Spring weekend in London

On Friday we headed to the big smoke on the train, where we met up with JJ and CJ's parents. The weather continued to be summer hot and in the capital was sultry.
After refueling with nachos and cheesy wedges, we headed to the British museum.

'Australia'

I just love this guy!

I'm not a huge fan of cheesecake...but JJ loves it...this piece, however....was just the worst, cheesiest, most inedible piece ever!

After the British museum, we went back to the hotel for a snooze before getting ready for dinner at a fab Italian called Ciao Bella http://www.ciaobellarestaurant.co.uk/

It was a lovely way to, belatedly, celebrate Granpa's 70th and JJ's 18th birthdays. Followed by a nightcap in the hotel.

Saturday, after breakfast in Giraffe http://www.giraffe.net/restaurants at the Brunswick centre http://www.brunswick.co.uk/, we headed down to the South bank which was buzzing with vibrant life under the warm sun.

We strolled along beside the river, stopping here and there for coffee, waffles, iced lemonade and mango smoothie.

If I had been asked what I expected to see down by the Thames....sand sculptures would probably not have been high on the list!

The Globe theatre.

We had a delicious lunch in the restaurant at The Tate modern  http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/  before Granma and Granpa set off for home.

The rest of us continued to wander along by the Thames, stopping to sup ice cold cider before a visit to the London film museum. http://www.londonfilmmuseum.com/

I think there is a passing resemblance...

Having fun on the Star Wars set.

As we came out of the museum it started to rain...quite heavily! But thankfully not for long!

We enjoyed We Will Rock You in the evening. http://www.wewillrockyou.co.uk/

Sunday morning was bright and warm again. We headed off to Camden. http://www.camdenlock.net/

'Breakfast'

A churro with caramel filling and pineapple and strawberry, with melted milk and dark Belgian chocolate with almonds and hazelnuts washed down with fresh lemonade...yum!



Josh's hog roast sandwich



Heathers chips



http://www.501places.com/2010/07/camden-lock-and-londons-first-nitro-ice-cream-parlour/

 

Then back to the train and home, tired but happy.

Friends and shopping

We had a lovely day yesterday with friends from Sheffield....with two years worth of christmas and birthday presents to swap it was a long over due visit!

Jo and the girls enjoying the sun...

H's daisy crown...

The daisy decorated table...if we had said 'go pick all the daisys from the lawn and put them through the holes in the table' they would have laughed at us!!!!!

The weather continues to be beautiful...I have to keep reminding myself that it's only April! With so many bank holidays coming up, let's hope it continues!

The fruit trees are full of blossom...

We (finally!) found a suite we like.....I'm being VERY strict with a no food or drink (even water!) policy whilst it is still new!! I love the way it looks kind of old and feels very at home...it's also really comfy too.

I also had a big spring clean....a friend has had one of those outdoor office/sheds built. It is really cool and I was thinking maybe we would have one built....
but then I thought about it....the room in the loft is mostly unused until H gets in from school. So I spent all of last Friday clearing out unused stuff, cleaning, tidying and finally moving all my stuff out of the dining room into the space. It's a great place to work and the bonus is we get the dining room back and all without spending a penny (apart from a new blind and a few storage bits! oh and need to replace the Velux blinds which aren't cheap...but still a lot less than a new office!) I was on a bit of a roll and C took two car loads of stuff to the tip from the loft too! (ok so there is still at least ten more car loads...but it's a start!)
I need to crack on with my diploma work...however shopping with my girl called today...so the work will have to wait a while longer!

sunny days and birthdays

The weather at the weekend was unreal for the time of year. Bright cerulean skies and June warmth.

Chris catching the rays......

....the consequences!

Josh turns 18.....

ready for his first 'official' night on the town....