Family Frugal Things Do In Washington D.C

You're going to love Washington D.C you feel feel right at home immediately and it is so easy to get around the city. The moment we arrived in Washington D.C we didn't immediately go into the city instead we got to know the neighbourhood where we were staying at the Omni Shoreham which is brilliant for the urban explorer. Though you are in a a city the Capital of USA it is so leafy and green and the pavements are so wide you really did not feel jostled as you might on Oxford Street for example.

The first day we were there we took the Metro from Woodley Park ( which is the Washington Zoo stop) and went to see the sights so we could get our bearings for the subsequent days. We immediately headed for the White House as will everyone else and we weren't disappointed as not only will you get a great view of the White House but you will also get a cracking view of Washington Monument as well. And be prepared to be moved when you are gazing upon the White House for when the Secret Service say move this is what you do and you do it with speed !

Now you can go up Washington Moment but do make sure that you book on line for this , I have heard that you get a awesome view and the lift is jolly fast ! However even with your feet firmly planted on  terra firma you can still appreciate the majestic nature of the monument.


Just a quick note if visiting Washington DC in the summer months do take a hat, carry water and possibly an umbrella ( for shade) as the temperature soars and the humidity is very high.

The Washington monument is like an exclamation point on the landscape and is 555ft , the reason that the monument is 2 colours is after construction started in 1848 the Civil War stopped work at 156ft. And when work restarted in 1876 the stone from the original quarry had dried up and contractors had to go else where by Federal law no building can be build higher than the monument.

Then we went onto the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream speech) you'll know instantly the spot as this is where everyone gathers to have their picture taken or taken pictures from that spot. The Lincoln memorial is the monument for the countries 16th President  the style is evoked by a Greek temple design. Lincoln gazes out over the Reflecting pool and it really a defining DC visit moment.

If you are Hap Pee and You Know it Clap Your Hands

In the good all days I would be heading off into town alas not wearing stilettos never could get on with those instruments of torture. If a drink looked pretty then I would have it  , 20 20 you name it  never one to get drunk in fact I am one of those people who get terribly sober. Fast forward 20 odd years and responsibility has crept up on me , marriage a child and 2 cats , well it was 3 but Rollie mark 1 got run over but such is life. And Rollie mark 2 has no soul anyway seen Pet Cemetery then that explains my cat. The husband answers the television when a game show is on , the son does his own thing like having a tamagotchi in the house you feed it and keep it alive.


Then there are the cats the fluffy bundles of joy to the house , if you read here not only will you get a recipe but you can read about the antics of the mouse that was on my stairs. Life I have to say is never dull in this household I am pretty sure a camera crew will appear any minute and film us for a documentary.

SO what am I doing on this rock and roll of a Friday well I am taking bets on how long the flat pack furniture will take to be made up, having a debate on the price of cucumbers * a question I do believe that was on Question Time. No I am cleaning cat pee off the front door , not my cat but another that has a gripe with one of my cats * probably Rollie . Oh and the front door that I will replace one day who the hell paints the front door  *  brown my husband that is who.

Rock Cat and Roll.

Washington DC Where to Stay For The Urban Explorer

For us the Omni Shoreham was a perfect location feeling like a home from home.

Omni Shoreham

We had breakfast once in the hotel as a treat as every day would have been pricey and we love to be urban explorers in the areas we stay in. There's so much choice eating wise around the Omni Shoreham you will be spoilt for choice , I only had one meal I wasn't keen on and that was when we went to some shrimp place and they insisted tieing a bib around us all .

The Omni Shoreham is a 1930s historic hotel , the Beatles stopped there as well as Frank Sinatra . Inaugural balls for various presidents have graced the marble floors and high ceilings. History is embedded very much in this luxury hotel , there's even a haunted suite which the concierge will let you visit if no one is staying there .

There is always a conference cracking off and whilst we were there it was a Nelson Mandela young African leaders conference.

There's a gym which We didn't visit and a pool which we didn't dip out tootsies in . 

The Metro( their version of the underground) is only a short walk away and enables you to get about Washington DC with ease.

A London Vibe

On Friday I won tickets to a Chelsea game , couldn't get anyone else to go with me so I decided to go myself , train prices were out of this world. This left one curl toe action I'm not a travel snob ( probably am) but even if coaches are old I expect cleanliness. This wasn't the case and I think CSI would have had a field day , after initially freaking out I thought it couldn't get any worse and settled town with a book. Until I was joined by a family with a toddler and baby ( not a problem I'm used to children noise as I work in a school) however what makes my soul a little is I've found is the ABC song on loop for an hour , followed by Incy Wincy spider. If I ever suggest coach travel again pleases kill me slowly by playing those the songs mentioned at me ...

Anyways London bound indeed I was and as I was going later to a Chelsea football game I decided to stick nearby in South Kensington.

And South Kensington is so choice ! with the area near the tube station laid out to pavement cafe culture . From what I quickly glimpsed there are places to eat to suit all budgets. Then on to the Natural museum for a quick flick round , I could easily have spent all day there but just a quick visit.

The architecture of the building really does make my heart sing !

I enters the museum via the side entrance which is something they do when the museum is busy . The escalator to the volcano zone us high but oh what a view !!

After the museum I proceed to go the Chelsea  game , the nearest tube station for this is Fulham Broadway. I do know my way round London a bit but if unsure to save time I just ask a member of staff it a policeman !

Chelsea lost against Crystal Palace but it was a fun if tiring day out.

Duck Legs 2 Ways

Duck legs 2 ways does rather sound like a comedy routine especially duck legs 2 ways. Well my day has been bit of a comedy routine with me seeing a mouse right there on the stairs . You are all breaking into song round now aren't ~?sways along with you .

Ingredients 

4 duck legs

Salt and pepper 

Method 

Heat the oven to 180 c 

Place a wire rack in an oven baking tray 

Pat the duck legs with kitchen towel 

Next prick with a fork 

Season with salt and pepper 

Cook for 90 minutes 

Leave to rest for 10 minutes

Why duck legs 2 ways ? Well I they do go 2 ways don't they legs I mean!