Laura in London again

On a glorious sunny Sunday afternoon Laura set off with her family to London again for another outing.  We had a date with the BBC Proms again (Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Berlioz Symphony Fantastique played on period instruments) but as it was such a gorgeous day we decided that instead of a museum we would do some walking instead.

On the tube from Stanmore Laura had her hair tidied up

Tidying into a neat ponytail 

There, all ready for the outing in London

Laura studied the London Underground map to find the destination of Westminster

Houses of Parliament clock tower containing the bell 'Big Ben'

Laura stared through the gates at the Houses of Parliament

Next we visited St Margaret's Westminster alongside Westminster Abbey.  Unfortunately they have a policy of no photos in the church, so we couldn't photograph Laura with any of the fascinating carved memorials or the beautiful stained glass.  We did leave a donation in their box.

Laura peered up in amazement at the sheer splendour of the entrance to Westminster Abbey.  She did not go in because although it was free for her, it was very expensive tickets for the family unless we were attending a church service.

The amazing stone masonry above the West Door at Westminster Abbey

We walked through back streets (which were quiet on a Sunday afternoon) to Vincent Square then on to Westminster Cathedral - the Catholic Cathedral in London.  This was built in 1895-1903 and the internal decoration (mosaics) are still gradually being added (Byzantine style).  This was also free entry with plenty of donations boxes.  Once again, no photos were allowed in the Cathedral, however Laura was given a Peace badge by some anti nuclear campaigners who were standing outside the entrance reminding people of the terrible events in Japan 70 years ago.

Westminster Catholic Cathedral tower

We walked to Victoria where we found another branch of Giraffe (we like their food) and had an early evening meal.

Laura enjoyed some strawberries and ice cream (wearing her Peace badge)

An orange giraffe with the sugar packet on its head

Instead of catching the tube to South Kensington, as it was such a beautiful day, we decided to walk via Buckingham Palace to see the Queen.

Laura sees the Guard at Buckingham Palace

My younger girl and Laura outside Buckingham Palace

It was a warm walk from Buckingham Palace to the Royal Albert Hall with the evening sun on our faces.

Two tired girls resting outside the Royal Albert Hall waiting to go in

The Royal Albert Hall entrance opposite Hyde Park in the evening sun

Laura watched the orchestra (who stood to perform) just before they started playing Beethoven's fifth symphony in the BBC Prom

The Royal Albert Hall at night, opposite the Royal College of Music

It was a lovely day in London, the Proms were wonderful and we all enjoyed the outing.

Doll Olympic spirit

Yesterday afternoon the dolls all changed outfits to get into the Olympic spirit.  We had clothes all over the double bed, ironed a few things and brushed hair. I had ordered some union flag fabric for sewing which arrived a few days ago, but haven't had any time to do sewing during the week, so the material became useful background for the dolls who all came downstairs to watch the Olympic Opening ceremony. 

All the dolls dressed for the London 2012 Olympics

Central over the fireplace is the home made union flag my elder daughter made for the Queen's Jubilee and just below that is the commemorative coin my younger girl received from her school.

back row l-r: Elizabeth, Diana, Anna, Susie, Miranda, Peter
front row l-r: baby Mabel, Matroushka, Amelia, Jakob, Nicholas James and Florence

Florence and Nicholas James are wearing their Sasha Doll Festival Souvenir outfits (well NJ had never really changed out of his since the festival) and the other two pairs of festival trainers I'd got from Dawn Law found their way onto the feet of Miranda, who wears one of her raffle outfits and Jakob my Kids 'N Kats doll, who is all ready for sport in his boxer shorts and running top. My Susie wears the blue corduroy set which was the gift my younger daughter received for helping at the Sasha Festival Auction.  Anna wears her silver and red party outfit and a white cardigan I knitted for her.  Elizabeth wears clothes slightly to big for her, a spotty skirt which belongs to Anna and a white top, and Diana, the unmarked Palitoy doll who is my Susie's younger sister (I had bought her in my quest to identify Susie) wears the red and white running top and tracksuit bottoms which are a bit too big for her. Peter chose his check red shirt and jeans.

l-r: Belle, Jayne, Matilda, Harriet, Harry, Ron, Samantha, Hermoine,
Elizabeth, baby Mabel, Matroushka, Diana, Anna, Amelia

Harriet and Samantha wanted to rock it up for the Opening ceremony, so changed into their Rockstar outfits.  The Aussie girls made different choices, Belle went for a sundress and Matilda for her blue dungarees. Jayne got changed from her pink skating outfit into a red top and white crop trousers and wears her hair in pigtails.

Rocking it up for the Olympics

Matroushka  wears the other blue party dress and cradles baby Mabel who wears a blue and white check dress which is actually a bit too big for her, because it was made a long time ago for Amelia, who wears a red and blue and white check dress. 

Matroushka cuddles baby Mabel with Amelia nearby

Hermoine wears one of the blue party dresses and her Christmas white shoes, Harry and Ron didn't change much - Harry took off his green sweater to show his stripy rugby shirt and Ron put on his sweater, none of the other red clothes we had would fit him as he has big hands and is the tallest of the dolls. 

Rocking it up for the Olympics

And what an awesome spectacle the opening ceremony turned out to be.  My younger daughter slept during the afternoon so she could stay up and watch the whole thing with the rest of us and we all enjoyed it.  And this afternoon Diana doll is already practicing her backflips while the others look on, maybe she is hoping to win a medal.

Many of the gang ready for the Olympics

The Great Britain team coming into the stadium

The awesome copper petals of the Olympic cauldron -
what an imaginative way to do the flame