Summer has ended....

It basically happened over night....summer ended.  I am not kidding.  It was sunny, gorgeous and 30 degrees then the next day it was cloudy, raining and about 15 degrees.  The funny part about it is that everyone had kinda said it was supposed to happen that way this year and it did.  Apparently that isn't completely normal for it to happen over night but the timing was right for summer to end.  So away went the tank tops and flats and out came the pea coat and boots.  The first day of this weather change I couldn't force myself to go out so I just cozied up with my book and listened to the rain while I was snuggled under a duvet.  It was quite nice and much needed even though I didn't realize it.  Sometimes a rain day is so perfect.  September has also included a bit of house hopping.  I have been staying with Lauren but then she had one of her aunties come into town so I needed to give her my

Just a boy and his motorbike

room.  Luckily The Nunn family was there to rescue me and give me a place to stay.  Michael was out of town so I was able to help out a bit with the kiddos in the morning and evening.  I always love my time with this family and these days were no exception.  Mornings were great...early wake time but doesn't matter because I get to just have a snuggle with Rudy, watching cartoons drinking a cup of tea.  Not work at all....just pure bliss.  I was then off to nursery dropping off Rudy which was me, an umbrella and a push buggy with a plastic bubble over it so my little man didn't get wet.  During the day I just either stayed out of the rain at home or headed to the pub and read a book.  Nothing really to exciting just normal daily life stuff.  Once the weekend hit though it was me Bella and 2 amazing little men....and a lot of rain.  Sometimes this can be a tough situation considering any one with children knows that they can become a bit like caged animals trapped inside all day.  Let's be honest...we can get that way too.  I really do love how English people rally in the rain and just head out into it anyway.  California moms would be scared to death to take their children out in the weather that these mums go out in.  I love it!

He just won my heart with a daisy 

Saturday I was in and out of the house since Bella had another lovely lady helping out but Sunday we all hung out and it was super fun.  The original plan was they were all going to Reading where Bella's parents live and then would return in the evening but plans switched and her parents ended up coming to us.  That meant we had time to hang out together in the morning before they arrived.  Since we were all up and ready and there was a break in the rain we all put on our boots and headed into Kew Gardens for a walk and a splash.  Once we got through the gates of the garden it was like we had let the animals run free...in a good way.  I felt the same way.  You don't realize how much you need the fresh air until you are out in it.  These gardens are just the place for it too.  We kinda let the kids guide us.  We did a lot or chasing each other...in character of course...Rudy was spiderman that day shooting webs at random people that walked.  Also if I didn't mention before I was given the character Super girl...amazing right...not sure I could ask for a better one.  Super Girl had to chase spiderman all over the gardens and try not to get caught in the webs.  You will all be glad to know I avoided the webs with all the

This is what wellies are for! 

skill that Super Girl should have.  The best bit about Kew Gardens was the multiple puddles all around.  These boys know how to do it up right when it comes to puddles. Splashing is what this weather is all about.  There was kicking and splashing and even some dropping to their knees in the puddles.  I absolutely love the fact that there was weather and we were outside in it.  The boys were having a grand time too. Belinda and I swapped out splashing duty with having a cup of proper coffee also which was nice for both of us.  After the boys finally realized that

My little London Love.

they were soaking wet from the splashing we  headed home.  We had a small stop off on the way in a George's favorite little house where I got to take some photos with the boys then it was home to meet with Nannie and Grandad and warm up with a proper cup of tea.  I seriously have been come quite English in a lot of ways....one of the main ones is a proper cup of tea can make just about any situation better.  It was great to get to chat with Belinda's parents for a bit before I packed up and headed back to Lauren's.  Unfortunately Lauren had been under the weather so she wasn't home so I had a night in alone which was quite nice.  I love my time with everyone but as most of you know I need my alone time also to reboot my batteries.  I had a great night in prepping for my next bit of travel that was coming up quickly and to my delight it was CSI sunday which meant back to back episodes.  Don't laugh...those of you who know me super well know this is like a little bit of heaven for me on a rainy re-coup day.  Some of you have even lived through these days with me on a couch and loved it.  The last couple of days in London flew by way too quickly.  I

5,000 paper windmills

 went to my favorite museum...the Victoria and Albert Design Museum.  They always have tons of cool exhibits but this week was extra special because there was a fashion/design week happening so there were all sorts of cool extra bits around.  One was a walk through installation made up of 5,000 paper windmills.  There was air being pumped through it and they were spamming as you walked through.  There was also really cool 80's fashion exhibit and another that showed fashion through the ages starting in the 1700's to current day.  I have started to feel like this museum is like a little home away from home in London.  I love the comfort of many of the exhibits that I remember as a walk through but there is always a new little corner that I find that inspires me in a new and interesting way.  Along with the installations that were on the museum there was all sorts of stuff all over the city.  I had one in particular that I wanted to see called the endless staircase.  I had to take the tube across London then walk the whole south bank in the pouring rain, with an umbrella of course.  It was for sure worth it though.  Such a cool piece of artwork...didn't climb it due to the rain

Endless Staircase

but just seeing it was worth the walk.  I kinda enjoyed the day in the rain too.  I also hit up the natural history museum for the first time and the building is absolutely gorgeous. I am not a huge fan of the stuff that is in the museum but I wandered around and kept being struck by the beautiful different views of the arches and winding staircases.  I also took a stroll through South Kensington and stumbled upon the Royal Albert Hall which was another spot I had wanted to see and was happy that I found it on accident.
Saying good bye to London just breaks my heart.  I made my rounds saying my good byes to

Good bye my lovely city...see you again soon.

everyone staring at the Alma in Wandsworth with my amazing crew there.  Followed by lunch the next day in Soho with John and then the afternoon with Bella and the boys.  The evening was spent out at the Pigs Ears Cellar with Lauren and some new friends we made during the night.
The next day I made my way via bus, tube, coach (where I lost it and balled my eyes out) and airplane to my next stop on the adventure.  I am beyond sad to leave London but know I will be back quite soon.  I am looking forward to the next stop on this tour which will involve all sorts of family and some Irish charm.  Next stop Dublin!