From Liz – A few years ago (just a few) Erik and I both attended Papillion-LaVista High School. There was an opportunity to take a class called “Play Production” which had both junior and senior students. It was in this class that I met Alyssa Passey. She was a senior when I was a junior so obviously older and wiser than myself! We spent many hours and crazy moments together and then she graduated and we went our separate ways. She was an adventurous one so she journeyed to Germany to teach. She then went on to England to become a high school drama teacher! As most fairytales go she met her prince in London and has been here since. So top of our “must-see things in London” was “Alyssa and Duncan.”

Through my online searching I happened upon a website called “Treasure Trails” ( https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/ ) which has treasure hunt trails throughout England. I asked Alyssa if she and Duncan would be up for exploring using this method and she agreed to give it a go! She suggested “Little Venice” which started and ended in Paddington Station. The kids absolutely love the Paddington Bear movies so this seemed the perfect plan! Alyssa agreed to print the trail (which ended up being an adventure itself for Alyssa!) and we would meet in the station.

We arrived at the station with a few minutes to spare so we checked out the Paddington Station gift shop (so cute!). We picked up a new book and a couple darling Paddington Bear pins. We grabbed some drinks from a convenience store and waited for our friends. Alyssa and Duncan found Erik first and we had a mini reunion right in the station! First step was to get everyone to the bathroom. It was probably about now that Alyssa and Duncan were rethinking their plans for the day. All four children decided they wanted to go with them so off they went. Not going to lie, Erik and I enjoyed those 3 minutes of peace.

But alas, we had a trail to solve! Alyssa pulled out the all important maps and we easily made our way to the first clue – a statue in the station. Wow! This was going to be easy (insert foreshadowing music here). On to clue #2 – we quickly deciphered it to be the Paddington Bear statue – great! We wanted to see that anyway!

Now clue #3……Well we totally overthought this clue and had a difficult time but eventually Alyssa and the girls got it sorted out! When we finally came around the corner we learned why this area is called “Little Venice.” There was a canal with darling boats floating through it. We all decided this would be a great activity next time we visit London!

We kept at the map and started solving clues 4,5,6. It was about this time that Charlie started a tour of his own, “Bathrooms of Little Venice.” We kept searching for our trail while Liz helped Charlie tour the bathroom 😊 Our trail led us through a park so of course we had to stop and explore! This gave the adults some time to catch up while the children played. After a bit we were all getting hungry so we explored our options. It was here that Charlie took his 2^nd stop on the bathroom tour – down a “dungeoness” staircase (the employee’s words not mine!). Somehow he and I made it back out of the dungeon in one piece and we continued our journey. We discovered “The Fish Bar” next door and thought it sounded good (well everyone but Samantha but they can’t all be winners!). We had chicken, fish, and chips (delish!) as well as some plums and tomatoes from the fruit stand next door. A third stop on Charlie’s tour took us to the local “surgery” which is British for hospital clinic! Good to know as sometimes bathrooms are hard to find!

We made our way back to the park to continue our trail but the kids had other ideas – Juliette found some boys to place soccer with while the other children explored the workout equipment in the park. Meanwhile Alyssa took a lap around the park to solve the next clue. She did it! After prying Juliette away from the boys we focused our attention on the trail. We were doing great and continued to solve the clues stopping to see a traditional phone booth, have a dance party, and see a cabmen’s shelter.

It was about this time we discovered another family following this trail. GAME ON – Nothing like a little competition to speed things along. We quickly made our way to the next stop and while Alyssa solved it (do you see a theme here?) the kids found a playground to explore! Juliette challenged Duncan to yet another game of football. The other family arrived, quickly solved the clue and moved on – game over for us! Even if we didn’t beat them we were determined to finish! We found another clue, then another, then a M&S. In Alyssa’s words the M&S is “a posh convenience store.” It was here she introduced us to “Percy Pigs” a lovely little gummy treat! We found our way to a new area complete with a fountain to play in. Could this day get any better?!?

Unfortunately it wasn’t terrific for all of us. Katie was really feeling the effects of jet lag so we let her rest in the sun for a bit before we set off for the completion of the trail. We finally solved the last clue and promptly sent the code for confirmation! One more stop on the Bathroom tour – at the “surgery” across from where Kate Middleton gave birth! Alyssa and I were especially excited to see this famous landmark!

It was about here that we needed to say goodbye to our friends! Duncan needed to get to work and it was getting late in the day. We gave lots of hugs and hoped to get together another day of our trip! Thank you Alyssa and Duncan for joining our crazy adventures!

But the day was not over yet! We searched for dinner (always a process) and found a Chinese/Korean restaurant. After our luck with Chinese food in Germany most everyone was agreeable (good enough for me!). So we ordered some things to share including Korean bulgogi which I learned about on the plane to Thailand! YUM!

We made our way to the train station and found quite a rambuncous crowd. We took a chance and asked a small group what they were celebrating. Turns out there was an important football game and their team (Tratmere) won! As Juliette was carrying “Sonny D” (her football) one of the men in the group asked if she played. She energetically said yes and he immediately gave her his football scarf! So cool!

One more stop on the Bathroom Tour at the station and then we headed home!

Just a little extra: We learned Alyssa is the “Rick Steves of London” – for real! She even has her picture in a book!