Sunday 29 May - a day out in London

Our plan had originally been to go to the Lake District for the day (a long way, I know!) but the weather was looking a bit iffy so we plumped for London instead. No problems with the car this time, thank goodness, and the journey down was smooth and trouble-free.

We parked on the road running through Hyde Park, had some of our picnic and then embarked on a very long walk! We visited the Princess Diana Memorial fountain first where a lot of children were having fun splashing in the water running down to the pool at the bottom (including my two who seem to get younger whenever water is around).

A rose in the Rose Garden, Hyde Park

We ambled off to Hyde Park corner and down to Buckingham Palace where all the roads were closed in advance of a 10km run on Monday. The place was heaving with tourists, and lots of Barcelona fans in particular who'd been at Wembly the night before for the Championship final with Manchester United. We followed the Mall up to Trafalgar Square and then down to Downing Street passing Horseguards Parade on the way and two very patient and long-suffering guards.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this taxi!

We continued past the Cenotaph to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and then the Thames itself which we crossed via Lambeth Bridge which gave us fantastic views of some of the most iconic buildings in London. As our feet were aching a bit by now, we stopped for coffee and cake on The Embankment and then made our way back to Westminster tube station where we were going to get the underground to Hyde Park Corner. However, when we found it would cost us £16 for two or three stops, we rapidly changed our minds and walked back, this time going through St James's Park which was ablaze with spring flowers.

Anti-war demonstration following Obama's visit to London last week.

Back in Hyde Park the children begged us to take a pedalo out onto the Serpentine but our feet were well and truly aching now and as they wanted £20 for 30 minutes it gave us the perfect excuse to say no...aren't we stingy!!

We thankfully collapsed into our car, had a good long drink and something to eat before heading home. Again, the journey was very good and within two hours we were home which is a miracle seeing how London roads are so busy!