On the 23rd June, we had an early start - said bye and thank you to the Cannon family, and we all took a flight from Cork to London Gatwick. After collecting a car at the airport, we drove to Nigel and Julie's flat in Woolwich. As we had an early start, we had a sleep in the car on the way!
Nigel's Mum used to be a nurse that worked with my Nanny Carol years ago, and both families lived close to each other in High Green, Sheffield and he and his wife Julie kindly offered us their flat whilst we were in London. It was perfect for us with a couple of bedrooms, next to the River Thames. The apartment was one of a number across many blocks of renovated buildings which used to be army barracks.
Since it was so close to the River Thames, we would often catch a boat to wherever we had to go. This is a picture of us standing among the statues, near to where we got on the boat.
Scott's Tour - 24th June
On our first day in London, we met up with one of Dad's old friends, Scott. Dad and Scott travelled together in Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Cambodia in the 1990s! This is a picture of them in 1993 in Dalat, Vietnam.
With Scott, we went on the River Thames seeing the Millennium Dome, Thames Barrier and visited the Cutty Sark at Greenwich....
We continued under Tower Bridge, and then we had a walk to Trafalgar Square and saw Nelson's Column, and then had a picnic in front of Big Ben!
We also went to Buckingham Palace, where we saw the changing of the guard....
 |
| In front of the Palace |
 |
| Dad, Scott and Mum |
 |
| The Famous London Black Cabs |
 |
| Police Officers |
 |
| Trying not to sneeze! |
 |
| Left Right Left Right Left Right Left |
Afterwards, Dad and I went to Scotts house and met his wife Sue and his daughters' Honor and Esther. Mum, Amy & Anna had got on a train to Justine Oldham's house in Kew, since they were going to school the next day in Acton.
 |
| Scott and Sue |
 |
| Honor, Esther and Ella |
Ella & Daddy day -25th June
Dad and I had a day together.
 |
| Trip in the London Eye |
 |
| The famous red phone boxes |
Mum, Amy & Anna went to school with Mum's best friend from schooldays - Justine Oldham (Justine is the principal); they were made very welcome and really enjoyed the day there.
Mum had lunch at Canary Wharf with her old work colleague from Cable & Wireless, London - Stuart Fuller, who she last saw in 1999.
Chiswick
We all met up at Chiswick during the evening. Mum and Dad lived in Chiswick from 1997-2000! We all had dinner at an Indian restaurant called Annapurna (the nearest we got to Nepal!) which Mum and Dad used to go to regularly 15+ years ago.
 |
| Justine Oldham with Amy and Anna |
Justine was really kind and gave me the 'softest blanket ever' to take on the rest of our travels.
Alton, near Winchester - 26th June
We then drove one hour away to Winchester where we had a sleepover at Molly's house! I also got to go to her school where we played games, had dinner and met all of her friends! Also staying for a barbecue at Mollys were Gillian, Alan, James and Finn who were on holiday from Australia and are our friends in Sydney.
 |
| xx Molly and Me xx |
 |
| Gillien, Katie and Mum |
 |
| Annabelle, Molly and US |
 |
| Dad, Matt and Alan |
After Mum and Dad had dropped me of with Molly, they drove to a pub to meet Dad's cousin Andrew and his wife Kamya. They are very musical and in their spare time perform at weddings and show songs from the 1940s and 1950s; their act is called The Bluestockings.
 |
| The Blue Stockings (Archived photo) |
Nigel, Julie and Olly, and Dad's catchup with his University friends - 27th June
On the Saturday morning, Dad got picked up by a friend ' Jimmer' who took him to their first University reunion in 23 years!
 |
| BABS Reunion 2015 |
 |
| Macker (from Aus), Benji, Ricki and Dad |
 |
| Dad, Matt, Chris and Macker |
 |
| Olly, Julie, Jus, Nigel and Jus (Oldham) |
We all went with Justine (Oldham) on the train to meet Nigel and his family in Southbank. We ate at the Southbank Stalls and played cards and Amy and Anna danced in the fountains!
Mike, Zena, Alex and Abigail - East Molesey - 28th June
We went to East Molesey on the Sunday to stay with Mike and Zena and their children. Mum and Dad used to live with Mike and Zena in London 1997-1999. One of the highlights was Alex playing the guitar (played one of my favourites - Banana Pancakes), and him and Dad on piano singing!
 |
| Abi and Amy |
 |
| Dad and Mike |
 |
Mike US and Rolo and Huxley
(Long Haired Daschunds)
|
 |
| Alex playing Banana Pancakes |
Hampton Court Palace is just around the corner from Mike and Zenas, and we visited the Palace and also saw a play being performed.
 |
| Me and King Henry VIII |
Nick, Elly, Amelie and Joe - Haywards Heath - 29th June
It was our last full day in London, and we stayed with Nick and Elly - friends of Mum and Dads from Australia who moved back to England. Dad used to play in a band with Elly. Nick let us play with his drone - which we flew 400m up in the air and across the town; we could watch the view from the camera on the controller!
 |
| Nick, Ellie, Mum and Dad |
 |
| Playing in the garden |
 |
| Amy flying the drone |
London to Paris - 30 June
We were catching the 3.30pm train to Paris, and because of the traffic in London .... arrived just in time. However, the trains had been cancelled due to strikes in Calais, although we were lucky and managed to catch one of the few trains that was allowed through the tunnel.
We had a great time in the South of England and am really grateful to all our friends who were so generous in giving us a place to sleep.
We all went with Justine (Oldham) on the train to meet Nigel and his family in Southbank. We ate at the Southbank Stalls and played cards and Amy and Anna danced in the fountains! 
