Back From London!

We are back from our trip to London! I am SO glad to be back home in our little house in the middle of a field! I was born and grew up in London, so it isn't like I'm not used to the "big city", but isn't it amazing what we get used to? I love my periodic visits to London, but I would just hate to live there again now.

Today we went to Covent Garden - part of the way on the tube..........and it was misery. I don't know how I used to travel to work on the tube every single day - either I remember it differently, or else it has got a whole lot worse since those days when I was a regular commuter. Today was hell - soooo busy, boiling hot, smelly, queues for everything from the tickets to the lifts/escalators - the platforms were just mobbed with people, it was just horrible. AND, for the pleasure of all that - and travelling a matter of a few stops, we were charged almost £6 each!!!!!

Fortunately, the reason for our trip was a lot more pleasurable than the travelling to and from. Dear old Mark had booked a special deal Theatre and Dinner package (from www.lastminute.com). First, we had lunch at a lovely English restaurant (and we commented that you don't often find "English" restaurants - unless they are a carvery or a Harvester!) called Porters. It was excellent - LOVELY food (I had Salmon and Prawn Fishcakes with a Green Salad, and Mark had Faggots with Mash and then we both had the Syrup Steamed Sponge Pudding - with cream!), great service and such friendly staff. We then ambled across to the theatre to see the fab play The Woman in Black. We got all that for just £20 each - what a bargain eh? The play was really good - very spooky, but with some quite light-hearted comedy moments - and only TWO actors in it (apart from the "ghost" of the Woman in Black!).

After the play, we fought our way back through the crowds onto the tube and back to the car, and eventually home again. It was lovely to see the kids....yes, I KNOW I was only gone for 8 hours, but I do miss them so much when I'm not with them! Archie was full of the new toy my Mum had bought him today - a new Mr Men figurine AND an "endagered animal" panda bear from McDonalds (he DOES love their fish fingers!).

My feet are sore, my back is aching, and I am sooo happy to be home - BUT, I had a great day too.

On another note - I delivered the 65 cake this morning before we left, and the lady LOVED it. I was so relieved.

I am headed off to bed now - hoping that I won't have bad dreams of a Woman in Black!!!