Holiday in London (20th - 26th April)

Day 1
On the way to the airport: Got ready well before the planned time of leaving the house. Good start. But soon, extremely fed up with my girls asking every 20 seconds, "Mummy, is it the time yet?" I sent the wee one to the house of a neighbour, who would drive us to the airport, 5 minutes early. Checking all the doors, electric switches, plugs, windows 4-5 times (as usual) and hoping I hadn't forgotten anything important, we left our house.

During the 40 minute drive, I suddenly become upset for remembering the holidays in London, where my hubby and I met each other for the first time and later had a nice holiday together. And also I didn't like the idea of going on holiday without him. (What a silly thought! "Tough luck" to me, really.)

Everything went smoothly with constant background noises of my girls whining, "How many more minutes until check-in/boarding/taking-off/landing/getting off. Yeah, I'm a mother. I am used to such noises. But we couldn't find my brother-in-law's wife, Mg, when we got out of the baggage reclaim! Panicked for a few seconds and soon found out that she was trying to find parking space. So, we arranged her to drive to the pick-up point just outside the entrance. Parking fee saved! Driving from Stansted airport to her house in Chadwell Heath took only 40 minutes as the roads weren't busy.

Surprised that Mg hadn't changed much since I last saw her 8 years ago. Actually, apart from J's grey hair, hardly anything of his family's looks had changed. (I thought so, any way.) Got kisses and hugs from my 2 nephews, who are actually only a few years younger than me. Also met an elder nephew's fiancée, R, two dogs (Westies) Barney and Benson, and a black cat Sam for the fist time. Only problem with the family was that I hadn’t got used to the Essex accent. Whenever they said something to me, the first word that came out of my mouth was "Pardon?"... Well, needed a bit of time to get used to the accent. Seems that people in the south of England use words/phrases slightly differently from ones in N Ireland. Mmm... Maybe I was just too tired to process anything in my brain?

Day 2
Knowing that Mg would walk the dogs in the park beside the house early in the morning, my girls got up before 7.00am. They whisper loudly to each other, "Don't wake Mummy up". Soon they changed their clothes without moaning and went for walking the dogs. Couldn’t go back to sleep again, so went downstairs. The younger nephew Mk made me a cuppa. Lovely. The last time I got my first cuppa made for me by somebody was when J stayed at my house for the funeral. I love somebody making a cup of tea for me, as it seldom happens. Mk showed me "Google Earth" on the computer and we saw a satellite picture of my parent's house. Brilliant.

Went to the British Museum with my girls and Mg to see Rosetta stone and Egyptian mummies, which my big girl had really wanted to see. (Must have been tired of seeing the Japanese one all her lives.) The inside the museum looked quite different from the last time I went in. Due to the library moved to another place, I guess. Quite many school children in the Egyptian rooms. Funny to see Mg and my wee one together in the rooms. Mg was so impressed with the ancient artefacts and mummies while the wee one mumbling “Ugh, disgusting!". I wish I lived in London. Then, I would be able to go to this museum every week or every fortnight. I adore everything on display. Why didn't I study archaeology??

Had a bite at a fast food shop and headed for the Museum of London in the City, so that my wee one could know more about the Great Fire, which she had learned about at school just before the Easter break. Great place to learn about London. Maybe better place than the British Museum if you have kids with you. All of us were shattered by the time we finished looking at things. So, of course we headed for a cafe.

Then, we walked to St Paul's cathedral where Diana and Charles married. Went in and couldn’t believe the high price of entry fees. So, we got out of the building quickly. The prices could be OK for foreign tourists, but for the likes of us the price is just another stupid rip-off.

The weather was OK until we got home. We went to a cafe to eat dinners. There are loads and loads of takeaway and eat-in places in the main street of Chadwell Heath. For the prices and the size of the meals, you don't need to cook at home. For about £3-4, you’ll be well stuffed.

Knackered for walking all day. So, even I had a few teas in the afternoon and the evening, I fell asleep fairly quickly.

Day 3
Went to Romford by bus with J and my girls. Wander around in the market and shops. St George’s flags were everywhere. Even a granny on a wheelchair was carrying a flag. It was just before St George's Day. (J and I didn't realise it until we got on a bus to go home...) The market is usual but bigger one. 100 better than the one in my town. And there are many different shops near the market. I like these working-class price and down-to-earth atmosphere. My girls got some toy and stationeries, J bought wooden ornaments for his fireplace (teddy and duck). I spent a few minute and a few pounds in an Asian food shop. Looking forward to trying something made in Pakistan. Just before going to get a bus home, we had teas outside a cafe. Cherry petals were falling non-stop. The Japanese would have loved it.

We got back home at around lunch time. It was such a beautiful day that it's not a day to relax at home! 3 of us spent most of the afternoon in the park. We could have gone to the Central London, but I don't do a busy Japanese tourist any more. We are here to relax and have fun. So, we did the relaxing bit. Me and my big one sitting on a bench writing and reading, while the wee one playing "fetch" like a dog by throwing and chasing a rubber ball for ages. Goodness knows where she got such energy... It's nice to relax here. I don't get stared at by passer-bys but strange that nobody said "Hello” to each other.

