Olive has been to Little Acorns Nursery School four times now. Here she is on day one.
Here she is on day four. I need not say any more.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
The First Days
Olive has been to Little Acorns Nursery School four times now. Here she is on day one.
Here she is on day four. I need not say any more.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Paris
Another delay in updating happenings. Better late than never, right?
The past holiday weekend we bused it on over to Paris to take in the sights and enjoy a bit of sun for a change. It was our first (of many, hopefully) visits to the continent. To sum up our whorl wind tour see list below. Consider this a narrative for the massive collection of Paris pictures we now have on Flickr.*Note, photos appear in reverse order, last day 1st*
Day 1- England to Paris
4:30 left house in Newmarket to drive to bus stop on base for the 5am pick-up. Three hours after boarding the bus, we made it to the white cliffs of Dover to catch the ferry across the English Channel. Olive loved being aboard and wanted to stay on deck the entire hour and a half journey despite the wind. Once to Calais, France it was another 4ish hours to Pairs with the "detour" and traffic. Scenery could have been anywhere in farming middle America, except for the large wind turbines littering the landscape.
We were determined to see a little of Paris that night before total melt down for bed time (all of us, not just Olive) The Metro took us to city center where we walked about shops and had a quick dinner of crepes and creme fresh. Scored a chocolate croissant, chocolate eclair, bread and very, very, ripe Bree for later (smelled worse than Josh's feet according to Olive). And we found a little park where O could play right outside St Eustache before we headed back to our hotel.
Day 2
That morning started with a nice Parisian breakfast. I believe Josh and Olive ate a great number of croissants each day, fortified with a little jam, chocolate, and/or pat of butter.
We got a little muddled up coming out of the Metro and ended up back at St. Eustache again while trying to make it to Notre Dame. So, we lit a candle for the grandmas, took a moment and headed towards the Île de la Cité. By the time we arrived the que was already too long to happily wait to go up the bell tower, so we just went inside with the masses to view it's grandeur. Olive lit another candle for the grandmas (see a trend?) And we had a lovely little picnic lunch of grilled baguettes in the gardens behind the cathedral. There we lucked into pay toilets, a swing, and a very awesome large tilted spinning disk to play on.
As we left, we took in a little live music on the bridge where Olive happily danced until I took out the camera and she gave me the stink eye. She even got her papa up for a spell to dance around with her once I put the camera away. Early on, we decided we wanted to get O a French version of "Goodnight Moon" since we read it every single day... a little variety would be nice.
We looked at the book venders along the Seine. Closest was 1950's TinTin's of questionable PC content. We did manage to find an English bookstore, Shakespear & Co, where we settled on The Little Prince instead. As we walked we saw the Place Saint-Michel, snapped a photo, and continued on. From there we took the Batobus, aka water bus, down the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, there were many a sun bather, mostly men, enjoying the lovely weather of the day. Josh swears he saw naked old man ass. I told him they were wearing thongs. I didn't feel the need to further prove my point. Josh took a picture to prove his. You can zoom in on the flickr picture if you like. Either way, I don't need to see overly tan old man ass, do you?
By that point in the afternoon it was HOT, comparatively, to any weather we've experienced
here in England for the past month. Olive didn't nap, we were hungry, tired, need of a toilet, and a little snappy. We hopped off the boat to pay an exorbitant amount for cool drinks in the Tuileries. Olive decided it was time to cheer us up by doing her "statue" poses for EVERY statue she came across. She even waited till other people moved away from their studies to do so. And, had one of the bigger fits when we dragged her away from the dozen more off the lawn. Thwarted by closed public toilets we got back on the boat to arrive at the Eiffel Tower.
There we did the walk up, under, and through to the other side. Olive had more interest seeing it from the boat, and there were hundreds of people waiting in lines. Found a public toilet (woohoo) and went to the park for Olive to dig in the sand and slide with the other kids. She nearly took out a little French boy with a stick. Time to go.
We walked most of the way back to St. Germaine's square for dinner (hitched the boat while O took a quick snooze in the ergo). We settled on a restaurant with a decent looking menu. The food was okay. View, O love waving at the golden yellow cats in the Japanese restaurant across the way. There she ate escargot, and liked it. Josh had to share his little chewy garlic treat. Me, no thanks, too much science knowledge gives too many visions of what you really are eating for my comfort. I've been back to meat now for 3 years. The thought of muscle is enough for me- all the other bits. Ick.
If we hadn't done enough. We went out after dinner looking to buy a bottle of wine. Did. But also went past Centre Pompidou. Olive love the fountain and the building. It might have helped that it was the first time she's been "out" at night in city full of music, lights, and action. It was after 10 when we arrived back at the hotel from our long Metro ride.
