A Surprising End

For this final post, and for the first time this trip, I am speechless when it comes to writing this blog. I cannot put into words how emotional I feel.

It was Shaun’s last day today and therefore this is the final post. It has become part of our day, each day, to think about a title for the blog. I had this one sorted. I was going to call it The Final Post. But everything changed.

The day was a mixture of emotions. We knew it was Shaun’s last day; the end of our holiday together and for this reason we were feeling a tinge of sadness as we end all the happy memories we have created together on this trip. Yet today definitely had many happy moments. This morning, we met up with Shaun’s parents Goddaughter for coffee which was so lovely. On the way there, Shaun took it upon himself to sing me sad romantic leaving songs such as Save tonight…gone tomorrow. Way to make a girls sad heart even more sad! We also had a lovely picnic in the park with Karen and Lily and a walk through the Roman Road markets before heading home to pack.

I am useless at goodbyes. I hate them and I never get any better with them. Especially when I have to say farewell to my own husband. Needless to say, I was a mess. Shaun was staunch but I think he was crying on the inside?

After dropping him at Mile End station, we headed back to the house. Karen was texting Stephen who was saying he was “working late.” An hour or so later, Karen then told me Stephen was having to walk home as all the bikes were taken. Gullible me, didn’t even blink an eyelid when she said this. So we decided it would be best it we went in the car to pick Stephen up.

Heading the same way as we did to drop Shaun off, brought back feelings of sadness again. We then see Stephen on a corner near Mile End. He is carrying a suitcase. That’s strange, I thought. He is also with someone else. Probably some guy from him work who he walked home with. But still, why the suitcase? We pull up right next to them and its only then that I realise I know this other face. It’s my DAD!!!! A surprise that all of them have been planning for a month. He’s over here for a couple of days before flying to Switzerland for work.

I am still in shock. It feels weird to be walking in Stephen and Karen’s house, in London, without Shaun, yet with my dad here.

An emotional day. The end of our trip together where we have had the privilege of creating lifelong memories as a newly married couple. This trip has never ceased to amaze us. The people we have met, the scenes we have seen, the cultures we have experienced…and doing this all together has been something that I know we will treasure and reflect on for many years to come.

Au revoir, vaarwel, Slán, Auf Wiedersehen, NAH SLED-dah-noh, ciao, despedida

Goodbye.

Happy Birthday Shaun!!!

It’s a first for Shaun…a London birthday!! We woke up and Shaun opened his bag of goodies. One of his presents included a little black notebook filled with 32 London challenges for him to complete.

Here is the challenge list:
Have your photo with…
Telephone box
Tube signs
Lion statue
London guard
Big Ben
With a pint
Mushy peas
In a park
Along the river Thames
On a bridge
At Buckingham Palace
An icecream
Something older than you
Something the same age
Something the same height
Something younger
Something wider
With a picture of the queen
A lamp post
A post box
A plane above your head
A pigeon
A squirrel
Westminster abbey
A Starbucks coffee
A boat
A London cab
A busker
The number 32
The number 1981
A policeman
Your wife

So off we set…as the setter of challenges and the judge, I think it would be fair for me to say that Shaun was slow off the mark. But as soon as he had that Starbucks coffee transfusion, he was off with all guns blazing. Within the first two hours he had crossed off 19. Buckingham Palace, St James Park, Big Ben, Westminster, the Thames – we covered it all. And along the way we even met the mayor of London, good ol’ Boris, as he was playing his part for a cycle safely campaign.

Shaun ticked off the pint and mushy peas challenge when we had lunch at The Kitchen. London is full of funky places to eat. Spoilt for choice!

This afternoon, Lily took Shaun on a birthday date while her mummy worked. I chaperoned. Cafe and a play at the park chasing seagulls.

Stephen and Karen took us out for the best meal and to the best restaurant we have ever been to. Duck and Waffle in the Heron tower on the 40th floor! High in many ways; physically high up (Karen and I nearly passed out on the glass elevator ride up!) high quality service, high quality food. A phenomenal evening with the highest standard of company.

And now, we have just sung happy birthday with muffin cakes. Happy Birthday to the most incredible man!

Hakuna Matata

It means no worries. Hakuna Matata. There are stressful moments but you’ve got to deal with them and then let them go.

The day started relaxed. I had a sleep big sleep in as the high of travelling has finally hit in the form of a cold. With Karen and Lily, we wandered over to Stratford mall and enjoyed a real latte and an ANZAC biscuit at a NZ cafe. We do know how to make coffee well!

