Well Monday was a superb day for us. Marion took us out to Mercedes world and organized a 1 hour driving experience for Sean with James as an excited passenger. We had an instructor on board who was just amazing with calm instructions suggestions and helpful techniques. So after a minute insuring the best seating settings, Sean was able to drive off in a 6.3 litre twin turbo V8 Amg slc. We covered 5 different courses including a circular skid pan, a straight line skid pan where you got up to speed then hit the brakes immediately before two cones and then swerve left and right, a dry straight line where you accelerate as fast as possible up to 70mph and then do full braking to a stop before hitting a barrier. Then there were two circuits. The first was very tight corners and not so much fun. The second circuit had one short straight and lots of corners. We were about to hit 110mph on the straight before some serious braking. I have never been in a car capable of accelerating or braking like this. It was an amazing experience.

In the afternoon we borrowed one of Sam and Marion's cars and drove to Ealing to visit Teva and Merryn. Nicola showed off her navigation skills, with the help of her iPhone and got us straight there no problems. Unfortunately our timing was off for Teva and Merryn with the Sky man installing, Merryn off at the bank and Teva trying to get everything sorted for a 6am drive to Paris the next morning. We collected a set of keys and headed back to Woking. As we neared Woking we decided it would be rude not to stop into a pub for a beer. The Cricketers was pLeasant on a sunny afternoon. 

We watched the Olympics for a while with Marion and once Sam returned from work we cooked steaks on the BBQ. It was rather nice to crawl into bed after a full day.

Wednesday was an early start for James and Meren because we were off to the Governor Generals breakfast at Kiwi house. We left Woking at 7am and the train had us into Waterloo station in 30 minutes. We then took the tube to Kings cross and walked the 400metres to Kiwi House. It's was really nice talking to other parents of cyclists and rowing and rellies of Brent Newdick the decathlete. We met Brent's mother in Delhi and she arrives in London in the next few days.

After that the day went downhill on a major way for James..... We went shopping. Actually sean and Nicola came into town with Marion and were working to restore the health of the UK economy. They both had a great deal of success and purchased some great clothes and shoes etc.

We then took the tube on the Bakerloo line to Waterloo station and a train back to Woking. We had an early pub meal and retired home to watch Olympic swimming on Tv.

Then we shot across to Madame Tussaudes. There were large queues of people outside and I was dreading the delays, but we went to a door where you purchase tickets for today and there was no queue. Sam S had done some research for us and printed out Two for One vouchers that required us to show our train tickets. Ended up saving us 60pounds absolutely wonderful. We all enjoyed the exhibits. It is constantly changing and a lot  different to the visit in 2007.

We then took the tube on the Bakerloo line to Waterloo station and a train back to Woking. We had an early pub meal and retired home to watch Olympic swimming on Tv.