Sailing with Grandad

Emmie's first sailing trip with Grandad.

She pulled ropes, tied on fenders and steered the boat.  Then helped moor the boat.  He couldn't have done it without her.

  She did get a little relaxation time too. 

A family Frozen summer day out.

For over a hundred years, the clock at Waterloo has been the meeting point for friends, family and lovers.

We then headed to Covent Garden, a twenty-minute stroll across the iconic Waterloo Bridge with great views over London.

And after a little shopping we headed for drinks on the roof terrace of the Royal Opera House with its unrivalled views over London's most famous market plus the Shard and Nelson's column.  Emmie also enjoyed looking at the craft ballet shoes.

It was then time to head to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for a pre-show delicious lunch soaking up the sunshine on the terrace. 

Like countless families around the world we have watched the Disney animated film Frozen too many times  to count.  We know the lyrics to almost every song, we bought Emmie and Chloe the dress up clothes, and we watched the sequel, Frozen II, as soon as it was released.

But despite buying into all things Frozen, I wasn't convinced that the stage version of the story of two sisters, an  icy kingdom and magical ice powers would necessarily translate on the stage.  I  could not have been more wrong.  This musical extravaganza is spellbinding, holding the audience members of all ages, completely captivated from start to finish.

The musical, as with the films, is loosely based on the book Hans Christian Anderson fairytale "The Snow Queen".  The venue, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's Covent Garden, is the oldest theatre in London still in use.  It's soooo gorgeous.

The opening scenes start much as the story with young Anna singing about building a snowman.  We see Elsa's supernatural powers injure her younger sister, meet the trolls who heal Anna and watch as the Kingdom of Arendelle barricades its doors and the King and Queen search for a way to help their eldest daughter to control her powers.  So far, so like the Disney film.

But then the production takes on a life of its own rather than simply being a carbon copy of the animated movie.  This is thanks to some incredible special effects and visual thrills, dazzling signature ballads, beautiful costume design and amazing performances.

As well as all the hit songs from the  films the musical  features a handful of new songs including a hilariously comical musical number based on the Nordic idea of hygge that sees naked (not really! ) characters dance their way out of a sauna.

The original songs were performed with real heart and emotion.  In fact, the signature song, the Oscar-winning Let It Go is even more powerful in this live setting than in the film.  It's during this performance  of Let It Go that one of the most mind-boggling special effects takes place, which is an impressive feat given that the entire show is packed full of magical moments from the ice bridge in danger of falling apart to the giant shards of ice unleased by Elsa after her coronation.  As she sheds off her old identity, builds her ice palace and embraces her magical powers, the stage comes to life and the audience is thrilled.

It's Olaf, however, who - much like in the movies - steals the show.  On stage the loveable snowman is a puppet.  The reindeer Sven features too, played by a single actor who brings this lovable shaggy reindeer to life.

But even though the special effects are dazzling they don't detract from the story.  It is still a story about two sisters, the challenges faced when growing up, and the importance of self-acceptance, courage and family.

We loved every moment of this performance.  A spectacular, spellbinding and simply magical production.

No singing was allowed during the performance, which is understandable, but even as an adult I found it very sad that there was no singalong as the last song of the show.  The show said it was two and a half hours long but it finished ten minutes early so there was time for Let It Go.  The majority of the audience was children, many dressed as Elsas, who nearly all know every word of the song.  I feel it's important the children should be involved as they believe the story of Frozen with all their hearts.  Just felt I should express this negative.

After the show dinner was at VyTA in Covent Garden where we enjoyed cocktails on a hidden balcony before dining al fresco in the sunshine on the iconic Covent Garden Piazza.

London on a sunny day is a beautiful sight to behold.  The city was bathed in warm light and as we walked back to the station for our journey home the streets were bustling with activity.

Thank you so very much Alun, Gemma and Emmie for treating us to such a fabulous sunny Frozen day out.  You are very generous.  Our little Elsa.

Remembering our performance in Canada. X

Visit to the Railway at Fawley Hill

Many railway enthusiasts can only dream of having their own garden railway with model trains to play with at their leisure. The Late Sir William McAlpine however went one step further for it is not a model railway which resides in the garden but a full size standard gauge railway running for almost a mile in length.  Not content with that alone, the railway also contains the steepest track for a conventional railway in the UK - if not the world - with a gradient of 1/13!  The railway began life in 1964 when Sir William, the great grandson of railway pioneer Sir Robert McAlpine (famed as 'Concrete Bob' for his work on the West Highland Extension), purchased locomotive No 31, a Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 which was to be scrapped by his company.  A short length of track was laid for the locomotive and the railway has expanded ever since. 

 Not only does the Fawley Hill  railway, near Henley on Thames, have track and it's own locomotive, the collection of artefacts is quite astonishing!  A two storey museum is packed with model railways, locomotive nameplates, station benches, cutlery - quite literally everything.  (No photos allowed in the museum).

As is that was not enough the grounds contain even more unusual railway artefacts - three complete stations, a signal box, footbridge, oh and two arches from Waterloo station removed for the construction of the international terminal.

This footbridge came from Brading Station on the Isle of Wight.  It is thought to date from before 1900.

It was replaced at Brading by a new bridge in 2000, the original coming to Fawley.  The span was reduced, and erected, as above, in September 2001.

These are arches from Waterloo Station, which were part of the roadway from Westminster Bridge Road up to the station.  They were removed in 1991 when Waterloo was expanded for the Eurostar service through the Channel Tunnel.

Capital from the old Blackfriars Railway Bridge.  The bridge was built  in 1864 and was demolished in the 1960s.  The four cast iron Capitals were left in place until the  mid 1980s, when the two on the north side were removed.  One of these is now at Fawley (above).  The two south-side Capitals remain in place in restored condition.

In a strange way, all these artefacts seem quite at home with an equally interesting collection of wildlife.

Thank you to the volunteers at Fawley Hill for having us and the Wellington Invincibles for organising the day.  A most enjoyable day was had by all.

We returned home via the Henley Regatta.