13/11/2022
This morning was an earlier than usual start. After four action packed days we were done with London pace and needed a fresh change of scenery.
There were lots of songs on the morning Circle Line although Grandma had enforced a no Baby Shark rule, she has had enough of that song.
Thankfully we were in good hands with the Underground expert taking charge.
One of Eloise’s first soft toys was a Paddington, hand carried back from London by Lauren and James. Today was the day that we brought Paddington home. Eloise was a little unsure at first, the poor girl thought we had to leave him there. After we told her that he was going on another adventure and just needed to check in on his house she cheered up.
Inside Paddington station, Eloise looked a bit perplexed when meeting Paddington’s Chinese brothers and sisters.
Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children’s literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 in the children’s book A Bear Called Paddington and has been featured in more than twenty books written by British author Michael Bond, and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum and other artists… One of the most beloved British fictional characters, a Paddington Bear soft toy was chosen by British tunnellers as the first item to pass through to their French counterparts when the two sides of the Channel Tunnel were linked in 1994. Paddington books have been translated into 30 languages across 70 titles and have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide… Paddington Bear has been adapted for television, films and commercials since its first appearance on the BBC in 1966.
It was then onto a rather empty Great Western Railway train and we were out of here.
A bit over an hour later we arrived in Oxford, just in time for the Sunday Remembrance Parade, “the UK fell silent on Remembrance Sunday as the King led the nation in honouring servicemen and women who died in past conflicts”.
We made quick work of the tourist shopping scene, the kids had placed their merch orders early.
We walked around the Bodleian Library to the Radcliffe Camera, this time Hazel and Tom did not appear but Caroline did.
Another beautiful day in Oxford, the grandparents had to go punting. Luckily for them, or perhaps not, Australia’s #1 punter was free for the day. Eloise lifejacketed up, she knew the drill and Lachlan stayed back to count ducks with Super Mum and Caroline. Caroline was not going anywhere near the punt this time.
It was just like riding a bike, sort of, off we went again. This time Liam made sure not to chuck a left down Niagra Falls, and with favourable conditions set a good pace. There were a few stumbles, but we passed under Jubilee Bridge before heading back past the starting point. We went perhaps eight times as far as our initial efforts, again avoiding the whirlpool of doom was a big help.
Absolutely exhausted from punting and carrying a toddler about, it was time for lunch.
After some Itsu which hit the spot, we passed Oxford Castle before climbing the mound. Lachlan came alive and zoomed up.
Lachlan still had way too much energy so Caroline locked him in the pillory, of course, Eloise needed a shot too.
The grandparents visited the Divinity School to see what all this Harry Potter fuss was about.
The toddler was then riding up top again as Lachlan enjoyed playing with his new best friend.
After another fun day in Oxford, it was a busier train back to London, Super Mum was quick to nab a table.
Back at Paddington’s home, we managed to find the real Paddington.
For dinner tonight, the grandparents had their first authentic British Sunday roast before we all hit the hay.
We hope you are all doing okay in Adelaide, it is sounding a bit apocalyptic but when is the Aussie news not. “South Australia is cut off from the rest of the country after the state’s second worst power blackout tore a path of destruction and sparked widespread chaos. At least 163,000 customers, which could effect as many as 480,000 South Australians, have been blacked out in a savage storm since Saturday”. “More than 50 schools will be closed across Adelaide on Monday because of ongoing blackouts and storm damage”.
All ok at Clifton street but it was pretty bad in some parts with lots of trees down. All Leadbeters accounted for. Hugh and Jamila flew to New Zealand just before worst of the storm but their plane got hit by lightening. All ok!!!
That sounds a bit scary 😬
All good here as well, plenty of rain with one overflowing gutter and rain to the back door but nothing too serious! We didn’t lose our power but Thomas and Hazel did for a few hours. Trees down in linear park near their house as well. The grounds are saturated so we could do with some sunny weather to dry things out abit! The weather looks better over there than here!
No need to top the pool up 😜