Having realised that the long summer school holiday won’t go on forever (after all), I decided it was time to take the children up to London, and give our hosts, their grandparents, a well-deserved day off.
An added incentive was that my BF agreed to come with us to Covent Garden’s London Transport Museum – and there was also the inkling that we might be able to sneak lunch in at my favourite sandwich shop, Pret a Manger.
But apart from that, it was all for the good of the kids – honest.
The funny thing about taking BB and LB on day trips is that, for them, it’s the journey that’s the exciting bit. Not the destination, and certainly not lunch. It’s all about the getting there – on South West Trains, and the Northern Line.
They didn’t mind one bit that the train to Waterloo was really crowded and so we had to stand right by the toilet – they got to watch people going in and out the loo and could even time them.
How to make a train-mad 6YO boy’s day: Operate a tube train
Not such a thrilling ride if it’s your daily commute, but we got some smiles five minutes later, with both kids pressing their noses against the window, peering out at the tunnel, absolutely loving trundling through the darkness.
The trouble with their enjoyment of train journeys is that when we reach our destination, they usually just want to turn around and go home again. But, today, I’d thought of that: The Transport Museum – ta-daaa! They could even drive a tube train! A brilliant, foolproof plan, surely.
And it was a success, until it came time for lunch, and we made them walk to Leicester Square (all of five minutes), triggering a tirade from my hungry oldest son. “But I can’t walk, my legs have died. This is my baddest day ever.”
Kids, eh – I could have sworn that a few minutes earlier he was energetically running around and playing inside a bus exhibit as happy as larry.
London bus drivers seem to be getting younger…
And the magicians are getting cleverer – took us ages to figure this out!
This reminds me of when the boys were small and the highlights of their trips to Washington DC were never things like dinosaurs or airplanes or the Spy Museum: it was always riding on the Metro.
And what a dreadful, abusive mother you are to make them walk to get their lunches…! ; ) Enjoy the rest of your time in the UK – Son#2’s back to school just today!
Hope the back-to-school routine is going well! First week of Sept for us.
Dear Circles. I have been following your blog for a while as preparation for my imminent move to a new life in UAE. I love what you write; it makes me smile and chimes with all the advice I get from friends. It also helps me to see it all from a woman’s perspective; something that has not escaped my wife’s attention……!
Hi Hugo – thank you! I’m so glad the blog has been helpful (for both you and your wife!). Your comment really made me smile 🙂 I wish you all the very best for your move- you’re coming at a good time. It will cool down soon and you’ll have 6 months of the best weather to look forward to! Good luck and enjoy the sunshine and new adventures!
I remember walks we used to do as kids that seemed to go on FOREVER. Turns out they were only 10 minutes long! Kids are the same the world over, and not matter what generation.
Sounds like you had a good time anyway.
And isn’t it funny how they can be 6 going on 13!