I thought I had better write a few words on here as it’s been a while since my last post.

We returned to the UK on the 8th July and the ferry was much busier than our outbound crossing. The ACSI discount camping card came to the end of its period of use the day before 😂😍 So camping and caravan folk using it were heading home for the summer until the next discount period starts at the end of August 😂😍
If you are thinking of taking a camping or touring caravan trip outside the main holiday times this is a very good system to use. The discounts are amazing. Sites are priced at 11, 13, 15, 17 or 19 Euros per night including electricity and 2 people. These prices are sometimes half of the normal site fees. Take a look at http://www.campingcard.co.uk it is definitely worth it.

We headed to Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site for 4 nights as Andy had meetings to go to in London. I took this time to check up on a few things around London for my friend Stacey in preparation of her visit to the city with her hubby. We were on The Mall for the fly past for the centenary of The Royal Airforce. What an amazing sight!

 

We had an evening with Dawn (from UKCU) and after a lovely Italian meal we enjoyed Les Miserables (my favourite) at the theatre.

After London we had a flying visit to Stoke on Trent, staying at Blackshaw Moor Caravan Club Site. We visited Andy’s Mum and Tessa & Gary.

Then it was off to White Water Caravan Club Site, we were booked in for a week. Andy had visits once more and we had a lovely evening in Whitley Bay, a beautiful Turkish meal at TurkNaz with Christine & Michael and Sue & Steve. A seagull left its mark, especially on Steve (it’s supposed to be lucky!!) as we arrived back at the car. We extended our stay at the caravan site to leave on the 24th July.

Home after 7 weeks away we are finally back at home 😃😃

But only for 8 days 😂😍😂😍

In these 8 days I have coffee meetings with friends, a lunch time get together with Helen, tea at the Cumberland with Bex & Mia and visits from my little brother and Helen, Aunty Mary & Uncle John, a meal out with James & Melissa, Archie to visit, Sarah to cut my hair (Thank you 😘) & Mark plus kids on a visit. Add this to packing the caravan for a trip with Archie & Aiva followed by travelling around wherever we fancy until December. You can see this was a very busy 8 days 😂😍😂😍

The 1st August arrived and two excited 5 year olds were dropped off to start a summer adventure with Nanna & Grandad!!

The following morning we did our final packing and were ready to leave. Val, Melanie, Maisie & Millie came out to give us some gifts and wave us on our way. We left home at 11:15am bound for London and Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site. The journey took 5 hours due to road works and traffic congestion but the kids did well and travelled with no problems at all.
We settled on site and the kids were happy out on the play area making new friends.
The following morning we headed out on the train from Abbey Wood Station to see the sights in London. The underground took us to Green Park Station and we crossed the park to see Buckingham Palace and its guards. Archie had found a stick to add to his collection that had to be carried and cared for all around London 😂😍

 

 

 

The play area in St James Park was a hit, a large sand pit, adventure areas and swings all enjoyed followed by ice creams as we walked through the park. We were soon on Whitehall and passing the Treasury, The Cenotaph, Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade. Then over to Trafalgar Square and Archie spotted lots of double decker London buses as well as hop on, hop off buses.

 

These were his favourite things he saw in London and was so happy to have a ride on them. As we passed the National Portrait Gallery we popped in for a look. The stick had to go to the luggage room to be looked after carefully 😂😂 The kids loved this place and whispered all the way around 😘😘

 

We then had a visit then to the Lego Store and obviously made a purchase or two 😂😍 Followed by the M&M store. Then back to the caravan and our new found friends 😂😃

 

The next morning we decided to visit the museums (Natural History and Science) Dinosaurs were our first port of call and T Rex was a little scary at first 😂😂

 

Then it was off to find earthquakes and volcanoes as Archie really wanted to experience the earthquake area. He’s 5 years old and told us facts that we didn’t know ourselves!!
We took the the escalator through the planet to arrive in the area and we stood in the little shop through an earthquake tremor, “awesome!” In Archie’s words 😂😂

 

We then carried on round the corner to the Science Museum. We stopped for our picnic lunch on the way. Once inside the museum we headed down to the basement to The garden, hands on fun with sounds, mirrors and more, including water!!
Then on to The Pattern Pod, an interactive gallery all about patterns that you can see, hear & touch. Each time we say “let’s go to another area” the kids don’t want to leave but there is so much to see.

Then it’s on our way again to visit Hamleys Toy Store on Regent Street. We decided on a Number 14 bus as Archie was excited each time we saw a double decker or a hop on/ hop off bus. Ice creams first though 😃 we sat upstairs on the bus and the kids loved it.

 

Then in to Hamleys. Straight up to the 5th floor and then took our time coming back down. Aiva loved the art and craft area and all the dolls too. She had a small glittery tattoo on her arm and a ladybird nail varnish. Archie tried the remote control cars, magnetic darts and flying saucers. He was in awe of the magic tricks being performed.
We left with each child buying something, yes all three of them!! Archie, Aiva & Andy 😂😂

 

 

The following day we took the train to London Bridge, saw the Shard once again, walked through to see HMS Belfast and play in the water fountains to cool down. Walked over Tower Bridge and then watched it open to let a boat through. On past the tower and had our lunch and ice creams then we caught a Number 15 bus to St Paul’s Cathedral. The kids had watched Mary Poppins the night before so we talked about “Feed the birds” Then over the Millennium Bridge to The Tate Modern.
Travelling back on the train was another Mary Poppins moment with the rooftops of London and chimney sweeps being explained.

Our last evening at Abbey Wood and all packed up the next morning for our adventure in France. The kids said their final goodbyes to new friends and then it was off and away.
Don’t just tell your grandchildren about the world. Show them too.

Carol & Andy