Trip to London to see TINA

We had three hours to kill in London after being dropped off by coach outside the Aldwych Theatre so we decided to visit Somerset House, just down the road.

It's massive.

I have been meaning to visit this very special royal gem for a long time.  Once again as with many of these historically significant buildings, history oozes from every pore!  The house itself is massive, and mostly free.

This amazing place was built in 1547 and has experienced a chequered history but it remained standing in spite of the great fire of London.

Somerset house is a lovely area to walk around outside and experience some peace and quiet in such a bustling city. The statue is King George III by John Bacon, erected in 1789.  It shows the King as a roman senator, dressed in a toga, supporting himself on a tiller, with a lion and an antique prow at his feet.  Beneath him sits Old Father Thames clasping a cornucopia.

Inside we looked at Nelson Stairs.  These stairs were used frequently by the Nelson brothers to reach the Navy Offices upstairs.  In 1940 it suffered severe bomb damage and was restored according to the original designs.

The building is beautiful, the inner courtyard is lovely and the setting by the embankment fantastic.
There are free guided tours on Tuesdays at 12.45 and 14.15 but unfortunately we were too late.
No longer the home of births, deaths, marriages and wills.

 We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink on the River Terrace.

Then it was time for our pre-theatre dinner at Palm Court Brasserie in Covent Garden.
It is an excellent place - delicious food, good value for money, friendly service, very French atmosphere and perfect location.  Booking recommended though, it gets very busy.  Then after dinner just time to stroll through Covent Garden to the Theatre.

Finally, it was time for THE SHOW - TINA - The Tina Turner Musical.
Simply the best.  An excellent show that explains the life story of Tina Turner.  The cast are brilliant, especially the girl that represents Tina.  The story was harrowing at times but reflected Tina's life story worst and all.  The music was wonderful and we left with a buzz.

Happy Birthday Phil

Birthdays are always special, especially when it's your significant other's.  Life is so precious and should be treasured.  I treasure every moment with you.  Wishing you a happy birthday.

And for a day out we visited Winkworth Arboretum.  A tranquil hillside arboretum created by Dr. William Fox.  The trails around the arboretum are clearly marked and a pleasure to follow - particularly as the scenery is so varied.  The history of the whole site is well presented in the boat house by the lake, and was utterly fascinating.  Dr Fox sounds quite a character.  During WW1, as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he converted his own car into an ambulance and drove to France to help the war effort.  At the age of 65 he led a company of the Red Cross into France with the British Expeditionary Force.  Like thousands of others, he ended up at Dunkirk before returning to Britain on a rescue boat.  Like others of his time, he saw tree planting as a way of mending a damaged world and improving lives.  Having been evacuated to Dorking during the war, the London staff of Dr. Fox's family firm helped to create the azalea glade (near the boathouse on Rowe's Flashe Lake) in 1941.  Dr. Fox briefly gave the area the tongue-in-cheek name of The Hitler Glade, in recognition of the origin of his weekend workforce.

Celebrations continued the following weekend when we met Alan and Janet at the Mudeford Sea Food Festival.  Think I had a bit too much to drink there,  that's the problem when you catch the bus.

And then on Bank Holiday Monday we met the family at the Bistro on the Beach in Bournemouth for a lovely lunch.  Emmie cycled 6.3 kms to the Bistro from her new home.  Well done.  Lovely place to "grandchild watch" whilst enjoying the great views out to sea across the lovely sandy beach.  Shame it was a little cool.

Emmie helped to bake Grandad's birthday cake and it was soooo delicious. Thank you.

As it was May half term the following day we visited the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park in Verwood with the grandchildren.  A conservation centre for Rare Breed Heavy Horses. We spent all day there, there were lots of activities such as pony rides, tractor driving (both small and large), feeding animals and the best play park for children.

Jamie progressed from this tractor to this......and yes it is him driving it!!!!

and then he drove a Jeep

but his favourite was the Go Kart

racing with the girls....

We learnt lots about the beautiful heavy horses and really enjoyed meeting them.

Mike's Triathlon

Mike competed in a Triathlon at Eton Dorney.  It's a great venue for Triathlon and very well organised.  Great to 'compete' at an Olympic venue!  It's a lovely 20 minute walk from the car park, right by the lake, to the registration tent and it's a great course for spectators.  We watched Mike enter the water to swim 750 m in the lake (the water temp. was 15.2!!!!!!).

He then did four laps around the lake (21.2 km) for the bike ride.

And finally a 5km run up and down the side of the lake.

I really loved Eton Dorney as a place in itself and it was a very child friendly place for watching Daddy take part in the Triathlon.

A buzzing atmosphere for both participants and supporters alike.

Results are out:-  Mike came 46/555 overall and 9th in his age group.  An excellent result, especially as he was not riding his "best" bike.  Unfortunately the day before he mullered his bike going into a car park with height restriction crossbar.  He had forgotten the bike was on the roof.  So upsetting.

After a delicious lunch at Carluccios in Windsor to celebrate Grandad's birthday on Monday and Mike finishing the Triathlon we found a spot to watch the Household Cavalry say goodbye to Windsor with a spectacular parade ending 200 years of history.

Chris and Abi's New Home

Turning 30 is a large milestone to hit in one's life.  And 30 is as good as any age - if not more so - to start making your dreams come true.  Here's hoping it's the start of something really big as Chris buys and moves into his first home with lovely, beautiful Abi.

When you step into your new home, with empty rooms, empty cupboards, empty wardrobes - it's a moment that feels like a brand new world where anything can happen.

May your new home keep you both cozy in winter, cool in summer and sheltered during the rains.

May your new home also give you both a prosperous life full of happiness.  HOUSES are all about cement, bricks, mortar and wood.  HOMES are all about loved ones, family, parties and food.  And after the fabulous housewarming party your house is now a home.

Congratulations and Happy Birthdays to you both.  Not forgetting adorable Moppe.

And what a fabulous cake...……