Making Good Use: What I Did on My Holiday

I know I wasn't strictly 'on holiday' but having my sister and nephew to stay, and getting to go out and about with them, was nicer than actually going away. I had a lovely time and didn't even have to pack a suitcase.

Fortuitously, we went off to Southend on Sea on Wednesday, which was a piece of good luck as it was the only warm day out of the six days they were here.

My nephew just loves Southend and spends hours just splashing around in the sea. Having had a very quick paddle myself, I've no idea how he can immerse himself in such chilly water for so long but he can, and he really enjoys himself.

Thursday was spent at the Tower of London. Both my sister and I enjoyed ourselves but my nephew pronounced it 'boring' and said the best part of the visit was the guidebook I bought him!! Although it was a tad chilly, we were lucky that it wasn't actually raining most of the day - the thought of all those tourists armed with dripping umbrellas would be the stuff of nightmares. The queue to see the Crown Jewels was just too long to even contemplate standing in it, but the Bloody Tower, Traitor's Gate and the White Tower were all easy to see and very interesting.

The ravens were in place but I was disappointed to discover that they clip their wings to stop them flying away (legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower then England will fall.) Mind you, with accommodation as luxurious as this I'm not surprised they don't want to leave!

Friday was somewhat monsoon-like weather-wise so we went to an indoor soft-play area in Basildon. It was a great day for all of us as my sister and I could sit down and have a really nice lunch and a long chat, whilst my nephew threw himself around the equipment with the sort of energy only a seven-year-old can possess.

Saturday was another trip to London - this time to see the well-worth-a-visit Winston Churchill's Britain at War Experience. We all enjoyed this a great deal.

There were all sorts of things to interest my nephew - especially all the uniforms he could try on - and wonderful displays and artefacts that my sister and I enjoyed too.

The highlight of the whole thing is the 'Blitz Experience' which was very well done. Unlike the Tower of London, there weren't too many crowds and it was wonderful to be able to take our time and look around without being pushed and shoved all the time.

A packed lunch was eaten by the Thames with this fabulous picture-postcard view to enjoy.

After lunch, it was on with the 'war' theme of the day and a visit to the Imperial War Museum. This was just the place for my nephew - tanks, cannons, submarines etc as far as the eye could see. The building itself was spectacular and both my sister and I wondered what it had originally been - a quick Google search revealed it used to be part of the old Bethlem Royal Hospital, more commonly known as 'Bedlam'.

There was also a Wartime Farm exhibit in the grounds with live animals (except for the try-your-hand-at-milking-a-cow model - that was plastic), which he also enjoyed greatly.

Sunday was the car boot sale (see yesterday's post) and a barbecue in the evening and then yesterday I waved them off on the train back to Bristol. Those six days went by so quickly, we all had a wonderful time and I was really sad to see them go.

Comments

Your holiday at home looks really exciting. I love the pictures, especially the one of the Thames with the big boat. Some ideas for me there, when I get round to going.

Posted by: ilona | 08/17/2010 at 07:02 PM