London Again Part 4

After that we finally caught a black cab and this one we took to Paddington station as Ben had just finished reading “A bear called Paddington”. So we took the black cab there (ours was a bit grey) and found the statue of Paddington.

 

 

 

More catching up with friends, this time my colleague Ingrid and her two little ones. We arranged to meet at Platform 9 ¾. Nice. The buggers have moved it though. It used to be, strangely enough, between platforms 9 and 10 but now they've stuck it out the front with a trolley half in a wall. 

So after that we went to Coram's Field, a lovely playground and field near Kings Cross station which started out life as a home for orphans. It was next to the Foundling Museum. I couldn't go into the Foundling Museum, too upsetting.

It was lovely to see Ingrid. She was a bit frantic though as her oldest boy Will (3 and a bit I think) is possibly the most energetic kid I've met. Hard work keeping up with him.

We then caught a train out to Ealing for the last time to meet up with the mums' group again. Ben and Finley had a lovely time again playing with these wonderful kids. 

 

 

Ben, Josh and Ella

Then after nearly 2 weeks in London we went to a pub for the first time. Outrageous I know. The Red Lion in Ealing was our chosen pub, a place we used to go to when we lived in London. They also have the distinction of fighting off the rioters when they went a looting. So after a very nice pub meal and a slightly disappointing Chiswick Bitter we bade farewell to Helen, John and their daughter Ella as well as Ealing for the last time (till next time).

The next day was our last in London and the last for our trip. The kids decided they wanted to go back to Big Ben and Trafalgar Sq but before that Delia and Toni went to the V&A for a bit more kulcha.

 

I stayed at home with the boys and my old cycling mate Mark came round and we talked power meters and wheels for 3 hours. His bike weighs 6.7kg and cost £4000.

Then it was the time to head home. We flew straight through to Bangkok, woke the kids up for 2 hours and hopped back on a plane to Melbourne. We thought it would be hell on Earth but yet again the kids showed what wonderful travellers they are. 

We have been back for 10 days now and it all seems like a dream. Did we really travel for 10 week to 10 countries?

The kids got back into the swing of things really quickly but Delia and I have taken a bit longer. What has made it easier has been our wonderful friends in Yarraville welcoming us home. I started a new job today and we are already planning our next trip.

Can't help ourselves.

A few misguided souls have suggested I keep the blog going now we have returned home. Unless there are howls of protest I think I might put this baby to bed till we hop on a plane again.