Finally got a chance to ‘escape’ at the weekend, with the boys’ blessing ... I am such a lucky mummy. Didn’t go far, didn’t go anywhere new, but a whole weekend in London is something I haven’t done since before they were born. So that was long overdue. I used to live in London back in my student days, and it brought back memories, walking around like I used to.

Discovered that B&Bs aren’t necessarily any cheaper than hotels … Had already decided that I’d be going to the British Museum – no, I’m not tired of that yet ;) – and somewhere new I’d discovered purely by chance – the Wallace Collection.

The weather was forecast wet and getting cold for the weekend, but it wasn’t too bad on Saturday – it was wet, but not pouring with rain and, after a while, it stopped. And it was warmer than I was expecting … not bad for late November.

I enjoy being out and about with the boys, but it’s a different kind of fun not having to have one’s ‘mummy’ hat on. And, having the weekend in the city, it was great not having to time-check, not having to worry about catching a train …

Being a scaredy-cat, I am nervous walking around Bournemouth city centre at night, but I’ve never been worried about walking around London, even at night. Obviously, I steer clear of ‘dodgy’ places, but maybe it’s the fact that London always seems to be full of theatre-goers, and people who are there mainly to see the sights, not necessarily people who’ve fallen out of pubs and clubs … Of course, the downside to ‘full of people’ is … lots of people. Wall-to-wall people. Who seem hell-bent on walking right into you … Quite similar to walking in Kuala Lumpur actually. But at least that’s better than the Underground. A relentless tide of people in an enclosed space. Not my favourite scenario by a longshot. When I lived in London, none of that bothered me. But now, seeing people run and leap into a tube train as the doors are shutting, I flinch, eyes shut tight.

First stop, British Museum, which turned out to be quite a pleasant walk. It’s been a long while since I’ve taken the time to properly look at the buildings in London – the architecture is stunning. I didn’t make any attempt to find out what the buildings are, the interest is purely in the design.

How many times have I been to the Museum? Never realised there is another entrance, with the most thoughtful looking pair of lions, so cute.

Visited th Egyptian exhibition again, which didn’t cost me anything; my membership card allows me free entry into special exhibitions – money well spent already. After that, went around the Egyptian exhibits … brief stop in ‘India’, but decided to leave soon after; being Saturday, the place was heaving, which made it really tiring walking around, having to dodge people. Also, I was so ready for lunch. The only picture I took in the museum ...

On my way to the hotel ...

Mahatma Gandhi, Tavistock Square in Bloomsbury

St Pancras Church; never seen this sort of design for a church before, apparently it's in a Greek revival style ...

In the evening, after a bit of a rest, I made my way towards Leicester Square via Covent Garden. The Christmas lights are gorgeous! I think the last time I saw Christmas lights in London was when I lived there.

Giant reindeer at Covent Garden ...

Must make an attempt to work out the night-time setting on my camera – the shots I took were, to be totally honest, absolutely rubbish! They were mainly blurry; I was not impressed. The night turned out to be warmer than I was expecting, even though there was a bit of rain in the air – I actually felt overdressed!

Sunday, after a late breakfast, I decided it was probably better to use the Underground as it was pouring with rain! And I do mean, pouring! It was coming down by the bucket-load.

I’d heard about the Wallace Collection while watching a documentary about William Marshal months ago; it was a fleeting mention with a quick look at a couple of the exhibits, but it was enough to pique my interest. I don’t know why it’s not more widely known, the place is beautiful and the range of exhibits, mind-blowing.

Hertford House (from 'Travel on Here' site)

The museum, in Hertford House, was established in 1897, and houses the private collection of the 4th Marquess of Hertford, Richard Seymour-Conway. He left the collection and the house to his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace; Sir Wallace’s widow subsequently bequeathed it to the nation. The museum opened to the public in 1900. One of the conditions of the bequest was that no object was to leave the collection, not even for loan exhibitions. The collection includes paintings, furniture, arms and armour, sculptures, miniatures, ceramics, medieval and renaissance works of art …

In the hallway just inside the entrance, 'The Arab Tent' ~ Edwin Henry Landseer

There were 3 rooms dedicated entirely to arms and armour, but the third was closed. This is European Armoury ...

The description for the armoured knight and horse pictured below, c.1480 - 'Complete horse armours dating from before 1500 are extremely rare ... of the three known to exist, this is perhaps the best preserved. All parts are original and belong together ... Armour for horse and rider may look massive but is not especially heavy. Total weight carried by the horse into battle was around 130-140kg, a perfectly manageable load for an animal of the correct breed and build'