Easter in the English Countryside....

I was invited by my lovely friend Lauren to come spend Easter with her and her boyfriend Toby at her moms house in her hometown of Devon.  Of course I accepted this gracious invitation and set off for my first "Holiday" since arriving.  I hopped on a train at Richmond station and settled in for the ride.  The scenery during the ride was so green and alive.  Many of the fields were filled with spring time baby animals.  They were so precious (sorry no photos of the babies).  It was about 2 hours to my train transfer in Reading (pronounced Redding like my hometown).

Out the train window

I found out that trains are not as easy to figure out as the tube.  This is due to the fact that they don't tell you all the stops along the way just the end.  This means if you aren't the end of the line you better know what the end of the line is for your train that has your stop otherwise you end up staring blankly at a bunch of stops and times that mean nothing to you.  That would be what I did for a bit till I realized this wasn't really getting me anywhere and I might miss a train I needed to be on....moment of panic since I couldn't find my stop...Luckily there was a very nice man...ok that's a lie...he was totally grumpy and clearly thought I was an idiot but he did finally help me by telling me the train I needed.  Although due to the nature of our conversation I had my doubts that he sent me in the proper direction.  Despite his grumpiness I did end up on the correct train and arrived safely at my destination.  Upon arrival I was taken straight to a local pub by Amy (Lauren's Mum), Lauren and Toby that Lauren worked at when she was younger.  Everyone knew everyone in this place and it was exactly what you would picture as a true English Pub.  There was even a pub dog named Tiny who had been there as long as anyone could remember.  After we finished our pint of ale we headed out to the countryside for a walk.  As we drove the small windy roads I felt like I was in true England.  It was so green and many of the houses had thatched (moss style) roofs.

View from Stone Bridge

 The walk through the green was lovely.  I really don't even know how to describe the peaceful beauty I was surrounded by.  There was so much grass and trees.  More then I am used to being in the middle of.  The grander of this open space made me realize for a moment how small I really am in the grand scheme of life.  We just took our time and strolled.   We crossed an old stone bridge.  On the banks of the pond the bridge was over were fishermen with tents and everything set up.  We also stumbled upon a beautiful old boat house that was from the early 1800's and still had great structure.  It just needed a bit of love.  It was a wonderful Easter Sunday stroll.

                                            

                                                         Boat House

 
We then headed back to Lauren's Mums house for dinner.  It is and adorable place with a a great back yard.  I would live on the little blue deck chair...Well maybe only partially live there since it rains the majority of the time there.  Let's just say any bit of sunshine and I would be out there in my bikini book in hand.

Little Blue Deck Chair

Amy cooked a glorious Easter dinner...seriously this woman can cook!  The rest of the night was bottles of wine and games.  I learned a great new card game (I will teach you all when I return) and we played a bunch of board games.  Just a bit of warning for any of you who come over here and play a game you are good at in the states.....you won't be here since the questions are are changed to be very British.  Be warned you will loose unless you brush up on your British film stars, T.V. shows, and footballers (British football not American).
Easter Monday was a pretty dreary day so we just relaxed around the house which was great.  Played some more games (I got bit better at them) ate more, Lauren is just as good a cook as her mum.  Good thing I have my yoga class otherwise I might have become the size of a house after all this amazing food.  I am stopping the rumor that english food is bad right here...everyone just doesn't have the right people cooking for them.

This was one of the most lovely Easters I have had in years.  Great food, lovely company,and the feeling of being a part of a family so far away from mine.  I hope all of you had as blessed and wonderful Easter as I did.

Easter in Devon..Lauern, Toby and Amy.

 

A couple of random days....

