LONDON 4 October

We piled into the car and Nigel and Monique took us to 'Kew Gardens' today.

On the way we drove through 'Richmond Park' and saw some Deer.  And then through 'Kingston' - oh how the other half live ($$$$$ pricey houses).

And what do you know.............. it has finally rained.  Not the best day to be outside but we still had a great day.

'Kew Gardens' was beautiful.  We walked around checking out the gardens and buildings (jackets on and umbrellas up).

Rain started to come down harder so we took shelter in the cafe and had some lunch hoping it would stop by the time we had finished.

It had eased so we then went to the 'Treetop Walk'.  Why is there so much to do that involves heights!!!

Pete, Hannah and Chloe walked up while the rest of us took the elevator.  The floor that you are walking on is grated and creaked.  There was also a slight swaying feeling.  Once again the others had no fear and were taking off and looking over the rail.

We 'ALL' then took the elevator back down and started walking back to the car park.  Nigel had the map and got us totally lost - we almost ended up back where we started.  Came across an abandoned wheelchair (hope it was abandoned) and Pete and the girls took turns in it.

Back in the car and headed home.

LONDON 3 October

Got up early and Monique dropped us at the
Tube Station.


First we went to 'Madam Tussauds'.  We all loved this.  I had been before but Pete had never been and was surprised to find that you could get right up close and touch the wax figures.  He thought they would be behind glass.  Lots of photos taken with the different celebrities/royals.

Madam Tussauds

Watch that hand Pete!!

The girls were successfully frightened as we walked through the horror part with live actors coming out and scarring us.  We were walking through very dark tunnels with grotesque medieval wax figures displayed along the way being tortured or mutilated......

We then sat in a cinema for a 4D show.  That was awesome!  Water was sprayed on us, air shot past our heads and we were stabbed in the back from our chairs..... Brilliant!

When we came out it was 12 o'clock.  We walked around the corner and ate lunch in 'Regent Park'.

Back on the Tubes to head over to the 'London Eye'.












I HATE heights so was a little nervous about this one but it was very slow and the views were amazing.  I remained seated in the middle for most of it but I finally got big and brave and walked over to the window for a better look.  It takes 30 minutes to complete a full rotation.  Pete and the girls of course were wandering all around it the whole time.

We then wandered along the Thames River past 'The London Dungeon'  when one of the many birds flying over head decided to christen me on my head!  Charming .......









Quick cleanup and we continued on over the 'Westminster Bridge' to 'Big Ben'; 'Parliament House' (better known as Palace of Westminster) and 'Westminster Abbey'.  We decided we needed some culture/history and went into 'Parliament House'.  Just like the airports our bags were searched and we went through metal detectors as we went in.

Parliament House

Parliament was not sitting (back end of October) so we were able to wander through the 'House of Commons' and 'House of Lords'. The art work and the details on the walls and ceilings were amazing. Unfortunately we were not able to take photos inside.

We were all tired and our feet and legs sore so we headed back home on the Tube.

Another great night catching up with Monique and Nigel over dinner and a few too many wines!

London 2 October

Pete had some prep work to do for another talk he is giving at a dive club tonight so we caught up on exciting things like ...... washing.

Piccadilly Circus

We then headed to 'Piccadilly Circus'.  Hannah was in control of getting us there on the tube - did a great job!  Just as I remembered - fill of hustle & bustle.  Performers & Buskers.

We strolled up Oxford Street to 'Hamleys' Toy Store.  Hamleys is the oldest toy shop in the world.  OMG - the girls were in heaven!  Knowing we wouldn't be able to stick together for long Pete & I paired up with one of the girls and headed off.....   5 levels of every toy/arts & crafts you can imagine and the amazing thing is how they have staff showing off some of the toys and art which the kids (both young & old) can try!

Regent Street

However as expected very expensive so Hannah & Chloe only bought one thing each.

Left the store and walked all the way up 'Oxford Street' (window shopping).  Oh boy - if Pete hadn't been with us there could have been serious damage done to the credit card :)  Ended up just buying a few souvenirs.





Back on the Tube to go home so that Pete could head off for his talk.  The girls and I had a catch up night with Monique & Nigel watching a movie.

Belfast / London 1 October

Belfast

The 5am wake up was a bit of a killer but managed to get ourselves dressed and have a cup a tea :) before having to say goodbye to Granny (Georgie).  We had a wonderful time and didn't want to leave.  It was wonderful seeing her again and being able to spend time together.

