However, not all of our trips need to be quite as grand. Although jaunts across the ocean provide endless excitement, they also prove tiring. Sometimes, the travel itch is scratched just as well by staying closer to home, which I discovered when I planned a weekend at The Mitford Museum this past May.
It is a win-win situation all around.
However, as the receiver, we occasionally gain goods that may have a scuff or scratch on surfaces that cause us to question their origin. For example, for decades, I wondered how a perfectly round mark became etched into the beautiful vintage walnut accent table gifted to us early into our marriage. For years I thought the spot was an oil stain, even questioning if my children had managed to damage the table and keep it a secret or if the mark was a souvenir gained through one of our many moves.Â
However, the answer to my inquiry provided a better story than I imagined.
Their eyes would widen, a slightly curious shake of a head would occur, and then the following two questions would inevitably come rushing out, one right behind the other. “Why?” would be asked first, with “What can anyone do in London in only three days?” shortly behind.
The answer to the first question is simple enough.
“Why such a short trip?”
Well, first, because we are parents. That should be enough said, but let’s add in the availability of childcare, not to mention that we chose to travel in April, a month fraught with end-of-the-year school activities. Also, we love to travel with our children and consider these quick trips more scouting in nature. If we love a place and deem it safe enough, we return home and carve out the makings of a more extensive family trip in the future.
As for the second question, “What can one possibly do in London in four days?”
The simple answer is “quite a bit” as long as you are organized and prioritize your list of activities.