Our first big trip out

Well, we ventured into London yesterday - using public transport no less!

The Xplory worked very well - a little cumbersome and heavy to move up and down stairs, but managed very well considering.

Bev was going to go in on her own, but with the benefit of hindsight concluded that the both of us going on the first attempt was probably the best thing.

The train pulled in at the station and we noticed it was a brand new one - air conditioned, smooth, quiet and grafitti-less (for now).

The Xplory was easy to get onto the train, and we parked Hayden by the doors - next to the luggage rack thing they had installed. He slept for most of the way - even with people occasionally knocking his buggy. He woke up as we neared the end of the journey - City Thameslink and took in the sights.

We were then forced to use the lift on account that you are not permitted to use buggies on escalators, and the stairs were just too numerous given the slight difficulty we'd had at the local station.

Then we were there - London, "the big smoke".

The Xplory is designed very much with city life in mind - it is perfectly at home on city streets, and is easy to manouevre around the streets of London. It also attracts attention, so if you are considering buying one, and you're a bit of a shrinking violet, be warned. At no point did I feel uncomfortable pushing it given that I didn't have to stoop to reach the handles, and I never kicked the wheels/axle as it provides a decent stride length for those of us with a 36" inside leg.

We then faced our next "challenge" - the London Bus.

Many buses are now fitted with the ability of "dropping" down when stationary to allow easier access on and off, for elderly travellers, the less able and I presume parents with buggies. A fine concept, providing the bus parks somewhere in the same postcode as you/the bus stop. On several occasions I had to drop down onto the road, and then up onto the bus - one particular occasion I was forced to lift the whole buggy in my arms to get it onto the bus before being run over by cyclists (the special breed only available in London).

It was then we discovered why parents often use the small "strollers" when venturing around town on public transport. There is one area on the buses in London allocated to wheelchar/buggies - the middle of the bus on the ground floor.

Given that we were there during the "quiet" time of day (mid morning and again mid afternoon) it was not too much of a problem and we managed to get the buggy in, and sit in the seats adjacent to the buggy area.

Not without incident I hasten to add.

As with all methods of public transport, because they are often overcrowded and people are forced to stand whilst travelling, there are various grab handles and bars placed about at "convenient" locations - one of which is "conveniently" placed directly where a tall persons head might well be when placing their buggy in the allocated area. Thunk! Another bump to add to the extensive collection.

The one thing they advertise with the Xplory is the fact that children often have a better view in the elevated position the Xplory allows. We didn't really consider this, just the fact that Hayden would be closer to us when being pushed about, however when on the bus he could actually see out, so the journey was far more interesting for him. So interesting in fact that again he fell asleep for the majority of the journey.

When we arrived at our stop we had a short walk to the office, manouevering around your typical London people. Part of the final leg involved walking along cobbled streets - Hayden remained asleep and the Xplory performed once again.

The last part of the walk involved a particularly congested area of London (I know, more than usual) and we had to walk between stationary cars - dodging cyclists and couriers in the process. I noticed that another benefit of the lofty position of the seat on the Xplory meant that Hayden was not in the direct line of fire of car exhausts - a minor thing, but still.

We made it to our destination in one piece, Hayden lapped up being centre of attention and dished out smiles without prejudice. Time passed by, chats were had and we then broke for lunch.

One other advantage of the Xplory is the fact that it can be wheeled up to a table and used effectively as a high chair of sorts. Cafe Rouge in Knightsbridge isn't designed with children in mind, more ladies wot lunch and shoppers out to be seen. However, we were more than comfortable and managed a pleasant lunch in view of 'arrods and the well to do.

Back to the office and then the home leg.

The bus was a little more congested on the return journey, but we still managed - I again had to lift the buggy to get off the bus at our stop.

The train on the way home was your standard "well used" affair - Hayden was forced to be parked in the middle of the aisle, but with plenty of room for other passengers to negotiate their way past without incident.

Made it home in one piece and Bev is confident of repeating the journey on her own in the future.

Who knows where we might end up next!!