As I write this I am sitting in one of my new favorite pubs that is walking distance from my home.  It is no Craft & Commerce (what I wouldn't give for an "up in smoke" right now...would someone please go have one for me while sitting under the squirrel riding on a raccoon) but this pubs got a great old feel, real wood fire places, and great local ale and cider.  The cider here in England is way different then then what we are used to.  It is not as sweet and,  just like the ale, a bit warm.  I love coming here and just getting cozy by the fire in a big worn in cracked leather chair and just writing....so on with the random days. Due to the Easter Holiday and good friday the normal help routine was thrown off and it was just Belinda and I on Good Friday and Saturday.  This always leads to creative child swapping and some sort of outside adventures.  Let me also add in both boys have slight spring colds so sleep at night has not been very regular.  So here's what we've got...sleep deprived Mum, semi-sleep deprived Sara, lots of coughing and other cold type bits from two boys who are trying their best to be ok...the silver lining is the weather is good!!!  With this silver lining in our favor we head to the seaside again to spend the day with Belinda's family.

Splashing Wellies!

It's another lovely day in Brighton...still my new favorite place.  The best part about this time was I borrowed a pair of Wellies so I got to have a proper splash in the sea with the kids!
On Saturday morning George is in need of some quiet time and Rudi needs to be active (as anyone who works with kids knows two kids rarely need the same thing) so quick decision...Belinda stays in with George and I head out with Rudi (with out a shower mind you...sometimes you just put on a hat and hope for the best) to Kew Gardens.  Our outing was actually quite lovely.

Just a small corner of the Gallery

     He loves to start his tour of the gardens at the"pictures".  This is a great collection of hundreds of flower paintings done by one woman displayed in a really cool house like gallery.  I walked in having no idea what to expect and it was a take your breath away kind of moment.  Rudi also thinks the hardwood floors in the gallery are like a dance studio so he starts singing out "dancing, dancing" and twirls around...side note his parents were both in the royal ballet so dancing is a huge part of his world.  Next we visit his second favorite spot the fish ponds in the green house.  These green houses are nothing like anything I have been in.  They are huge and have any plant you can imagine...Rudi only has eyes for the fish though so that's where we stay.  All I hear while we watch the fish is his sweet little "blub, blub, blub" sound like the fish make.  So cute!  On the way to the duck pond, our third stop on Rudi's tour of Kew Gardens we make a detour to the Creepers and Crawlers play zone.  This is the best play area I have ever been to...there was everything from a zip line bumble bee to a venus fly trap that you can lower a fly down into and it will eat it.  Pretty cool right....I think a lot of you would go to this with out kids or borrow one so you could go.  We finally made it to the duck pond and fed them some bread.  These ducks are all very used to this and not shy....Rudi was close to loosing a finger.  Once we got home Rudi took a nap, George was still relaxing and I finally got a shower (days like this you take them when you can get them even if it's one in the afternoon).
The afternoon was carnival time...literally.  For the Easter weekend there was a little fair down the road so we checked it out.

George on the trampoline

George had a blast on the super high bouncing trampoline contraption and Rudi's constant asking to "drive car" came true!

Rudi driving me in his car

 

Spin Teacup Spin!

There were even some spinning teacups....I drew the line there.  Even though it made me think of Disneyland it wasn't worth the "green" feeling I would have after.
All in all the two random days were great.  Michael (Dad) got a break from filming in America and came home Saturday night and will be home for a week which meant I got Easter Sunday and Monday off...Yeah!!!  Easter adventure to come!  

London 2012...Olympic Games

Just to keep you guys on your toes we are switching from Historical Palaces to a very new and modern place....The Olympic Sites for London 2012.  As many of you are probably aware these games begin in just a few short months so I have taken the opportunity to check out the site.  I will not be here during the games (which is a good thing since it will be crazy tourist time) but I am here close enough to the start that everything is finished and good for viewing.    So, let the tour begin...I chose the absolute coldest day since I arrived to take a 2 hour walking tour, outside of course, of the London 2012 Olympic Sites.  The bright side of this frigid weather is I get to wear my scarf, pea coat and boots which is a pretty good look for me if I do say so myself.  The site is about an hour ride on the tube from where I am staying so I hop on and settle in with my book (yes, I'm kind of a local now and can read on the tube) and enjoy the ride.  When I arrive at my stop I have the first moment of uncertainty of the trip.  I'm alone in a very sketchy area and the specified tour meeting point was just "at the front of the station" apparently.

