London Wonderful London Part one

It would be so easy for me right now to just hide away from the world and plan things to do once I feel better. I do feel like I am hidden away in some ways because I can't work but I find myself going out more by myself and enjoying chatting to people, something that last year I didn't think I would ever be able to do. I still get a but lost if the conversation involves more than one person but hopefully that will get easier with time too.

I had an amazing time in London recently and am super proud of myself for going on this trip. 

We arrived at London Victoria coach station and made our way across the road and only a short distance away to Victoria Underground station, I managed the steps pretty well and after a straightforward journey on the District Line we soon arrived at our home for the next few days Aldgate East. I always get a bit nervous about finding places from the stations as they normally state head North, East, South or West up a certain street. It would make much more sense to me to label the pavements with the above as it doesn't make any sense in my head. We walked out onto Leman Street and followed the boys who seem to understand these matters more (to those who get confused like me, when you come out of the tube station you are told to head south which to me means head right down Leman Street)  and within a couple of minutes we came across Alfie Street

 and from here we could see the Premier inn 

I love Premier Inns and have stayed a few times in various ones in London and Bristol areas. We had arrived earlier than check in was due to start but would have been happy just to leave our suitcases there at this point but they gave us our room keys and even made a few rearrangements so that we could be fairly close together, in the two rooms that we had booked, The receptionist was lovely and took the time to have a little chat with us too, (my very first proper job was a Hotel Receptionist. I loved it and loved meeting new people and making them feel welcome. I also loved all the admin and organising that came with it.) Danny loved the fact that there were vending machines selling drinks, snacks snd some toiletries.

We very quickly dropped our cases in, freshened up a bit  and headed towards London Bridge. Again this was a simple tube journey on the District Line to Monument with no escalators. 

We didn't immediately see any sign of London Bridge but it wasn't far from the station. 

This here was the main reason for wanting to walk over London Bridge. What a lovely view of Tower Bridge. 

We also saw The Shard. Once over the other side we walked through Borough Market.

Smelling and looking at all the delicious food. I will definitely be back here one day with an empty belly and a purse full of cash. We then found ourselves walking past The Clink 

We didn't actually go into this Museum but have added this to our to do list because Cerys was very intrigued by this.

This was my reason for wanting to visit this part of London. It's not just any old pub but an historical pub. I had pictured myself sitting in the beer garden looking at St a Pauls Catherdral with my glass of wine. 

 Tick :) It felt as good as I had imagined these past few weeks.

Honestly I'm not obsessed with Premier Inns but Premier Inn Southwark is near by this pub so I would love to try that one out next time I am in a London. I fell in love with this area and could quite happily just spend a few days around these small parts. 

We headed back the same way that we had came (spot The Gherkin :) ) 

Danny tried some Egyptian food while the others tried some Hot Dogs 

We then made our way on the District line yet again to Westminister for Cerys to see Big Ben- which was the main reason why she wanted to visit London. We ended up getting separated by here which led to me not swiping my Oyster Card because Ceri was looking after it for me. From that moment on I got a bit braver and kept my Oyster card in my pocket. I would bring a small over the shoulder bag to accompany a backpack next time but you live and learn. I managed to sort out a refund for my mistake on my Oyster card luckily whilst I was there. 

We then walked around to Buckingham Palace 

Then headed down The Mall in search of a Bella Italia as we had a voucher for 25 percent off food there. We went to The Strand. My battery on my phone was low at this point so I have no photos of this. We had the Pane Bella  to start with the Balsamic vinegar and olive oil, I wish you didn't have to choose between this and the Mascarpone and Spinach dip as I enjoy both equally, I followed with the Cannelloni Ricotta which was nice but not something that I would be that excited to try again.

We had then come to the end of a very eventful and jam packed day one and headed back to Aldgate East from Enbankment all ready for our beds. 

Day Two 

I was up pretty early this morning and unpacked our case before we headed for breakfast. We were greeted by such lovely staff who could not have done enough for you.  They offer a wonderful choice of food that would cater for almost Any tastes. 

I really enjoyed my breakfast there each day. Myself, Mum and Cerys had booked to go to Madam Tussards this particular day, our slot was 11:15 to 11:30 so we made our way to Baker Street after breakfast.  A simple tube journey on The Hammersmith and City Line with no escalators and we were had arrived. 

I shall have to abandon this London diary here for now as I started writing it on my phone and knew how to get photos on here very easily but I am now writing on a Chromebook- Thanks so much Claire :) I'm still learning how to use it. My brain is slower than it used to be but I shall get there and I will come back to write London part two when I feel like I can and keep this updated as I miss it but a change such as a swap of a technological device is such a big deal to me and my now brain right now. 

