Simply straightforward

Today, we took the boys to the Big Smoke. A mean feat considering I had a bit of a late one last night and was awoken at 5.30am with the words 'when is it breakfast time mummy' with no signs of even the vaguest possibility of a sneaky half hour cuddle on the horizon....
However, we had a plan, and it (pretty much) worked.
Instead of planning a big day out and packing in lots of big smoke stuff, we opted for the 'lets just do ONE thing' and get back in time for lunch.
After all when you're 3 and 4 year old boys the train ride is the best bit anyway!

So our One Thing was to climb The Monument.

Right by the tube, right by the river, a perfect counting the steps opportunity with good views (and a Percy Pig sweet) when you get to the top.
It's a got a good history too, and if you like numbers (as does my 4 year old) all the more better.

(Cue all day rendition of the nursery rhyme 'London's Burning")

The Monument was designed by Christopher Wren and was erected to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the City of London.
It is the tallest isolated stone column in the world!
It is 61 metres high (202 feet) - the exact distance between it and the site in Pudding Lane where the fire began.
It has 311 steps and was completed in 1677, 11 years after the Great Fire.
Man, that there tower has been there a LONG time...

 and it's a long way up...

So we made it to the top, ate our Percy pigs, took some rather disappointing photos of the views (only had my phone so long distance shots on a gloomy day - hopeless), and all felt pretty chuffed when we were presented with a certificate once we reached the bottom!
(I am especially pleased we have something material that will come in handy for next weeks 'show and tell'...)

Had a quick look at the river as we polished off our sarnies 'bankside' then pootled off home. Great success all round. And no stress! Simple.

Highly recommended for a fun thing to do for all ages!
Am on the look out for some similarly simple and straightforward sightseeing/cultural ideas for our next visit so if anyone has any suggestions they will be gratefully received!


Hope you all had lovely weekends too..have a good week x