The third and final London in pictures!
Pirate treasure hunt!
The third week was also half-term break for schools so there were some extra activities on. On the Monday we took Josh and Dani to Garsons Farm to meet the pirates. In the summer one can pick your own fruit and veg in the farm gardens and at Christmas time they have real reindeer at the farm for a few weeks. They also have a lovely garden centre and cafe.
Joshie meeting the pirates!
All the way there in the car he said he was going to hug the pirates and that's the first thing he did. The pirates were very happy with the first hug of the week.
Aaargh matey!
The pirates also gave Josh some treasure (a chocolate coin) which he was very happy about!
Pirate and mermaid cut out fun!
Tea and ossonk break at the cafe
Baking chocolate biscotti in the afternoon.
The best part of baking, licking out the bowl!
We made a banana bread together on Wednesday morning and then I made another batch of choc biscotti (not because the batch from Monday was finished already... if you believe that, you'll believe anything ;) ) and asked Josh if he wanted to help me. He replied, 'no thank you Aunty Bronwen, that's enough baking'. Shell and I were in stitches! You so funny precious child. And so polite. Goond job Shell and Graham.
Marshmallow squeezing in a nap before going out.
'Mommy, I'm feeling a little bit tired today.'
A very rare snooze break in the car on the way back from a quick shopping trip to Kingston on Tuesday. Josh rarely admits to being tired but did say he was tired 2 or 3 times while I was there and fell asleep in the car twice, was very sweet. Sorry for the hectic pace buddy.
Josh is very aware of his surroundings and notices stuff you don't expect him to. He would regularly say, 'look Mom, there's a car like ours!' followed by, 'love you our car!'. So sweet buddy.
Coffee with Carlos!
On Tuesday afternoon I met with Carlos in the city for a quick Starbucks. Carlos was one of my English students in Vitoria and is studying in London for a year (part of a Brazilian government science program thing). Was so great to see you and catch up friend! Your year in London is almost over, wishing you all the best for the last weeks and for your return to Vitoria.
St Paul's Cathedral, one of my favourite places and landmarks in London.
I always try to go to evensong when I am in London and managed to squeeze it in on the Tuesday after coffee with Carlos and before dinner with Ian. Since it was half-term break it was a visiting choir. I've been to a few evensongs over the years but somehow always miss the resident boys choir.
View of St Paul's and Blackfriars Bridge from near the Oxo Tower on the South Bank.
After Evensong I met up with Ian, a friend from Cape Town, for a walk along the river and dinner in the city. Thanks for a lovely evening Ian! Was so great to see you and catch up. Thanks for walking with me even though it was one of the coldest days and evenings, lol. Fail for not getting a photo ;)
*insert coffee with Colin here*
On Wednesday I did some baking in the morning with Josh while Shell popped to the supermarket with Dani. In the afternoon I headed to Kings Cross Station to meet with Colin, a friend from UCT. Was really great to see you Col, thanks for coming and the good chat. Fail for not getting a picture!
Grocery shopping!
A trip to the big Tesco earlier in the holiday. I was the trolley pusher and Dani rocker while Shell zipped around adding goodies to the trolley. Josh is a good listener so shopping with him is usually relatively easy. Not quite sure how Shell copes on her own though! Most of the supermarkets have a cool system where you scan all your items yourself along the way with a handheld scanner and then just pay at the end so you don't have to queue or unload everything at a check out, works well and makes it much easier for parents.
Supermarket nap.
Not quite sure how she did it but when Dani was sleeping in her car seat, her armies would always be straight out in front of her, nothing is supporting them, they just hang in the air like that, it's too funny!
Colouring in!
At night when the kids are in bed, out comes the chocolate and colouring books! lol. And whisky for Graham ;)
Splashing in muddy puddles!
Thursday was a fresh but sunny day so we went off to Bushy Park for the last time (insert sad face here) and we even remembered the bucket and spade for the sandpit! For some reason the playground was locked (really good idea for half term week, not) so we had a very disappointed little boy. But it was lovely to be outside in the sun and we had fun splashing in the muddy puddles and feeding the ducks.
Feeding the ducks!
Josh is so brave and often feeds them by hand,. I'm definitely not that brave!
Apple snack break!
Shame, Joshie got cold soon after this photo and had a little panic because he couldn't see Shell since she had quickly gone to change Dani and he didn't believe that she really was coming back, lol. Shell did come back and he calmed down and all was good again.
Marshmallow nap time in the cafe.
She gets so toasty in that snow suit, you have to make sure she doesn't hot box herself especially when the plastic raincover is over her pram, it gets all steamed up on the inside, lol.
Warming up with a cup of tea and a scone.
Buddies! Very smooth arm move Josh.
