First Week Home

I must admit, being away from our little guys (ad our big guy) for three weeks was tough! And, clearly, the feeling was mutual.

Though when we'd left it was June Gloom and not terribly warm, we returned home to crazy hot summer weather. 

We spent the first day and a half resting and unpacking. Thankfully, Stace was able to be home on Monday to recover, too.

Tuesday was Nick's 40th birthday, and Melanie arranged a lovely party 

Nick's friend brought a Polaroid camera.
 

We were out of food, after being away so long, and my inspectors were eager to check out what I brought home.

Cora has a fancy-dress party coming up, so I got out a few dresses for her to look at. Seb found one of my old bridesmaid dresses to be a great nap spot.

The kittens would love to be hunters. Winston loves bird-watching, and Evie really wanted this lizard on the patio door track.

Stace's return to work this week went well, and Cora was able to play D&D a few times. I was happy to catch up with my friend Kelly on Friday, getting dinner with her.

England Wrapup

One of Stace's goals this trip was to take his dad to the Fleet Air Arm aircraft museum at Yeovilton Naval Air Station.

While they looked at planes, Sue, Violet and I went to Clarks Village to do some shopping, and in particular, buy shoes for Violet.

Stace, Violet and I went up Burrow Hill one evening during our third week. Such lovely views of Kingsbury and the surrounding countryside!

Violet went to Auntie Doreen's house Thursday and collected eggs while she was there. 

Later that day, Stace, Sue, Gord and I went to see Livy compete at her school Sports Day, and then took a long walk with her and Lula around Stoford after school.

Friday was Stacey's birthday, and we spent part of the day in Crewkerne, at an antique emporium. We had lunch afterwards in a cafe. 

In the evening, we'd planned to play around at Ham Hill, but it started raining, so we just went up to the Prince of Wales for a drink with the family.

Auntie Doreen brought Stace one of her amazing Victoria Sponge cakes for Stace's birthday, and he loved it. It made for a great breakfast the next day, too, before we packed up for our train ride back to London to close out our trip.
 

Also during our last week together we were able to enjoy a family meal at the Prince of Wales. I was very pleased to help ensure we took a family photo, as we don't have many with all of us, including Olivia, and certainly not in recent years.

We were only missing Martin here, who wasn't able to make it (and Uncle Pete, of course). A nice night was had by all.

And that wraps up our England 2024 trip! 

After taking the train to London and then to Gatwick, we spent the night at the Premier Inn that was practically on the airport grounds. 

Our flight home Sunday was easy - we'd fly Norse Air again, if necessary, though it is nicer to not have to worry so much about our luggage and bringing all of our own food on board. But in this case, it was definitely worth it, to save $1,500ish.

Morning Out: Muchelney Abbey

 On Tuesday morning, Stace and I rode bikes to Muchelney Abbey, where we met up with Sue and Violet to take a tour of this local landmark. Like most other abbeys, the actual 8th century abbey was torn down by Henry VIII, but the 16th century Abbot's House was intact and we were able to tour it here.

Nearby was the thatched lavatory used by the monks - interesting to see that kind of history, and glad we now have indoor plumbing!

The walls of this hallway were lined with artifacts from the abbey.

The parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul next door was open, and also worth a look. It was built in the early 1400s and features a beautiful painted ceiling and medieval windows. This tile floor dates from the 12th century! The tiles had been in the Lady Chapel at the abbey next door.

The history here, just a short bike ride from home, is amazing.

Day Out: Devon Coast

On Monday, after checking out at Devon Cliffs, we explored a bit more of the beautiful Devon coastline before returning north to Somerset.

Here, we're on the rocky beach at Budleigh Salterton, the next town east of Sandy Bay/Exmouth. 

Cora and Stace played their favorite beach game: throw rocks at a particular rock, and try to hit it harder than the other guy.

We got a snack and drink in Budleigh Salterton, and looked in some of the shops. 

Then, we split up, and Stace, Violet and I went to Sidmouth for some shopping and lunch. Violet was very interested in seeing as much as she could of picturesque English towns and countryside, and Sidmouth was definitely a worthwhile stop.

I was quite impressed with this Costa coffee, which was in a building dated 1350. We walked in just to have a look at a nearly 700-year-old coffee shop, all low-ceilinged and wood-beamed.
 

Stace finally had a traditional Cornish pasty - he's been challenged with continuing to follow his healthy eating plan, in the land of cheese, cider, flaky pastry and his favorite chocolate.

Violet spent some of her spending money on this cute black handbag from the shop behind her.

We went through Seaton before heading back home. Stace was amazed at the changes in the town since he's moved away, as he used to spend a lot of time here at the golf course.

Weekend Out: Devon Cliffs

 Gord and Sue generously gifted us, and Dean and Jenny, a weekend away at Devon Cliffs holiday park, on the south coast near Exmouth. This resort was in a gorgeous coastal spot, with views of the sea everywhere.

On our first night, after settling in, we met up at one of the on-site restaurants for a meal.

Our home away from home was this clean and well-appointed caravan, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The ocean is visible from all these windows.

Not a bad view for morning coffee, joined by my sea-faring friend.

Cora, Euan and Livy had fun with the ropes/zip line course on Saturday.

On Sunday, most of us walked the cliff trail from the park to Exmouth. It was a beautiful walk, with the sea on one side and cows on the other.

Lula is a sweet dog who is often scared of big noises, and likes to be carried.

We made it to Exmouth! It was a bit cold to be in the water, but it wasn't raining, and when the sun was out, it felt warm.

Cora, Violet and I shared a doner kebab for our late lunch/early dinner in Exmouth.

We took the bus back, and were lucky to catch a double-decker with an open top! 

Someone in our party got in trouble with the bus driver for walking around while the bus was moving...

A lovely photo of Sue and Violet...

We also had some fun in the arcade with the penny slots, in the indoor pool, and at the entertainment venue, where we watched a Bryan Adams tribute singer. 

It was a great weekend together!

Woodsy, Wet Walk

 

We crossed off another item on Cora's "to do in England" list Thursday, when we walked from Ham Hill to St. Michael's Tower. It was chilly, and started raining toward the end of our trek, but we were prepared with waterproof coats.

Violet loves country walks, of course, but Cora generally doesn't. Ham Hill, however, holds a nostalgic part of her heart since we've visited pretty much on every single trip.

We made it!

Cora took a shortcut THROUGH the thick brush and nettles, which took her twice as long and ended up with her getting stung. 

She didn't let nettles, or a locked gate in the doorway, stop her from reaching the 18th century folly. Nope, she just immediately slid under the gate and started climbing the circular stairs. 

See her in the window?

Cora's photo from inside the tower window.

We made it back to the Prince of Wales pub, happy to buy a drink and order lunch. 

All was good until we heard what sounded like a near dogfight from the bar area. It's a dog-friendly pub, but doesn't that apply only friendly dogs?

I then made the mistake of joking about this family bringing their dog to sit at the empty table next to ours. Fatal mistake. They did. And the dog continued to be obnoxious, barking or whining throughout their meal and ruining Cora's lunch. 

Oh well, it did give us a good story to tell later, if nothing else.