Bonding

Sometimes the best thing for our boys is to separate them for a bit. John and I toured Parliament today, then I found the major James Bond sites in London. Jessica took Dinah and Daniel to the Transport Museum and then the kids to the Princess Diana Memorial Park. As such, today’s post will be separated into two parts.

Parliament & James Bond

The tour for Parliament begins in Westminster Hall, which was built in 1099 and has survived bombings and the great fire. A few big things happened in that room, such as the trial of Thomas More and William Wallace (you might call him Braveheart). Winston Churchill lied in state here. Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama addressed Parliament here.

In the Queen’s Robing Room, John let me know he had to go to the bathroom. It’s the second room on the tour. He was advised that he needs to tell me these things before the tour starts. By the House of Lords chamber, he clearly was having trouble paying any attention at all. We asked if there would be a break on the tour. The answer, “If it’s urgent, a security guard can take you. Is it urgent?” John looked at her and said, “No.” She walked away, then he turned to me: “What’s urgent mean?”

By the House of Commons chamber, he told me, “It’s urgent.” This was the room I most wanted to stand in. I told him to “wait, we’re almost done.” He almost peed on the floor in the chamber. He probably wouldn’t be the first.

There are a few key James Bond sites in London. Ian Fleming wrote the novels here and at Goldeneye in Jamaica. I’ve now read some of those novels on a beach in Jamaica and in a London flat. I’ve now had a martini at Ian Fleming’s favorite bar and have seen his house where he wrote. Some of you may recall that we drank our way through all 23 Bond films last year leading up to Skyfall. I think I’m now qualified to write the next movie.

Original timbers from the 11th Century. Ain't no bombs or Nazis gonna take this place out.

The MI6 headquarters, home of Bond’s employer, the British Secret Intelligence Service. The building is affectionately called Legoland - more to come on the real Legoland.

DUKE’s Bar, where Ian Fleming received the inspiration for “shaken, not stirred,” is said to have the best martinis in London.

A Vesper martini, made to specification from Casino Royale.

Ian Fleming's home in London where he wrote some of the early novels. Stopping by was not creepy because he's dead and doesn't live there anymore.

Transport Museum & Princess Diana Memorial Park

Daniel, Dinah and I started off the day journeying to London’s Transport Museum.  Here, Daniel learned that in the mid 1800s, at the age of 6, he would have been put to work cleaning up horse manure from the streets.  He’s glad he lives in the 21^st century.  The museum had plenty of hands-on exhibits to keep Daniel entertained, and plenty of hands-on boy toddlers to keep Dinah busy too. 

We also walked through Covent Garden Market, where we saw fun street performers.  Our favorite was the golden man, who sat still, almost magically, until a couple of ladies walked up close to see if he was real.  He jumped at them, startling most of the assembled crowd and prompting guffaws of laughter from my children.

Magic?  Or magic pants?

After we met up with Doug for a quick pub-grub lunch, the kids and I headed off to the Princess Diana Memorial Park. 

Apparently, when you walk around the streets of London with three kids and only one parent , people think you’re a local.  Three times, people asked for help with directions, only to be sorely disappointed when my American accent indicated I was nearly as clueless as they were.

The kids had a blast at the Peter Pan-themed park.  Kids climbed like monkeys (or sailors) all over a model pirate ship, ran through tipis like natives and waded in the creek.  15 minutes after we arrived, once everyone was thoroughly soaked and covered in sand, Daniel informed me that he had to pee.  If you’ve ever tried to frantically pull socks and shoes onto wet, sandy feet, you know what it was like.  For those of you who haven’t attempted this veteran mom move, imagine trying to dress an angry cat in a dress 3 sizes too small.  That’s a bit what it’s like.

Once we solved Daniel’s bladder problem, the kids played for a while longer and then we braved the Underground home to meet Daddy, who was patiently waiting for us (I have the only key to the flat.)

For our bit, we had a great day with wonderfully behaved children who are now Tube veterans and can hop on and off with the most seasoned businessmen at rush hour.

"I've got this Dinah, don't worry."

Tipi, or I have to pee-pee?