Taxi arrived before we knew it and we were off to 'George Best Airport'.

Thank you Granny (Georgie) ....   we love you & miss you already  xxxx



London

An hour later we arrived back at 'Heathrow Airport'.  Monique was at work so Nigel soon arrived to pick us up and took us back to their place in Morden.  Pete & I lived here with Monique & Nigel (many many many years ago).  Good memories :)

Quick catch up with Nigel; a bite to eat then Nigel dropped us at the 'Morden Tube Station' to head in for 'The Lion King'.

Bought our tickets for the weeks transport (yah Chloe is free on all transport when accompanied with an Adult).  Headed down to the tube. A Tube was there but about to leave.  We told Hannah to get on and then before the rest of us could the door started shutting.......  Oh no - 5 minutes in London and we are about to loose one of the kids already (we hadn't planned to do it so early in the trip) :)

I quickly (without thinking) stuck my arm in the door and stood there now stuck while Pete tried to
pry it open.  They soon opened the doors again - and we were told off over the intercom (sorry....) and the rest of us jumped on.  Oh boy the Mesley's have arrived!

'The Lion King' was amazing.  Even Pete enjoyed it.  The costumes, music, lighting was just brilliant!  Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any pictures during the show but I copied these off the web (they give you some idea but don't do it justice):-

Will load photos of show soon

About to go into show

We then wandered around Trafalgar Square, stopping at another pub for a drink while we waited for Monique & Nigel to meet us for dinner.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Monique, Hannah, Kim, Chloe and Nigel

We went to Leister Square and ate at an old haunt.... 'Chiquito's'
(a great Mexican place).

After dinner and a few margarettas we went for a walk through Chinatown.

What should we come across on the way ........... The M&M store.  Oh boy. What an amazing shop but very expensive.

Managed to loose Hannah but eventually found her and we headed off again towards Chinatown.   Another trip down memory lane!

Back on the Tube for home.

Belfast 30 September

Another quiet morning waiting for Pete to get back at 10am.

In the afternoon Chloe, Hannah and I dragged Pete back to 'Forestside' for more SHOPPING!
He was very good about it and was happy to sit and wait for us :)

Headed back to Georgie's to pack ready for our trip to London in the morning.  Mmmmmmm that spare bag we brought might have to come out already!

We went out for our last meal with Georgie to a local Indian restaurant.

Hit the sack ready for our 5am wake up call.....

Belfast 29 September

Lazy morning today - just relaxing.....

Georgie cooked us an amazing typical Irish fry up.  Sausage, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, toast and Soda bread.  YUM

In the afternoon Pete flew off to Manchester for the night to give a talk at a Dive Club meeting.  This was streamed live on the internet.

The girls and I spent the night with Georgie. xxx

Belfast 28/09/14 - water park

Yesterday Mum, Dad, Chloe and I went to Aurora swimming pools in Bangor and spent the morning on what I thought was the best swimming pools I have ever encounted before.
The first thing I said when I entered the kids play area was OMG this was so big then sprinted up the stairs to the first slide being the first one in my family to get changed into their togs.

Then I came to the end of the slide and I ran out of the tunnel thing and took of to this awesome swing /donuts ride and I was told off a couple of times by the life guards to slow down and not to run around the pools because of the wet tiles but I didn't listen I was too exited I was like a child at christmas or Chloe in a candy shop. 

This is the big slide that I ended up going on 5 times and man it was step on the way down I was in the air when going down but it was so much fun.


When we where half way between our time in the pool my dad's old friend Trevor came to the pools since he lived only 3 mins away from the Aurora pools so after we left the pools we stayed an hour at Trevor's house having a cup of coffee and tea well that's what mum and dad had while Chloe and I went for a walk down to the dairy with Trevor's youngest daughter Rubi (14) and we came back with a drink and some lollies and it was very nice, it was also nice to meet Rubi.  I think just by that one visit I became friends with Rubi and I now follow her in instergram (lol). Sadly half an hour later we had to leave since we where late home because we had some more family from dad's side coming to visit and I enjoyed meeting everyone and getting the gifts from my dad's aunt Isabel who was my granny's sister and only family member left sadly but I really enjoyed seeing everyone last night and I also meet dad's cousin (Carol) who was Dawn's mother that we had meet a few days before which we had already posted photos of.

Hannah, Georgie, Pete, Chloe, Isabel & Carol

I really enjoyed meeting everyone for the first time and a big thanks to Isabel for my money I had the best day.


BEST SLIDE EVER