Italian Fountains in Hyde Park

Such a perfect day today in London.

After some furiously busy times in the museum, I wanted to chill and soak in some sun ( because - shockingly - I am now a whitie!! no tan whatsoever) and soak in some nature.

With Hyde Park so extensive, its easy to find a relatively calm and unhurried spot. We wandered into the Italian Fountains and Gardens and had a lovely picnic on the softest grass I have sat on for a long while.  

 The Italian Gardens are just over 150 years old. They form part of ornamental water garden on the north side of Kensington Gardens near Lancaster Gate. They were a gift from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. 

Within the fountains there is a statue honouring "Jenner" -- a country doctor responsible for finding a smallpox vaccine. 

Something that the kids loved was seeing the gang planks leading into the water so that the ducks can waddle up and out of them. 

Another sunny day in London

Another glorious day in the UK. We headed to London for the day, to catch up with some more museum visits and to wander some of the magnificent parks...  We took a break and picniced the the park.. I had a bit of a shushie and then we kept going.

Oh and to have another ride on the London Eye.. ( have I mentioned what a fantastic thing having the Merlin Passes have been?)

The line up for the London Eye was well over three hours long.. but with the passes, we wandered to the front and was basically waved on. ... this is what feeling like royalty must be like. 

Barley Hall in York

The Barley Hall in York is an amazing Medievel house, which until the 1980s ( can you believe it?) was hidden in amongst an office building and construction.

After it was discovered, it underwent huge restoration and is managed now by the National Trust.  It was built in the early 1400s and was home to a leading York citizen, William Snawsell who was a goldsmith, Alderman and later on the Lord Mayor of York.

Below is a picture of the great hall - a medieval dining room. I love the fact that they have the hearth in the middle of the room - I want one!!

We are huge fans of Horrible Histories - and they have a permeant display here, focusing on the black death and all the questionable cures available at the time.

Morgan and Lilly had a wonderful time playing with the herbal remedies and finding more out about the Black death.

I particularly loved the activity that they did having to learn to write with a quill by candle light.

And this activity is one I am still laughing about.. Its "guess the medieval smell". Morgan is about to get a wiff of horse poo. Lilly is smelling rotten fish..

The carry on the two had right after I took this photo made me nearly loose balance and fall over laughing.