After all the stress of damn infections we set off to London complete with the children on a wild wet Friday afternoon! Walking through the station to the train wasn't too bad - lots of stops but OK. Got the train platform - just through the barriers - the gods were looking after us and then the search for the coach. OMG we had to walk down to the coach where we had reservations. That was very hard. I have learned another lesson - apart from giving ourselves masses of time - walk through the train if possible and next time I shall try to reserve tickets in the middle of the train! Arriving at London Kings Cross was really awful - the wind was howling down the platform and we had to walk the whole length of the train - again next time we will walk through the train regardless of rather difficult guards. The weather was dire - but we got to the taxi with the only need for relievers twice. Off to the hotel - a boutique(ish) hotel just half a mile from Westminster Abbey opposite a lovely square. Great hotel - easy access (apart from about 9 steps on the entrance - but even these were easy) The hotel rooms (apart from the top floor which does not have lift access!) are within easy reach of the lift!
The first evening we went out for dinner to find the restaurant was in the basement descending down a spiral staircase - not a chance! But the staff were lovely and we were given access through the staff lift. To add to the stress levels our youngest daughter started with an horrendous cold during dinner - I have never used so much hand gel!
We visited the Natural History Museum and the V & A and then out to the Jersey Boys only to find the Prince Edward Theatre stalls were downstairs with no lift access but it was OK - we waited until everyone had left and just slowly made our way up. The performance was fantastic - even with the sniffing in my left ear. Sunday was equally manic - I took the girls to the Zoo and Regents Street! My husband took our son to the Sherlock Holmes Museum and could even cope with three/four flights of stairs! The last day was open top bus day (we were very lucky with the weather) and the Buckingham Palace Mews to see the royal coaches.
My husband was very concerned about the return journey but the staff at Kings Cross told me the platform at the information desk half an hour before departure so that we could saunter down to the train. All in all a success.
I was so worried about going and all the potential pitfalls. BUT it was all OK, in fact it was fantastic. I wanted to write this blog to let you all know you can still get out and about - planning and preparation! Enjoy your days. TAD xxx
The Walk Test
Hospital trip.
Tricks of the mind and hospitals
Not the day I expected
Holidays for less able
