Love that butcher

It's 11pm and I just came back from the Bidford Courtyard, the centre of town where all the non action is. I was trying to steal someone’s wireless signal so I could post, email, pay bills etc. I was going to do it in London today but Angie in her brilliance suggested we catch the early train back to Stratford because “we’ll get home earlier and besides, Stratford will have internet for sure.” Thanks Ang, you’re the best. Anyways, me and the butcher have got on as they say and so he let me sit in his shop this morning and use his signal. Lovely chap that butcher.

I said we were in London today and we were. The kids informed us last night that they were all “churched out”, which for a Pastor isn’t splendid but they quickly assured me they meant the touring part, not the God part. Phew right. So, despite our longing to tour Westminster Abbey and St.Paul’s Cathedral we axed those plans and instead had a London kid’s day which meant Hamleys all morning, and the interactive Science Museum in the afternoon.

Hamleys is a 7 story high toy village that boasts “the best toys in the world.” Quite the boast but after going there they might be right. I’ve never seen so many toys. We told the kids they could each pick out a toy and the choosing nearly did them in, especially when I gave the 20 min warning. In my defense, they had already been there for 2 hours. They finally managed to choose something and we all walked out thrilled, for different reasons. Maddie got herself a genuine Paddington Bear, who just celebrated his 50th bday this year. I wondered if we should have bought Mr. Paddington a sports car to cruise around in just so everyone knew he was still young. A Barbie too.

Ethan bought a remote control airplane and Lex bought herself a cute baby. After Hamleys the kids let us take them to Westminster Abbey to have lunch in its park right by the river Thames. It was great. The afternoon was spent at the surprisingly shoddy Natural History Museum, and the much better Science Museum.

Today is our last day in England, time flies faster here, 8 hours faster. Speaking of, we’ve totally adapted to the time here which is fortunate. Our plan is to end England strong so we’re going to the Cotswolds, rural England at its finest and most beautiful. It will undoubtedly make for some amazing pictures. Btw – hope you enjoyed the small selection we. That’s like 10 of 600 so be thankful.

We fly to France Wednesday where we’ll live for 18 days. We’ll be even more rural then we were in Bidford but we’re renting a car so hopefully we can get into town and post a few times a week. Thanks to everyone for your continued interest and comments, each comment makes us feel connected but even more importantly, loved.

Thank you!

John