Monday 31 May 2010

Museum of London

Haven't you already been there? yes, but... and you didn't really like it? no, but... So why this? Well, when we visited nearly two years ago half the museum didn't exist, or wasn't open and the buggies were all a lot younger.

So what's new? Essentially the last visit took us from the stone age through the Romans up to the middle ages and then stopped. This is upstairs; downstairs the story continues through to the modern day. I take it you only bothered with the downstairs. We did the first bit in order; the fire of London had gone but the prehistoric exhibition was still there and the kids enjoyed it just as much as last time, if not more. The middle ages had a reconstruction of a Saxon house giving them a chance to play at witches and look at a thatch roof close up.

And downstairs? We went the wrong way round starting from the modern day (obscure sculpture giving one of those moments when you're asked "What's that?" and can only answer "I don't know") back to the 18th Century. Anything worth recommending? In the 18th Century? Yes, the mock-up of Vauxhall Pleasure Garden's was excellent Complete with Scrumpets? Err, no, but some terrific hats! and in another time? The Victorian street was quite good but took a while to get them past the Victorian toy shop window at the start. They also had a lot of use of touch screen table devices which for older buggies would probably work well. Finally a display of modern London landmarks complete with a projected river that showed ripples when you walked over it provided a lot of entertainment.

"London has now become almost like a gigantic frog! With its long tongue it draws curious insects from all over the world inside itself!" - Mehmet Ildan.

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Diana Memorials

Ahoy me hearties and god rest her soul! Not two things that usually to together.
But here in the Diana memorial playground they go together fine. OK; I get the “god rest her soul” what about “Ahoy me hearties”? the playground is themed on Peter Pan, pirate ship, tree walk, tee pees you get the idea.
I take it all three Buggies immediately ran off in all directions true, but the playground is fully enclosed with a man on the gate right by the coffee shop.
What did they make of it? My only attempt at showing them Peter Pan resulted in them refusing to watch anything as soon as a pirate appeared so they didn't really get the reference; that said they had lots of fun in the sand pit making a desert island and lots of fun on general climbing frames and slides and things.

How about the other more famous Diana memorial Sadly Mr Health and Mrs Safety beat us to it. not allowed to drink the water?
actually, I think that is the only thing you are allowed to do, or at least the only thing they didn't tell us about. So what can't you do? all the fun stuff; splashing, running in the water, walking in the water, running near the water, walking next to the water But... on the plus side, it is actually worth a visit and standing in the water was allowed.


What did the pirate say when his leg got stuck in the freezer? Shiver me timbers!


What: Diana memorials
Where: Hyde Park
Getting there: Tube to Bayswater
Cost: Free; but the playground will have queues on a nice day
Again: Aghhhhbolutely
Try: There are plenty of other playgrounds in London but none like this one
Top tip: Did I mention they have a coffee shop in the playground?