It was a lovely day until the wee one became over-tire and threw big tantrums at me after dinner time... She's already 7 and still does things like this to me. That's the last thing I wanted for this holiday, so I was not amused at all. Lucky that I had persuaded my wee one to lend me her tiny mp3 player for the holiday. Crammed Rammstein’s music into it and brought it with me. After the extremely stressful time with the wee one, I just lied on a bed listening to the music, which saved me from shouting at the uncontrollable little madam too much.

Day 4
My girls had wanted to go to a zoo and I thought about London Zoo. But J and Mg suggested one in Colchester as we could go there by car and they believed it's better than London Zoo.

Unfortunately it was raining, but fortunately the rain fell too lightly for us to use an umbrella. So, we went to the zoo as planned. A usual family trip to a zoo. Walked a lot. Fathers in the zoo reminded me of my hubby, which didn't upset me, but I felt sorry for my girls and the dead one.

Went to another cafe in Chadwell Heath for dinner after coming back. Nice home-cooking stuff, but the portions were huge for the prices. Well, I should have walked enough to burn off loads of calories earlier. So, I didn't feel guilty for eating all on my plate.

At home, J, Mg and I watched a history programme on BBC2 at night. Reminded me of the time that my hubby and I watched history programmes together after out girls going to bed.

Day 5
All of us got up later than before. Yes, we were dog tired. Managed miraculously to get ready and go out around 10.30am. Just me and my girls to go to the Central London. No worry as I had walked in London alone before. Got one-day travel cards (only £1 for a child!) and we got on a train.

Went to the Tower of London, my hubby's old workplace. (He was an Irish guard.) Outside, there were new buildings such as a ticket office, the extension of a souvenir shop. Odd- looking as the modern building sitting near the historical site. Paid £34 for tickets. A fantastic place such as British Museum is free to go in and a weekly supermarket shopping price for us to go inside the Tower?? Well, this could be the last time for us to get inside the Tower, so I, the stingy moaner, decided to buy the tickets. We went through the side entrance as the main gate was being fixed. It sounded as if we were the only English speaker while in the queue to get in. No Japanese groups, maybe because it was just before the Golden Week.

Nothing had changed inside since my last visit 12 years ago. (Maybe a few items inside the White Tower.) Found two guardsmen at the guard boxes and started believing my hubby had been actually doing guard duties. (The last time didn't see any guardsmen anywhere in the Tower.) My girls were interested in shopping as well as seeing the crown jewels. There were moving floor at each side of the crown jewel display and the wee one wanted to get on the other one after going through once, we walked back. Good that we also saw some rings and wee things which we couldn't have seen from the other side of the moving floor.

Tired and hungry after climbing up and down so many times in the buildings, we went to a food stall inside and found a packet of sandwiches cost £3.80 and an ice-cream about £1.79 - 1.99!!! Frightened, we got out and grabbed fish and chips, tea and soft drinks for about £6. (Still dear to me, though.)

It was around 2 after lunch, so we decided to get a move on. Walked on Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern. I don't know what's all the fuss about this new bridge. May might think it’s stylish but looked to me like a cheap temporary footbridge.

Arrived at Tate Modern and the atmosphere suddenly changed. All the people inside (except us) looked as if trying so hard to be seen as intelligent and sophisticated. Not liking such snobbery, I just walked around as normal. First, we encountered a huge stuff made of white plastic cubes. It's called "Embankment”. Remembered my hubby and me watching it on TV news and laughing at the arty-farty. Well, I must admit I liked the stuff in real. Walking among the white cubes was fun. I don't know what made the woman create this strange sculpture, but I liked the mixture of excitement and calmness inside my mind while walking among the cubes. My girls couldn’t believe that the mountains and walls of white cubes can be "art". But they walked with big smiles. We touched the cubes a bit and my big girl found a sign "Please do not touch". Too late. They should have put the signs up on the better places! The other exhibitions were... weird, to be honest. I mean, after looking at the paintings and sculptures in Tate Modern, now I don't know the line between "art" and "rubbish". And who decides which work is good as "art"? Suppose contemporary art shouldn't be understood by the masses. It is for the future generations to adore long after the artists die.

Too tired to go out with Mg and her friend for dinner. Pity. But needed a good rest for the big day.

Day 6
Off to Central London again. With my girls, Mg and R who had managed to take a day off to go to the Science Museum together with us. Hopped on a train, changed to the underground. BUT on the wrong line!! Realised after a few stops and a man in a suit sitting beside us kindly gave us advice which station to get off to get on the right one. Well, not a fatal mistake, so we laughed it off.

Arrived at the Science Museum little later than expected. Loads of school trip groups. Hands-on stuff at the basement was great fun even for adults. And got an electric shock in the "energy" exhibition room. Some displays weren't bad, but rather boring for my girls. They enjoyed browsing things at the shop while Mg and R sat down at the cafe. Me? I was the one who kept an eye on my girls, of course.