On Friday we had a play date with Josh's bestie Holly at Holly's house. Josh and Holly are a few weeks apart and have been friends since they were a few months old. Dani and Cole, Holly's younger brother, are a few months apart. It was lovely meeting you Nikki, Holly and Cole! Thank you for having us and for a fun day.
My favourite, being a Dani mattress =)
Those lips and that little grippy hand! She always clings on to whatever she can grab with at least one hand. She likes to be by her people and loves being held, especially when she's icky. You can almost never put her down! We love holding you Dani =)
Daddy and daughter morning snuggles!
Sibling love.
Joshie loves his little sister so much and often holds her hand and spontaneously hugs her, it's really sweet.
*insert photo of swimming here*
On the last Saturday, Graham and Josh ran some errands in the morning (Josh loves hanging out with his Dad) and then we all went to a heated indoor splash pool at the Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre. Even though it's winter, it's warm enough inside to swim. Dani was still a bit icky so Shell stayed warm and dry with her while Graham and I swam with Josh. They have lots of shallow areas and slides and things, perfect for little people. Joshie loves going swimming there, was so fun! Was so nice to be able to join in this activity with you buddy! (Again, no photos allowed in these kind of areas with lots of kids around.)
Baby chino date and marshmallow treat!
We stopped at Starbucks on the way home from swimming for a hot drink warm up. Joshie loves baby chinos, lol. You can start having them soon too Dani!
At Starbucks a really tall policeman came in, like 6.6 ft kind of tall. Josh loves policemen and being the super friendly kid he is he usually wants to say hi to them so Graham took him over to say hi. Was really cute this small kid leaning his head right back to talk to this super tall guy. Kudos to the policeman for going down on a knee to be at Josh's level and chat with him, you really made Josh's day.
The girls!
A rare smile and that grippy little hand! At that time Dani wasn't a super smiley baby and didn't smile for just anyone, she usually saved her smiles for when Graham came home in the evening, lol. She's a lot more smiley now, and has much more hair.
The Finnemore Four =)
Heading out to lunch on Sunday.
You can do anything if you have your mo on.
At the tube station. He's so little, not even 1 m yet.
*insert photo with the Fey Family here*
On Sunday we met Tim and Geraldine at Kings Cross Station and had lunch with 2 of Tim's daughters at a great Indian restaurant nearby. Justin and Tim worked on the Brazil project together and Tim flew out several times and spent a few months in Vitoria. Tim and Geraldine live in Newcastle, it was fortunate to be able to meet in London on their way to Cuba. Thank you for letting us join your family lunch! Was really fun and great to see you. Fail for not getting a photo all together. Hope Cuba was great!
Monday was my last full day in London (insert sad face here), but we all put on a brave face and made sure it was a full day.
Joshie sitting still like a champ for Vicky.
Monday started with haircuts with the fabulous Vicky; she is a very talented hairdresser and I always try squeeze in a cut when I am in London, which is not that often these days. Was a really fun morning all hanging out together. Was so great to see you Vix, thanks for the great cut, I just loved it!
Joshie admiring his new haircut.
He's so good for Vicky, he sits so still and loves the animal cape and the rain (spray bottle, lol).
New haircuts selfie!
A Waffle Jacks date!
On Monday afternoon we squeezed in a last Waffle Jacks date. Joshie asked for a blue milkshake but we ordered a chocolate one by mistake. He realised halfway in that he wanted a blue one so we had to re-order it, funny boy! The owner is a great South African couple who often chat with the customers. The husband took Dani for a stroll around the shop leaving our hands free for a minute. Josh was very concerned that he had taken Dani and said, ' that's our Diggy, bring back out our Diggy!'. He was placated when he saw Dani was helping to make his blue milkshake, lol. You such a sweet caring child Joshie! Stay like that forever.
And then it was the last evening and morning.
'Aunty Bronwen, Mommy, why you are crying?'
'Because I have an owee in my heart Joshie.'
'Can I see your owee?'
Josh couldn't understand why Shell and I were so upset, it was hard to explain to a 3 year old that I live far away in Australia with Uncle Justin and I was just visiting at his house for a while. I guess it didn't help that everything was fine and then Shell and I both burst into tears at the same time, the heaving can't breathe kind, as the last items went into my bag.
'Aunty Bronwen you've got tears, let me wipe them for you.'
You sweet precious child, I didn't have the heart to tell you that your sweet kindness was not helping at that moment.
Getting into that taxi and leaving that day was one of the hardest things I have done.
I cried all the way to the airport and all the way back to Australia and for many days after and thought, this is what grief must feel like.
It didn't help that I came home to an empty house since Justin was away travelling for work. I did miss you though Pookey and was happier when you came home.
I love and miss you guys so much.
Thank you for the most wonderful time.
Until we meet again.
x x x x x
