London & Hairspray

Today we have a full day in London, and not too much planned. We start with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, before venturing out mid morning. The first destination is New Zealand House, the NZ High Commission in London. Myself and Dad had never been there before. We just wanted to see it. Actually the real reason to visit is that behind it is a shop full of NZ products. Helen wanted to buy some Burger Rings, Twisties etc. We found both without a problem.

We then wandered around a bit, and found a busy spot to sit and people watch. Most interesting see the parking wardens play Cat & Mouse with chauffeurs in rather flash cars, they are waiting to pick rich people up so continually drive around the block and park up before being pounced on again. Amusing!

We then headed back to the hotel again, for a rest, and to see if our train tickets had turned up in today's post. Success!!!!!! They turned up, and we all did a little victory dance, we were so glad. The alternatives to get to Edinburgh tomorrow were scarily expensive, so we could all finally relax now.

We have tickets booked to see Hairspray tonight, so gather up our belongings and head off, again via the underground. We surface at Holborn and make our way to Shaftsbury Theatre on foot. First we pick up the tickets. Here I see that Nigel Planer is in the cast. This is exciting, having watched him in shows such as the The Young Ones, and Filthy Rich & Catflap. Once we have the tickets, we have some time to spare.

We find a pub nearby, so stop in there for a drink. Then we wander down some random streets just to see where we end up. We happen upon the British Museum. We have time to pop in for a quick look so why not? This is amazing inside, the glass ceiling is incredible and it's got a spacious, airy feel. Where do we start? Helen is interested to see some Egyptian exhibits so we head that way. Once inside the exhibits, it is a very traditional museum. I expect to see rows of moths pinned inside glass cabinets somewhere. I've never seen so many mummies in one place. Spooky so think we're looking at actual people in some cases. We don't have too long to spare now, so it's a flying visit around a few exhibits, then we need to head back to the theatre.

Time for the show. We love the Hairspray movie, and wanted to see the show. I didn't come with any preconceptions, but somehow thought I'd compare it to the movie and therefore not enjoy it as much. I was wrong! The stage show is so much better. Totally alive, great cast, colourful costumes, and oh so funny. And some scenes were different to the movie, which kept us interested comparing storylines also. We laughed our socks off the whole time. I highly recommend it.

By the time we got out, it was bed time for us, so we wandered home via the underground again. Tomorrow we head back to Edinburgh with Dad too.