Up the Gunners!

Right, where were we? Ah yes, London. Before we left the big smoke, RGH's brother, my REB (Rather Eccentric Brother-in-law) took us to check out the new Arsenal stadium. Oh, the excitement!

RGH was suitably impressed but sadly the monkeys - and possibly those non-footie fans among us - just thought it was .........

Back at my REB's house we had a bit of a party. Unfortunately No. 4 embarrassed us all by pigging out on the croissants

No. 3 was so revolted he turned away in disgust and No. 4 hasn't been able to look at a croissant without feeling slightly nauseous ever since.

Soon the time came for us to leave. The monkeys looked nervous about the prospect of being left in a strange home in a strange town with a str...... slightly eccentric man. But we reassured them ........ actually we just bolted to the door while their backs were turned!

And then we left. Without so much as a backward glance. In fact that's not quite true, because despite all I've said about these pesky primates, they're not really bad monkeys. It's just the way they were positioned.

London 2007 - The Tour continues

So No. 3 and No. 4 were getting into the whole tourist vibe in London. They discussed having a spin on the eye but No. 3 isn't very good with heights.




They frolicked happily along the Embankment.

No. 4 decided he'd quite like to become an MP and work in the Houses of Parliament.

No. 3 told him not to be so silly - they don't let monkeys in there! ....... hmm, on second thoughts though ......

They nearly got arrested for trying to infiltrate Westminster. "Ello, ello, ello, we'll have no monkey business here!"

They dined in some fine eateries .......

........ actually they decided on a liquid lunch instead ........

While under the influence, No. 4 reached for the complimentary monkey nuts. Strangely No. 3 didn't point out his error.

With more sightseeing after lunch the monkeys began to flag and we decided to finish off a lovely day in that time honoured English tradition ....... no, not climbing Nelson's column - although No. 4 was tempted ........

........ enjoying a rather lovely Cup of Tea.

Tune in tomorrow for the final exciting instalment, in which the monkey's check out RGH's favourite football team's headquarters, and nearly get arrested for exposing themselves on the pitch.

(Disclaimer : any viewers tuning in tomorrow for monkey nudity will be disappointed. It was simply a carrot. An enticement. Plus, LOOK! They're already naked!)

The monkeys take London ...... and then put it back again neatly

Subtitle : How to embarrass your kids in one easy lesson

As I mentioned in yesterdays post, eventually we were forced to get rid of No.'s 3 and 4. We were fed up with them commandeering our telly .....

..... and our pool table ......



....... and stealing crisps then letting No. 2 take the rap.



So we hatched a cunning plan to relocate them. I told them to prepare themselves as we were going on "a little trip".

But when they started planning a round-the-world cruise and No. 4 stole sweets for the journey, I had to reign them in a little.


Then I told them we were going to the big smoke and No. 4 took charge of planning the route. No.3 got so excited that he had to be excused.

Soon we were all packed and ready to go.



At first the monkeys were nervous and refused to leave the safety of my rucksack. They were particularly worried on the scary moving stairs ......

...... but they got used to it. Pretty soon they were just like your average commuters about town, waiting for the train on a crowded platform ........ ahem, it was early .......

........ struggling to find free seats .........

(Note : that pink arm belongs to my very embarrassed teenage RBD1. Worse was to come. Mwah ha ha. Also note the reflection of the Londonite studiously ignoring the knitted monkey debacle going on immediately in front of her. They're used to weird people on the tube!)


While in London the monkeys took in some fine art .....

....... enjoyed the odd museum .......

........ and even frequented a couple of local hostelries, where soft drinks were enjoyed all round.

Doh! Some of us may have had beer ......

To be continued ........ I have knitting deadline issues!