Katie

First time in London – Must-see tourist destinations

London remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with almost 38 million inbound visits in 2018 alone making up 50% of all UK visits. It is a city of great culture, history and atmosphere and it has so much to offer that it’s unlikely you’ll get everything in during just one visit. However, if you are visiting for the first time and want to get a handle on the ‘must visit’ locations then look no further.

Harrods – No trip to London can be complete without a couple of hours spent in the world’s most famous luxury department store. Even if you don’t want to buy anything (and with the prices, we certainly wouldn’t blame you) it’s worth a visit just to marvel at the decor, the decadence and the iconic Egyptian escalator. Not to mention the food court!

The Museums – London perhaps rivals even New York as the city with the most to offer in terms of astonishing museums. Within walking distance of one another you’ll find the National History Museum, the V&A, the TATE Modern and the British Museum. That’s before we even begin to mention the more esoteric selections such as the Sherlock Holmes Museum. You could spend a week in London just doing a museum tour, but if you’re only planning a flying visit then you might want to consider your interests and research beforehand, planning your available time accordingly.

Camden Market – Very much the yin to the yang of Harrods and Oxford Street, Camden Market is a hive of activity and is home to some of the best bargains in the city. It’s also a hipster’s paradise surrounded by bars and restaurants offering everything from artisanal street food to gourmet cuisine. The area is also legendary for its live music scene. Placed alongside the lock, it’s the market that remains the real draw, however. For those of you with a little more cash to flash, meanwhile, Notting Hill Market offers a similar atmosphere only with a far more exclusive price tag.

Kings Cross – If you’re travelling to London by rail, then chances are you’re catching a train to King’s Cross station. The station is a legitimate tourist attraction in and of itself, particularly if you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. Indeed, ‘platform 9 and 3/4’ has become one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the city in recent years.

Tower of London – A London day out like no other, this is the big one. Experience the 900-year-old former old royal palace, prison and zoo (really) and sink into the history of the place, which also happens to contain the world’s most famous jewellery – the crown jewels. Not only one of the most famous building’s in the world but one of the most well-kept historical relics in Europe, if you only have time to do one thing in London, this should probably be up there.

Despite it being 17 years ago, I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday.

Silly moments stick in my head the most, like the midwives asking me, on a scale of 1 – 10 how bad the pain was, and me replying that I had no idea as I’d never done it before! In my head, it was clearly a 10 but my rational side told me it was going to get a lot worse!

The pethidine making me feel like I was in the room but not quite there, telling the anaesthetist that I loved them for giving me an epidural, regardless of the fact that I was adamant I didn’t want one.

T disappearing below my knees when the epidural was being put in because he can’t stand needles but still wanted to support me, from the floor.

Then, 16 hours later there you were. Placed on my chest, your tiny, tiny bottom fitting in one of my palms.

Jet black hair, bright blue eyes that were wide open and staring at everyone in the room, but mostly at me. You didn’t make a single sound when you were born, I had to ask if you were ok, expecting a screaming baby, but nothing. Just you, completely calm, alert and absolutely beautiful.

Weighed at 6lb 13oz (so much for the “she’ll be a big baby” comments) and checked, then it was time to remove all the tubes, wires & plasters from me, having a wash and being wheeled to the ward. I still remember the amazement that they let me hold you the whole way there! What if I dropped you, or didn’t know what I was doing & they realised. But, luckily, I didn’t and they didn’t…..

The next few days were a whir of visitors, people popping in to meet you and give you cuddles. Looking back now, I wish I’d kept it just the two of us for a while longer. Our own private baby bubble.

When we finally made it home it felt real. You were so brand new but it felt like I’d known you forever.

Those days were so long ago, but they feel like they’re in touching distance, that they were moments that just happened.

I don’t think I realised until I had you, how fast time goes. Even then, as a new mum, when days felt never-ending and I was exhausted beyond recognition, I didn’t appreciate how quickly it would be gone.

What I wouldn’t give to have those moments all over again, you falling asleep on my chest every evening, eating dinner with one hand because you needed to be cuddled, snuggling up on the sofa watching Dora the Explorer over and over and over again, your tiny little hand always in mine, always making sure I was there, just in case.

