London Calling

A real strong childhood memory of mine is going to London. The crowds, the lights, the crap souvenirs, the vague disappointment at seeing Buckingham Palace and comparing it to the tacky but sparkly Disney version in my head. But the excitement mostly.

Living in a commuter town, albeit in Nottinghamshire, I've brought Rosie down a few times but we've never ventured as a family until today. As Rosie says; "we've not dared to bring the boys", but today, here we are all of us, even the boys, on the train at 9.02 with an arrival time of 10.40.

Although Sundays can often mean train problems with work on the rails and such like, everything ran tickityboo. Without doubt trains have their huge pluses when it comes to kid  travel; you can go for a stroll, there's a man that brings chocolate and you get to see lambs on the way.

We're in a mad dash to make it to the Eye on time so head into a cab, where we are whizzed along by a satisfyingly cockney jovial driver. We make it to the London Eye for 11:30, Rosie can hardly contain herself, she's been pestering about this since I chickened out of a big wheel at a dodgy fair ground and tried to palm her off with some miserable looking candyfloss.

The views from the Eye were fairly breathtaking, seeing so many iconic buildings all at once is remarkable, I was on it for the kids and didn't expect to get so much from it personally. Rosie was being appropriately awed but Charles was more amazed that I'd let him have a bag of crisps to himself, so at 443 feet he was blanking Big Ben and the bridges for the revolting Quavers I'd allowed.

We went for a mouthwatering and healthy (post-Quaver detox needed) lunch at Le Pain Quotidien. If you haven't been expect chic rustic decor and fast friendly service. The delicious breads could have been purpose made for keeping Charles gnawing away for ages in his highchair.

Then off to the Sea Life Aquarium right by the Eye. Whilst this is far from the flashiest attraction on the South Bank Rosie loved it. The turtles, she's asked me to relay, were the greatest thing about London. Of course, London being known for it's turtles and all! The sea horses were cool too as were the sharks and Rosie was impressing us all with her knowledge of aqua life. Apparently all from Octonauts. Bad bad bad mother!

 Then back to Kings Cross at  5 and onto our train. Clive and I are knackered but the kids are alarmingly hyper. Charles just wants to walk and won't let me stop him at the quiet coach. I'm thinking he's taken after his daddy on the practical joke level and I'm about as amused as the grumpy quiet coach people!

We travelled from Newark North Gate to London by rail with East Coast Trains: advance return fares, booked online, start from £19 Standard Class or £49 First Class: book via www.eastcoast.co.uk, call 08457 225225 or visit any staffed station.

Photos were taken by the talented and equally exhausted Clive Doyle