Summer 2018 part 2

The next day dawned nice and bright.. but not the young one or her dad. They overslept and dilly dallied on the breakfast and by the time we stepped out it was 11 am. Globe theatre was duly cancelled.

We went around 12 to the Palace Theatre at Shaftesbury avenue for the 1 show and the lines were around the block! But thankfully it moved fast and by then the young one had on her Griffyndor Cloak with all the Hogwarts badges and her wand out!

Post the security check, we both went in , bought the HP play exclusive book ( 5 pounds! Day light robbery!) after giving K a kiss and a wave sending him off to the imax nearby. We sat in the Grand circle. The century old theatre was ornate, impressive and majestic. However the seats were so close next to each other and in front of each other that I could not but feel claustrophobic!

The drinks and eatables were astronomically priced but thankfully there was free water! We sat down to the first 2.30 hours of the show and what a show it was! Mind blowing would be an understatement. This was my first English theatre experience and it was fascinating. The young one kept comparing it to the movies and as she was wont to do kept spotting the strings and the optical illusion bits till I explained to her in the 20 minute interval how unlike movies, on stage, they have to get it right live and get it interesting and provide us an amazing experience with what can be done live.

*spoiler alert* #keepthesecrets

This is strictly for our own memory to re-read and enjoy.

Given the above, the 'incendio' effects, the papers arranging themselves in Harry's office, the duel between Harry and Draco, the flight of the dementors, the book case swallowing Scorpius and Delphini, the effects of the poly juice potion - Scorpius, Albus and Delphini to Harry, Ron and Hermoine , the bond binding Scorpius and Albus , the transfiguration of  Harry to Voldemort, the final battle between Delphini and Harry etc were absolutely awesome.

I loved the actors especially the ones playing Scorpius and Draco Malfoy. These two artists were so good in their act and also so graceful and athletic in the fight scenes and the cruciatus scene ( in the maze) respectively, that I became an instant fan.

This was not how I had imagined Scorpius at all and this was loads better. Rarely do we say this about any adaptation of a book and that says something about the actor!

They took 3 curtain calls finally and the third one was a complete standing ovation.

The young one was really good with her attention span and while I was worried she may be scared of the dementors ( they were absolutely fantastic!) flying over our heads - she kept trying to hi-five them :)

In the 2 hour bread before the second part, we nipped off to Saravana Bhavan and from there to Trafalgar square, the National gallery and Picadilly Circus for a quick photostop. We have been here several times , however the young one seems to have completely forgotten. Hence the photos now to remind her yet again!

We then took the tube back to Hangars lane and from there picked up our car and drove home with the young one sleeping in the back seat and K and I holding hands and chatting through the drive.

Reached home after midnight.

Another precious memory to draw from if and when I feel sad. My own patronuses :)

Summer 2018 Part 1

For this summer, the plan initially was to cover all of Eastern Europe and Austria. Prague had been on our list for a long time and so were Hungary and Croatia. However, the weather here, turned out to be phenomenally good, that we ultimately decided to stay put.

The last two weeks in July were off to a flying start. The young one had just finished her stage 6 in swimming and the instructor said her technique was so good that she should be able to finish off stage 7 in a week. 

The young one also started swimming just for fitness thrice every week as she enjoyed it so much. (Never competing always enjoying!) But what was astonishing was that she would go to badminton for an hour, swim full laps continuously for 40 minutes,read for pleasure at home for some time and then go cycling with our neighbour’s kid for 2 hours, play with our other neighbour’s dog and come in only after half 8 in the evening. 

She really enjoyed having an active holiday. I for my part made sure she was fed and watered appropriately and for some time I could feel the muscles rippling on her arms and legs :) ( Her eyesight continues to be an issue though :( )

She made friends with all the neighbours in our cul de sac and it was very sweet to see her wave hi to all of them, all grown ups and us sheepishly smiling as we have only ever exchanged Xmas cards every year!

Especially our new American neighbour is so fond of her that she sweetly drops notes in the letterbox especially for her with pictures of their dog and messages from her dog as well!

She went for one week of every day half hour swimming and came back having passed stage 7!

For three weekends she then had a friend S sleeping over at our place, she went for a sleep over with N and one of her new dance friends D came over.  

S and her enjoyed the first sleep over so much that they promptly repeated it the week after. Though both the families had planned a day trip, a sudden scheduling clash made us drop that plan and opt for a sleep over and a full day  with a trip to incredible 2 included, followed by sumptuous home made dinner and cake baking at S’s place.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the baking as well the relishing of the cake afterwards.

We also went to the new Lego land discovery centre with her and another couple. It was exactly as boring as it was in Atlanta  3 years ago exactly to the day!( As google photos helpfully reminded us). But what we did enjoy was the walk along the canal and lunch with the friends afterwards.

One other week, we had another good friend and their new born baby come over. Both R and I thoroughly enjoyed cuddling the new born and another pleasant day was notched up!

Over and above all this she went swimming 3days a week, cycled every day with her friend ( who, if R was not out by the afternoon, will start dropping notes in the letter box prompting her to come out as soon as she can,) In all it was all very sweet.

We had guests coming over from Scotland one week and that week was her bharatnatyam ISTD exam. The poor guests were subject to 3 performances but it all turned out good as she passed with a distinction and 94%

She had also gained a distinction in her LAMDA and singing exams so plenty of kindle books were downloaded and subway sandwiches eaten as rewards :)

As a build up to her birthday we also took her to London for one weekend. I had severe back pain but managed to accompany her to Buckingham palace and the tower bridge walk. I then let dad and daughter spend the rest of the day walking with the dinosaurs at O2 while I  rested.

The next day was planned for Globe theatre ( on her request!), followed by Harry Potter and the cursed child , this time just mum and daughter time...