Last post and final thoughts
Dear Family and Friends
We leave in just a few days so this will be our final post. We had several adventures to round out our adventure.
The first was our visit to Paris for Phil's birthday. Once again we stayed in the 17th arrondisement in an area called Batignolles. Along with Montmartre it was the home to several impressionist painters in the late 19C and early 20C. It is in no way an upscale tourist area but we always manage to find really nice accommodation in the area just north of the Clichy metro station. We like it because it is more a family neighbourhood - we see the same people most days and get to know the locals in the shops and restaurants. This was a much more relaxed visit - we didn't even buy a Paris Pass - we finally got to see the Rodin Museum (mostly closed for renovations) and the Parthenon. We wanted to see the Grand et Petit Palais but they were both closed as it was a Monday. Are you sensing a theme here?? If Sharlene and Phil are off to visit a museum or gallery, it will be closed! But the ay we went to Montmartre we had a fabulous meal at La Maison Rose - painted pink by Utrillo. Even though it was crazy busy with tourists, the weather was awesome and we had a lovely time.
And I order salmon
After we returned from Paris our travelling was done but we had 3 more weeks with the kids. We rented a car for 2 weeks and made our way around Newport Pagnall and a few visits further afield. Olney and Weston Underwood are always favourites but we also made our way to a little town called Turvey. AFTT as Phil would say in his inimitable jaded view. (Another F**** Twee Town) Our last UK visit in 2008 he entitled it the ABCC Tour (Another Bloody Church and Castle).
Turvey was populated by essentially two families - the Mourdants and the Higgins. The Higgins are still there and we met a lovely old gentleman out walking his dog and he filled us I on the town's history. We had lunch at The Three Cranes - the Mourdants had 3 cranes on their family crest - it was a lovely building and a lot less lovely food. We both struggled to get it down!! Can I say now that we are done, done, done with pub food. If I never see another pub for a very long time, I'm a happy camper!
But we saved the best for last! This past weekend we went to Woburn Abbey with the kids. Not to far away and it was a beautiful sunny and hot day. We lucked out as it was also the annual garden show held at Woburn Abbey every June. The Abbey is enormous and in essentially three parts. The main house where the family still lives (17th Duke of Bedford) and then two separate wings. On the 3000 acres are beautiful gardens, lakes, stone grotto, deer park with a large herd of does and bucks, forests, the largest stables we've ever seen and a stunning setting in the country. What a wonderful visit! Could have stayed there all day. And I finally got my cream tea - scone, Devon cream and jam. Close to the wire but got it done!!!
The grotto is made of stones and sea shells - quirky and delightful
We had to leave Woburn to meet Beckie and Lee's new landlord and do some measuring through their new rental that they are moving to. It is another twee cottage in the country but much closer to work for both of them and will cut commute time in half. Because it is seriously old (probably 1700's) the doors are too narrow for some furniture so we had to measure before they purchased the dining room table. It tuned out to be too big but the landlord has one to lend them. It will be a lovely place to live - horse riding school for Kirei and sheep across the road for Lee! Happy Days!
m
The sundial of Sundial Cottage
Next door neighbours - also their landlord!
We have had an awesome visit although two months is a long time and we are seriously ready to come home. We will miss the kids and look forward to our next visit where they will be more established and perhaps we can all go on holiday together rather than having them go off to work or school every day. But our own bed and Chutney calls - we'll be home soon. See you or talk to you soon!
Much love - the weary travellers Sharlene and Phil
We leave in just a few days so this will be our final post. We had several adventures to round out our adventure.
The first was our visit to Paris for Phil's birthday. Once again we stayed in the 17th arrondisement in an area called Batignolles. Along with Montmartre it was the home to several impressionist painters in the late 19C and early 20C. It is in no way an upscale tourist area but we always manage to find really nice accommodation in the area just north of the Clichy metro station. We like it because it is more a family neighbourhood - we see the same people most days and get to know the locals in the shops and restaurants. This was a much more relaxed visit - we didn't even buy a Paris Pass - we finally got to see the Rodin Museum (mostly closed for renovations) and the Parthenon. We wanted to see the Grand et Petit Palais but they were both closed as it was a Monday. Are you sensing a theme here?? If Sharlene and Phil are off to visit a museum or gallery, it will be closed! But the ay we went to Montmartre we had a fabulous meal at La Maison Rose - painted pink by Utrillo. Even though it was crazy busy with tourists, the weather was awesome and we had a lovely time.
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Phil always orders duck!
And I order salmonTurvey was populated by essentially two families - the Mourdants and the Higgins. The Higgins are still there and we met a lovely old gentleman out walking his dog and he filled us I on the town's history. We had lunch at The Three Cranes - the Mourdants had 3 cranes on their family crest - it was a lovely building and a lot less lovely food. We both struggled to get it down!! Can I say now that we are done, done, done with pub food. If I never see another pub for a very long time, I'm a happy camper!
But we saved the best for last! This past weekend we went to Woburn Abbey with the kids. Not to far away and it was a beautiful sunny and hot day. We lucked out as it was also the annual garden show held at Woburn Abbey every June. The Abbey is enormous and in essentially three parts. The main house where the family still lives (17th Duke of Bedford) and then two separate wings. On the 3000 acres are beautiful gardens, lakes, stone grotto, deer park with a large herd of does and bucks, forests, the largest stables we've ever seen and a stunning setting in the country. What a wonderful visit! Could have stayed there all day. And I finally got my cream tea - scone, Devon cream and jam. Close to the wire but got it done!!!
We had to leave Woburn to meet Beckie and Lee's new landlord and do some measuring through their new rental that they are moving to. It is another twee cottage in the country but much closer to work for both of them and will cut commute time in half. Because it is seriously old (probably 1700's) the doors are too narrow for some furniture so we had to measure before they purchased the dining room table. It tuned out to be too big but the landlord has one to lend them. It will be a lovely place to live - horse riding school for Kirei and sheep across the road for Lee! Happy Days!
m
We have had an awesome visit although two months is a long time and we are seriously ready to come home. We will miss the kids and look forward to our next visit where they will be more established and perhaps we can all go on holiday together rather than having them go off to work or school every day. But our own bed and Chutney calls - we'll be home soon. See you or talk to you soon!
Much love - the weary travellers Sharlene and Phil
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