Two and Two Half-Pints: A day in London: Natural History Museum

3 March 2012

Bryce's interest in dinosaurs and their remains seems to have out-lasted his construction vehicle, monster, and pirate phases. (We'll blame it on him, but Stephen was anxious to update his inner dinosaur encyclopedia as well.) And, alright, I have a teeny interest for the first time in my life. So we three paleontological nerds subjected poor baby Ellis to a day of DINOS at the Natural History Museum in London!

Got an early-ish train to London (50 minute journey) and then took a long, cramped tube ride from King's Cross to South Kensington. The museum was packed, as would be expected on a weekend. We managed to see what we wanted to see without too much fuss and then ended on a low note when Bryce tossed his cookies (or, more specifically, his pink Ribena) during a coughing fit all over himself and the sidewalk in front of Harrods.

Found the only decently-priced pair of toddler pants within a 2-block radius at, of all places, the Gap and cleaned him up for our journey home. Poor little guy. He forgot all about it quickly with his new bucket of dinosaurs. (He is into the Harry and his Bucketful of Dinosaurs books and videos).

Ellis was very patient while we geeked out and actually was quite keen on looking at all the stuffed wildlife at the museum.

Sadly our want of a pub lunch in town was dismissed and we settled for some snacks for the train ride back to Cambridge. Picked up lamb kebabs on the way back from the station and tucked in when we got home.

We passed a bow maker on the way to the train station. Seemed to me a dying art, but I suppose someone's gotta string that horsehair or whatever bows are made of. Tried to take a photo of the workshop through the window (neat!) but there was too much glare. :(

A sea of bicycles parked outside Cambridge Rail Station

We're off!

Choo choo!

Always happy if there is food around. A breadstick will do.

Natural History Museum. Gorgeous building. And slightly overcast.

Ste & Bryce on the escalator

"What dat???"

The neck / spine of Diplodocus in the entry hall

Our buddy Darwin overseeing things in the main hall

What? I have to wait in a queue to see the dinosaurs?

Bryce's old favourite, Steggy.

Who's more excited?

One of my favorites: Pachycephalosaurus (Is that an awesome skull or what??!)

But even better: Parasaurolophus. This guy played that giant horn thing on his head like a big trumpet. Watch this awesome video where scientists tried to re-create the sound!

Hey, I recognize these fellas!

You'd think they'd dust this bad boy off once in a blue moon, but no. I mean, with the invention of the swiffer you'd think it would be quite manageable.