I was saddened and angered by the attack on Westminster on Wednesday but I will not let such things stop me enjoying the greatest city in the world or interfere with my life.  It was Mother’s Day today and I had booked tickets for the three of us to go to the Royal Academy of Art and see the exhibition of American art after the fall i.e. the 1930’s followed by lunch nearby.  We stuck to our plan and had a really wonderful day.

Harvey and I caught the train up to Victoria where Lara met us.  We then planned to walk past Buckingham Palace and through Green Park to the Academy.  Our way was blocked by huge crowds because it was Changing Of The Guards so we stood to watch.  We had a great view from the palace end of St James’ Park which looked really pretty.I don’t think my children have actually seen this before but it’s a fantastic sight and we somehow managed to be standing at the front and had a perfect view.  The red uniforms, white palace and blue sky looked very patriotic.  Red, white and blue.  This is London and we are not afraid and we are not changing our way of life.The Queen’s guards play their instruments and march on to the palace. I am so pleased we saw that and it set us up perfectly for a wonderful day in sunny London.We walked through Green Park and on to the Royal Academy of Art in Piccadilly.London has so many beautiful buildings.  Remember to always look up or you miss some extraordinary architecture, such as these statues set in alcoves along the front of the Academy.This was a small exhibition but very interesting and I really enjoyed it.  I appreciated Lara and Harvey coming with me as it’s not something they would have chosen to do but they came along willingly and hopefully got something out of it too.  I definitely did.After the exhibition we meandered through Piccadilly and Soho and enjoyed the many sights of London.Our chosen lunch venue (Mildred’s) was closed so we went to Tapas Brindisa. Lara had bought me a cookbook by my favourite vegan bakers who make the BEST cupcakes.  Can’t wait to try making some of these.I was given a complimentary Mother’s Day cocktail and then had a sherry and citrus cocktail with the most amazing olives.And salted almonds, vegetable croquettes and sourdough toast with tomatoes.Then more bread with garlic, olive oil and herbs, a fennel, radish and orange salad and wilted spinach with pine nuts and raisins.  We feasted and chatted and laughed and had a really wonderful lunch time.  It was the best and I felt very lucky to spend my day with two such delightful companions.We walked some more after lunch and ended up in Golden Square.These pink tulips were so pretty.An unusual sculpture.Lara had found the Nordik Cafe for us to try but it was a bit dark and nothing special.  But it didn’t matter because the rest of the day definitely was; it was very special.London in the Spring sunshine was the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day with my 2 favourite people on the planet.  I hope all the Mummys among my friends and family had a lovely day too.