt I' nough said! Then home again on the late train and straight to bed - still tired!! Meanwhile R went to see the illuminated manuscripts currently on display in the Fitzwilliam Museum, fantastic by all accounts. There are a number of books currently unbound for restoration that are on display. We are packing for Normandy this weekend, and big M is off to Netherlands first to see a colleague. Then when we get back we move to the new (larger) house.