Cars 2 in 3D

As I've mentioned before, Donncha and I are not huge cinema goers. As a couple we have only been to the cinema together once; Bend It Like Beckam in Notting Hill Gate and I don't think Donncha has ever been to the cinema in Brunei. The last time I went was to High School Musical3 in 2008 which brings my total of cinema visits in Brunei to 2!

So today was a special occasion when I decided to take the kids to see Cars 2 here in Cork (the weather played a huge part in that decision). But really we had a great afternoon and the kids were so excited (especially as Ruairi was with us) though poor Ayden fell asleep 15 minutes to the end. We all loved the movie and guess what - I think we should do this more often!

London = Friends

Whether in London for a night or a week there is alway a friend to catch up with. I must though apologise to all the friends that we did not manage to meet - I underestimated the hassles of traveling round London with 3 children and always going places to keep them entertained. Mental note for next year; playgrounds work, museums not so!

We went to Chiswick one afternoon with Skye and get re-acquainted with Ben who we haven't seen for 3 and a half years. Picture below is the reading shed in Ben's school playground that Skye helped decorate.

And the part the kids loved most was the playground across the road from Skye's place.

Ben teaching them a trick using flower buds.

On another occasion we went to meet our long time friend Liz Bryant who I have known since my early teens. The London Dockland Museum wasn't such a huge success with the kids but they enjoyed chatting to Liz and it was wonderful to sit down and catch up with her. Thank you again Liz for coming to meet us!

Fish & Footy

A boys evening out really. Early dinner close to the apartment and then a Europa League game at Craven Cottage. We found a lovely little diner up the road which really lived up to the image of the shop. Fish was very fresh and the chips as they should be.

After dinner, we hopped onto the bus and headed to Craven Cottage to meet with a colleague of Donncha's and his two boys. We ended up in the Fulham home end with some choice songs getting an airing - the ladies sitting next to us were full of apologies especially when they started singing some compliments of the opposition (who happened to be from Northern Ireland).

4-0 to Fulham but more importantly, at least one complete convert. Jack absolutely loved it and really got into the game and the audience participation. He also took notes on how to tackle (a current weak-point in Jack's game). Iman and Jack enjoyed themselves, but Jack wore a smile that reflected that he had found his space.

Both boys were comfortable at the end of the game to sit with Neal and his lads, enjoying the closing moments.

McCarthys land on Legoland!

We have been talking about this day for months and had been a great bargaining chip for me! I'm not big on rides and it was great to have cousins Aimi and Raimi with us for the day. The weather wasn't great but I think worked to our advantage as the park was not hugely busy and the most we had to wait was between 15 to 30 minutes.

I still can't believe that Iman and Jack went on this sizeable pirate ship. They absolutely loved it though I was worried about Jack. I think I would have cried myself!

In the meantime Ayden was exploring this pirates training camp!

Gold panning seemed a great idea until they got very wet!

So they all had to get dried off.

This was tricky for Ayden. Funny how most of the people queueing for this ride were adult men and without children!

We bumped into the Kyles, friends from Brunei at this ride. Such a small world!

And lastly probably my most favorite part of the park!

London = Walking

The kids learnt the hard way that London is all about walking. On Monday morning we started off at Queensway end of the park. Of course the Diana playground was still closed so we headed to Ken Church Street for a cookie and cup of tea. Back to the park and after a play, down to Ken High Street to catch the bus to The Natural History Museum.

We were then joined by my friend Bani and our old friend "Uncle" Gavin who happened to be passing through. Natural History was fun even though the main dinosaur section was closed (the main reason for going) and we instead had to pay 28 pounds to go into "special" dino exhibit which had moving dinos in. With that price you would expect a hall full of them but there was about 2 - and Jack was petrified! We went to other sections of the museum but the kids quickly lost interest.

So what to do with them now? Back though the park to meet up with Donncha and we eventually did a full square and more. I thought it was good day's walking but we had serious complaints at the end!