Making the Most of our Merlin Pass - Thorpe Park

Another day, another theme park. Thorpe Park, for a change. It's mostly aimed at teenagers really, but there are a few little rides for George, some big ones for Daddy, and some medium ones that they both like.

I think Daddy slightly regretted this one:

Cultural Weekend

Our first weekend at home for ages, so we went out and about in London. (George is now thoroughly confused about where London is because he knows we live in London, but we also sometimes "go to" London. So he thinks there are at least two places called London.)

We went to a proper West End Theatre to see "Room on the Broom". George sat still and watched it relatively quietly - it was an entertaining production (although Daddy wasn't impressed).

We had lunch at the Tokyo Diner where George was disappointed to discover that not all sushi is Yo! Sushi, but still managed to wolf down everyone's raw salmon. Then we got soaking wet in a summer downpour, before heading back on the train to the tune of "Underground Ernie".

There was more Underground Ernie the next day when we visited the Transport Museum. We also had an American-style breakfast and paid a visit to Hamleys.

George driving the bus.

Wedding Day!

Mummy's god-daughter Annajoy got married to Ian in the big Catholic Church in Bognor Regis. Waiting for the bride to arrive, George asked in a loud voice "When is the show going to start?"

He did quite well at the reception, until the point at which he threw up everywhere. At least this time he waited until after the ceremony - unlike at our own wedding!

George's First(ish) film

Although we went to a Baby screening when George was a few months old, I don't think he actually paid any attention to the film, so we're counting this as his first cinema trip.

The film was Toy Story 3 (none of us have seen 1 or 2) and Daddy insisted that we saw the 3D version which meant we all had to wear essentially pointless glasses - George got bored with his halfway through but I don't think he missed much by taking them off.

Camping Part Two - The Campsite: Burnbake

Back from Latitude for long enough to wash our clothes before packing them again to go off camping - the real deal this time, at a campsite in Dorset.

We were part of a kind of commune including Sarah and Lynn and Toby and Ruby and Jason, Kate and Alun and Betty and Beau, Kate and Mark and George and Tom, and David. Daddy stayed with us for the weekend and then went back to work while we stayed on and George became more and more feral as the week progressed!

This was the only spot where we could get a phone signal - just above our camping spot in the forest outside the site.
We spent a couple of days on the beach, where George discovered that the sea is very cold and decided that he doesn't like seaweed. He was very excited to have a trip in a dinghy as well (photos to follow when the waterproof camera gets developed.)

Rope swings were to be found all over the site - towards the end of our stay we even put one up ourselves next to our tent. This one was part of the official play area - which consisted of a slide with no steps and a variety of pieces of rope with bits of wood tied to them!

Camping Part One - The Festival: Latitude

George's third festival! Our first time at Latitude. As far as George was concerned the whole point of the exercise was to act as a backdrop to the children's play area.

He did enjoy the bedtime story in the Literature Tent, but was also quite keen for it to end so that he could go and climb on the big books outside.
Having seen other parents at Festivals with little wagons for their children, we decided to join the ranks. It proved very handy for transporting all our gear from the car to the campsite, and in the evenings George went to sleep in it while we listened to bands. He was the subject of much envy from other festivalgoers.

Godstone Farm

Our usual farm trip is to Horton Park Farm (because it's near to Chessington and the Massive Car Boot Sale) but today we were out with Kate and Betty and Beau, so we headed in the opposite direction to Horton Park's sister farm, Godstone.

(This was the farm which had the e-coli problem last year - it still seemed not very busy, and every 2 metres was some form of information sign or leaflet about how best to wash your hands.)

As per normal, George showed little or no interest in the animals, but enjoyed all of the play areas, inside and out.