London + Midlands

Two weddings in 8-days were the centerpiece of our 12-day trip to London and the Midlands. It was a great trip on its own, but had an extra bonus of testing a few of our packing and travel strategies.

Wedding 1 of 2… My sister Mary and now husband Matt! @ Old Chelsea Town Hall, London

E-bags. Phenomenal. Each of us has a color and we get a large one and a small one. Completely making finding clothes for each person bearable (assuming please is just an aspiration).

E-bags backpack was phenomenal too. More compartments than you know what to do with.

Too many clothes. Always seem to do this, keep wishing we learn this lesson better but perhaps next time. Did 2 loads of washing for everyone over the trip. Packing was otherwise good, wedding suit/shirt/tie/shoes meant more luggage than normal but the weddings were a lot of fun.

Wedding #2… Nora (3yo on left) & Scarlett (6yo) with Charlotte and Lachlan @ Pendrell House, Codsall, UK

Whitney and Hazel (3months old) did the first 5 days, then it was me + Scarlett and Nora for the last 7-days. Needless to say the first 5-days was pretty smooth and normal. We stayed in an AirBnB in Fulham and my parents stayed with us. With my sister’s wedding going on it was busy and good, the usual patience testing moments when Grandma and Grandpa are around and in the same house were there for me, Whitney was cruising along great!

The exploration with the kids was fun, we kept the expectation bar nice and low. One to do a day and the double decker bus ride to/from plus a visit to the local playground was about full capacity.

On separate days we saw Buckingham Palace (from outside the front gate), National History Museum, and Covent Gardens (street performers). We had a treat from my sister who took us to a matinee of the musical The Lion King.

Google maps was excellent on transit in London. We would usually do the train as it was often the fastest way to a location and then usually try to do the double decker bus back even if it was longer!