London Baby!

I hadn't spent any leisure time in London for around 7 years, so was just as excited as the girls. Maisie had free choice of what to do during the day as it was her Birthday treat, so off we went to the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace. I think it’s the first time I have been past the place and the Queen has been in, the flag was flying high and the crowds were gathering. We found a nice spot on a wall and waited. Our patience paid off as various horses, men and police, and lots of foreign tourists trouped by, it was actually quite exciting. We walked past the front gates, narrowly avoiding being trampled by a rather fine looking police horse and headed to the Royal Mews.

It was magical to see all the coaches you see on the telly. All the horse business had worked up a need for food. I was consulting the maps and was considering which area to walk to for food. I looked out the door and saw an inviting Italian cafe. Problem solved, and no more walking, and I was fairly confident they would have a flushing toilet. The staff were lovely, and very typical of an Italian cafe in London, you don't really get that in Chesterfield, only Gregs, its just not the same.

After our late lunch we wandered leisurely back to the hotel via the embankment to change for the evenings activities. We were unbeknownst to Maisie off to diner at the Savoy grill and the West End Show ‘Wicked’.

The Morning After

We woke up the morning after the wedding, and overnight Maisie had turned into a teenager. How did that happen? Leanne had organised for a balloon in a box to be delivered to the hotel, it said ‘teenager at last’ and delighted Maisie. She also received some flash headphones and various amounts of cash. Down to breakfast we trouped, having arranged to meet Alex, her mum and partner. We weren't expecting to see the newlyweds. The hotel did us a great breakfast, which included a birthday cake for Maisie which she was made up with, particularly as it was an ice cream cake. The newly weds joined us (looking a little worse for wear) for coffee and cake.

No time to hang around though, we were off to London town. After a stroll round Dartmouth we were in the car and off. Arriving in London in the late afternoon was pretty excellent, we drove past Harrods and Westminster and over the river to our slightly less luxurious accommodation relative to the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth, Waterloo Travelodge. Nice clean rooms though, fully functional, so no complaints at all.

We hop on a bus like seasoned old hands at this traveling round London malarkey and arrive in Soho. Not your first location you might want to take a new teen, but Ed’s Easy Diner was calling, and we all like a nice burger. There was cool music, cool staff and plenty of milkshakes and chips for all. Alex tried a root beer for the first time, I’d tried it before and there was no way I am going to drink it again, it tastes like that horrible euthymol toothpaste that smokers use. The waiter says it tastes like detergent. Alex said it tastes nice. Weird.

Hanging out in Ed's Easy Diner, Soho

We wandered round the streets, hung out in China Town, and hopped on the bus to the Hotel. A pretty good day for all despite the long drive.

The Wedding trip

The very new Mr and Mrs Lumley

Lovely girls!

We scrub up OK!

Our eldest niece got married last weekend in Dartmouth, so a major expedition was necessary.  We all needed to pile into the car having arranged dog care, kitten feeding, milk cancellation, annual leave and leave of absence from school for Maisie, presents organised, outfits chosen and fitted, hair cuts and birthday preparations in hand. Yes, to complicate things, Maisie turned into a teenager the day after the wedding.

All ready with bubbles for the breakfast

It was a lovely day for a drive, and we drove, and drove, after numerous toilet stops we reached the ferry to take us into the heart of Dartmouth. Dartmouth is so pretty, real chocolate box material. It was lovely to arrive, and see Hollie the bride to be, hanging out the hotel window waving excitedly.

Returning to the hotel after photos

After unloading the car, off to our room, we chose to stay in the same hotel as the wedding venue, I think we were in the old servant quarters as we were situated under the eves right at the top, and no lift as the building was too old and listed for a lift to be fitted. Fortunately some unsuspecting hotel person lugged our luggage up the stairs.

We delivered Alex to her sisters room - much more salubrious as was fitting for the bride to be. Alex only had eyes for the Jacuzzi and I believe was in and out around five times in one evening, at least she was clean for her staring role as bridesmaid.

We had a leisurely breakfast, the bridal party had eaten their breakfast and were well into preparations by the time we had finished. We popped our heads in to check and get jobs if necessary. We could vaguely see through the clouds of hairspray. There was a team of two hairdressers and a makeup person working steadily through the four bridesmaids, the bride and the mothers.

Time to go pull on my shirt and gel my hair. Maisie had her GHDs and was in charge of her and Leanne’s hair. Makeup was applied, and off we went for a good cry, a laugh, some reminiscing, and were part of some very happy memories for years to come. 

The first dance to the the tune of "I've got you under my skin"