We met the Beard family on last year's mediterranean cruise and were thrilled we could catch up this year in London. We got a little lost but eventually rounded a corner and instantly lost the kids. They were a few steps in front of us, but as soon as they saw the pub they bolted for it, they were bursting to see Madie & James. 

The kids bounced as their oceans of excitement struggled to get out, it was lovely to see how happy they all were to be together again. Mark's Dad is a steward at Wimbledon and yesterday the whole family had spent the day there, including watching Federer v Groth on centre court. Not content to enjoy it themselves, the guys collected some of the balls from the game and brought them along to gift to the kids. How exciting is that? Actual Wimbledon centre court balls from the Federer v Groth game!
 
They also knocked us over with their lunch choice too - first London pub I've found with a Hefe on tap, first Yorkshire Pud I've ever had and hands down the best roast pork I've had this trip - better than anything we had in Germany. Turns out the Beard's are way bigger Disney fans than us, they even had their wedding in Disneyworld with Mickey and Minnie in attendance - we now have a plan for our 20th anniversary :)

Stuffed to the gills, Mark led us on a stroll along southbank pointing out ideas for the rest of this week - the Tate, climbing St Pauls, the Globe Theatre, the Clink, HMS Belfast. We stopped for a drink by the river near Blackfriars and lost the kids for another little while. Too soon it was time for goodbyes, big group hugs and plans for how we'll see each other again - I hope it's not too long, thanks for a wonderful day!

We continued along Southbank through a summer festival in front of the OXO building and along past the eye. There were almost as many craft beer carts as their were ones selling ice cream, so our slow stroll was slowed further by the necessary stops at each.
 
The festival of "I can't believe Kenneth pulled this off" had one of it's final events back in Islington. I had 7pm in my mind for some reason but when we realised it started at 4pm I had a mini-revolt on my hands for keeping everyone down at "the stupid beer carts when we could have been seeing Evie!"

Through the doors and the kids were straight back to holding court with the grown ups - totally in their element. I suddenly feel like an old b******, most of these guys didn't leave the venue until after I woke up this morning, yet somehow they're all back here, drink in hand. Mind you the happy couple are beaming so brightly they're the parties energy source, everyone is elated to be around them.

Late last night Boo burnt her finger on candle wax. She couldn't go to the bathroom to run it under cold water because that would mean leaving Evie's side. I hope this is not the last we see of these guys before we leave, but if it is we're full of happy memories and the kids spoilt with insatiable expectations,