London Friday.
We let the kids have a slow start. As they were so hyped from the night before, they foolishly talked late into the night ... Or early into the morning and I was a bit irritated as it meant cutting the day's activities back quite a bit. The morning began with me having to take out a p**** infected ear piercing ( yuk) and then I took Gail and some kids down to Kensington High Street to the shops . With more time to look I was very successful!!!! Gap , Marks and Spencer, and I even bought a pair of sandals at Clarks. So now I have a summerwardrobe for the rest of the trip!!
We then caught a red double decker bus to Strand and then the tube to the Tower. The group were very keen on a bus ride so that was fun. By the time we reached the tower, the kids were suffering the effects of the previous evening's naughtiness but I wanted them to suffer so I pressed on. We went into the tower which was PACKED .. and we made a meeting point and I let them drag their miserable little selves around until the meeting time. Sarah, I bought you something special at the Tower ... These items had only arrived in the shop that day and I bought the first one!!!!
We left the Tower and returned to the yh to change for dinner and they handled the tube very well. By this time I could feel I was a little frustrated by the kids and the effects of their unecessarily late night.
I set out for dinner in a new outfit - my new sandals, and my t-shirt bs a gorgeous georgette skirt I bought. ( felt glamorous for the first time on the trip!!!!) after a short wait we had a good meal at Hard Rock cafe and then John and Gail took the group back by tube and Tennille and I walked an hour to get back. This enabled us to vent a bit and get rid of our tension. Today I am going to talk to the group over lunch. We are also sharing a room with Gail and this is a strain. I hope to get her a single room for Paris.
SATURDAY
We set out at about 9:00 am for St Paul's cathedral. It was also quite crowded and I sat downstairs with the few height fearful ( and Gail) while the other teachers took the kids up to the whispering gallery and the dome. They really enjoyed it . Then we spent some time looking at the John Donne memorial and a few other sights. The Light of the world painting was closed in its cabinet because it was Easter . We also saw the cross on the high altar draped in black cloth. I was pleased to be there at this special time. We took the kids to supermarket to buy lunch which we then ate in the park behind the church. We had a bit of a chat and then caught the tube to Oxford street and gave them some time to shop. I gave Tenlnille a break from Gail by taking Gail shopping. You will be pleased it know I did no shopping for me (did not get to Laura Ashley or Principles much to my disappointment but it is the price I pay for foolishly allowing Gail to come with us.) I found a clothes store for larger ladies and played personal stylist for her and she has some impressive outfits now.... Much more stylish. I even got her to buy some shoes (sandals) at Clarks.
After this we took the kids to see Buck Palace and other sights in the area. Then we set off for Trafalgar Square. To my dismay it was crowded and we could not get anywhere. There was some entertainment thing going and so we could not get near the lions etc and the fountains were off which was disappointing. I just took the kids o n to St Martin's for dinner and when we came out it was raining!!!!!! So exciting!!! We behaved like we lived in a desert.... which we do! We took t he tube home and let the kids walk back to the YH at their own pace. I took Tennille to Boots to buy some makeup . The Revlon is much cheaper than it is at home and she stocked up on eye shadow. Then we stopped off for a cuppa and chat, destress before we returned to our room and Gail!! (I know I sound awful but it so difficult. It so like having a child around you all the time. She so very dependent and self involved. And food obsessed. ) John is going to get her her own room in Paris (he speaks French).
We returned, packed our bags and went to sleep. My bright idea is to take only a back pack into the YH for the night as the YH has steep stairs and plenty of them!!!!!!