With a list written out, we had a plan of action for getting what we needed at the mall…including a suitcase (turns out we have bought a bit of stuff!!). There is never enough time when shopping and with only twenty minutes before we needed to leave, I had to rush frantically around getting everything for Shaun’s birthday tomorrow. I must have looked stressed as a massage stall asked if I wanted a shoulder and neck massage. “No thank you” I reply politely whilst on the inside I’m screaming “Yes!”

The reason we needed to leave was to get ready for one of Shaun’s first birthday treats – The Lion King. We met Gareth and Ange at Gordon’s Wine Bar for a pre theatre drink.

The show itself was incredible! You know that the costumes are well done when you don’t notice them but see the animals of Africa. You know that the acting is good when you don’t see characters but animals who you relate to on an emotional level.

The teacher in me did need to come out though. In front of us sat several families with all the children directly below us. And the whole way through they talked, wriggled and showed disrespect. Shaun sternly told them to be quiet, I spoke to them at halftime asking them to sit still and keep quiet and still they continued. Don’t mess with Mrs Sutcliffe! I very firmly told the girl in front of me to show some respect…and gave her and the others the teacher stare.

But hakuna matata. A brilliant day, successful shopping and an outstanding show!

Birthday day tomorrow!!!!

A Royal Visit

What an absolute stunner of a day. Second day of autumn and 26 degrees. London has definitely treated us with the weather and it’s set to continue right through this week.

Our gorgeous friends, Gareth and Ange are over from NZ beginning their overseas holiday and thankfully our plans collided with being in London at the same time for a couple of days. This morning, we met them at Paddington Station and caught the train to Windsor. The royal guards and the band must have known we were arriving. As soon as we stepped onto the streets, they began marching and playing. Or maybe we just timed it right!

Going through Windsor Castle was such a delight. Ange and I ooohed and aaahed over Queen Mary’s dollhouse, and imagined ourselves as royalty and what we would do in such an amazing ‘home.’ Gareth and Shaun thought about boy stuff…how the guns and arrows would have been fired through the holes in the wall, and looking at all the armoury. Girls will be girls and boys will be boys!

We walked through the Windsor chapel and saw where some kings and queens have been buried, including the Queen’s mother. Quite sobering but also a little bizarre thinking of the many bones underneath us.

Windsor town is beautiful and definitely what I expected a place home to the Queen’s summer palace should be. Cute little streets, boutique shops and a feeling of classiness.

I often think how amazing it would be to be royalty…but then I think of the fun of travelling and doing whatever we like; making chicken burgers, playing board games, laughing and being silly…and I am thankful we are who we are having such fun with amazing friends and family.

Lazy Sunday

Even Lily knew it was a Sunday, sleeping in until 8am. A perfect start to a lazy Sunday.

This morning, we went along to Stephen and Karen’s church. Loved being able to meet some of their friends, see how the other kids smother Lily, and hear the preacher talk in his east London way…we had to hold the giggles in when he said he wasn’t bothered just like Catherine Tate’s “b o v bovered.”

Caught the number 8 bus on Old Ford Road and went to the Old Spitalfield Markets. I’m getting the idea that London wants us to know it’s ‘old.’

Fabulous markets where the bargains just kept pleading with my mind. Sorted for summer back home at least. Shaun, on the other hand, struggled to find clothes but found plenty of delicious food.

One of the first things we planned with Stephen and Karen when we arrived in London, back in July, was an East London Curry Night. It’s even been in the iPhone calendar. Tonight was the night. I don’t eat a lot of curries but these curries from Brick Lane were absolutely scrumptious!

Whitstable Ways

It was out of the city and off to the seaside village of Whitstable today. Charming and full of charisma. Streets lined with antique and boutique shops, waterfront scattered with seafood and markets. I have always prided myself on being a keen shopper and bargain hunter but I have met my match. Within ten minutes of arriving in Whitstable, Karen had made a purchase. One of many!!

Fish, shell fish, boats, scales and guts…Shaun was in his ultimate town. For lunch he feasted on cockles, calamari, oysters and chips.

A bit of a relaxing afternoon back home and then dinner out along the canal. And now as I write this blog, Stephen is setting up the board game table having just made cups of tea. Let the competition begin!

A story to tell

One of the top things on Shaun’s to do list in London was to visit the British Museum and see the mummies. For me, it was a bit of take it or leave it. Seen one museum…seen them all.

I was proven wrong. Yep…happy to admit that for once in this marriage, Shaun was right 😉

The museum was absolutely incredible and not once did we tire of walking from one end to the other absorbing as much knowledge as possible. I’d heard of names, places and artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone, Cleopatra, Ancient Egypt, Babylon…but to read and see more about history made me wish I knew even more. I knew there was so much history to be appreciated. So many stories to be told. Also, many lessons to be learnt. Best professional development! I came away with ideas bubbling for my class back home. The whole time, Shaun and I were calling to each other to share a new fact we had learnt. Fascinating place!! And I would love to go back.

