One of the things that most attracted me to moving to Belgium was it's proximity to the British Isles. I love that place. I've loved it since I went there years ago and I loved it before then. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what I love so much about it, it's more this feeling I get when I think about it or see a picture in a magazine, read a book or watch a movie set there. It's like a crush only on a place instead of a person maybe? I'm wondering if it's because seven of my eight great-grandparents spent either all or part of their lives there, so maybe it's an innate feeling of being home? Most likely it's just a fabulous place and what's not to love! (For the record great-grandparent #8, my maternal grandfather's mother Lucille Pinard was French. She'd probably like to know I now live two miles from the French border!) I'm pinching myself right now because some of the cloud of absolute overwhelmingness from moving here is starting to clear and I'm realizing I'm living my dream and day by day appreciating it more and more.
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| The view as I type |
The kids seem to be enjoying life here. I have a lot of people asking how they are adjusting, and honestly, I think they are really adjusting well. I won't pretend for a second that they don't have their moments, or perhaps hide their feelings somewhat, but overall both Brian and I are really impressed with the transition they've made. I'm so happy for them, happy they are doing ok but so happy they have this experience as part of their childhood. To live in Europe, travel, and make friends from so many different countries is really unique and hopefully they will have a more global view of the world someday.
Back to England. Belgium being the good Catholic country that it is vacations the week of All Saints. So, no school for the kids and a relaxed work schedule for Brian gave us the perfect opportunity for a little vacation. England is just two and a half hours away by car, so an easy trip and a fabulous way to kick off our travels. And it's England! We didn't have a lot planned for our time there, just a reservation to get the car on the train and four nights at the most adorable two bedroom flat in London. That's my kind of travel, just go and see where the day takes you. This has it's pluses and minuses, particularly when traveling with children. Next time we know to book tickets for things such as the London Eye or the Tower ahead of time, much money can be saved as well as headaches of lines and wait times. On the flip side though, kids don't want to be marched around and scheduled all day (and neither do I, yuck) so it was nice to just find ourselves wandering through Hyde Park or Portobello Market. We'll be back...lots more to see!
Taking the car on the train was an experience in itself. It was very reasonable and so easy, and the novelty of it was fun for all of us. We picked it up in Calais, and were impressed to know we'd be in three countries in the matter of a few hours! Out of great fortune our mini-van finally arrived from the States the day before we left, so we were able to travel in comfort. (We are not missing the Euro-Ford "x-max" rental, perhaps European children do not annoy each other in their tiny family cars but our American children sure do)
On our way into England we stopped at Leeds Castle...we saw the signs from the road and said why not. So glad we did, it was a stunningly beautiful setting complete with an awesome playground, real hedge maze and great coffee and snacks! It was a perfect fall day, couldn't ask for more.
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| See the sheep? |
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| off to attack, or roll down the hill |
London...so much to see, so little time!
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| A taxi ride on a rainy night |
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| Westminster Abbey |
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| Hamming it up at the Scottish Highlands store. Nana would have been proud:) |
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| Loving the leaves in the park |
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| Double Decker bus time! |
We were planning to go back to Leeds Castle on the way home (our tickets for entry are good for a year) but learned due to the Guy Fawkes celebration we needed special tickets that were bought way in advance. Argh. No worries. We had our fill of Guy Fawkes in London, fireworks were going off each night and we were able to see some nice ones from the flat. So...no Leeds Castle and some bummed kids who wanted back on that playground! We debated Dover or Canterbury and ended up in Canterbury. Once again, it was beautiful and the cathedral is beyond impressive. Having read Pillars of the Earth some time ago I had a whole new appreciation for the blood, sweat and tears that went into creating such a masterpiece, fictional or not. It almost makes you cry it's so amazing, inside and out. The history that's wrapped up in that place, the memorials and the beauty is a lot to take in. And to walk from the cathedral into the walled city to find a Starbucks, well, the tears of joy were unstoppable! (we recognize it's also sad that a place like this is so commercial, but we are Starbucks deprived here!)
That's it folks. We are back in Belgium until Friday when we head to Germany for five days. Brian has a class there and our furniture and boxes are stuck in customs somewhere, due to arrive at the house the middle of next week. May as well go explore and be comfortable all at the same time!
2 comments:
love it!!! I cannot believe you are there seeing all this in person, so amazing!!! great shots too.
It's very surreal. Perhaps a girls day will be in order when you come to visit. High tea and shopping? Or even better...cider cider and more cider, it's everywhere!
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