Car Bodies, Rubbish and Abandoned Buildings

 I was a bit early so I figured I could just find a coffee shop and read till it was time.  I was very mistaken with this thought....all there was to my left and right were abandoned buildings, car bodies and piles of rubbish.  The only small bit of civilization was a Tesco (gas station style mini mart).  The only thing that kept going through my head was "The Olympics are in a couple of months right?  Seriously this is where they are bringing people...What are you thinking London!"  I almost got back on the tube and left because I was a bit nervous about the whole situation but decided "I just rode an hour to get here...I really want to see the sites...(wo)man up and just figure it out!"  So I walked back to the station and a small group of people had gathered and there were tour guides.  All my anxiety subsided and was replaced with the excitement of what I was going to get to see in the next 2 hours.
As we walked the tour guide explained to us that the site had been chosen because of the great need in this area for redevelopment (hence the car bodies and abandoned buildings).  They said they start the tour on the outskirts that is not part of the redevelopment area to show the contrast of what it was and what it is becoming.  It all made sense then but a bit of warning of what you would be arriving into would have been nice.

Residential Water

 Historically this whole area was hugely industrial.  They made everything from gin to soap in all the different mills and factories.  This left a ton of pollution and chemicals in the soil and canals that are through out the area.  They had to completely remove all of it before they could start any building. I love that it has all been cleaned up and that now it is totally usable.  The canals are really cool too.  Apparently while cleaning the canals out they found thousands of tires, sofas, cars and other random stuff.  No dead bodies though thank goodness.  People have great little boats and live on them in the residential sections of the water.  I loved that there is residential water space!

The Europeans really know how to do it right.  Many of the Olympics in the past have gone hugely in debt to hold the games and they create spaces that are never really used again.  London has thought ahead and has already sold many of the venues for future use with sight modifications.  The coolest thing they came up with is the basketball venue.  It is not a permanent structure and can be moved after the games.  The country holding the next olympics has already purchased it.  Such a smart move...not sure why no one else has done this before.  The other simple smart thing they did is they are having athletes housed right at their specific event venue (or very close).  There is still an Olympic village but the travel time is much less then past Games so athletes don't miss their events (like in Atlanta) due to traffic.

Olympic Areas (aquatic)

 The actual arenas for the event look pretty amazing.  We are only able to see the outside due to security but it's still really impressive.  The photos just don't do it justice.  The design was very thought out.  The aquatic building which you can see in the photo here was meant to be similar to a person doing the butterfly stroke.  Also the dark grey area under the wing is additional seating for during the games but then will be removed to make it a more realistic size after for other events.
One of the major sponsors of this event is Westfield Shopping Center.  They have built a huge mall that is right at the entrance to the games.  It is apparently the largest mall in Europe.  Being the very business savvy people that they are they have made it so you are forced to walk through the mall to enter and exit the games.

Shopping Center (I heart the Penguin!)

I suppose it's just like how you are forced to "exit through the gift shop" everywhere.
I have a huge respect for London and how they have taken the olympics and used it as something so positive for the community.  They have created thousands of jobs that will be maintained after the events are over, built venues that will have purpose after and are not going in debt like many other countries have to hold these amazing games.
I will leave you with this small bit though....McDonalds is the main food of the Olympic games in the venue.  Olympic level athletic event paired with really bad Fast Food....just have a think about that.....

Palaces continue...Kew Palace

The second Palace on our tour is Kew Place.  As I mentioned before I am living about a block from Kew Gardens and within it is Kew Palace.  The gardens surrounding this palace can not be explained in words.  As I walk through them I have a sense of complete serenity.  All I can hear are birds chirping and the sound of my own thoughts.  I can't tell you the last time I have felt that peaceful...all the way to my soul.  The Palace is at the opposite end of the garden then where I entered so it is a bit of a walk but the beauty of the garden made it alright.  I should note here Kew is a botanical garden so there are tons of different species of trees and flowers with huge green houses.

Kew Gardens

When I arrived at the palace I was surprised at how humble it was.  It was a bit more like a country home then what you would normally consider a palace.  It had such character though. What I love about the Palace was the top floor had been left very much as it was found.  Most people would probably just think it looked dirty and unfinished but what I saw was the beauty and history.  I loved the bit of original wall paper that was on the wall then was reproduced in some lot the lower level rooms.  There also were original wall panels with the 15 shilling price marked on them from when they were originally purchased.  You just can't get that amazing historical connection from something that has been remade to look like what it originally was.  You can only get that feel from the untouched raw look.  So amazing!

Original wallpaper 

It also has to say something about how things were made back then that all these structures are still standing and have a majority of all the original things.  One funny thing about Kew Palace is the height of the doorways.  I am 5' 6" on a tall day and my head was only a few inches under the doorways.  Many of you would be doing a lot of ducking all day long if you lived here.
The story of Kew Palace and King George III is quite interesting and a bit sad.  He was thought to be mad but actually he was just mis diagnosed by his doctor.  Queen Charlotte also died in this Palace but not before witnessing the marriage of her 2 sons (to separate women of course) to secure the future of  her dynasty.

The chair Queen Charlotte passed away in

 

Oh if these walls could talk....
Unfortunately for me one of the newly discovered items within the palace won't be on display until May....I guess I will just have to come back to finish my tour!

Palace Tours begin...Kensington

I am a huge fan of history.  I love to walk through an old house or down a cobbled road and wonder who has been there before and what is their story.  The older the better in my eyes...anyone who has seen my old apartment and furniture knows this about me.  Here in London and the surrounding areas there is so much it could take a lifetime to soak it all up.  I am doing my best to get it all in!  One of the things I missed doing last time I was here was all the Palaces so today marks the first day of 5 Palaces I will be visiting.  The first is Kensington Palace.  I had a bit of a rough start as I got on the tube thinking I was just riding the district line till I got there but I was mistaken..."quick adjustment and one transfer later I was on the right track again.  Seriously I really can't get over how great the public transportation is...the US really needs to catch up.  It's so freeing not having a car.  I arrived at Kensington South Station and realized it was no longer sunny and the sky was threatening rain.  I normally would not be concerned but I left the house that morning with out a jacket or jumper since it was sunny in Richmond. As I look around shivering slightly I see in front of me a glowing H&M sign beckoning me in.  I don't usally shop at H&M in the states (nothing fits and I don't like most of the stuff).  International H&M is so different...lots of designs they don't send to the states.  So unfortunate for all you american shoppers.  Also unfortunate for me was this was a necessity shopping trip.  I still managed to get a great "grandma style sweater" and a light rain jacket.  Ok, crisis averted...on to the palace.  Let's start with the gardens and greens that are surrounding the palace.  Since it's spring everything is in bloom which makes the gardens even more spectacular.

One Small Section of Palace Garden and Palace

I purchased an annual membership for to the Royal Palaces (cheaper then buying tickets to all of them individually and you get a great book) so I could go into all of them more then once since I have time and you really need more then just a few hours at each one to get to everything.  It's really been great not feeling pressured to just go, go, go all the time like a regular tourist would.  I love being able to take my time and know I can go back to anything I want.
Kensington Palace has been recently redone.  All the design and set ups of the displays and exhibits have a really different feel then I am used to at historical places.  It has a very Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland feeling.

House of Cards Display

 I definitely love that style but it kind of made the place feel a bit modern.  I had a hard time differentiating between what was new and old in each of the rooms which was a bit disappointing.  However from a design perspective it was executed really well.  I felt like I was following along with the story of the royalty that had lived there through their lives .....hearing all the little secrets.  As if the walls were talking.
There were two highlights for me at this palace.  The first was the story of Victoria and Albert.  I won't elaborate on their story because it would take to long but please look it up.  Victoria was one of the most beloved queens and her love story with Albert is so beautiful.  It will make you believe in true romantic love again.  There also is a fairly recent movie called Young Victoria which is all about this amazing story.  I recommend watching it....It's just lovely and Victoria was an amazing woman.

Victorias Wedding Dress

The other treat at the palace was a small collection of Diana's dresses that were on display.  Not only were the dresses there but also the designers sketches that were inspiration for the dresses complete with fabric swatches of possible materials for the garment.  It was really neat to see the entire process from concept to finished garment.  She was such a fashion icon during her time.  She always wore classic lines with a modern twist.

Diana's Dress Sketch

When I left the palace it had just rained....my first rain in England.  I walked the garden a bit as I left and enjoyed the flowers now all covered in little drops of rain.  There really isn't anything much more beautiful then garden fresh after a rain....I'll leave you here for now and pick you back up at the next palace.

Rain Drop Kissed Flower

Water and Wellies...

Weekends tend to be a bit of a blur.  I feel like I blink and it's monday again.  From 7 am Saturday morning to Sunday at 8 pm it's non-stop kid swapping between Belinda and I.  Loads of fun but with these high energy boys you have to have your game face on all the time.  This weekend was water filled in all sorts of different ways...some better then others.
Saturday we decided to take the boys swimming.  Now this isn't just some ordinary local public pool we were heading off to.  Our swimming excursion included a drive to a slightly posh area called High Gate.  Unfortunately the driving time was doubled due to an event at Wembley Stadium but it was all worth it when we arrived at the house.  The house we were swimming at belongs to a true Lord and Lady.  How cool is it that they still are called that.  Historically you would just get this title by birth but now you have to earn it.  This Lord and Lady are friends of the family I am staying with and so we are allowed to use the indoor swimming pool.  George loves water so he had no problem just getting right in however Rudi is still bit skeptical about the whole situation so it takes a bit of coaxing to get him in onto the first step for some splashing.  At one point a reach for a pool toy goes array and Rudi goes face first into the pool (don't worry there were arm floaties involved). This fall is quickly turned into a little swim by Belinda which he hesitantly agrees to with some slight kicking but all the while saying "Bye Bye Swimming!" After drying off and having a cup of tea we headed home.  It really was a lovely day.  The Lord and Lady were so sweet and the house was beautiful yet very comfortable.  Just like how you would feel walking into a lived in, love filled home.
After the kids were in bed we realized something was not quite right with the dishwasher and washing machine....they were full of water when they shouldn't have been.  Not the best thing to discover when the man of the house is out of the country.  A few texts and a short phone call with the hubby and Belinda the Mum has turned into Belinda the Plumber.  By Sunday morning everything was working...Whew!   Two kids and a non functioning washing machine and dishwasher is not a good combo.
Sunday brought a whole different kind of water which involved wellies  We packed the kids up and headed to Brighton for a day at the seaside.  Yes this is the Brighton that is spoken of in many books and where Royalty would vacation or go to just be in the fresh sea air.

Hove Seaside (just outside of Brighton)

I think this might be my favorite place so far. Driving in I felt like I was entering a beach town but it still has that vintage feel.  It felt a bit like a combo of the playfulness of Coronado, the beauty of the Oregon Coast and the underlying class and sophistication of Del Mar also add in a slight dash of the old feel of Cardiff.  It is gorgeous!  I plan to go and spend a whole day there if possible.
We met Belinda's mum, sister and her sisters two kids at the beach.  The beach is half stones and half sand which is great for the kids.  They get the best of both worlds...rocks for throwing in the water and sand for digging and building castles.  Immediately the boys pull on their wellies and head down to the water to have a splash.  Of course Rudi (AKA Wobbles) ends up slipping in the small waves and gets drenched....Poor kid just can't seem to stay on his feet.  He took it like a champ and recovered nicely.

