Sorry to have disappeared completely. Unfortuanately internet is slow and very expensive so we haven’t used it – till today. We’re on the second last day of the cruise and as soon I get back the UK I will start bombarding you with photos and diary from the last 12 days. The cruise has been fabulous – esp. Russia which we all fell in love with. I’ve missed reading your blogs and hearing from you but all will be back to normal very soon.

Unfortunately I awoke a little on the early side today – around 3.30am – and couldn’t get back to sleep. Kevin & Amy woke around 4.30am and Christy a while later. Once again I used the time to blog and play on the computer. Just before 8am we went downstairs for breakfast. Today we were greeted with the delicious smell of warm crossiants.

We set off, with Kevin taking our “setting out for the day” photo. As you can tell warm weather of 25deg  is forecast for today. We haven’t even packed jackets (except for Christy) so they’d better be right.

We caught the tube all the way to South Kensington today – 19 stations and a short walk later we were at the Science Museum. We had about a 10min wait till it opened.

Kevin had wanted to come to this museum but he was a little disappointed as a lot of renovation work was going on.

We stopped for some morning tea. I can’t get over the healthy food choices available here and the fact that so much is organic. All the disposable plates were recyclable, the cutlery was bambo and fairtrade tea, yet again. I tried my first flapjack – can I just say YUM!

Probably the best part for the girls was this great interactive area. We probably spent around an hour here, but it was a bit overrun with bad mannnered school kids.

We then walked next door to the Natural History Museum. This was just one of the entrances.

This was another caotic, busy, hard to find your way around museum. We decided to leave lunch till Harrods so had a quick snack. I had organic popcorn! We then set off to explore.

Can’t say I particularly enjoyed my visit here but Amy was in one of her “tween” moods which didn’t help. We paid to go “The Deep” exhibition but it was a bit of a fizzler.

I did like seeing the deep sea fish though – very weird!

We then walked to Harrods, stopping along the way for a photo in a red phone booth.

So many beautiful buildings. Especially set against a lovely blue sky.

And so to Harrods….

First stop…FOOD! Another maze of a shop. We eventually found the kid friendly Wonderland cafe. Try not to faint when you see the prices (just under double for Australian dollars).

We ordered 3 bowls of Sweet Potato Soup, which was made with the amazing care and attention. And was delicious!

And a bowl of fries for Christy. Who had fun watching Tom & Jerry while eating her lunch.

We had a visit here from Evil Tween Amy so it was an expensive but not an especially nice lunch. I was mean Mum and made her buy her own water – I refused to pay 4.50 pounds (around $8AU) for a bottle of water, when we had some in our bag.

I had to laugh when I looked out the door of our cafe (with cartoons  on the TV) and across into the next restuarant with a man playing the piano.

We then did a small amount of shopping. The girls were just amazed by the pet section.

And these pet cupcakes look good enough to eat.

We also watch a Vitamix presentation and were amazed to discover all it can make – including hot raw soup. The samples made were delicious and we’re looking forward to playing with our vitamix some more.

Back on the tube. When we got on there was only one seat which I told Amy to sit in as she’d whinged the most. Immediately the man sitting beside her (complete with tattooed scalp) jumped up to give me his seat. Just goes to show you can’t judge manners based on looks. My feet, and I, thanked him, as did Christy who sat on my lap. Back in Southgate we had dinner once again the Charcoal Grill. I ordered the pita with hummus, which was delicious, but too much. We seemed to have a LOT of leftover food tonight.

We then walked home – it was such a warm night and there seemed to be a lot of people around. Still so light at 7pm.

I washed all our underwear in the bath and hung them around the bathroom. We had planned to do a full wash but found out there in no laundromat in Southgate and we’d have to catch the tube and lug all our laundry. Plus we don’t really have the time. So we’ll need to pay to get everything washed on the cruise . We watched a few episodes of Airline and then everyone gradually went off to sleep. I was the last one standing (or lying in bed as the case may be) at 9.30pm.

