Preparing For Take-Off

Thursday April 5th 2012

As we need to be at Heathrow very early tomorrow with warnings of security and customs backlogs due to staff shortages and it being Good Friday we decided to have a pretty relaxed day. 

The boys got up very early to go dog walking with Maggie who was exercising a friend's dog while she were away. When they got back it was time for a fry up breakfast. Today was also the day for last minute washing and packing. It was one thing to buy all that Lego, it was a whole other thing to try to pack it!!!

When breakfast was finished Allen, David, Connor and Ryan began making balsa wood and paper propeller planes. It looked really difficult and being men they were none too keen to read the instructions. Ryan found it too hard so his plane ended up being a real team effort worked on by all the boys.

While we were waiting for the planes to dry it was time for an Easter hunt - today having been declared early Easter. The boys had a lot of fun trying to find all the hidden surprises.

When the planes had dried it was time to head down to the local forrest for a flying competition. Allegedly there was 10 pounds on the line for the best plane. Allen's plane, named Sir Allen unfortunately crashed on its maiden flight landing across a creek in the brambles and needed David to go on a search and rescue mission. David's plane, named Sir Brian, certainly didn't do justice to its name. It broke a wing after just a few flights and had to be decommissioned. Connor's plane, Sir Connor the Champ, faired a little better. Much to the horror of the others, Ryan's plane, named Ryan The Cat Lover, was the best by a long way. It got the best height and distance and flew for the longest. Who knew a few pieces of balsa wood and paper could be so much fun!!!

When the flights were finally grounded we went to the Waltham Oak for a final London dinner. To really say goodbye with a bang, when we got home, Allen set off a firework rocket in the backyard. It was really beautiful and a wonderful way to finish our trip.