Day 3
Similar breakfast as the day before and we were off to the Louvre. Took the Metro in, hopped in line, and was in a fair amount of time. 1st Sundays of the month are FREE in most art museums in Paris (it was worth researching b/4 going :) Olive stayed in the Ergo except for some breaks in Greek statues, foundations, and Nepolian's apartment. Lots of stairs were climbed. I feel like I need to be on the Ergo CD with all the other nut jobs swearing how wonderful this baby product is. I honestly believe it! It was a quick glance tour, but got in the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Aphrodite, some Da Vinci, and others which I can't remember. I was talking 3 year old art- Do you see the angel? Where's the dog? What color is....?
Afterward we grabbed a meal at an outdoor cafe in the Tuileries. Olive was quiet enamered with the ice cream menu and looked at maps with us while we waited for our sandwiches. Our next destination was to Montmartre. Back on the metro, and so very, very, very, very many winding stairs later (if you've been there, you know, don't you?) we were above ground. We quickly went to the Church of St. Peter and headed up the hill. With stairs. Up up up.
We were greeted in the square where all the portrait artist are by a busker with a music box.
Olive tipped her a euro and she got an orange candy. She was over the moon. At Sacre-Coeur, we quietly took our tour amongst the throng of worshipers. Olive lit yet another candle for the grandmas and headed out. Down the stairs we went listening to various street performers along the way. Enjoyed the accordions much more than the American rock ballads, but I wasn't the one trying to make the money. Got ourselves a much anticipated Crème glacée where Olive opted out of the spoon and licked it from the cup. Many a folk had to comment on the cuteness of our child at this time as we sat on the curb with our iced treat.
Many more stairs and hills we found ourselves at another playground. This time Olive played with the kids making a dog pile on the slide, and made a little bratty girl cry by standing her ground that she was indeed waiting in line for the see-saw. We managed to pass the Cafe where Amelie was film, the Moulin Rouge along a porn riddled street of NYC past, bought Absenthe (and yet to try it), and Olive took a nap on a bench in the middle of town due to all the carrying she had been subjected to all day.
We enjoyed dinner in an open air resturant watching the tourists walk by and street artist strum up buisness for portraits. Waiting for our food, Olive and I sat on the curb blowing bubbles at them. Other kids stopped to play and pop the bubbles, a dog chased them, adults smiled (mostly), an older artist kept coming by telling her how beautiful she was and how she was making magic in French, the waiter was stealing turns and blowing bubbles at her, and the smokers who sat near us left after being pumped with them. All benefits in my book. Big belly laughs from O. Somehow I hope she remembers that one on her own with out us having to tell her about it later in life. Meal itself? Yet to be impressed by French cooking. Sweets, yes, yes I am impressed, all others, so so.
Our time being almost up, we took the Metro back to city center to see the Eiffel Tower alight. We waited on the Pont Alexandre III bridge (the one w/gold horse statues). O continuing with the bubbles was trying to blow them over the water to the tower to no avail. Had yet another eclair and waited till 9pm. O was wowed. I said the lights looked like ants running up and down the tower and Olive quickly corrected me and said they were Elephants. Ants would be to small. Silly me. To that we said "au revoir" and started making our way back home.
The past holiday weekend we bused it on over to Paris to take in the sights and enjoy a bit of sun for a change. It was our first (of many, hopefully) visits to the continent. To sum up our whorl wind tour see list below. Consider this a narrative for the massive collection of Paris pictures we now have on Flickr.*Note, photos appear in reverse order, last day 1st*
Day 1- England to Paris
4:30 left house in Newmarket to drive to bus stop on base for the 5am pick-up. Three hours after boarding the bus, we made it to the white cliffs of Dover to catch the ferry across the English Channel. Olive loved being aboard and wanted to stay on deck the entire hour and a half journey despite the wind. Once to Calais, France it was another 4ish hours to Pairs with the "detour" and traffic. Scenery could have been anywhere in farming middle America, except for the large wind turbines littering the landscape.
We were determined to see a little of Paris that night before total melt down for bed time (all of us, not just Olive) The Metro took us to city center where we walked about shops and had a quick dinner of crepes and creme fresh. Scored a chocolate croissant, chocolate eclair, bread and very, very, ripe Bree for later (smelled worse than Josh's feet according to Olive). And we found a little park where O could play right outside St Eustache before we headed back to our hotel.Day 2
That morning started with a nice Parisian breakfast. I believe Josh and Olive ate a great number of croissants each day, fortified with a little jam, chocolate, and/or pat of butter.
