A NIGHT IN LONDON – WITH A BABY

Roll the clock back six months and we’d stay in London every few weeks. A date night supper somewhere fancy and then we would use up a few accumulating hotel points for a free stay, to avoid our commute!

Now however… A night in London is a holiday! Not necessarily relaxing. But a holiday nonetheless. I have never slept in my own bed without a getaway for such a long time! This was our first night staying away from home as a family!

Baby P’s first ‘holiday’!

One night away that took as much planning as a week long holiday used to, if not more!

Thankfully it went very smoothly. Perhaps baby knew we were there for a special reason (not just an adventure for him) or perhaps he revelled in the sensory explosion that train travel and London provide!

Packing

It took me a while. To pack, and to plan to pack! But I managed to get everything for us all into a hand luggage sized suitcase, and two rucksacks. As well as filling all gaps in or under the pram. Key things: white noise teddy, other toys, washing up liquid, box for Milton sterilising, pre measured formula, pre-boiled and cooled water, baby carrier, rain cover for pram.

One thing we didn’t have was a play mat we could travel with. I found in the hotel he needed more home comforts to entertain him. And since he loves his playmats at home, I have not invested in a travel one!

The trip into town

Our local station is far easier navigated with two people as there are two flights of stairs to get the buggy up and down. The train ride itself was easy, I was thankful to have Mr P with me this time to hold baby, as he insists on being upright to look out the window for the 50 minutes! Somewhat tiring on the arms! Somehow we also managed to feed him to routine, but it took some persuasion to get his focus on his milk.

Arriving into Waterloo we strolled across to Leicester Square. Fun to take the stroll and look across the skyline to my office building! We were tempted to stop for a coffee somewhere but it was a hot day, very busy and everywhere outside a coffee shop seemed to stink of cigarette smoke!

The hotel

We have become big fans of the Indigo brand from IHG and the Leicester Square one is my favourite so far. I personally can’t think of a worse location as I hate crowds and hecticness. But thankfully inside it’s quiet and calm and it totally won us over!!

The hotel is in an old cinema and is Art Deco throughout. The lift area is eye catching… Just like baby sensory!

Our superior room was perfect. Incredible view across to the south bank and the city, comfy bed and (feeding) chair, interesting movie-style decor, amazing shower. And ample space for us, and the baby. It’s the first time we’ve had to request a travel cot and it was super cute! Clean and safe and with soft sheets.

We didn’t eat in the hotel. There is a small menu however we fancied a Pizza Express takeaway instead! We did venture up to the roof terrace. I was dubious but it was almost feeding time so I could have a glass of holiday fizz while I fed baby, so we stuck our heads into the Art Deco bar. What a treat! It’s a stunning spot, excellent views and it wasn’t rammed with luvvies like we had expected. We found a quiet corner and all three of us relaxed. With a magnificent London view, and fizz! Or milk if you’re a baby.

Truly his mothers son! Hand on the champagne glass and lover of roof terraces and good views!

It was on Sunday morning when we were packing that I realised I had failed to get neat room pictures… I didn’t even take anything with me apart from my iPhone camera!! And I call myself a travel blogger!! My blogging has changed… Real life got in the way and is far more important and there to be enjoyed!

The room actually looks fab ruffled up and with added baby, soft toys and a scattering of Cow and Gate milk bottles!! Real life looks good to me, and if I saw the picture below as another mum I would see happiness and know the place is baby friendly!

Exploring

Anyone with a small child knows about the witching hour(s). For us it can strike at some point between 4 and 7, and with no bath option it could have been a bad one. So we did what any sensible parent does and went for fresh air and exploring. Baby P was fascinated for a while by the sights and sounds but soon enough dozed off peacefully. It was fun to play tourist in our own city and perfect to have a baby snoozing through the worst bit of his day! Without that it’s likely the trip may have derailed!! Strolling around town it is staggering just how big the police presence is on a weekend. A sad state of affairs, I’m not sure if it makes me feel more or less safe?

We couldn’t do bathtime for the first night in I don’t know how long… But I had wisely packed his massage oil (see, I took everything) so he still enjoyed his foot and leg rub which put him in a relaxed mood for a long old snooze!

Thankfully with all the city stimulation baby only woke once in the night! Happy days – we had worried he’d keep the whole hotel awake because of the change of location and such like… Happily it wasn’t to be!

The race

The reason for our London adventure was for Mr P to run his first half marathon (Royal Parks Half) raising money for Parkinson’s UK which is particularly close to our heart. Despite an achilles injury and a three month old he had an excellent finishing time and we were overwhelmed by how much he raised for charity.

Baby and I didn’t quite make it to the finishing line. But we did cheer on some runners at mile 6 (maybe Daddy ran past…). But mainly we sat and fed in a quiet corner away from the race. I then weaved the pram between backmarkers to get to the festival area in the park and collect our champion.

The heavens opened after the finish so we didn’t get the perfect park shot of Daddy and baby, but we did take a first trip on the underground and you can see just how thrilled baby is with Daddy’s result!

Homeward bound

We sat on the train pretty elated. With a weekend well done and enjoyable despite all the challenges that could have sent it sideways! Thankful also that Baby P slept until the last few minutes of the train ride so that we could relax as well! And eat a bag of Percy Pig’s for lunch…

Maybe it didn’t feel like a holiday of old… But good planning and the team work (including Baby P and his good efforts) did make it into a relaxing and enjoyable weekend away for us all!

I am sure there must be some glamorously located half marathons which need running… #havebabywilltravel