Then, we went to see Buckingham palace. Too late to watch Changing of the Guards. So, not much to see and do, really. Walked The Mall. Flowers were beautiful. Soon, we got to the Trafalgar Square. But Nelson's Column was covered with scaffolding and blue material. Must be for cleaning off the pigeon poo. Sort of disappointed, but took a photo of giant scaffolding. A rare opportunity to take such a photo. (No harm doing a positive thinking!)

Sat at the fountain wall for a few minutes and walked down Whitehall. Lovely stone buildings. Took a photo of my girls with a horse and a guardsman. Suddenly a policewoman took us inside the horse guard yard. What have we done? Looked suspicious? No, she just started inviting the tourists in the yard for watching the changing of the guards at 4.00pm. Lucky us. We hadn't known such a thing was going on. Loads of Latin language speaking voices around us. They were speaking to each other, laughing at the way the guardsmen walked and spoke. I guess they didn't know that the guardsmen were properly trained soldiers.

Quickly got out of the yard and headed for Big Ben, as my girls and I had an appointment with David Blunkett, MP and former cabinet minister. Couldn't believe that I was going to meet him. (Want to know how I got to know him? Ask, then.) We went into Portcullis House, just opposite Big Ben. Through the security check and went to a desk. Told to wait until somebody gets me. Sat on a bench and discussed with Mg and R. We decided that Mg and R would have tea at the cafe (if they were allowed) and go home. Mg gave me a spare key to her house.

A few minutes later, young fella in a smart suit walked towards me. It was B who I had spoken to on the phone earlier this month to arrange the meeting. My girls and I went upstairs with him, and Mg and R headed for the cafe. Everything looked so new and clean in the building. Too modern for a Whitehall building, really. B was pleasant and friendly without an air of white-collar snobs. Went into the David's staff's office and met J, a secretary. Liked her purple streaked grey hair. My girls don't want to me to have the same hair colour. But I should try it once my hair turns grey all over!) She was pleasant and friendly, too. Surprised that they could create such a welcoming atmosphere for us. I was not an important guest, you know. They told us that we would have tea with David and J would give us a guided tour of the parliament building. I had thought that we would just shake hands, exchange a few words and go home in 5 minutes. So, our smiles grew bigger and bigger. Can't be luckier.

Met David and his guide dog, Sadie just outside the office. Shorter than I had imagined, but yes, it's him, the former Home Secretary who had resigned because of scandals. Sadie looked thinner than I had thought. On the way to the cafe, David told me that Sadie had had a dog shampoo earlier for £15, which was the same price as my haircut!

Found Mg and R still sitting at the cafe. They were so surprised to see us coming towards them, as they had never imagined meeting David. J took my girls to the counter to get drinks when we sat down. Yes, David Blunkett bought me a cup of tea and my girls cans of Coke and Fanta and slices of chocolate fudge cake and Victoria sandwich cake. (Why didn't I ask for a slice of cake or biscuits before they left for the counter!!)

David was the most powerful man I've ever met. And also the first blind person I had a chat with. But it was very easy to speak to him as he sounded very down-to- earth. Is it because of his working-class background or just because he is a politician? By the way, I must confess that I nearly kicked Sadie under the table as I didn't know she was lying there.

David didn't mind being photographed with me and my girls just before he had to go. We moved a few yards away from the table for the photo shoot. Mg took a photo of us 5 (including Sadie). Soon a security bloke (policeman?) came to us and told us that nobody was allowed to take a photo inside this building! Understandable as it's a government building full of MPs’ offices. But where were the signs?? Any way, David told the man "Sorry, it's my fault" kind of thing and my camera wasn't confiscated.

J took us to the parliament building through the underground corridor and we went upstairs, got on a lift to the roof of the building! It's not open for the public, though. Lovely view of London and Big Ben looked very short. Then she showed us the lobby, a hall which was under restoration and the statue of which a crack on the sword was the place where one of the suffragettes had chained herself to, etc. J left us just before we went into the public gallery. Another security check outside the gallery. Housing issue was being debated and soon the voting was held. My girls looked very interested, saying that they had seen the place on telly before. Carvings on the wooden parts of the walls and benches were lovely.

It was a tiring long day. But it was the icing on a cake for our holiday.

Day 7
Still smiling about the day before, but all of us were sad because we had to go home. We went to a cafe with Mg and her mother for lunch and all of us drove to the airport. Without any moaning background noises of my girls', we got to the gate for boarding. Great that passengers with children can get on the plane first.

Everything went smoothly and we landed on Belfast safely. While waiting for our suitcase at the baggage reclaim, an elderly woman came up to me, saying "Are you going home by bus?" I'd seen her face somewhere in my town but couldn't remember who she was. Yeah, I was back home, doing my usual stuff such as wondering "Who the hell is she/he? I know the face but...”

Got home alright and suddenly inside our house looks a bit odd. No, nobody had broken in. Nothing had changed. But it was like... looking at something familiar but unfamiliar after a week.
Can't wait to go to London again.