Sometimes, I lay in bed at night, listening to you laughing at something on your phone and wonder how we’ve got to seventeen. How we have blinked, and the years have gone.

I think about all the things I did wrong as a parent, the times I shouted at you or punished you when I should have listened and cuddled you instead. When I didn’t really know what I was doing and we learnt together, all the times I sent you to bed and then felt guilty for something and would wake you up to give you one last kiss.

I remember so much about you but feel like I’ve forgotten it all at the same time. I’m scared and excited by your future all at the same time. If I could replay the last 17 years all over again, knowing what I know now, I would, in a heartbeat.

I am so proud of the woman you’ve become. The kindest, most gentle soul I will ever know. You make me laugh more than anyone, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt I can trust you. I also know you can’t lie to save your life, and I’m proud of that too!

I’m so glad I got you, seventeen years and two days ago. That is most definitely one thing I wouldn’t ever change.

Happy Birthday H-Bo xxx

Why ground support equipment is so important when you next travel. 

We all love travelling – the excitement of visiting a different country and exploring a new culture is a very special feeling. Plus, all the new food that you’ll be trying for the first time. What’s not to like?

I personally travel most often by plane, it’s easy, fast and many times cheaper than spending a day out in London. Plus, I love airports (not a popular opinion, I know)! I think that airports are part of my travels rather than the means to an end. Airports are just like small cities with everything you need and for me, it’s super fascinating how everything works in order for passengers to have a stress-free experience (most times). 

One of my favourite things to do at an airport is to go sit down next to one of those large windows, look out of it and notice all the airport staff and bits of equipment that are used for each plane to be ready for boarding. So, basically, I love people watching. 

A few years ago, whilst I was people watching, I started to wonder what all the equipment was and what it was used for. Fortunately, one of my good friends works at Aviation Spares & Repairs, a company that supplies ground support equipment, which is all the equipment that is used at airports and airfields, and she was happy to answer some of my questions.

If you’ve ever wondered this yourself or maybe you children have asked you these questions, continue reading below. 

What is ground support equipment?

Ground support equipment is any type of support equipment found at an airport, and as the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 149 explains, it’s “typically associated with the servicing of aircraft during the ground-based, airport turnaround process.” This involves equipment to power airplanes, such as generators, to move airplanes, such as tow tractors, to help load cargo onto the airplane, such as baggage belt loads and to aid passengers board, such as boarding stairs.

There are also various other tasks performed by ground support equipment, including restocking of food and water, airfield maintenance, aircraft refuelling and more.

Now, you can understand why this type of equipment is so important as after all, it ensures that the aircraft you are about to board is ready to safely take you to your holiday destination. 

Calling all Harry Potter fans! No matter if you are part of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff or even if you are a curious muggle, I’m sure you’ll find something special at The Carat Shop’s new website. 

The Carat Shop is a Hertfordshire-based jewellery maker which specialises in designing, making and retailing licensed Harry Potter jewellery, including necklaces, earrings, charms and rings that feature the most popular characters and items of this novel. They have recently launched their new website and they are inviting all lovers of Harry Potter to visit the website and let them know what they think. 

Wearing Harry Potter jewellery by The Carat Shop is the ideal way to show-off your love for all things related to the wizarding world and is the perfect way to find fellow Potterheads. And do you know the best thing about their new website? All UK orders come with FREE shipping!

So, hop on your broom and get over there! If you are looking for a gift for a partner or maybe looking for something for yourself and are not sure what to get, let me show you their best-selling products.

Golden Snitch Jewellery

From golden snitch earrings to golden snitch necklaces and more, The Carat Shop has a variety of accessories and jewellery which feature everyone’s favourite gold coloured Quidditch ball.

Deathly Hallows Jewellery

The Deathly Hallows symbol consists of the shapes of three magical items: the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility. You’ll find deathly hallows necklaces, deathly hallows bookmarks and much more at The Carat Shop.

Time Turner Jewellery

Go back in time with The Carat Shop’s time turner jewellery pieces and accessories. From Hermione’s time turner necklace to time turner earrings and more! 

Visit The Carat Shop’s website today at https://thecaratshop.co.uk and browse through their whole collection of Harry Potter jewellery.