Limitless possibilities and the greatest toy on Earth

Cor, what a week it has been!  We decided to go on a whistle-stop tour of Europe, starting in our own capital, London.  Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus... we saw them all, and even managed to watch the Trooping of the Colour in the company of the Royal Family!  There was also an unexpected journey to the old Wembley Stadium, its twin towers still standing proud outside the Home of Football.

Leaving London, we had a quick look at Stonehenge, made our way to a Shakespeare production at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall, before heading up country, where the iconically rusty Angel of the North pointed the way to Newcastle.  Further north, across the border and into Scotland, we took in some Highland dancing at Blair Castle, and marvelled at the wonder that is Edinburgh Castle.

Not satisfied with our British adventure, we thought we'd hop across the water and see what was occurring in Europe.  Paris was looking splendid, especially the beautiful Sacre Coeur, and we were delighted to visit a traditional Tuscan village market, before heading into the wilds of Scandinavia, where pretty little churches poked up from alpine tundra, and Abba were giving an impromptu concert.  In Holland, meanwhile, the canals were busy as usual, whilst the architecture in Belgium remains simply stunning.

Of course, Lizzie and I haven't been jet-setting at all!  Instead, we took the 08:03 to Windsor and Eton Riverside, and hopped on the shuttle bus to Legoland Windsor, Britain's home of Lego.  Miniland, which is only one part of this excellent park, contains a staggering number of world-famous buildings from cities across Europe and North America.  What I love best about it is the attention to detail - two new parents with a pram outside Buckingham Palace, the Chancellor emerging from Downing Street with a red briefcase, a group of black-and-white-striped footballers loitering under the Angel of the North - a proper examination of the place would take almost as many hours as it took to build in the first place.

Aside from the brilliant models of Miniland, we also met Vikings and Pirates on the park's splash-tastic water rides, took a submarine journey to see real ocean fish, enjoyed an oriental steam train ride, saw incredibly realistic big game animals, explored a medieval castle, and went on a dinosaur safari.  What more could you ask for in one day out?

Lego will always hold a very special place in my heart; it was virtually the only toy I played with as a child, and I collected, built, designed, and absolutely loved it for years.  In tough times, it cheered me up and gave me an escape, whether it was a castle, a pirate ship, a police station... For a child with an imagination, there was no end.  In my more mature years, I may no longer have all the sets (well, I've clung on to one or two), but I've always kept a very close eye on this wonderful plastic toy company, to see where they take themselves next.  And judging by what I've seen, there's another generation of children growing up with their heads full of wonder at the limitless possibilities that this toy provides.  No wonder there were so many happy faces leaving the park's shop at the end of the day; I think I may have indulged a little too:

 

Thanks Lego, for one great day out, and for years of enjoyment!