Our first big outing

Yesterday was an exciting day. Everybody woke up feeling much better; the previous night the kids were only up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night, instead of four. We were able to head further afield and have our first adventure. We decided to head to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.

Waiting for our first bus.

There was much excitement as we waiting for our bus to arrive, that was one memory Arran did have from our last visit five years ago, the buses! They were overjoyed when we managed to sit at the very front on the upper deck. Apparently they felt like they were flying!

It is amazing, still, to me, that almost all of the museums in London are free of charge, it really is so great. The Natural History Museum is an impressive building, not just on the outside but inside too. These are the things that are so easy to take for granted when you are surrounded by them, but having been away for so long, I chuckled to myself as I realized how much I was appreciating all the details. I remember on my DTS in Scotland wondering why the Americans took so many photos of buildings of all things, but here I was, doing the very same thing.

There was so much to see and learn, so many great exhibits. I feel like we barely scratched the surface at the museum, we saw so much, but there was so much we did not get to see. I think one of the highlights had to be the dinosour exhibit, of course. We lasted as long as we could and by the time we left three of four hours later we were all thoroughly exhausted. Our return journey was on the underground, which completed the day's adventure.

Tired but happy, riding home on the London Underground.

Apart from the fact that we were all flagging, the other reason we had not stayed out longer was because my brother 'Uncle Ephraim' and Aunty Faith were going to be meeting us that evening. This was another event to look forward to. I am so happy for all the memories that are being built and relationships being strengthened on this trip. The fact that they brought some books and games did not hurt either. The girls were overjoyed to snuggle up with Aunty Faith and be read to, again and again.

The children did amazingly and I am so proud of them. They crashed as soon as we put them to bed and to be honest I do not know how they lasted that long, not only jetlagged but without the customary naps or quiet times, they are such great kids.

We chatted and caught up and had dinner and shared wine, then finished the evening with a rousing game of ...Scrabble! Old sibling rivalries surfaced, some people, for some reason, seem to think I am too competitive, but I think some people just do not like it if they do not win, not mentioning any names!!!