The London Zoo

The Grandparents surprised us with a morning at The London Zoo before checking out and hitching the train ride from King's Cross back to York.

I must mention having prepaid tickets for entrance to the zoo cut the queue time from 15 minutes to zilch for us. After the taxi dropped us off at the entrance, we joined the express lane and were ushered into the zoo right away, near the gorilla centre, reptile display and aquarium. Be sure to ask if you can have this arrangement, especially if keen on the zoo visit with young children who may not be the most patient/quiet people in a long queue (maybe it is just my kids, apologies then!).

Bean absolutely loved toddling everywhere with one hand support from one of us. 

The Little Girl enjoyed her excursion with doting grandparents without having to fight for their attention. She now knows competition from her 5 cousins! 

The weather was so good it only showered after we climbed safely into our taxi. Blue skies, white fluffy clouds, fresh air and breeze - masyaAllah!

To Mr. Hassan who drove us safely there and back, thank you. May Allah swt bless you and your family.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

The Little Girl had a blast! The five minute shower came and went, good old British weather as promised. 

Bean had a jolly good time too, playing within the limits of his mobility and skill set.

All in all, a wonderful spot in Kensington Gardens for little ones.

Point to note:

Security is excellent, evidently so as the guard bounced a man armed with iPhone camera without a child of his own. *insert roaring applaud here, we are all parents united against pedophiles stalking children, capturing their images and trading those images online*

The Other Half was so impressed with this single highlight he donated quite generously toward the upkeep of the park. Donation collection box is close to the exit/entrance near the open air cafe.

Coming up next: Legoland at Windsor, so sleep I must!!

Kings Cross Station, London

13 of us will be riding the train from York to London tomorrow, luggages and all. 

Wish us luck!

We will be putting up at Holiday Villa (Malaysian owned hotel, how loyal!) and the best part is halal food. 

Praying for journey mercies, good weather and safe travels. May our tickets never be lost and all little ones accounted for.

On a serious note, we are leaving Jemina the Puddle Duck to guard the flat in York. 

Looks like she is all cosy!

Toodles!

Good Old York, Good Old London

It always feels good to have that "we are home" fuzziness when in York.

This is The Little Girl's third trip, and a maiden trip for Bean. Both enjoy the big blue skies, wide open fields and fresh air very much. Syukur alhamdulillah for His Bounty.

When on family holidays, we live like the local would (laundry at the rented flat, groceries at Sainsbury's, cook our own meals) and York Designer Outlet shopping is as touristy as we get.

Next week, we will ride a train to London and back. We know for a fact that The Little Girl looks forward to Windsor Legoland! Personally it will be a bummer for me as Bichester is not on the programme but since I do not get any say in the programme, I will just have to go with the flow, look for blessings and find beauty the best I can.

Are all your family trips typically children-centric? How do you add some shopping hours in between? Please do share your useful tips!

To York, To York

Journey mercies be with us, Amin! We will be back end of this August, in sha Allah. See you around, feel free to read what is in my archive and take good care.