Interactive Section at the National Science Museum

London Day 5

All packed up then off for breakfast at one of the little Cafe places along from the hotel before heading for the National Science Museum a couple of streets away for the 10am opening. Although you really need a whole day here, with the weather being fabulous it seemed a waste to be indoors so thought some time in the Interactive section would be a good compromise before we headed to Kings Cross for the 3pm train. Cameron was in his element here and it was pretty quiet for the first hour before it started to get busier.

Had a little refreshment after checking out of the hotel and then off we went to the South Kensington Tube station. All week we have got on great with the tube, mainly on the Picadilly line but because we entered by a different door than usual at South Ken got on the Circle Line, on a tube that was older and didnt have the name flashing up on the screen above the seats.... So getting the Circle line would have been fine, if we had got out at Edgeware Road to change for King' Cross...... but we didn't and first I knew that on wrong tube was when it started going backwards.... So after asking someone on the tube they said get off at Paddington, and we just made it out the doors! Headed for the escalator but there wasn't one just a large flight of stairs and I had a heavy suitcase, but as I looked up at the stairs and down at the suitcase this very kind Londoner asked if I needed help with the case up the stairs. As he carried it up I told him of the predicament and he kindly gave me instructions as to where to go. He left us and I wandered to the barriers and then through them we stopped as there were many options as to where to go next and lo and behold he appeared again telling me to follow the yellow line on the ground taking us to the stop for Kings Cross. It was quite a distance - Paddington Station is huge!

So that was fine we waited at the right spot and then heard of delays occurring due to someone jumping on the line earlier - this cheery black guy started chatting and I was telling him the story of our journey to get to Kings Cross - he was helpful too checking we were getting the right tube as time was getting close to the 3pm we were leaving to get home.

Tube finally arrived and then at King's Cross there was another large flight of stairs and I said to Cameron, "we won't be lucky to get another knight in shining armour" when amazingly another guy asked if I needed help getting the case lifted up the large flight of stairs!!! He said he always helps out and can't watch anyone struggling with cases or buggys. Another gem!

Well we got there with 15 minutes to spare and had a good journey back to Scotland. Cameron and I had some chat and played some card games and ate and drunk.

We chatted about how great a week we had had in London - seen so much and never off the trot! His I Spy book on London is practically full so that's good. We saw London at it's best with the sun shining every day. Although it was busy with tourists we liked the buzz of the place. In fact missed that when arriving home. My view of aloof Londoners has changed too, especially with the kindness shown to us at the tubes with offers of help.

Best of all though got to spend some real special time with Cameron showing and giving him an experience that I hope he will remember all his life.