Our 'magic' time with Steph, Mark, Kieran and Fraser.

Within half and hour of arriving at Steph and Mark's house the kids had got over their shyness thanks to Kieran and Fraser's enthusiasm. Kieran did an hilarious magic show (he is a born performer) which got everyone laughing. Then a whole performance was organised and the kids spent the next few hours trying on costumes and perfecting their play! After a relaxed evening catching up we spent the next few days exploring some great sights and enjoying the English countryside. 

On Friday we went to Hampton Court Palace, the home of the famous Henry VIII. The kids learnt about his many wives and his other indulgences, food and wine. They got to roast beef on a massive spit in the old kitchen, wander through the huge wine cellar and learn about life in the Tudor times thanks to an interactive play. The kids listened intently as they learnt about how to become a knight. The funniest part was when they learnt about hunting. They had to hunt a deer and guess who got picked to play the part of the deer? Daniel did a great job wearing a huge deer head and running from a horde of excited children. We all did the maze and the kids were super excited to beat us adults to the middle. A recent addition to the grounds is the superb Magic Garden, a huge play area with towers, a dragon and heaps of water play.

The next day was Mark and Steph's walking tour of London. After catching the train into central London we walked over 10kms around the streets of London and saw the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Green Park and Hyde Park before catching a big red bus (kids were super excited to get the front seat up the top) down Oxford and Regent streets to Trafalgar Square. The kids clambered on the lion statues and posed for pictures with Nelson's Column in the background. Then we went underground to catch the tube, another London experience for everyone. After getting back into daylight we wandered around the edge of the Tower of London before walking over the impressive Tower Bridge. By this stage we had tired and hungry kids (and adults) so we found a pub on the south side of the river and enjoyed some food and pint of local beer. We returned home exhausted but very pleased we fitted so much into our one day in London.

Sunday was a drive through some small Surrey villages, lunch in English pub, netting small fish in a stream and eating ice cream beside another stream in a gorgeous old village. It was all incredible, particularly the old mill converted into a pub where we enjoyed a suburb lunch. 

On Monday morning, before we left, we walked along the Thames, admiring some of the fancy house boats. We had a wonderful time with Steph, Mark, Kieran and Fraser. A huge thanks to all of you for opening up your home to us and to the boys for sharing your toys and bedrooms and ensuring Jackson and Emilia had a super time. We had a great time!

As we left their house little were we to know the spate of bad luck that was about to begin

Waiting for Hampton Court Palace to open.

Playing in the incredible Magic Garden, a wonderland for the children.

The kids celebrating beating the adults to the centre of the maze.

The first courtyard of the palace.

Helping to cook the roast beef for the King.

The Palace viewed from the beautiful Privy Gardens.

Daniel the deer being 'hunted' by these knights in training.

The actress dressed as a traditional Tudor lady.

On arrival in London, the London Eye.

Jackson was very excited to see Big Ben.

Westminster Cathedral.

Out the front of Buckingham Palace.

With Steph looking down the Golden Mile.

Buckingham Palace selfie.

The gates of Green Park.

Up the top of a big red bus riding towards Trafalgar Square.

Nelson's Column and the lions of Trafalgar Square.

Riding on the 'Tube' underground.

Tower Bridge.

Walking over Tower Bridge.

Enjoying a cold beer after our big day walking around London....Jackson wanted to taste the froth.

Enjoying the sunshine and bubbles at a traditional Surrey pub.

The kids enjoyed the hedge.

Out the front of the pub, which was an old mill.

Trying to catch fish in a little stream (they all managed to net a few little ones).

One of the quaint English villages we visited.

Ice cream by the river.

Jackson enjoying the view.

The lovely Thames in the morning.

Enjoying the playground on the Thames.