The magic of water parts 2 & 3

Part 2: The bank holiday weekend saw a visit to friends in Broadstairs. Hot weather, sun-kissed kids, a sandy beach with rock pools to explore: pure bliss. The five year olds couldn't be convinced to leave the water and body boarded 'til their lips turned blue. The toddlers collected sea weed, built castles and chased the waves.

The days passed with no arguments, no nagging and (almost) no TV - an awesome feat! Until Tuesday, when the sun went in, the mummies had a hangover and the tantrums returned. We made a hasty retreat back to the city before we over-stayed our welcome.

Part 3: Sunday was the last day of the school holidays. We'd planned a lazy day at home, preparing for school, but by about 10 in the morning everyone was scratching to go out. We decided on Labanese food for lunch and took a trip to Edgware Road. When full of hummus, baba ganoush and vine leaves, we strolled across the road to Hyde Park to take a look at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. We'd not been before.

It's a brilliant memorial and a fantastic fountain. I clearly never knew Diana but I think she would have approved; a huge circle of laughing splashing kids dressed only in their pants and vests!

The unplanned wet vests and going home 'commando' only serve to make it more fun.

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde_park/diana_memorial.cfm