We're Still Here and the Trip Was Great!

Just wanted to put up a short post to let everyone know we made it back from our trip safe and sound. We had a really great time, saw some amazing things, and put many miles on the car. It's hard to believe, but Mom and Dad are already leaving on Sunday!!! :( I haven't had time to do the trip report or photo album because I've just been enjoying these last few days with them. We were gone all day today to Stonehenge and Salisbury, where we saw the cathedral and the Magna Carta. Tomorrow and Saturday will be spent winding down and enjoying the last days in Richmond with them. So, the blog may be quiet for the next few days, but check back on Sunday or Monday when I hope to have some more interesting things posted.

The Potatoes and Camembert Tour

We are off on the vacation-within-a-vacation in about an hour. Edgar is on his way home and we will let him change clothes and grab a bit to eat before we begin our journey to Wales, and ultimately Ireland and then Normandy, France. We will return on Monday, June 23rd with lots of good stories, I'm sure.

Right now, we are marvelling at just how much stuff our little hatchback can hold, and reminding ourselves that souvenirs will have to be far and few between. I love road trips and I think this will be the ultimate! I don't know if I will be able to blog from the road, but check back just in case. In any case, I'll post as soon as I can upon our return. Have a great week!

Tuesday, June 10

Tuesday was a recovery day from the big day on Monday. Our feet ached and our bodies were tired. So, we slept in, had a late coffee, and enjoyed Richmond. Mom and I made a grocery store run and did laundry all day. We also took a nice walk through town and along the river. Once Edgar arrived home, we grabbed the bottle of wine I had chilled and we all headed back to the Hill to watch the sun go down. We had dinner very late and called it a night around 11pm.

Monday, June 9-Big Day in the City

We saw so many major sites today. We landed at Waterloo station and exited along the river where Mom and Dad got their first glimpse of the London Eye..."the biggest ferris wheel I've ever seen" as quoted by Mom. We then rounded the corner and gawked at the beautiful skyline of Parliament, the Clock Tower (Big Ben), and Westminster Abbey. We wandered through the Abbey for about 2 hours marvelling at the architecture and tombs of Kings and Queens from way, way back. I still get excited when I see the tomb of Queens Mary and Elizabeth. Then it was pass Sting's house (yes, you read that correctly), through St. James Park where we had lunch, and up the Pall Mall to Buckingham Palace. We missed the big changing of the guard, but we saw a minor one while peeking through the iron fence. Mom was in absolute heaven, as this has always been a dream of hers. Dad...well, I'm not too sure he's that impressed with the royal family. But he was a trooper nonetheless and plowed on through with us. Monday was officially the hottest day of the year so far, so we took a taxi back to Waterloo and collapsed on the couches from exhaustion.

Sunday, June 8-Freedom and the Open Road

Freedom because for the first day in 6 months, Edgar did not have to study. He was free to do whatever he wanted. Open Road because that's where we headed...to the Cotswolds! Lilly and Aron told us about a sweet little town called Bourton-on-Water, where tiny pedestrian bridges arch over a clear, shallow stream, while kids and big kids splash around to cool off. The journey provided beautiful vistas that only the Cotswolds can, and even though we managed to arrive on a Sunday when most things were closed, we managed to have lunch right next to a babbling brook.

Saturday, June 7-Celebrate Good Times

I dropped Edgar off at his testing center...well, we walked out the hotel front door and across the parking lot...and then I hopped on the train to head home and prepare for our BBQ. My first job was to put the grill together. Yes, I know, a little late in the game, but I'm a pro at putting things together, and with all three of our heads and hands, we had it up and ready in record time.

I could not have put this party together without Mom and Dad. Mom was a workhorse as usual, and had things ready to go before I even had to ask her. Dad was a huge help in getting the back garden set up...hauling things from our flat down to the picnic tables. When it was showtime, he started up the fire and grilled delicious hamburgers and hotdogs. The party was a huge success. The night was beautiful and the garden was lovely with glowing candles and our good friends. They included Shawn and Charlie, Lilly and Aron, Catalina and Sebastian, and our upstairs neighbor Roger.

