Farm

A's birthday started with a surprise trip to Vauxhall City Fram where time petting the goats had been arranged. Although only the kids went in the enclosure, we all got quite close to be able close to be able to see the animals. This took place in a field that was just outside the main entrance but we’d managed to pick-up some animal food before the experience started.  We spent two hours looking at the animals - including this wonderful  sheep - and another 15 minutes with some of the smaller animals. We had lunch in the cafe before heading out.

We walked to the Imperial War Museum. I haven’t been for a while and both of the halls devoted to the World Wars seem to have been updated and are very well done. I think we probably spent too long in there for a 7 year old's tastes.  We eventually decided to walk towards the centre of London as she wanted to see Big Ben, which we did, crossing Westminster Bridge. We thought we’d find somewhere for a pit stop but Methodist Central Hall, which I thought would be a good place, was closing. We continued, eventually hitting Leicester Square which the children loved as we took them into M&M World to get some sweets.

Jez had heard about the Speedboat Bar that we we went to a few weeks ago.  By chance we were passing after leaving M&M World and they had a table as it was still early. I wasn’t sure it was going to the right thing for the kids but O stuck to his guns and ate all the Minced Beef with Holy Basil in spite of the heat.

After dinner, everybody else was off to see Matilda, which was a birthday treat. It comes with a 7-year old seal of approval.  PY and I saw the Brokeback Mountain play, probably not suitable for 7 year olds. Impressive performances in an equally impressive new theatre. I’d forgotten how sad the story was. 

After the performance we had a drink in the bar and didn’t have the heart to tell the fans at the stage door that one of the stars was having a chat in the theatre bar and didn’t look like he was leaving soon. We bumped into the others on the way back through town so we could all arrive home together.