<img id="rg_hi" class="alignleft" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRq5F2r3lGqVzR2Pf8Xkb_IEvo8y2wuIk92IPFZV0WpXu8_tMCZOQ" alt="" width="200" height="228" data-height="228" data-width="200" />I will admit the visit to <a title="Sea Life Aquarium" href="http://www.visitsealife.com/London/?awc=3010_1341395368_236bcd54e88f36bc4b3aad999b3f4689" target="_blank">Sea Life Aquarium</a> was not a "must do" experience for me. Having visited the <a title="Monterey Bay Aquarium" href="http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/" target="_blank">Monterey Bay Aquarium</a> in California a couple of times I couldn't see how Sea Life could be a patch on that, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't as spacious as Monterey but the designers had made really good use of the space available and some of the tanks were enormous.

There was an open tank with rays and large fish swimming about which Jane took delight in stroking the fish and it wasn't til we walked away that we noticed signs saying don't put your hand in the water or feel the fish. The fish didn't seem to mind and some of them seemed to enjoy it - no harm done and Jane got a lot of pleasure from it. Even I stroked the odd passing ray.

As far as I'm concerned the only downside was the number of small children walking though in their droves. Call me an old curmudgeon but I think my parents attitude that children should be seen and not heard was a really great concept and I regret the day it was lost.

So it was a good morning and we rounded it off with lunch at Costa in Islington with Jane's brother before catching the train back to Northampton.