Several years ago, Battersea Power Station was converted into a large shopping centre, commercial and residential complex. The building is incredibly iconic and timeless, with its brick walls, numerous decorative details, and, of course, its four chimneys. It is also famous for its appearance on Pink Floyd’s album Animals, on which a large inflatable pig flies over what was then a coal-fired power station. We’ve also been to the shops at Battersea Power Station before and really enjoyed it there. Gabi finds perfumes she was looking for and I have a browse in the Lego store – the only one in the world with a black-and-white logo. Later on, we have lunch. Gabi loves the Spicy Tuna Sandwich from Joe & the Juice, whilst I try out the Southern-style burger joint.

But actually, that’s why we’ve come here: the big Wallace & Gromit shop that’s recently opened here. We’re delighted with all the brilliant merchandise from the various films, as well as, of course, from Chicken Run, the Shaun the Sheep TV series and even Creature Comforts and Morph from the early days of Aardman Animations. The shop is lovingly designed and also features three original scenes with the plasticine figures. And tucked away in a corner is a basket containing the costume of Feathers McGraw, a thieving penguin whom everyone mistook for a chicken because of the red glove on his head. It’s funny how like every minute, people our age come in, try on one of those red hats and then leave the shop either with or without it. We buy two.

On the way to Kew Gardens, we stop off at Richmond Hill to enjoy the view. The viewpoint and the park itself seem to be very popular places to meet up or spend some free time. A group celebrating a birthday with balloons is just setting off into the park.

Then we arrive at Kew Gardens, the large Royal Botanical Garden on the outskirts of London. There’s a Halloween tour here that we don’t want to miss. And sure enough, everything is decorated in a spooky way. A gravedigger is sneaking around a cemetery, vampires and mummies are standing by the side of the path, a witch is trying to lure children into her little witch’s cottage, and there’s even a show featuring fire-eaters. There are also plenty of light installations, a spider tunnel and, of course, loads of pumpkins. It’s only with the last installation – featuring the two disco dancers from the 1980s – that we’re not quite sure: presumably it’s meant to be a bit of a shocker, reminding us that 40 years have passed since then and we’ve grown older as a result.

By the time we get back to the hotel, most of the shops have already closed. I pick up a pizza for myself from Pizza Hut and a gordita for Gabi from Taco Bell – both on the same nearby street.