Gerry I wish I could loan out my cleaner, but unfortunately she is fully booked. This is probably because she is super lovely and I am eternally grateful to have her. My only other recommendations are either to start of with an agency, because then if they are rubbish you can complain and get someone else; or get someone on a trial basis and keep it very professional rather than friendly so you won't feel you can't fire them if you need to.
A toddler and the tube - avoid the rush hour. If you can't avoid the rush hour get a travel card and take the bus, or if you are feeling flush a cab. Don't whatever you do even think of chancing it in the rush hour. It's like a cattle truck down there, literally check to jowl, and no one has any manners.
Plonky if our respective OHs pi55 us both off enough I could be persuaded to elope 
!
Cross country? I loved cross country. I used to run for the county, and voluntarily spent my lunch hours running round the field. I still would, given half the chance. My funniest race was round the Point to Point course up on the Downs, as a rooky runner unwise to the ways of the rest of them. First step I was a elbowed in both sides and tripped up, ending flat on my face in the mud. I still won though. Anger is a great accelerator.
Rubbish morning today. We have arrived at car sickness territory. Drove to nursery. Arrived and parked. Loud wail.... followed by Bleurghhhhhhhhh. Vomit everywhere. Toddle in tears. Me in tears. Nursery staff probably in hysterics. Note to self, two changes of clothes in the change bag, and breakfast in the car park on arrival.