After 5 crazy weeks of wrapping things up in Rotterdam, Bron headed to
London for 2 weeks of much needed rest and quality time with cute 6 month old
little Josh =)
Although I enjoy being a tourist in London and try to see at least one
new thing each time I visit, my regular trips there are about family time rather
than sightseeing. Not having seen my sister or Josh since he was 6 weeks old, I
was particularly looking forward to this trip, catching up, and getting to know
my little nephew. It is not often that I am in London in Summer and we were blessed with particularly good weather most of the time. It made a pleasant change from the grey old town I am used to.
Our days were relaxed, slow and centred around little Josh. They were
filled with walks in the park, feeding the ducks, swims at the baby splash
pools, naps, pureed vegetables, fun on the jolly jumper, hugs, sloppy kisses
and, of course, bath time! I am now a dab hand at feeding a distracted 6 month
old runny rice cereal but I did not earn my nappy changing badge. Poo nappies
are for Mom & Dad only!
Walking in the park. Josh is fascinated by leaves!
Meal times are generally messy affairs
Swim time with Dad
Water babe
Splash pool fun
Sneaky afternoon naps on the big bed with Aunty Bron
Selfies!
There was also lots of twinny catch up and family time. Fun trips out
included shopping and Starbucks coffee dates, a family day trip to Monkey World
and the amazingly beautiful Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset, a twinny
day trip to Brighton which was a first for Bron, boerie rolls at a new South African
coffee shop (not the Amsterdam kind!) The Cofffee Cup in Wimbledon, a real South African braai,
lunch with Shell’s school teacher friends, and dinner at Michelle and Graham’s
favourite local Thai restaurant for Graham’s birthday.
Brighton
On the search for monkeys at Monkey World in Dorset
Ring tailed Lemur at Monkey World
Watching the antics of the lemurs
Lulworth Cove
Kisses for Mom! Joshie's first visit to the beach!
Cuddles for Dad
Durdle Door
Beautiful family
I was also able to catch up with some South African friends while in
London. I enjoyed a lovely breakfast with newlyweds Bronwen and Malcolm fresh
off the plane from SA. Thanks for meeting up with me even though you just
arrived back! Was awesome to see you guys and catch up. Thanks also to Kirsten
for joining me for a spot of shopping and a Starbucks in Kingston, Gillian for
a lovely afternoon of tea, Lisa for a wonderfully fun laughter filled evening
over pizza and Ian for walks around the city, tea and scones, a much needed pie
and cider pub dinner and a tour of the London Stock Exchange!
At The Coffee Cup in Wimbledon
I also want some Mom!
Fascinated with the patterns on Kirsten's bag
One of my favourite sight in London, St Paul's Cathedral
The London Stock Exchange in Paternoster Square behind St Paul's
My one touristy thing for this trip was a visit to the British Library.
I hadn’t been there before, and book loving nerd that I am, took the
opportunity to pop in while I was in the area. I loved the layout with the King’s
library taking pride of place in the centre with the galleries and reading
rooms arranged on 5 floors around it. I didn’t have a reading pass so could not
enter any of the reading rooms but I did enjoy the Sir John Ritblat Gallery
with Treasures of the British Library. This museum is home to anything that was
ever recorded on paper. Items include two copies of the Gutenberg Bible from 1454
(the first book to be printed using the technique of printing), drawings by
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Letters by Napolean in 1798, the prayer
books of Princess Elizabeth (1545) and Lady Jane Grey (1539), songs by the
Beatles, maps, other religious texts and much more. It was an afternoon well
spent!
The British Library with the Sir Isaac Newton statue
The impressive King's Library
And then it was time to go back to Rotterdam =( It was sad to leave
Graham, Michelle and little Josh but also meant that I got to see Justin for
the first time in 7 weeks =)
Thank you to Shell and Graham for hosting me! It was so lovely to see
you and little Josh and I had an awesome time. I miss you so much already! I hope you will come visit us in
Vitoria soon!
x