On our way back home, we stopped for a picnic in Victoria Park and spotted planes. In definitely from NZ…and a chip off the old block!

Took Lily for a walk down to Roman Street this afternoon and are on official babysitting duties now while Stephen and Karen are out for a romantic dinner. Not a sound, not even a peep. Success so far!

Greenwich Mean Time

Standing on the line where time starts and stops. A packed picnic lunch and we were all set to go. It was off to Greenwich today! What a beautiful place in London. Markets and boutique shops…definitely my style. But of course that’s not what Greenwich is famous for.

Our first sight was of Catty Sark – a sailing boat that dates back to the 1860s. In its heyday it was the fastest boat around and brought produce from both Australia and China. We went through the Navy College and then up to the clock where we had our picnic lunch. Highlight of the day was sitting in the maritime brewery enjoying a drink in the sun. And…luck came back to us today as we were also given an extra coffee. A walk through another museum saw Karen, Shaun and I dressing up in appropriate gear – although after wearing the yellow coat I read what it was for. Hmmmm.

This evening we made dinner on the fire pit and toasted marshmallows for dessert – delicious!!!

Full circle

Here we are again…London. To be honest, it feels like a homecoming and it feels SO good. Good to know that we are here for more than three days, good to know we can wash our clothes properly, good to know we can have home cooked meals and a cup of tea whenever we want..just so good! We have thoroughly enjoyed travelling through Europe. Already we are reflecting on places we have been and smiling…a lot. It has been without a doubt the best trip ever!!

Unfortunately, our trip back to London didn’t come without being ripped off yet again. We arrive in Gatwick and buy train tickets to London Bridge. A look up at the departures board shows that our train leaves at 12:53pm. Check phone. 12:49pm. We make a mad dash for platform one and breathe a sigh of relief when we make it on. Train leaves and terminates an hour later, not at London Bridge but at Victoria. That’s annoying but ok, we say. We will take the underground from here. But our tickets won’t let us out. When we explain to the officer that we can’t get out, he says we need to pay another £30 for going to Victoria. Umm…but it’s actually more of a hassle for us to be here, we explain, and it was a genuine mistake. We didn’t realise we caught the 12:51pm train and not the 12:53pm train. Easy mistake one would have thought. Next thing we know, the officer calls over back up and we get put into a holding area for refusing to pay. After what seemed an eternity, someone came to talk to us. We again explain, very calmly, our position. Rude officer is not willing to listen. We reluctantly pay and also ask for a customers complaint card…I also let him know how he has given his country a bad impression! And we are not overacting. Stephen and Karen are appalled too and agree we should complain. Number one thing to do on tomorrow’s list!

Putting that aside…it is amazing to be back in London. More snuggly cuddles with the delicious Lily!! This evening we walked to meet Stephen from work…the game we played was to be the first to spot Stephen running towards us. Karen most definitely lost this game and had me in stitches of laughter as to who she thought was her husband.

A yummy homemade lasagne for dinner and now just chilling on the couch. It’s good to be back at our home away from home!

A fond farewell

Feature blog written by Shaun:

Well, what a great day to have as our last on mainland Europe. After going for a late night stroll the night before to find a Starbucks iced frappe, we decided to have a sleep in this morning as the weather man had forecasted a wet and windy day.

Well to say the least, never listen to the weather man! Barcelona turned on the sun and heat and after our little lie in, we decided to head off and spend the day at the beach. We strolled through the back streets again and found a nice cafe for coffee and breakfast. On the way to the beach, we just so happened to come across another fantastic market, whereby we believe all the locals shopped at, as the prices were far cheaper than la Rambla and the people only spoke Spanish. I love these fresh markets!

We continued on to the harbour and water front, before finding the beach. Needless to say I think every man, woman and child in Spain were at the beach today!

We found our spot, had over 4 swims, a little picnic lunch and lapped up maybe a little too much sun, but well worth it on our last day.

Ruth has also found a new sport – plane spotting. While sitting at a nice little beach front cafe, she spotted over 24 planes coming into land in a 45 minute duration (for all her kids reading this blog, your math quiz this week, is how many planes landed each minute?)

Mainland Europe has been awe inspiring, jaw dropping and has definitely made me appreciate art, history and culture a whole lot more!
Tomorrow we fly back to London and look forward to the wonderful things we have planned in the rest of Britain 🙂