Chinese New Year

While researching what to do today last night I found out about the London Chinese New Year Parade. As Carys has done a bit on Chinese New Year at school this week I thought it might be nice for her to see it, so early doors we headed into London. We arrived at Leicester Square just in time to see the parade coming by. W had the best view on my shoulders, Carys squatted down to peer through the gap between to big men with cameras after they ignored a polite request to let her through to stand in front of them (obviously below the line of his camera). For me the parade was disappointingly short, considering it was big upped to be the largest celebration of Chinese New Year outside of Asia!

We then headed to Trafalgar square which was busy but had nothing happening until 12noon, so we went for a drink and a snack then came back. It quite quickly became apparent that I was not going to be able to find a position for the kids to be able to see the stage, but by this time we were stuck in a huge crowd, most of whom seemed to be trying to get out and for the most part it was very harmonious, until on angry man started to push and shove and people got very cross with him. Thankfully we got out unscathed and although C had originally been reluctant to leave, I think the mosh pit experience made her realise that staying was silly.

We headed to St. James's Park, had our first picnic of the year in beautiful sunshine and then headed across Horse Guards. We got our timing just right as it was time for the individual guards to be relieved, so the kids got to see the soldiers move and the horses too. From there we walked along embankment and back up to Covent Garden to pick up a parcel and then on to catch a bus to KC at the kids request. We got seats at the top and at the front. They were both very excited. Funny how the littlest things are the things that make them happiest.