PART ONE:-London time with Jade and Sam

25 November - 12 December 

We are so fortunate to be able to stay with our dear friend Becs, her partner Steve and gorgeous lively five year old daughter - Matilda. I am helping 3-4 days a week with pick-up and drop-offs of Matilda to school, cooking dinners and Paul walks the dogs. We have a lovely large room with ensuite on the top floor. So lucky!! Bonus is it's in Clapham Common so only a 25 minute walk across the Common and down a street or two to Jade and Sam!

26 November

Jade and Paul had a date and went to the Tower of London-spending ALL day there! Paul can explain...

Yes, we saw just about every corner and read just about every word there!! But how much we will recall at the next pub quiz may be a whole different matter!!

While they did that I went by train an hour out of central London to visit my second ever Farmstay guests - Mike and Anne. Was so lovely to spend the day with them 🥰

Anne and me!

27 November  MY BIRTHDAY

The first birthday I have been able to have with Jade for over 5 years!! Jade sure made up for it! With scrummy brunch and bubbles at their place then off on a history treasure hunt in central London - with balloons and birthday badge on! Was a fun scavenger hunt learning more about London history. Then to OXO Tower and restaurant with views of London for a scrummy dinner. Felt totally loved and spoilt!!

 

OXO Tower and Restaurant 

On our history scavenger hunt!

Paul and I have managed to do quite a bit of London sightseeing and having great fun time  memories with Jade and Sam.

With Jade and Sam we have- 

Been to the Musical 'Hamilton' - rap mudicsl telling the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton- not a great shiw but the Victoria Palace Theatre was impressive!

Natural History Museum- so much to see!

Winter Wonderland - a huge fun fair in Hyde Park

Ice skating at Battersea Power Station

Pantomime - King Arthur and the 12th Knight (the dances choreographed by Jade's friend Sarah)

Scrummy Roast dinner by chef Sam and then walking home in the snow!

  
Winter Wonderland 

Victoria Palace Theatre

Walking through Clapham Common at night and it is snowing- so picturesque and silent!


A rather large snowball - not made by us  though.

Natural History Museum 

Ice skating at Battersea Power Station 

Whilst Jade and Sam are at work and we are not helping with Matilda and the dogs we have:-

-Visited Natural History Museum again - so much there!

-Victoria and Albert Museum (boring)

-Harrods (full of junk)

-Borough Market (great market - cheese stalls)

-Paul organised a mystery night away to High Wycombe to visit Hellfire Caves also known as the West Wycombe Caves - a network of man made chalk and flint caverns which extend 260m underground.! A real treat for me - Paul planning, but also hard for me not being in control 🤣

-Christmas Carols at a lovely old church with an amazing choir and a ten piece orchestra.

Harrods street view. We go everywhere possible by bike! Paul bought an old bike and we have the use of Steve's bike.

Inside Harrods. 

Victoria and Albert Museum 

Borough Market.


Blue Whale skeleton in the Natural History Museum- an amazing building- a cathedral for Natural History!





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