I am so happy this test is over...but I'm sure not more so than Edgar. He put in more effort for this test than any of the other two. I am happy to have my husband back and be able to finally plan and do things after 6 months of "I have to study". Most importantly, beyond the 6 months of studying and delayed travel, I am so proud of my husband. He has a dedication and drive that is rarely seen in people. This certification is entirely self-study...there's no homework and no one prodding you to read the next chapter. There were so many times he could have said "I'll do it tomorrow", but he never did. His results will arrive in mid-July to early-August, but I am confident he did great. I know in my heart that he passed and will finally be able to add those three little letters behind his name. Only someone who has gone through this can truly appreciate the meaning of those three little letters-CFA.

Friday, June 6-Almost BBQ Time!

Edgar took his last CFA test on Saturday, so we had a celebration BBQ in the back garden Saturday evening. Mom and I were both running around all day Friday getting things ready. We were busy shopping, chopping, cleaning and making things perfect for Edgar. Since Edgar's test was being conducted all the way across London, we decided it would be best to get a hotel room near the testing center instead of fighting traffic or train delays the next morning. So, I headed off to East London around 7pm and mom and dad finally got some peace and quiet!

Thursday, June 5-Rest and Relaxation

Since I sufficiently wore them out at Kew Gardens the day before, we took a much needed day of rest and relaxation. I'm sure it also had something to do with jet lag and the fact that their schedule was so messed up. We also caught up on some laundry and did a grocery store run...

Wednesday, June 4-Kew Gardens

Wednesday saw us head to Kew Gardens with Charlie and Adam. I've been to Kew a couple of times before, but everytime I go, I seem to find something different. In a place this big, I'm sure it would take you many, many visits to cover it all. Highlights were some of the largest trees in the UK, a black ebony tree-the one they make black piano keys out of, black pepper vine, and all sorts of other tropical plants in the Temperate House. This place is truly amazing and beautiful. We could not have asked for a more beautiful sunny day.

Trains and Really Old Things

Mom and Dad took their first train ride today. Here they are proudly displaying their Travelcards. We journeyed into London Waterloo via train and then hopped onto the Northern Tube line to Tottenham Court Road, where we disembarked and walked to the British Museum. I think they enjoyed the train ride and I was very proud of their enthusiasm and go-get-em attitude.

The British Museum has some really, really, old stuff in it. When I go to places like the British Museum, I play a little game where I try to find the oldest thing I have ever seen. Up until today, my personal best was some Ancient Egyptian artifacts in Paris's Louvre Museum dating to 32ooBC. Well, today I saw neo-lithic statues and a human skull from...are you ready for this??? 7200BC!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if I can top this one. Those things were 9200 years old! I guess the quest will continue....

Tomorrow will hopefully bring a sunny day to enjoy our walk through Kew Gardens.

Strolling in the Park

I absolutely love Richmond Park. It isn't any wonder that it was the first major place I took Mom and Dad. We kind of got a late start this morning as we lingered over breakfast, bags got unpacked, and people got settled. We finally left the house and headed for the park in the afternoon. It began lightly raining just as we pulled in the parking lot, so we headed into Pembroke Lodge (above) for afternoon tea, coffee, and scones. When the mist subsided, we headed outside to admire the beautiful gardens, trees, and magnificent views in this part of the park. We then drove the entire loop of the park taking pictures of the deer along the way. I think they liked their first day here. Flowers, bunnies, birds and deer are always a crowdpleaser.

Tomorrow we are headed into the city for the first time. This will be a biggie...their first time ever on mass public transportation. I can't wait to show them everything!!!

The Eagles Have Landed

Safe and sound. It took them quite a while to get through customs and we were starting to get worried. But just before I was about to call in the troops, there they appeared through the swinging doors of Arrivals. After a welcome cocktail, Mom headed straight for bed (not related to the cocktail), I cooked lunch, and Edgar, I and Dad ate and had great conversation. Dad said he was going to stay awake to help him through the time change. He is now snoozing on the couch. I know how they feel and will let them sleep as long as they need to. This is going to be a great month!!! I still can't believe they are here!