Day 2 - The Polar Express

We awoke the next morning to rain, and plenty of cloud.  It was stunning watching the clouds come and go over the mountains.  We chilled around the cabin, played computers, and watched tv. 

We decided to head out for some lunch at about 1.  We headed up to Bryson City in the hope we would be able to find enough to do before boarding the Polar Express at 5.  The weather was really quite terrible.

We headed to the ticket office first, so we could pick up our tickets for the train.  We headed over the road to Nate and Nicks Pizza place for lunch.  Don't think the hostess was best pleased with me declining the table right by the door, and wanting one further back.  Did she not realize our children would scare off my potential customers?!?  Any who, we were seated and order 2 small, one medium pizza between us.  The boys shared a cheese, I had a make your own, and paul went for the Farmers speciality pizza.  We also ordered some fries to keep the boys happy.  We were not disappointed.  The pizzas were delicious, and not a slice was left.  We left happy and sated.

Included in our Polar Express tickets, was entry to the Smokey Mountain Trains Museum.  The people in there didn't seem bothered to see our tickets, and were a little rude and disinterested.  I am grateful this was included in the tickets, as it was not worth the $9 it should have cost

We have been pretty disenchanted with model railway displays recently.  They all seem over priced, and not worth the money.  After purchasing a few souvenirs, we still had nearly 3 hours till we could get on the train.  We decided to head back to the cabin.

2 hours later we headed back to Bryson City.  We arrived about an hour before the train left, and the town was buzzing!  So many people.....

We decided to go and join the queue to get some snacks ready for the train

Ok, so it's not a steam train like the story.  It is 2 engines, with about 9 carriages.  So many people.....

After being held in a certain area (like animals), they were eventually ready to let us on the train.  We were glad we waited around, as we were one of the first to get on in our carriage.

We set off, pretty much on time, with delightful music from the film playing.  They then played part a reading from the story itself, as we meandered slowly through the beautiful countryside.  We were served cookies and hot chocolate in a keep sake mug (we had chosen the middle tier of carriage, hence the keep sake).

We drove past Santas village, where we were able to wave to the great man himself, before he boarded the train.  The people who live near Santas village in the North Carolina North Pole, had done an awesome job of decorating their houses.  The staff aboard our carriage were able to point out whose house was who, rudolf, frosty etc.  Santa then did a walk through of the train, giving out gifts.  A silver bell, just like in the story.

And just like in the story, our boys managed to loose theirs under the seats.  Luckily Paul was able to find them again (as well as lots of yucky litter......).  We then partook in a delightful sing song, as the train wound its way back to Bryson City.  It was fully dark by now, and it looked very pretty with all the lights

I *think* the boys had a good time.  They did say it was awesome, yet could not wait to get back to the hot tub.  For us adults, it was a little of an anti climax.  You are led to believe it will be a magical experience, yet when you think how much you paid for the magic, it should be a lot better.  Ok, it's supposed to be for kids, but their were an awful lot of adults, fully loving the magic.  Perhaps if it had been a steam train it may have been better.  Or they could have not packed you in like cattle?? I know they are old carriages, but to clean them during the day ready for the 3, (yes 3 Polar Express trips,) they run each day may not be too hard.  I don't know. Maybe because we didn't grow up with the story, so don't feel the magic.  We came away feeling a little uncomfortable with the amount of money we spent on this little excursion.  I am pretty sure we will not go on another Polar Express train, unless it is a steam one, and that's only a maybe.

Hopefully the next day is better (and better value for money too!)

Typical British weather

Ok, so we are pretty much over the sleep deprivation

After the falafel the night before, The boys slept till 8.30 on Sunday morning.  Grandad came back about 9.30am, and we made a plan for the day.  By the time we were all ready to go, it was 12.30!  We gave the boys a big snack and headed to meet dad's friend.  

We drove down past Farnham and on to Alice Holt forest.  I had not been there since I was about Oliver's age, and it has changed a lot.  There is a lovely little cafe, if it had not been too cold, we would have chosen to eat there.  Instead we did a short trail which had a few pieces of play equipment.  There was a big wooden house, which the boys had great fun playing in.  Then there was a balancing area, where Oliver managed to donk his head.  We headed back to the main play area, where the boys had fun playing.

We were initially gong to stop at a pub we have been to before, right near Birdworld.  Unfortunately they were busy, and quite unaccomadating.  We decided to drive in to Farnham and head to Pizza Express.  The boys were most disgusted about having to park the car and walk to a restaurant rather than park right out the front.  Pizza Express were very accommodating, and quickly set us up a table, providing a high chair for Seb and a table that was suitable for all 7 of us.

The service was prompt and professional, even from the Northern waiter.  Paul and dad both went with the hottest pizza they could find, I had a delightful pesto and basil pizza.  Not my usual choice.  The boys had 2 pizzas between them, and finished the lot, even Isaac.  Oliver had some Helens, and all the plates were clean.  We haven't done Pizza Express before, but think it is definetley one we will do again.  We had forgotten how pretty Farnham is.  The buildings are so eclectic, and it has a very oldy worldly feel, with out being too busy or over commercialized.

We got back to the house about 5, gave the boys a big snack dinner consisting of donuts, biscuits and crisps (bad mummy), and started the rigmarole of bedtime.  By staggering their bedtimes (Seb had 20 minutes sleep in the car all day), they were all in bed and asleep by 8.30.  I finished off wrapping presents, and we got a fairly early night.

Oliver and Isaac were awake at 7.45 this morning.  Paul got up with them, allowing Seb and I to sleep. We awoke at 10.30!  Very lazy....  But we obviously needed it.  We packed up our stuff, and were on the road for our first mini road trip by 12.30.

First stop.....Tesco Extra at the Meadows, Camberley.  I have been pinning for a trip to Tesco for a while.  Man it was busy... Took us ages to get a parking space.  We had lunch in their cafe.  It was very nice, and pretty reasonable...

I managed to get most of what I wanted, but it was too busy to have a proper look at their clothes.  I did pick up the underwear bits I wanted for the boys, which is awesome.  Seb has his first pack of pants, eeekkkkk....

We drove on to my mums.  The weather is atrocious, with gale force winds and flood warnings across most of southern England.  En route, we drove past a rather large branch hanging from a tree, blocking up the other side of the road.  As we drove past it, we were about 20 meters down the road when it fell, and landed across both lanes of the road.  Scary, if we had been 20 seconds later, it may have landed on us.....Delightful weather.

It was lovely to arrive at my mums, see the old cat.  The boys got straight in playing the iPad, iPod and wii.  Seb had his first experience of the wii, he loved it though Paul had to help a lot...

We even managed to get a kebab delivered.  Saved us having to go out, or anyone cooking.  We have said to the people that we are staying with that we want to spend time with them, so take aways and eating out is how we want to play it..... It was soooooo good.  The boys ate plenty of their nuggets before having a staggered bedtime.  Again, they were all in bed by 9.  Currently sitting here enjoying a beer.

We were planning  on heading out for a walk tomorrow.  Though it is not due to rain, the gale force winds are enough to put anyone off.....  Soft play centre here we come....

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