I don’t know where the last week or two has gone. It’s moving time right now – the house has been packed up and shipped, Alla and the kids left for Toronto a few days ago and I am finalising everything with my work here in the UK, whilst staying in the spare room at my parents house (not recommended).
All our belongings packed up ready to go.
It’s been hard – both physically and mentally.
For a few weeks it seemed like we never stopped – it was hard enough preparing to move as it is, but with two young children it took it to a new level in busyness and finding time to complete the seemingly endless list of tasks. So far we have done it though and I am sure all the effort will be worth it though for our new lives in Canada.
I felt like in the weeks leading up to when they left it had just been chaos, however in between all this chaos we arranged for a trip up to London for my little girl to see the ‘Fairy Bridge’ (Tower Bridge that features in the Tinkerbell – Great Fairy Rescue for those of you that aren’t aware) which was to be followed by a visit to Hamleys in Regent Street – “The biggest Toy shop in the World” as it used to be known – now a title I imagine, has been passed to a large out of town Toy’s R Us.
The trip to London was a really great day out and I enjoyed it for a lot of reasons I didn’t think I would.
Considering we only live about 12 miles from the city centre, I think I have been up into town a couple of times at the most since Allyson arrived. We strolled along the Southbank of the Thames with the kids and I thought it was nice to do the ‘touristy’ thing again. I admired the skyline across the other side of the river and it brought back some fond memories of many a night clubbing in the city’s multitude of night spots (not that I can remember much of that). I had forgotten the energy and vibrancy that London seems to exude. There is something of a buzz about it – I have no idea what it is or where it comes from but I had forgotten what a great place it is to visit with so many people with so much to do and see.
St Paul’s from the South Bank
We passed the Tate Modern and the new Globe theatre before grabbing some lunch in a pub on the river at London Bridge by HMS Belfast and then took a walk over Tower Bridge – I looked back down the river and had to admire the relatively new skyline behind us on the south bank, where the More London office buildings, fronted by the new City Hall (home of Boris the Mayor) and the new glass Shard tower being built behind it all.
I have never taken much interest in the new building apart from a brief chat with a close friend who had been working on some of the design drawings and was impressed with what I saw so far. The Shard is currently the tallest building in the UK and will be the tallest in the EU when it is completed next year (It’s no CN Tower though when it comes to the height stakes). I had never seen it before and I couldn’t help but think this new modern architecture looked spectacular (Thank you Norman Foster and Renzo Piano) and felt this view was a worthy addition to one of the most iconic skylines on the planet.
City Hall (The Onion) and More London with The Shard being built in the background
The kids were sleepy after lunch so rather than catch a cab to Hamleys on Regent Street we decided to wrap them up in the buggy and walk through the city and let them nap. Despite a few concerned looks from Alla, my navigation skills through the streets were successful and the walk from The Tower of London to our destination in Regent Street flew by and we even managed to take in a few more sites along the way – some were fun and others not so.
The magnificence of Sir Christopher Wren’s St Paul’s Cathedral flanked by the tents from the ‘Occupy’ London protests and the gothic splendor of the Royal Courts of Justice buildings surrounded by news crews and trucks awaiting developments from the current Leveson Enquiry into the British media (apparently in London celebrity culture now you are a nobody unless your phone ‘was’ hacked by the News of the World investigators). We passed through bustling Covent Garden, crowded Leicester Square and aromatic Chinatown in Soho before a final trek up Regent Street where we finally arrived at Hamleys, with both Alla and I fit to drop.
Despite the immutable noise from the numerous buses, taxi’s and constant construction, the kids had managed to stay asleep all the way through the trek to the store. We managed to sneak in the entrance and find a quiet spot (there weren’t many) before we woke them up.
They slept for the whole trek through the city
My daughter was all wrapped up in the front of the buggy and as we woke her to tell her where she was her eyes lit up and she virtually vaulted out of her seat and started running around the place pointing at all the toys giggling in excitement. It was one of those moments that every parent lives for and I remember catching Alla’s eye as we both smiled at her delight.
My son didn’t managed quite the same reaction (pre-walking) but was still excited as he took in the bright lights and numerous toys finding it hilarious every time I picked up a cuddly toy and shoved it in his face. I have to provide a word of warning in case you visit this shop- there is a chance a lot of soft toys in Hamleys have baby drool on them as I am pretty sure I wasn’t the only Dad doing this.
We spent a good hour in the shop exploring the different area’s and my daughter pointing out the things she would like to include on her list to Santa as she keeps reminding us she has been a good girl this year – soon it was time to leave and despite her constant protests and his numerous attempts to crawl away to another area of the store we had to bundle them back into their buggy and head back to Waterloo train station to get our train home. It was getting dark so we managed to catch some of the Christmas lights as we walked back down to Piccadilly Circus before we finally relented and jumped into a black cab for the last couple of miles to the station.
It was a truly wonderful day out and it made me remember what a great city London is. I can’t help but feel that as long as the weather holds out as it did this year, the Olympic games next year will make the city really rocking although I am not sure how they will be able to manage to get more people on the already packed streets.
I had never held the city in any great regard after living there briefly a few years back and if I’m honest I had hated the place – I found it dirty, smelly and expensive and just a bit too busy for me. I would often be puzzled with the fascination that Alla’s family had with their trips when they came to visit but now I realise that as a destination for a tourist, it’s one of the greatest city’s in the world and I look forward to return to take it all in and enjoy it as a (foreign) tourist again one day when the kids have grown up a bit.
I look forward to our return…
I can’t wait to get to London… one day! Sounds so lovely!!
Thank you for writing that piece as it flooded me with wonderful memories. I fell in love in London and spent many days in blissfulness with my one-and-only in all of those places you mentioned. As a North Londoner my husband didn’t venture into central London often and certainly not as a tourist, so it was exciting for both of us. Our first baby is due in less than three weeks and the nursery is London themed.
I am so happy that you and your family did a last jaunt into London before moving, and that you were able to see the city from an outsider’s perspective. It really is magical.
Jamie, although I have never done an international move like you & your family, I feel that I can really relate to the chaos of a big move. When we moved two years ago from sunny Southern California to chilly New England (as winter was just about to arrive…not great timing on our parts!!), I was anxious to say the least. I was also devastated to leave our friends who had become like family to the four of us. You are very fortunate to have a built in family support system in your new home, but what will really help to make the move a successful one for you, is to make sure you make your new city your own, not just Alla’s. Make sure you take time to continue your interests, as it will help you stay sane once the chaos of the move has died down. It took me a full year to feel like this is home, & it has taken me 2 years to realize I would like to stay here permanently.
As for seeing your home as a tourist, with all of our moves over the years & with all of our wonderful family visiting us wherever we landed (besides our parents, your in-laws were the only family members to visit us in every house we’ve lived in!), I have always enjoyed a sort of tourist-in-your-own-city mentality. When spring hits Boston will be beckoning you guys for a visit!! 😉
I never been to London but have always wanted to visit!
I love London! I agree about the buzz. There is just something bout this city.