Reunion in London

I said goodbye to my tenants who were moving to Florida in July 2009. Since then, Paul has finished his first year as a professor; Maggie has almost finished her dissertation ; Camm, now three, has acquired a new status as Big Brother to little Anders who joined the family in March.



They spent this summer in London, England and suggested we get together there. That seemed worth a shorter summer stay in Charlottesville.
Maggie apologized that it wouldn’t be easy to sightsee. Leaving the flat involved pushing an infant in a stroller while a Big Boy trailed behind wailing “I want to wi-i-i-i-de” (unless there was something exciting to do like walk in the pouring rain holding his own umbrella.)
She was also concerned about preparing meals without her usual array of equipment -- while trying to use up food before their departure two days after mine.



But the results were, as usual, delicious and dinner, after the kids were asleep, relaxing.



We managed well in the daytime, too – mostly in and around Bloomsbury where the lucky people had rented a flat.
The first evening we walked through Russell Square



to the British Museum.
Maggie sent me up a large flight of stone steps to look around while they waited in the Great Court.



When I got back, Camm wanted to “climb up the stairs” -- so back I went with him. We had a nice wander through several rooms. I tried to answer “What’s that?” in words a three year old could understand.
The next morning we headed off to one of their favorite places – Coram’s Fields-- a fun children’s park. (Adults must be accompanied by a child).





Afterwards we visited the Foundling Museum. We all got in free because of the children. Nice! Maggie took Camm and Anders to a children’s activity room while I looked at the fascinating and moving exhibits. Then I took Camm to the Story Corner to read to him and Maggie was able to visit the museum.
Our afternoon excursion was to the public library where I read Camm more stories. (Are we sensing a pattern here?)
My favorite story time was that night when I read him a book I’d brought from Charlottesville. It was a picture book about Thomas Jefferson. I figured it could be adapted to his age and expanded later.
Here’s how it went that evening.
“This is a story about a man named Thomas…..
Huge smile and excited whisper “Thomas!” ( I knew he was thinking about Thomas the Tank Engine)
“Jefferson. He was playing (picture of him playing). Then when he grew up he built a house in Charlottesville.”
“Charlottesville! That’s where our old house is! YOU used to live there, too!”
(Skipping over the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress and the Revolutionary War, I turned to….)
“a BOAT!”
“Yes a sailing ship. When Thomas finished his house he took the boat and went to Paris.”
“Pawis! YOU live in Pawis!”
This story was much more exciting than I had anticipated. Especially the ending.
“And then Thomas went back to Charlottesville and built the University where Daddy and Mommy went.”
Beaming smile.
The next day, my last, three adults, two children, two strollers and my suitcase took the Tube to the Imperial War Museum.
Our goal was to see a special exhibit on rationing during and after World War II.
Camm was quite patient with us but what he really liked was the entrance hall where he was surrounded by tanks and submarines with airplanes overhead.
He pointed to a tank. “What is this amazing thing?’ he exclaimed to the amusement of a museum guard.
After lunch, it was time to say goodbye. Leaving friends is always a little sad. But didn’t we have a good time!