We have a big day tomorrow – the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Madam Trussards, dinner with an old school friend and seeing the musical Oliver. Can’t believe it’s already our last day in London.

Goldies spotted today – zero

Finally we were greeted with blue skies and sunshine. Today was just what you’d expect for a British Summer day. We woke early again and played on our computers until it was time to get up, get dressed and go down to breakfast. It’s certainly hard trying to keep everyone (well, the kids) quiet until we’re all awake but hopefully they’ll get the hang of it soon – afterall we’re going to be living in the one room for the next 6 weeks!

This morning I chose to have a fried egg on toast…with tea, of course.

We had a chat with the owner Sabiya this morning and Christy played with her gorgeous little boy, before we set off for South Gate and the tube to London.

As expected on a work day it was somewhat busier than on the weekend but being towards the end of the line we were able to get a seat on the way in. We changed at Kings Cross and went on to Tower Hill (so much easier than yesterdays attempt).

It was just amazing. Kevin and I have been before, back in 1997, but couldn’t really remember much of it. It is awesome. So full of history. It is recommended to allow 3 hours here. We spent 5 and still missed doing the Yeoman tour. We did all 5 audio tours.

I was glad we got there just after opening as it got busier as the day went one – which is why we never got around to the yeoman tour. Once again we had an early lunch.

They even had a cute little section “just for kids”

I actually chose a cheese roll from the kids section …. so I could fit it one of the very cute cupcakes . And I loved that the tea was fair trade. I’ve been so impressed with the healthy food and organic choices  in London.

After lunch we continued with the audio tour. Christy bought herself a new favourite toy – which she proceeded to play with all afternoon.

Later went to watch a weapons show. One of the actors was amazed to find a young girl reading this book….

She doesn’t get it from me. I wouldn’t even go into the exhibit on torture and punishment .

Lastly we visited the white tower.

Since it was late in the day it was rather busy but we still managed to see all the amour. Christy was most interested in the childrens and horses armour.

Though in typical child fashion she pointed it that this suit of Henry VIII was indeed that of a adult boy .

One the way out we were lucky enough to catch one of the guard ceremonies.

and have a photo with one of the yeoman warders.

It was now 3pm and we were tired and suffering with sore feet again but we solidered on and caught the tube to Barbican station and walked to the Museum of London. After dropping our bags off (with a great deal of relief) we went in search of food and a rest for our feet. I was SOOO impressed to find this. And somewhat surprised that both Kevin and myself chose to have this for afternoon tea (instead of cake, which would have been the case a year or two ago). It was delicious and the perfect way to refuel.

We then set of to explore…on our own…without a tour or guide…which we prefer not to do. The girls loved this saxon house and Christy played happily for around 15mins… until she got a splinter.

There was enough of interest to have made the trip worthwhile and quite a lot of interactive stuff for the girls to play with.

At 5.30pm our feet were about to give out on us so we headed back to the tube for the ride home. It was crowded and we didn’t manage to get a seat until right towards the end. Like last night we had dinner in South Gate. Tonight we chose Pizza Express (which is a lot more elegant than it sounds).

Tonight the natives played horses & knights.

Kevin and I chose a pizza with the middle dough part missing and replaced by salad – genius I say – and the perfect amount for Kevin & I to share. Best of all – it was SOOO yummy!

Amy had the kids meal which was dough balls (dipped in garlic butter) and pizza.

Christy chose garlic bread – which wasn’t what she expected but she enjoyed all the same.

We then trudged back to the B&B and collapsed onto our beds. Tomorrows plan is the Science Museum, Harrods and maybe Buckingham Palace.

We were all awake by 4.30am – which meant we all got a good nights sleep. We lazed in bed – the girls writing up their diaries and me writing yesterdays blog post. Eventually we got up, got dressed and headed down to breakfast, where we watched the kitties play while Sabiya cooked our breakfast.

