Spring Break found Justin and Katharine jetting off to London, under pretense of inspecting the London Center, but mainly as a senior-trip-substitute-twelve-year-old-trip, due to Katharine's turning 12 amid the throes of the pandemic. They had an absolutely wonderful time.
Long flight to London; Katharine spent it watching various cartoons and occasionally picking up some Tocqueville and Eliot, while Justin spent a more productive journey reading Cointelligence, a new book about AI, and some of the teachings of President Hinckley.
"Diagon Alley," the first day in London; briefly grabbed some empanadas with some interesting sauce for lunch at a small shop nearby.
The Shard and the Gerkin, in London's financial district; one of the London Center's board members, Rob Clayton, generously gave Justin and Katharine a fascinating tour of Lloyds of London.
London Bridge! (It didn't fall down, thankfully.)
Lia's mentor, Cecilia Peek, gave Katharine and Justin a tour of the British Museum; this room used to be the British Library, and is so beautiful the pictures don't do it justice.
Wandering London prior to seeing Les Mis at Sondheim Theatre; absolutely superb performance.
Eating some fish and chips, the only quintessential British food that was consumed on this trip; it turned out Katharine and Justin both preferred the Pakistani food at Taste of Lahore, a Cecilia Peek recommendation and delicious spot.
The performance!
Tour of Parliament!
The Churchill War Rooms; a new favorite quote of Justin's.
On the way to the Globe to see The Tempest.
Katharine considered buying this Shakespearean onesie for Miriam, feeling it applied to nearly all the Collings sisters.
Oxford!
Lia having learned her lesson about how things go on the homefront while Justin is galavanting in Europe, she invited friends to share in Large Family Spring Break adventures. Combining the Clarke's plans to head to St. George and Lia's desire to take advantage of Brianhead's Kids Learn to Ski Free program, they found a ranch house in the middle that could accommodate three adults and many children. Lia was not very good at snapping photos, but there is some pictorial evidence of a day on the slopes for Gwyn and Abdiel; the Children's Museum in St. George; chillin' at the ranch house; the carousel downtown; lunch at the Bear Paw Diner; and Miriam finding her favorite blanket brought to life in the form of a large dog. We did not get evidence of all the delicious food, game nights, hot tubbing, hiking in Kanarraville, the kids' escapades with the Clarkes while Lia et al. were at Brianhead (turns out the Learn to Ski was not free, but being so close to a lifelong dream, Lia wasn't about to let ski lesson gougers stop her!), a temple trip, and good conversation. The kids were a little skeptical when we set out, but left begging for the next time Dad could go out of town and the mice would be left to play.
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