A Bird Abroad: Venturing South toward London

Our English weather continued on Friday as we left behind some quality people in Manchester (Stockport) and ventured south to London for the final leg of our trip. Not any outwardly signs of tears but many of our boys developed relationships with their hosts families, especially their UK moms, and it was difficult for them to say good-bye.
We drove through morning rush hour in a hurry to make it to our train on time only to find that a tragic accident had happened down the line that canceled a few trains and slowed down the process. But we didn't have to be anywhere in London until 5:00 so we passed the time away sharing stories of the trip and looking forward with anticipation of what lies ahead for us in London.
The train ride was uneventful and a lot quicker than I remember from my last trip abroad, but when you've just come off a week of hectic activity, calm is not such a bad thing. I was able to catch up on some work, the boys spent the time listening to music or playing their video games, and many parents just flat out caught up on sleep. Seems like the pace has been harder on us than on the kids!
We arrived in London and for the first time since leaving Dulles last Wednesday, we were all on our own. Sort of. We all had booked reservations in different hotels so we spread out throughout London to drop off our bags, check-in to the hotel or B&B, and settle in for the weekend. We had one final group act together, a trip to London's famed London Eye, an extremely large ferris wheel right on the Thames River that gave one an incredible view as far as the eye can see. First we had to sit through a 4D version of the London Eye Experience that was a fun prelude to what awaited us in the 30 foot glass tubes that would be our home for the next 20 minutes.
While there, we had our first celebrity sighting (well except for spending the week with Dave Pendlebury), Sex in the City's own Sarah Jessica Parker. Hiding behind her sunglasses, most people didn't know who she was, but one of our boys said "that's the girl from Sex in the City". Little did they know, her husband Matthew Broderick, he of Ferris Buehler fame, was walking right past us. Many of the kids had never seen Ferris Buehler so not much excitement about his walking by. I mean, who hasn't seen Ferris Buehler? Come on people!
When the ride on the London Eye was complete, our group split up into individual families or smaller groups, never to be together as a large group again, leaving the exploration of London to each family. Many will see each other again on the plane ride home on Monday, but others are extending their stay.
As a group trip, this has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for our boys and parents and players alike are forever grateful for the work that was put in to make this happen by our tour organizers, our English hosts, the host families and the community support we've received. From the bottom of my heart I thank all involved to make this happen for my son, and well, for me as well.