magog_83

My journey to London to see 'Much Ado About Nothing' was long, but uneventful, and it was only when I reached my hotel and was just getting settled in that I realised I might have a small problem.

They preferred the term 'stealth travellers', I preferred the term, 'evil little stowaways'.

Mini Merlin and Arthur had decided to join me, and they were keen to see London.

Well, not that bit. That bit was crap.

They soon found a map and began planning their adventures.

Unfortunately, this was the point that I was forced to tell them we were going straight to 'Much Ado About Nothing' and moreover, that I only had two tickets and couldn't take them along.

They did not take it well.

In an effort to smooth things over, I promised I would bring them back a good present.

In the end, I was forced to leave them sulking and head for the play. As far as the Mini Thems were concerned, the play was awful and I didn't even get to see David Tennant up-close.

There was at least three whole feet between us.

On the way back to the hotel, I made sure to pick up some chocolate biscuits for the Minis, as a peace offering. However, I feared they still hadn't forgiven me.

They only ate them to make a Point.

So I produced my secret weapon, their very own copy of the programme to add to their library.

After a perilous moment, the Mini Thems consented to inspect the programme to make sure it was up to standard as an apology present.

After much deliberation, they decided it was.

Approval.

The programme was duly added to their hiding place (with perhaps a few secret prods of magic)

Mini Arthur had no idea the pocket was so spacious! Especially when he and Merlin had been squashed together so closely the entire way to London.

Having forgiven me, it seemed the Mini Thems were keen to make up for lost time and set out to thoroughly explore my luggage and the hotel room, whilst I tried to think of something nice we could do before my coach left the next morning.

I never did get to finish my book. Would the captain ever marry the shy Miss Deborah? I would never know.

Meanwhile, Arthur got to grips with the complimentary toiletries (just for Research).

It must be meant for him, even the bottles were the right size.

He concluded that more Research was needed.

As always, Arthur intended to be very thorough.

Whilst the boys were exploring, I had been looking at the map for somewhere suitably close that we could visit the next morning so the Mini Thems could get some pictures for their album. I settled on the nice and historic Inns of Court.

Merlin was saddened to discover that 'inn' did not always mean copious amounts of alcohol.

They quickly set about posing for some new album shots, as evidence of their trip.

Then Merlin spotted a perfect historical building, Arthur just had to pose in front of.

Arthur didn't think the building was THAT funny, but then Merlin was a very strange person.

After we had thoroughly explored, we went for some dinner, and the Mini Thems had to settle for a lemonade because there was only so much food I could get away with ordering for myself.

However, there were times when I suspected they may have had designs on my Sunday roast all the same.

It was almost as though someone was watching me.

Then, finally, we were off home, and this time I insisted the Mini Thems travel where I could see them.

Once we were safely back, I quickly got to work writing a post about the play for my flist. Meanwhile, the Mini Thems decided to pursue a loftier goal, driven by their newly-inspired love of Shakespearean Literature and desire to know more about the great man and his works.