Today Kevin and I shared a mushroom, tomato and spring onion omelette. It was DELICIOUS!

Then it was time to don our jackets and head outdoors. It was VERY cold and we quickly realized we needed another layer (and some socks) for Christy. Who would think it’s mid Summer?

We caught the bus again…

Then the tube, only to discover the circle line was out of operation. We found out how to get to the next station to the Tower of London but realized we’d lost a good hour and a half of the day. Instead we decided to go to the British Museum. We finally got their around 11am.

By the time we got in, dropped our jackets and bags in the kids area, and decided what we wanted to do, it was 11.30am and I thought an early lunch before starting out might be a good idea. I chose a leek and potato soup but it wasn’t that good – too many leaks I think – so I just at the baguette it came with – and half of Christy’s cookie.

Then it was time to start our audio tour. We went with the kids tour guides that had the option of listen to the adult commentary. It worked really well. Both the girls thoroughly enjoyed it (as did Kevin and I). We did 3 of the tours – Ancient Egypt, Early Britain and Ancient Greece.

Here’s a collage of some of what we saw.

Highlights would be the Rosetta Stone…

and the Parthenon Freeze.

Christy loved this little hippo that we saw in the souvenier shop. Of course, we’d missed it on the tour so had to go back in search of it. She was a bit surprised it was so small. I was amazed it was over 4000 years old.

Kevin made us have a photo with this bronze statue. Apparently it’s famous and we have a documentary about it at home. Christy was quick to point at this it is, in fact, a boy!

Finally, with VERY sore feet, it was time to leave the museum and had to the markets – Covent Garden Markets that is. It was probably around a 15min walk.

The girls loved the street performers.

I loved finding a Whittards store. I was very restrained and only bought a few things.

Just look what I had to tempt me.

We bought an ice-cream from Thorntons – Kevin & I had raspberry and cream and boy was it yummy. We sat in the sunshine to enjoy it.

We then spent around half and hour relaxing and enjoying this street performer, who ended his rather funny routine with a tightrope walk.

We then explored the market section. I got myself a lovely handmade wooden vase and flowers, and Amy bought herself this very cute hat.

Then it was time to catch the tube and bus back to Southgate where we had dinner.

The natives were acting a little strange.

I order the vegetables with rice. Totally delicious. You just can’t order a meal like this in Australia.

We then walked back to the B&B and relaxed for a bit before going to sleep. Tomorrow we hope to make it to the Tower of London.

And you’ll be happy to know today Christy spotted not one, but two Goldies.

No more green smoothies for 6 whole weeks.

Just wanted to let you know there will no further posts on this blog while we are on vacation in the UK. I will however be blogging whenever possible and will be sure to share LOTS of great food over at Life is Journey, Not a Destination. Hope to see you there.

It’s a new week and I’m ready to get back on the healthy eating wagon. Started the day with a lovely walk by the lake and a green smoothie.

Then it was on with cleaning the house and a yummy falafel salad for lunch.

Afternoon tea was some tiny teddies I found while cleaning out the kitchen .

Dinner was a burritos made with TVP, cheese and tomato. And don’t you just love how bright tonights photo is? Kevin got me a new camera – isn’t he a sweetie! I can’t believe how much better it is.

And supper…the last of the ice cream (no more until we’re back from the UK) and a choc strawberry bought yesterday.

I’m all geared up and ready to get back on track with the Red Carpet Ready program. Which means no cakes, cookies, lollies, ice cream and only the occasional dark chocolate until we leave for the UK in 5.5 weeks. It’s crunch time!

It was  a beautiful Sunday here – definitely more Summer than Autumn. I started the day with what else but a cup of tea and a piece of banana cake . Everyone played on their computer until Amy decided she would make us breakfast. How lucky am I? It’s not even Mothers Day till next Sunday.

She made us scrambled eggs, tinned spaghetti and toast. Served on our special plates .

