JULY BLOG #1
We are living amongst 200 boxes and trying to have shelves and hanging space built so we can unpack everything. We do have beds, a couch, a table and chairs though! We even bought a barbecue (very optimistic of us).
The hot weather we were having unexpectedly suddenly broke, and now we have mixed weather - gorgeous today but cooler, and yesterday it drizzled and we are having the famous UK "scattered showers from the West".
T. is a little at a loose end right now as everyone seems to have gone away on holiday. He is really missing his LA friends and is quite emotional, especially at night. It's been a big disappointment for him that one of his best friends hasn't come over to visit as was promised...hard to explain to him that people have a lot going on in their lives and plans change. He'll be a lot better when he is on a schedule and back at school.
Neither A. nor I have jobs yet (it's early days and also slow here due to the summer, and everyone away), but we are looking...I have had some really good meetings and there are a few possible things to follow up on, but nothing definite yet.
A. is just back from a week in Oxford, studying for and taking his UK law exams - as back-up in case he wants to go in-house at a law firm. He said that the other students taking the exam were mostly 45 year old New York lawyers!
T. was at a day camp last week at the lakes nearby (Horseshoe Lake). They learned windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and raft-building. He had a great time and got wet every day either from the lake water or the rain!
I drove down to the south coast (Dorset - 1 1/2 hrs) see my father last weekend. It's a huge plus to be able to do that frequently. He is preparing for a big Roman weekend (with his legion - exhibitions, battle reenactments etc) in Dorchester on the last weekend of August, and this time we'll be able to go. Check out www.theromansenator.com.
We bought bikes and are cycling around everywhere. It's really pleasant, as there are many bike paths and so much forest and heathland, and protected areas. We have 2 villages within 5-15 mins' walking or bike, and 2 local train stations. It's about 1 hour from our door to central London.
The wildflowers in the fields and along the roadways have exploded into colour and are shoulder height in some places. There are butterflies everywhere - you have never seen such giant buddleia - it grows as a weed here!Of course it is light still until 10pm, but that is to be replaced in winter with agonisingly short days.
Made a quick trip to Paris/EuroDisney with T, and met up with my sisters, and T's cousins, from London, Paris and Spain. It was the first time in 7 years that all 4 sisters and the kids had been together, and we had a lot of noisy fun.
It was pretty amazing: London to Paris in under 1 hour on a high speed train.
Eurodisney wasn't bad, either. I expected to hate it but didn't at all. T made me go on some of the rides and I lost my voice from screaming.
We spent the last half day in Paris wandering around to see the Eiffel Tower and banks of the Seine.
It's a beautiful city still. The streets are just full of sidewalk cafes and restaurants. It's been 25 years since I lived there!
Soon I really will have to get back to work, but I am loving this summer basically off...
