Event 22: Dr Driffill's trip to the Lion King

I am seriously impressed. Lizzie managed to keep our surprise trip for Dr Driffill a secret for 4 months!

Under the disguise of Housemate Day

We took a gamble that Lou would actually become Dr Driffill and started planning our congratulations treat back in November. We took a second gamble that Lou might actually be interested in going to see the Lion King and went ahead and booked tickets. The challenge was then how to convince Lou to keep the 8th March 2008 free, without raising too much suspicion.

So 'Housemate Day' was born and we started coming up with ideas for what we could do on our imaginary day. Lou was pretty convinced we were going to Ely. Little more was said (except secret woowoos between Lizzie and I) until the day Lou became Dr Driffill, when we started to let her get excited by giving her the first of three invitations - a departure time and packing list.

From Covent Garden Cambridge to Covent Garden London

Saturday 8th March arrived and after a lovely breakfast of pancakes and strawberries from Monica we set off for lunch in Covent Garden (as per the second invitation), armed with a packet of 'porky pigs' to keep us going on the long train journey there. Lizzie and I were amused that even the tube station was joining in the with the surprise. Covent Garden was predictably full of tourists, silly street acts and pigeons. We had a look round then sat and guarded our lunch from the pigeons.

All good things come in threes, so we produced the third envelope addressed to Dr Driffill. Inside were tickets to the Lion King.

What a show!

After hunting for a covent garden sign (scrapbook page photo opportunity not to be missed) we made our way to the Grand Circle of the Lyceum Theatre. And the show did not disappoint. The costumes were stunning. The set one of the most impressive I've seen. My favourite animals were the giraffes and the best scene was at the beginning of Act 2 when the whole theatre is full of kite birds. Amazing, just amazing. I was captivated from beginning to end.