Linton Zoo in Suffolk, London Zoo and the Science Museum

William and I had a full weekend recently starting on Thursday in Suffolk with Tina and Colin and visiting Linton Zoo before moving onto London to stay with Mark and the Birchmore's came down from Sheffield for the weekend.

Friday - cake with Mark, Saturday - London Zoo with the Birchmores and Sunday - the Science Museum where Joe Birchmore got very very excited about visiting Stephenson's Rocket - the first ever Steam engine. I thought he was going to burst with excitment, whilst William slept through the whole thing. Actually he seems to sleep through the first hour of every attraction we go to!

Another highlight was Joe's and Mark's involvement in Story Time about the invention of flying!

Really the 'only' thing to do when you visit Mark - and that is to east CAKE!!!

London Zoo

by river boat

With Amy Birchmore, who took quite a shine to William

Dinner time in Mark's kitchen (the up and down stools were a huge hit!)

Exchanging presents - a Lego digger for William

Joe and Amy with books about Australian animals (sorry Gill, no time to do your hair yet!)

Joe Birchmore teaching William to use a Nintendo DS - Oh No - they do start young - more expense!!

Eating again with Mark!

Story Time at the Science Museum
Stephenson's Rocket - William asleep again!

Linton Zoo in Suffolk with Tina. I think the jumping castle in the car park was the highlight for William - I had to bribe him out!!

Riding on Postman Pat - (we can't get past any of these rides quietly!!)

Looking at the funny faced Owl at Linton Zoo with Tina

There is a large bird in this cage - but it is difficult to see! - watch your fingers William

Dockey Woods - Fields of Bluebells

These fields of Bluebells bloom like this for about two weeks each year - there are pathways through miles and miles of Bluebells and people come to walk through them and take photos.

Lots of Different Adventures

Pud Lake Animal farm in Swanage

My turn grandpa!

They are going to eat my fingers Grandpa!

With Bella - full of excitement

Beconscot Model Village - Oh No more trains!

Skimming stones at Lulworth Cove near Swanage

Watching the engine change tracks at Swanage station

William's Day Out with Thomas

William, Nana, Pop and I visited Druisilla's in East Sussex near Brighton for a Day Out With Thomas. William and Pop were very excited to ride on a large Thomas, we sat in the Annie carriage for a very very short ride around the park. William kept saying 'I on Thomas', 'I on Thomas'. He gave the small Thomas engine a kiss as we were leaving saying 'bye, bye, Thomas'.

Rough & Tumble with Uncle Tony and Aunty Shiv

William meets Cousin Isabella

William and I have just spent the last 5 days in the seaside town of Swanage visiting Paul's uncle Peter and his cousins, Emma, Katrina and Steve with their daughter Isabella.

William had loads of fun with Isabella and Katrina and we had to bribe each child to put their shoes on or eat their dinner with the prospect of going to see each other - it was quite funny!

William also had loads of fun with Emma, he took to her very quickly and sat on her bed going through her wallet and talking to her while she got ready for work - he reclined back on her pillows holding court and did not want to come downstairs to join the rest of us!

Trains on the kitchen floor with Emma and Bella


On Swanage beach with Emma and Bella (freezing cold!)

Sitting outside the beach hut on Swanage beach with Emma - afternoon snack

Just cause your my cousin, doesn't mean you can get too close!

Sitting in a ride on train on Swanage station talking to Daddy in Australia

William's Trip to England - Part One

After much doubt our flight took off as scheduled on Friday 23rd - William had a great flight, was very well behaved and loved the in-flight entertainment, not to mention the pre-flight entertainment with the Qantas pusher and his Bob the Builder toy.

This is good stuff!

This is great Nana, I can choose between, Bob, Thomas or Fireman Sam and even the Wiggles, all under my control - WOW!