We were all up early (for a non school and work day), the dog was walked, and Miff's patented fruit smoothies were enjoyed by all. Then it was off to the station, and onto the Ebbsfleet express - the first time for Jake.
A quick cab ride from St Pancras and we were at the British Museum not all that long after it had opened. We did a pretty impressive effort at seeing its most famous wonders. Pictures to follow when I have got round to doing some transferring from the camera and uploading to flickr.
Once we'd had our fill of the museum, it was another cab ride to a sandwich shop near to Regent's Park where we stocked up on picnic goodies, and then went and crashed out in the park for a while.
Fortified by food and a rest, and having been watching everyone else having fun, we joined the queue for the boating lake, and in the end decided to go for a rowing boat rather than a pedalo.
I can officially confirm that none of us are any good at rowing, but we had lots of fun anyway.
After another pitstop for a drink, we enjoyed some more of the park, before heading down to Regents Street, where we found ourselves some dinner. We even had a trip to Nike Town, where, to my great relief, we managed to get in and out without having to spend several hundred pounds on trainers.
Cab back to station, train back to Ebbsfleet, collect the dog from her second home on the way back, and here we are.
A good day had by all, and as I said, pictures to prove it to follow in a later post.
As for last year, our extended holiday was drawing to a close, and we took in the Disney parks for one final time, enjoying the Aladdin show again. In the evening we went for a meal with Henry and his parents at Bubba Gump's. The local police were there raising some money. We nearly persuaded them to take Jake away, but in the end they insisted on giving him back.
Finally for today, I've not forgotten that it is an important day in the calendar, and so often with me it is the words that are set to music that touch me. The Servant King is a beautiful hymn, and for me, the middle verses say it all.
There in the garden of tears
My heavy load He chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
Yet not my will, but Yours He said
Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hand that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered.