A little sum sum

Looks like it'll be another Indian Summer kinda day here in London.  I didn't really know what that was or meant until a few days ago, you know, growing up in Texas and all :) In the last month its gone from chilly and damp (what you'd expect, right?) to cloudless blue sky warm awesomeness.  The seasons are in reverse, and I get the feeling everyone here is cherishing these unexpected (last) days of Summer.  Maybe we should take a walk?  

Path to the river, looking like Fall. 

Tides of The Thames; the water will come all the way up to the top and onto the sidewalk.

Richmond Bridge 

See how low the water can get? That's the bridge to the left, in front. 

Looking from the bridge towards the North, I think :). 

Taking advantage of the loveliness outside, I went horseback riding in Wimbledon a few days ago.  It's been a few (uhem) years since I've been on a horse and it was amazing.  Galloping through the forest with trees all around and mud kicking up behind us, I felt like Robinhood!!!  It was the best thing I've done for myself since we got here, and made me realize that I really should make a social circle beyond the equestrian realm.  Also, I managed to relocate my inner thighs in the process, an added bonus.  

Sweet and funny face.....look at the moustache! 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have my first visitor to prepare for :):):)

Depart. Departure. Abfahrt :)

We went to Paris last weekend.  It was a great adventure...complete with running to make the departing (or abfahrting, if you prefer) train, running only to miss the return train (I was, and may continue to be, THAT person bottlenecking the UK immigration line) and more, like food.  And sunny days warm enough for tank tops and skirts.... 

Naps in the park.  The only way for some to make it to the Parisian dinner time.

Mussels.  And Belgian beer, mmmMMMmm. By the way, if you haven't tried Leffe, I suggest you do. 

Have you ever noticed how differently we all like to travel? Some are of the planning persuasion, some are not.  I feel most comfortable with a Flexible Plan....what about you? 

Like I said, warm enough for tank tops. 

 Marathon to Versailles, complete with a band (above) to cheer them on. 

The market. 

I liked his hair and wanted to zoom in on it.

Magical light.

We met our Parisian friend Charles on top of the Pompidou.

Paris, you  never get old to me.

But when we kiss...

Ohhhh FIRE!!!! Name that song, please.  

Today we decided to see if the fireplace was in working order, and haven't turned it off since.   

Zeee Gaaaarden!

Just kidding : ) That's in Bath where they love Will & Kate.  Did I tell you that we stayed at a B&B near Bath a few weeks ago, and the owners know Prince Charles!? As in, he visits their farm about twice a year (he wants to get more people farming again, it's one of his causes) and sends them a gift for Christmas.  They showed me the pieces of wedding cake mailed to them from both Charles and Camilla's wedding AND Will and Kate's wedding!  

It doesn't look like much but it's full of surprises....

I've seen these before but what are they? The bumble bees just love them. 

I decided to split the sunflower crop with our garden inhabitants.  These are over a foot across and weigh about 3 pounds, they are heavy with seeds and there are about 10 all together! 

Tomato, tomaaaato.  

Now what to do with the plant and uneaten fruit...do I cut off the tomatoes or let them fall?  

Do I cut the plant back when it starts to get cold outside?  I don't know, I'm just a city girl. 

It's hard to get the whole squash (?) in the picture, but the larger one bulges out even more at the bottom (under where those tomatoes are sitting).  Any thoughts on what it is?  I would like to pick it when it's ripe, but how do I know when that is?  A little garden spider lives next door to these squash.  But it's not the same spider that visited me in the living room last week....

Excuse me Mr.Garden Spider, I know you are terrified, but so am I!!!  Please note width of deck-o-cards and leg-span of Mr.Garden Spider. 

Previous tenants left this beauty though I don't know what it is.  It has yellow hanging flowers too. 

Squash flowers.

No idea what these pinwheel lookin' flowers are either...but the bees like 'em!

Whoooaaahhh nelly!!! Look at that baby pumpkin!!!!  I check on it every day.  We also have bushels of mint, some tarragon, and strawberries.  I'm feeling like a project so maybe I'll try bulbs this year, tulips anyone? 

This picture makes me think of a few of you, do you know who you are?  

Inside, we finally got the kitchen situated enough to cook last night AND the last boxes were picked up by the relocation peeps yesterday....is that a light I see?  More pictures promised as progress is procured.  

Home sweet....well...

Sorta on the 'home' and sorta on the sweet part as well. Moving commenced last Wednesday and between there and here I managed to lose the memory card avec las picturas, of which there have been plenty, my world has been overrun with boxes, and I managed to get myself into a rut. Don't you just feel sorry for me? :) That's ok, I forgive you if you don't.

I realize I'm in London and lucky to be here...it's just that now that we're out of temp housing and have a home...I realize this is real, not vacation. And I realize I can't just call you up and coerce you to come on over and unpack boxes (this is very sad to do alone), just stop by, or explore, or just help me figure out what the heck kind of squash is growing in the garden (seriously, I have no idea, but it's there and it's massive). I simply can't help but miss your smiling face.

Thanks for listening and being a part of this adventure. Don't give up on me, I will get better about posting now that we have a desk+study (my handyman is the best).  I have alot to show and tell, so check back because I've been holding out!

That is not our house.  That is IKEA..where you go the weekend after you move...because...at the time you think it's a good idea.  But really, you've simply lost your mind.  It's somewhere in the pile of boxes. Your state of mind will not improve much when the 15 mile drive there takes you 1.5 hours....as someone here likes to put it, we were averaging 9 miles an hour....but that's not what you want to hear about, I know.....

Why hello there good lookin, do you have a box cutter? Yes? Come on in! Did I mention that I am in love with the stained glass front door?  

The galley/kitchen. What boxes?  

The bathroom with tub that we'll never use. Waste-of-space. Any thoughts on alternate uses for the tub? I'm thinking ART INSTALLATION! What boxes?

Boudoir.  No boxes!

Cappuccino and brownie breaks are encouraged here.  That's the Thames! That's the Richmond Bridge! It's so pretty.....okok back to business.   

I promise the guest room won't look like this when you visit.  This is currently the box graveyard.  It's much worse now that it was in this picture.

If you are over 4'2"  you will not be able to use this sink. I apologize in advance. 

Look, that's our study "nook".  This looks alot better today, and now has a desk.  Apparently this is where all the work will get done....

In closing, I offer you the living room.   Someday I'll show you how ridiculously laughably huge the TV is in here, but not today. 

We took a (trip to) Bath

Baths. 

It was pretty.

 

The Bath Cathedral glowed with the sun. .

They like signs here.  Does this seem redundant?  I guess that question doesn't matter if you're unconscious. 

They also have a thing for RUGBY. You may have heard about that.  FYI we'll be moving to the Rugby capital of the world on Wednesday.  

   Do you think they serve Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches for communion?  

If so, we may actually be moving to Bath on Wednesday.  I'll keep you posted.

I think that face means no.  Don't hate the Cheesesteak!!!! 

Saturday afternoon hike up to the high point at the edge of town.  The city is completely walkable, so we did some exploring. 

Sheep!!!  I still get excited about the sheep.  

They were hanging out on this hill in front of some fancy old apartments. 

For Goldie!

The flowers on the wall.

The writing on the wall.....I'm certain it was there just for me.  As I begin the packing routine for the FOURTH time in NINE months :) to move out of our temporary flat, I'll use this as my mantra.  I am so ready to have my own stuff (using temp flat kitchen, I've explored the depths of creative uses for standard kitchen objects.  a plate can = lid for saucepan.), and a little scared of all the clothes we brought and have yet to unpack.  One load laundry = 3 pairs jeans.....Pictures of the new place to come!