Lego birthday

I was determined to make my daughters birthday a extra special one the year, through not fault of her own it has not been the easiest times of late. I wanted to achieve this for not only her but to also prove to myself that I could organise a party. Something that I have always loved to do. She originally wanted a lego themed party in a hall with a bouncy castle but everybody of course has the right to have a change of mind and suddenly she wanted to go to Legoland with Mummy. We are aiming to do this in the summer. It will give me a chance to plan, save and get stronger as no doubt she will ask me to do things there that will test me and I am trying really hard to be a "yes" person obviously whilst being sensible, I am making the most of my time at home at the moment and looking out for deals for anything legoland and london related. 

Her actual birthday fell on a weekday and  I am pleased to say I remembered a present, wrapping paper, birthday card, banners and birthday badge. I made her a voucher which entitled her to a lego party (we decided to do a house party with her friends at the weekend) and one trip to legoland and london. I had made the cupcakes for her party so placed some of these in the shape of a 7 for the morning of her birthday. 

We invited Nanny to have birthday breakfast with us

And she had a kindle as her present 

She went off for a day in school, she has never forgotten the first day she ever had her birthday in school, I had packed a cake and a note from me in her lunch box and she had kept mentioning this prior to her birthday. I think I did a pretty good at pretending I was not really listening to her properly and once again she had a note and a cake in her lunch box . She was delighted. 

We went for a birthday tea with Nanny L and Daddy after school and had lots of fun. 

Then at the weekend we got ready for her lego party. 

They played a few games but I did not get any photos of those as I was a bit busy and was also using my phone for music. Spotify is my new best friend. Lego spoon race was great fun. I tried to organise it well but in the end it was a case of "if you have got a spoon in your hand, pick up some lego and run" I think they all enjoyed it. I was pleased that it went so well, pleased that Cerys enjoyed it and so happy that my brain didn't get too tired to cope. The only thing I forgot was napkins which my mum kindly helped me out by plating up pieces of cake while the guests were still at the party. Daddy had provided the alternative to booty bags which were lego sets for the boys and a lego book for the girls. 

We continued the festivities by all gathering at my mums house to watch the Eurovision Song Contest. We had all chosen country's to cheer on and my sister had put in a little kitty for the winner. It did make it so much more fun. What a lovely day :) 

Escalators and fighting with numbers

Cerys

Me and my daughter have been fine throughout this awful period of our lives but these last few weeks have been a bit strange for us both, I think it is because this time last year I was not feeling 100 %,  obviously I did not know at that time that I had a blood vessel in my brain which was about to erupt and was suffering with a severe case of vitamin b12 defiency and anaemia. My life was a stressy mess to be honest. I was so tired all of the time and struggling with everyday life. Because it is her birthday 21st May and I had the stroke 5th June (I found her birthday cards and banners still up when I finally was allowed home) we can remember this time of year rather plainly. She did have a party last year but not a full blown up affair like I normally like to do as I was too tired. She enjoyed it though all the same. Anyway, I am getting distracted here, I could not love this girl anymore than I do. She is my world and my best buddy but over these last few weeks the love has just somehow got even stronger. We are so happy and so close. It is fabulous. My brain had been reborn and with that has made my love for my daughter even stronger than it was before. I am doing well with this always look on the side malarky. 

She had asked for a party in a hall with a bouncy castle. I have been trying to arrange it but we have had a change of plan. She now would like to go to Legoland. I can not take her on her actual birthday but we have planned at some point this year to go to London to see Big Ben (her request) so we will need to make a stop at legoland the same time. I will need to start arranging this shortly but I also need to tackle the issue of escalators. :s I am terrified of getting my right leg on but my left leg just not following etc. So I am going to have to start with quiet local places first and get on every escalator I can. 

I am also very excited, that she would like a small tea party/ lego themed. I have the lego invites on order (first job done) 

I went to a literacy and numeracy meeting in her school last week. I walked there all on my own. Managed to hold all the paperwork when we sat and listened although I did then leave it all in her classroom. Oh dear. I also had to decline a cup of coffee as there was no table and can only imagine the state I would have got in trying to hold a cup and papers whilst  also trying to listen and concentrate. The speaker was very interesting and there was a logic puzzle on the board for the parents to have a go at. I used to adore and I mean seriously love logic puzzles but I looked at it and my brain kinda thought nope, not a chance mate. It made me chuckle inside when the lady speaking said some children would look at it and think no I can't do it without even trying. As that is exactly what I was thinking. I have never been the type of person who would just give up, I would need to solve it. I really wish I could say thank you to that lady as it wasn't until later that evening I thought to myself if I am finding numbers and logic hard right now, I need to work at it until it is no longer so hard just like I have done with everything else. So, Myself and Cerys are learning maths together right now and I need to purchase a new logic book. Wish me luck! :)