Wobbles mid tumble

We all had a brilliant time!  Belinda's family is so great and welcomed me in like I was part of the family.  Nannie (as the kids call Belinda's mom) may be one of the most lovely people I have ever met aside from George (her grandson).  The relationship they have was so beautiful to watch.  The only way I can describe it is they are connected to the soul...their sweet tender souls.  I feel lucky to know both of them.

George (in Rudi's stroller) with  Nannie

After the seaside we spent a few hours at Belinda's sisters house.  The cousins all played together and we had a cup of tea before we headed home.
Side note...I remembered the correct side of the car to get in on every time.  The small english gentleman who drove me from the airport was right...I am getting used to it.

Sunday night as I was laying in bed I couldn't help but reflect on the weekend and think how lucky I am to be surrounded by all these amazing people who are so willing to treat me like family.  It makes being far away from all of you my wonderful friends and family just a bit easier.....I still miss you all dearly but am so blessed here.

Beach Bath Huts  

Belinda and George...headed for a splash!

Design and Theater....

The Victoria and Albert Museum is known as one of the greatest design museum and I would agree.  I may not have extensive design museum experience but from what I have seen this one was pretty phenomenal.  I don't normally do the tour thing when I am at museums but they have a theater and costume one that seemed right up my ally.  The tour guide was just what you would expect...slightly nerdy, quite quirky with hair that fell just below his shoulders that he had to continually flip back over his shoulders dramatically when it fell forward.  I am pretty sure that he has it cut to just the right length so this hair flip has to happen.  He was very knowledgeable and had quite a few bits I would not have figured out on my own.  The museum has and extensive collection of costumes from tons of theater productions.  The highlight was 2 pieces from The Lion King.

Lion King costumes

 
These pieces were pretty spectacular up close.  The detailing was really intricate.  Also among the display in the theater area there was a full set up of what a dressing room looks like from a live pop stars show that is touring.  Closets that turn into rolling trunks and everything.  The one they have on display at the moment is ...wait for it....Kylie Minogue!  Oh yes, you heard me correctly.  I know you are all so excited right now you can hardly continue reading and have jumped up and are doing the "Locomotion"...Please, pull your self together and keep reading.  There is plenty of time for  doing the Locomotion after you have finished.

Kylie...Do the Locomotion with me!

Within this area there was also a ton of history....Here are a few bits you might not know and you can drop them casually into conversation and sound really cultured.
Most of you probably already know that when live theater started out in the time of Shakespeare women were not allowed to be on stage.  All women's roles were played by men or young boys depending on the role.  In 1660 Charles II signed a proclamation to allow ladies on the stage.  This museum has one of the two original signed documents.  So began the time of actresses.  Guys, just take a moment now and thank Charles for this because with out it there would not be (insert your favorite female actress here) on stage or in a movie it would still be a man dressed as a women.  Have a little think about that.
The second little bit is the term "Break a Leg" meaning good luck...ok I know you all have heard that...just give me a minute to explain.  Historically there were "Star" shaped openings in the stage floor that actors would be shot up through then land on the stage.  The only tricky part is the stage hands have to pull closed the wood panels that create this opening

Stage floor Star

    one by one before the actors feet hit the stage floor.  Now that takes some serious timing and really fast stage hands.  Needless to say many times it didn't quite make it closed and the actors unfortunatly would literaly break a leg in these stars.    And so was born the statement "break a leg"
Don't you feel just a bit smarter and cultured.  I hope so.  I really only scratched the surface of this museum and I plan to go back again for more.

 I will leave you all with one last thing...On my way out of the museum I made my first fashion find!  Check out the photo below of these fantastic bags!  They are called Suitcase and are made from vintage Gentlemen's suits.  They are hand made here in England and are full of treats inside and out.  Love...Love...Love these bags!  More fashion to come I promise!

Suitcase Bags...Treat central!