Docks to Locks in London Town

Another short trip to keep the Gap Year ticking over until we set off on more foreign adventures. This time, it was a four night stay at Lee Valley youth hostel in Cheshunt.

We checked in on Monday afternoon, to stay in their wheelchair accessible room which was in a lodge adjacent to the main building. There was a single bed and a double with bunk above, and an accessible wet room. The kitchen area in this lodge also had some accessible features such as lowered, wheel-under worktop. The surface outside was gravel in a mesh retainer. We didn’t have any problem pushing Racheal’s Treki, but a fellow guest said he found it very difficult to self propel his wheelchair on it.

We only had an hour to get everything unloaded from the car and organised before we caught the train, from the station next door to the youth hostel, into London. We had tickets to see Paddington the musical, which was showing at the Savoy Theatre. It’s a small theatre and only has one wheelchair space per performance. We were shown to the accessible entrance which involved a walk around the block to get to the side of the theatre. It was about a 10 minute walk, but we did see parts of London that you wouldn’t otherwise see. The wheelchair area had a seat for a companion. One of us had a seat the other side of the aisle, but because Racheal’s wheelchair is not too big and attendant brought a second chair so that the three of us could sit together. After a very enjoyable evening, it was late when we got back to the youth hostel by the time we had caught a bus and then the train.

On Tuesday, we didn’t rush as we’ve been so late the night before. When we were ready, we made our way into London by train to Tottenham Hale, and then on the underground to Vauxhall. From there we walked along the Albert Embankment past the London Eye to the Southbank Centre where there is a changing places toilet. After lunch at PizzaExpress we headed for the Paddington Experience where we planned to spend the afternoon. However, we discovered that it closes early on a Tuesday. We quickly came up with a plan B, which was to take a boat along the Thames to Canary Wharf. A pleasant 35 minute journey in the sunshine enjoying a different view of London, and all for £6.55 as Racheal got a concessionary fare and, with her access card, Summer and I were free, as her carers. We made our way to the London Museum of the Docklands, which we explored for a couple of hours until they closed. It is a fairly small museum, nicely laid out, but not as sensory/interactive as I had hoped.

Our next stop was a café to give Racheal her tea, then a walk around the winter lights which illuminate the Canary Wharf area in January. They were quite impressive. Some were too far away for Racheal to see, but those she could get close to she really enjoyed.

On day three, we had planned to go to Windsor Castle, but discovered that it was closed on Wednesdays. At least this time we found out before we set off. So so we changed our plans once again and decided to explore Camden Market, adjacent to Camden Lock on the Regents Canal. This time our journey involved a train, the tube and a London bus. It started to rain so after a wander along Camden High Street and a look at the lock, we made our way to the covered market. We spent a pleasant few hours soaking up the atmosphere, the sights, sounds and smells.

On our final day in London, we managed to get to the Paddington Experience at County Hall. It consisted of a series of rooms which had been made to look like Paddington Station, Windsor Gardens, the rooms in the Brown’s home, and the Peruvian jungle. There were things for Racheal to feel and activities to take part in as we became immersed in the life of Paddington Bear and prepared for ‘Marmalade Day’.

Finally, we headed to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, to watch the matinee of Disney’s musical, Hercules. Again we were very well looked after by the access team and thoroughly enjoyed the show.

After a meal in a nearby restaurant, we caught the bus and train, once again, to return to the youth hostel. As one of Racheal’s great pleasures is transport, she really had a treat in London!