I had a half day today but had to start at the office to bagsy my hot desk.  So I was in at 8am as usual and picked up some porridge with banana and a latte on the way in.

I met Lara and Harvey at London Bridge and we headed off to Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Harvey had to stay in GOSH as a baby when he was incredibly poorly.  We both stayed there for 3 weeks but now he just has to go for a check up once every 2 years.  Today was check up time.

I was incredibly proud of my son who endured hours of hanging around waiting to see his consultant, giving blood, being scanned and being prodded and poked.  When he went to give blood the child in the next cubicle was screaming his head off which Lara and I found really distressing but Harvey was not too phased by it and hardly flinched.  I was proud of my daughter too, for waiting so patiently with us and for being so kind to her brother.

I always feel emotional when I go to GOSH.  I always try to look forward in life and not dwell on difficult periods but going to this incredible place brings back some tough memories.  Memories of a time when Harvey’s prognosis was uncertain.  Uncertain about how profoundly handicapped he was going to be.  But actually he is healthy.  We have all been very lucky.  None more so than Harvey himself, who had a very lucky escape from a life that was predicted to be one of disability and severe learning difficulties.

When sitting beside my sick baby’s cot became too much for me, I would walk round the corner and sit and have a cup of tea at SID’s on Lambs Conduit Street.  I would worry about my son and long to hold and be with my daughter who had to stay at home.

So today it was wonderful to be there with both my healthy and happy children.

We had lunch, in between appointments.  I had a salad which looked fantastic but somehow did not taste as fresh as it should have.

I also had a little piece of Lara’s raspberry and white chocolate muffin.

Walking up to the park we passed ‘The People’s Supermarket’ which I remembered from a tv programme and I was pleased to see it is still going.

We took Harvey to Coram’s Fields so he could have a run around and a reprieve from sitting inside a hot hospital.

The playgrounds were full of children playing.  It is wonderful to be able to take your child to a park that is free from alcoholics sitting on the benches or hoards of bored youths, drinking and swearing.

Also great to get some fresh air.

Unfortunately I had to leave them there and return to work.  I was really grateful to Lara for doing the afternoon shift at the hospital and bitterly disappointed I couldn’t stay with them.   I walked up to the tube which was next to St.Pancras station.

What a stunningly beautiful building this is.  Those Victorians were incredible architects and engineers and this train station reflects the importance train travel had at the time.

This is an unusual paint effect!

Which way in?

I left work on time and planned to go to the tennis club.  But I felt emotionally drained and so came home to prepare a simple supper.

Cheese and tomato on toast and houmous and tomato on toast.  Simple, quick and tasty.

I will be going to bed very early tonight – GOSH, I am exhausted.