Ernie is very keen on trains and especially the Javelins, which use the high speed line between St Pancras and Ashford. We visited Canterbury one afternoon, taking the train from Broadstairs to Canterbury.
One tea shop had some lovely vintage toy cars, which were of great interest. These are not really toys, but Ernie was determined to get to the Citröen on the left, to the concern of the tea shop staff.
Ernie indulged himself in a favourite pastime, running through puddles! It is amazing just how many passing people smile and comment on the joy of puddles!
On Friday, Pat was at a funeral in Norfolk so John took Ernie on the 'Loop', a bus that travels round the Isle of Thanet clockwork or anti clockwise, taking in Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate. One stop on the Loop is the Hornby visitor centre where Ernie enjoyed seeing the train layouts.
When they stopped off at Ramsgate station on their way round the loop, Ernie insisted on waiting for almost an hour until he saw a Javelin. They also stopped at Margate to play in the hide and seek exhibit outside the Turner Contemorary Gallery, but the exhibit had been removed and so all they had was a blank space.
A long trip on the Javelin was therefore a must and so we decided on a trip to London.
Ernie was very excited about the 'Blue train' especially as ours came into the station. There were two trains joined together and he insisted on sitting in the second. He enjoyed seeing other 'blue trains' as well as white ones and Eurostars, train washes and engine sheds, giving a running commentary throughout. He listened to and learnt the names of the stations that we would stop at.
When we reached St Pancras, he was in a great hurry to get on the tube where, again, much to the amusement of our fellow passengers, he gave a running commentary throughout 'doors open, people on, people off', doors close, followed by Ernie's (accurate) version of the sound that the tube makes as it starts off and gets up to speed.
Our only stop in London was Hamley's toy shop where Ernie had a great time seeing and playing with all the toys. This is not on his Christmas list!
Here we are on the way back, playing with his new Thomas train.
Helen had been in London too and by chance, we found ourselves on the same train on the way home.
Ernie loves hide and seek and we spent a lot of time playing this at home. Usually, he would hide behind doors or underneath the duvet on our bed, but he has a new hiding place now - in the washing basket.
Of course, we were out and about in Broadstairs, shopping, walking, visits to the park etc.
The a Royal Albion Hotel
The clock tower
Viking bay where the sea was often choppy.
We left Broadstairs on Wednesday for the return trip to Beziers with Helen and Ernie who were on their way to Stratford in East London to meet Ernie's former childminder and son Alex from Crouch End. Ernie was very excited about seeing Alex again.
Pat and John on tour