We had planned to go on a bike ride and have lunch out but at about 11am I started feeling icky in the stomach and a bit light-headed. I had some cruskits with cottage cheese to see if that helped.

It didn’t – so I tried some chocolate – thinking maybe some sugar might do the trick. It didn’t work either so we decided to stay in for the day.

I didn’t really feel like eating but made myself have a salad (featuring falafel and homemade hummus) around 2pm.

I did start to feel better which was good. I was able to enjoy some afternoon tea.

We put on Avatar to watch and the girls decided they wanted popcorn. I wasn’t go to have any (since I’d already had the above) but it smelled good so I had a little bowl.

Drizzled with a bit of melted butter…

We ended up having a late dinner. It was new recipe tonight – tofu & noodle stir-fry – which was a bit too fiddly for a Sunday night. Amy didn’t like it. I thought it was okay. Kevin really enjoyed it.

Made a cup of tea to have in bed with an orange chocolate bar.

Woke up at 6am with a rather sore back this morning. It tends to get sore when I sit around for long periods of time like I did over the weekend . Oh, well, guess it stops me from being too lazy as I know I’ll suffer later. Anyway, I was out the door with dogs while it still dark but light enough to see safely. I love walking at this time of day – mind you we were too early for the best part of the sunrise .  It was cool out this morning and I had to wear long sleeves AND a jacket.

Back home and getting ready for the day. We saw Amy off – she’s going to camp for the rest of the week and Kevin was dropping her at the train station. Christy and I enjoyed a very quiet breakfast together – she had french toast and I had two of the leftover oat pancakes with some raspberry jam.

Once Christy headed off the school I got stuck into the housework. Once I was done I had a green smoothie before heading off to get my groceries. I spotted this yummy looking salad and have printed up the recipe to make another day.

Back home with the groceries. I got everything unpacked and put away. Then it was time for lunch. I had hoped to make the above mention salad but I was too tired at this point so just made the usual. Todays featured topping – leftover Mexican Rice from last night. Tasted good.

This afternoon I managed to do a bit of scrapbooking while enjoying a cup of tea. I wanted a little “something” so had an ANZAC cookie and small dark orange chocolate bar.

Later, around 4pm, I had a piece of cape-seed bread with hummus and cheese. I put the grapes from Christy’s lunch in a bowl and munched on them a bit later.

It was a quiet dinner with Amy being away. I planned an easy dinner of microwave potato topped with mexican beans, cheese and bit of sour cream.

Later I enjoyed a cup of tea with a banana goji berry muffin (defrosted from the freezer) and some dark chocolate.

And just before going to bed I had a handful of rice crackers – left over from Christy’s lunch!

Today I went to see a natruopath. I’ve never done anything like it before but am desperate to find some relief for the swollen hands & feet I’ve been dealing for over 5 years. Each Summer they get worse and worse and I’ve just had enough. Specialists have ruled out carpel tunnel and arthritis and my doc told me I’d just have to live with it!!

The naturopath was a little bit woo woo for my liking but everything he touched on was along the lines I was thinking from my own reading. Basically he said I need to eliminate wheat and dairy from my diet. Plus take the supplements he has given me. I will definitely give this a good go – but I told him I’m not starting the diet until AFTER Easter .

I don’t think wheat will be too much of a problem as I can still have spelt and rye, and dairy as far as milk goes will be okay…but cheese….I LOVE cheese…..hope soy cheese tastes okay and works in our recipes . Ethically and health wise I think giving up dairy will be a good thing and it’s something I have been considering for a time. Let’s just hope this gets some results.

Okay everyone. I need your honest opinions. I’m quite happy doing a daily blog post but I want you, my readers, to be happy as well.  I know everyone has limited computer time and there are so many wonderful blogs out there and I don’t want you losing interest or struggling to keep up. So please let me know if you’d like to continue seeing a daily post or if you’d prefer them a little less frequent.