Family visits to London to celebrate a birthday - described by Julia

Visiting London for Cami's second birthday 

Day 1 - before travelling

On the Monday before travelling to London to celebrate our granddaughter Cami's second birthday, we went for another Covid boost - our 4th jab - in Oerlikon, north of Zurich. Richard and I got a train straight through to Oerlikon, and it was a very short walk to the vaccination centre where we had made an appointment. And the new Moderna vaccine was administered painlessly, with no subsequent after-effects.

Then we returned home to pack. In spite of years of experience and a pre-planned packing list, we still had a few disagreements about what to take. 

Day 2 - Tuesday 11 October 2022, off to the airport!

Our Swiss flight LX466 to London City was scheduled for 17.35. We took the train to Zurich Flughafen with our two heavy suitcases. At the last minute, I decided to wear my old grey coat, which I found was too warm on the train. Too late to go back though! 

In the park with Clare

On arrival at LCY, we called for an Uber, but it took ages to arrive, about half a hour. I don't think the driver knew the route either, as he had audible directions switched on all the way to the pub, the Crown and Greyhound, where we were staying at the Innkeeper's Lodge hotel. Laura had booked us in there for 4 nights, and we dropped our bags off. Our ground floor room was a suite for a disabled person or couple, with a shower that sprayed water everywhere!  

Later, Laura collected us to go to hers and Dan's home in East Dulwich. Cami was already in bed. 

Richard building Cami's garage

We enjoyed a chicken and pepper tray bake with some white wine, before returning to our hotel. A nice welcome! 

Day 3 - Wednesday 12 October 2022, Cami's second birthday!

We had our first breakfast at the Innkeeper's Lodge. Service was very slow! Eventually Richard helped himself to a glass of orange juice and a coffee for each of us. We ordered a nice-sounding breakfast which took quite a while to arrive. 

After breakfast, we met Laura, Cami and nanny Clare at Gail's Cafe and Bakery next to our hotel. We took Cami a birthday present of a musical Swiss chalet, in addition to the two books already sent from Amazon. Then we walked along to the park nearby, where Cami enjoyed the swings, slides and roundabout.

In the afternoon we looked at Cami's new toys, especially the Duplo. Richard also managed to construct a garage, a present from Lesley and David.

Lesley and Richard

In the evening, the whole of the Newton clan met at Rocca's Italian restaurant near our hotel, the Crown and Greyhound. Cami sat at the head of the table. She wasn't very hungry by then! We met up with David and Cheri, Lesley and David H, Robbie and Kathryn, plus Laura and Dan and me and Richard - we had a very long table with seating for 13 people! The cuisine was Italian and I had a mushroom pizza. We didn't have far to walk home.

Day 4 - Thursday 13 October 2022, British Museum

I had pencilled in Shopping in Oxford Street for today, but Lesley and David wanted to visit the British Museum. We agreed to meet there at 11.00. They arrived first and were waiting inside. We took the P4 bus to Brixton. I had a problem updating my Oyster card at Brixton underground station! Eventually we reached Tottenham Court Road by underground and walked up to the British Museum. The queue wasn't very long!  We met up with L & D and headed first for the Members' Lounge for a coffee.

Part of the Parthenon Marbles - a huge display

Then we spent at least an hour looking round the ground floor exhibits, rather than the Egyptian hieroglyphs that were in a special display with timed entry. The Parthenon Marbles (appropriated by Lord Elgin) formed a fascinating display in Room 18. 

The Lewis Chessmen

After that, we went upstairs to see the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo
treasures in Room 41. Lesley said they had visited the site of the Sutton Hoo excavations in Suffolk.

We had lunch together at a nearby Turkish/Anatolian restaurant, Tas, where I had hummus, pitta and a beer, before splitting up.

We returned later to Laura's where we visited the park again with Cami. In the evening, we shared a takeaway Indian meal with the Newton seniors

Day 5 - Friday 14 October 2022, Shopping in Oxford Street

My main aim for our London visit was shopping in Oxford Street, and Laura offered to go with us. Richard and I took the bus to Brixton station again,

At Marble Arch

and we got the underground to Oxford Circus/Marble Arch. Laura met us at M&S and I looked for a new jacket - I found a nice black and white check one. Richard went to the Men's department for some new tracksuit trousers for jogging. 

We then went to John Lewis and I managed to find a white long-sleeved top to go with the jacket. 

For lunch we went to a place nearby with several food stands where we could choose what we fancied to eat and drink. Richard got me a small beer, but Laura said I shouldn't drink so much.

In the evening we went back to Laura's and Dan's.

Day 6 - Saturday 15 October 2022, Cami's 2nd Birthday Party

Paul and Tam

The big day! Cami and Clare had invited several of the friends from Cami's playgroups - she attends about five of them! The party was held in the Function Room of our hotel, the Innkeeper's Lodge, where luckily we had managed to extend our stay until Sunday night in an upstairs room.

However in the morning, Richard took part in the local Park Run, which he has done before. This time, however, he injured his upper leg muscle and had to return early. 

The birthday girl with her friend Lenny

 

Laura and Dan had been along to the party venue earlier to take and arrange lots of Cami's toys - Duplo, wooden bricks, plus a slide and some cars. Laura had also made and decorated a lovely sponge and chocolate cake with candles, and sweets in a dumper truck. Cami and her friend Lenny were competing to ride the toy cars down the slide - lots of fun. Some of the other children waited patiently to have a go. Clare also brought her boyfriend. 

Meanwhile, we met the Clixby side of the family - Paul and Tam and Hugh and Julie, Jess and her boyfriend Tom, Frannie and Doug, and Emily and Will. Robbie and Kathryn were also there. They both live near London. The men all seemed to be enjoying the toys more than the children were. Only Joe and Esme were missing, after their wedding the previous Saturday.

Boys will be boys

 

I can't remember what we did in the evening! Oh yes, I watched Strictly Come Dancing on TV :-) Richard read a book.

Kathryn, Robbie and Laura

Day 7 - Sunday 16 October 2022, Brunch with the Clixbys

Cami swinging her duck

My new jacket

Laura and Dan had kindly invited all the Clixby side of the family for brunch. Emily and Will, Paul and Tam, Hugh and Julie and Jess were all there. Laura and Dan cooked shakshuka with sausages for everyone. 

Later we went to the local park again with Dan and Cami. Cami loves the swings, slides and roundabouts. 

We managed to check in for our return flights to London City and copy our boarding passes to our phones.

Day 8 - Monday 17 October 2022, Flying Home

Our flight from LCY to Zurich was scheduled for 9.25am, and Laura had very kindly booked us an airport taxi at 7am. It arrived outside our hotel at about 6.50am. The driver knew the route and we arrived rather early.

Porridge for breakfast at the airport

We got into the check-in queue but the automatic machine failed to print Richard's boarding pass, although mine had come out without a hitch. So we had to go to the manned (or womanned) counter to explain. After a while of explanations and calling for managers, he eventually was allowed to board.

We went for a coffee and porridge in the cafe and waited quite a while for boarding. We were in row 9. The flight took off rather late, but we arrived back in Zurich at about 13.00.

We caught the train direct to Thalwil station, where I waited for Richard to fetch the car for me and our bags. Everything was fine at home.