This past month we’ve been trying to take in a few more of the nifty historical attractions in the area. Jess and Dave are mad for this stuff, Spence quite enjoys it and Aidan and Terran always find something fun to do wherever we go. I just love exploring and being out with my wonderful family so I’m happy to go wherever. Taija is still resolute in her hatred of all of these day trips and tours. Luckily for her most of the trips lately have turned into quick trips racing past whatever we went to see.
Three weeks ago we decided to spend a late Saturday afternoon in Crystal Palace Park with Dave. The kids and I had been once already on Jesse’s birthday. We entered the park on the far side from the dinosaurs, which was the thing Jess most wanted to go see there so we all ended up schlepping through the park to find them and then doing a quick run by of them before trying to find our way home by bus so we could pack to leave for France the following day and I could make a birthday lemon cheesecake.
Dave driving us meant that we could park close to the dinos and that we wouldn’t run the risk of accidentally ending up in Penge. It was a gorgeous day and just right for a leisurely stroll through the park.
groovy Dinos in the park
These are just weird. Victorian Paleontology at it's finest
Aidan had fun running ahead and taking pictures
Taija on the steps of what used to be the Palace
Our original plan for the Saturday had been Stonehenge but after some consideration we thought it best to plan ahead a bit and get up bright and early and head out on the Sunday which is what we did, sort of. Dave and I didn’t wake up quite as early or get moving quite as quickly as we’d planned and by the time we had packed some food for the road and stopped for petrol and such we were getting away later than intended. We got a bit turned around at one point as well which made us even later. We still arrived in plenty of time to have a nice afternoon checking out the henge. We also arrived just in time for the most torrential downpour we’ve experienced since landing in the UK. After looking at admission prices ( and seriously, they charge admission to get you on the other side of a fence, just a bit closer than if you didn’t pay and just looked from the parking lot, but no matter. We came to see Stonehenge and we were going to pay and go see it!) we decided to spend the extra money and get an English Heritage Family Pass so that we could come back to Stonehenge again as well as take in tons of other really nifty stuff for the rest of the year. Dave was handling the transaction with the very kind woman behind the counter and being adorable, charming and maddening in a way that only he can which prompted this kind woman to look at me and ask goodnaturedly ” is he always like this”? to which I answered smartly ” no, usually he is much, much worse”
With our pass in hand we ventured out and made our way to the stones as the rain began to come down in earnest. We sped up thinking it’s just a little rain and we’re already here. By the time we were halfway around the rain was blowing sideways and had turned to more of a slushy-sleety sort of stuff that reminded me of Ooblek. We were all drenched to the skin and pretty well running around the lovely stones at that point. I kept taking pictures but couldn’t actually see much of what I was taking pictures of because the rain was so heavy. We raced back to the car and had a bit of a look from the car park. We had some snacks and looked through our new English Heritage booklet and thought about other fun day trips we could take, including a trip back to Stonehenge in less hostile weather.
Here are some pictures from our race around the Henge
Our first look and the clouds are rolling in
So cool to be standing there!!
Soggy Terran
Crazy Rain!
Spence and Aidan drenched and hurrying along
unbelievably wet
A last look ...but we'll be back in sunnier weather
This past Sunday we decided it was time to try out another attraction and use our pass again. We chose the site of The Battle of Hastings. ( for some Battle of Hastings Edutainment check this out ) There’d be a bit to see, some walking around outdoors, there was a kids play area and it was battle themed so Aidan and Terran would like it and it shouldn’t be too, too boring for Miss Taija. We packed some snacks and our book and headed off with a plan for a lovely afternoon exploring battlefields and some fish and chips for supper. Perfect day! The weather cooperated and we did have a gorgeous day for it. Once again, the morning got away from us and our plan to stop on the way in Bromley at a mall to find Aidan and Terran some much needed shoes and a jacket for Spence took far longer than planned and culminated in us watching the meter maid leave us a parking ticket as we walked up the street (Three minutes…give us a break!!) We eventually found our way out of the city and to the site. We were later than we meant to be but not concerned as our English Heritage guide book said it was open until 6pm so still plenty of time for us to have a good look around. When we went to the counter however we were informed that they closed at 4pm and it was already 3:30. ( We had been given last year’s guide book and they’d changed their opening times since) They did say that although the abbey and museum closed we were free to walk the grounds after closing and just go out through the gate. So, another speedy tour it was! We had enough time to see everything quickly and get some good pictures and then took our time strolling around outside. It was a great day!
The tower from the outside where we hung out reading signs and plaques not knowing we only had a short time there
up the stairs we go
Aidan on his way back down
the stairs were amazing
Taija trying to make the best of it
The flowers were all in bloom. Such a gorgeous spring day
the incredible ceiling in the dormitory
pillar in the dorms
Terran, not quite in focus but so cute!
This is a door in a gate outside. Just so cool and beautiful
a close up of the handle
The Coons Clan minus mum
I love groovy old trees
I can't resist climbing cool trees either. I nearly killed myself trying to climb in those boots though. I am really a barefoot tree climbing girl.
Taija found a bench as usual
Terran and Dave after their long discussion on " where did people start"? I love Terran's happy smile!
Aidan looking considerably more cheerful than he did when we first got to London! He's actually starting to like it here
We haven’t planned the next outing yet. There are some great looking castles though so I’m thinking perhaps one of those next. We have a very busy April and then Grandma Jude will be here for May ( hurray!) . Dave and I are off to Majorca while she’s here for a quick 2 night getaway and then we’re all off for a nice little stay in Ireland at a great house that Jude found for us. Fun! June looks like we have some friends coming to visit, July we’ve got HESFES and the London Unschooling Conference ( both of which I’m teaching Yoga at~ check the new website More of Spencer’s lovely design work) and then we’re into August. Before we know it we’ll be celebrating being in England for a year!
I think that’s about it for today. I must scoot and get the kids ready to leave. We’re off to the British Museum for a bit this afternoon and then meeting up with poppa at his office and heading out for dinner.