We got a little muddled up coming out of the Metro and ended up back at St. Eustache again while trying to make it to Notre Dame. So, we lit a candle for the grandmas, took a moment and headed towards the Île de la Cité. By the time we arrived the que was already too long to happily wait to go up the bell tower, so we just went inside with the masses to view it's grandeur. Olive lit another candle for the grandmas (see a trend?) And we had a lovely little picnic lunch of grilled baguettes in the gardens behind the cathedral. There we lucked into pay toilets, a swing, and a very awesome large tilted spinning disk to play on.
As we left, we took in a little live music on the bridge where Olive happily danced until I took out the camera and she gave me the stink eye. She even got her papa up for a spell to dance around with her once I put the camera away. Early on, we decided we wanted to get O a French version of "Goodnight Moon" since we read it every single day... a little variety would be nice.
We looked at the book venders along the Seine. Closest was 1950's TinTin's of questionable PC content. We did manage to find an English bookstore, Shakespear & Co, where we settled on The Little Prince instead. As we walked we saw the Place Saint-Michel, snapped a photo, and continued on. From there we took the Batobus, aka water bus, down the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. Along the way, there were many a sun bather, mostly men, enjoying the lovely weather of the day. Josh swears he saw naked old man ass. I told him they were wearing thongs. I didn't feel the need to further prove my point. Josh took a picture to prove his. You can zoom in on the flickr picture if you like. Either way, I don't need to see overly tan old man ass, do you?By that point in the afternoon it was HOT, comparatively, to any weather we've experienced
here in England for the past month. Olive didn't nap, we were hungry, tired, need of a toilet, and a little snappy. We hopped off the boat to pay an exorbitant amount for cool drinks in the Tuileries. Olive decided it was time to cheer us up by doing her "statue" poses for EVERY statue she came across. She even waited till other people moved away from their studies to do so. And, had one of the bigger fits when we dragged her away from the dozen more off the lawn. Thwarted by closed public toilets we got back on the boat to arrive at the Eiffel Tower.There we did the walk up, under, and through to the other side. Olive had more interest seeing it from the boat, and there were hundreds of people waiting in lines. Found a public toilet (woohoo) and went to the park for Olive to dig in the sand and slide with the other kids. She nearly took out a little French boy with a stick. Time to go.
We walked most of the way back to St. Germaine's square for dinner (hitched the boat while O took a quick snooze in the ergo). We settled on a restaurant with a decent looking menu. The food was okay. View, O love waving at the golden yellow cats in the Japanese restaurant across the way. There she ate escargot, and liked it. Josh had to share his little chewy garlic treat. Me, no thanks, too much science knowledge gives too many visions of what you really are eating for my comfort. I've been back to meat now for 3 years. The thought of muscle is enough for me- all the other bits. Ick.
If we hadn't done enough. We went out after dinner looking to buy a bottle of wine. Did. But also went past Centre Pompidou. Olive love the fountain and the building. It might have helped that it was the first time she's been "out" at night in city full of music, lights, and action. It was after 10 when we arrived back at the hotel from our long Metro ride.
Day 3
Similar breakfast as the day before and we were off to the Louvre. Took the Metro in, hopped in line, and was in a fair amount of time. 1st Sundays of the month are FREE in most art museums in Paris (it was worth researching b/4 going :) Olive stayed in the Ergo except for some breaks in Greek statues, foundations, and Nepolian's apartment. Lots of stairs were climbed. I feel like I need to be on the Ergo CD with all the other nut jobs swearing how wonderful this baby product is. I honestly believe it! It was a quick glance tour, but got in the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Aphrodite, some Da Vinci, and others which I can't remember. I was talking 3 year old art- Do you see the angel? Where's the dog? What color is....?Afterward we grabbed a meal at an outdoor cafe in the Tuileries. Olive was quiet enamered with the ice cream menu and looked at maps with us while we waited for our sandwiches. Our next destination was to Montmartre. Back on the metro, and so very, very, very, very many winding stairs later (if you've been there, you know, don't you?) we were above ground. We quickly went to the Church of St. Peter and headed up the hill. With stairs. Up up up.
We were greeted in the square where all the portrait artist are by a busker with a music box.
Olive tipped her a euro and she got an orange candy. She was over the moon. At Sacre-Coeur, we quietly took our tour amongst the throng of worshipers. Olive lit yet another candle for the grandmas and headed out. Down the stairs we went listening to various street performers along the way. Enjoyed the accordions much more than the American rock ballads, but I wasn't the one trying to make the money. Got ourselves a much anticipated Crème glacée where Olive opted out of the spoon and licked it from the cup. Many a folk had to comment on the cuteness of our child at this time as we sat on the curb with our iced treat.Many more stairs and hills we found ourselves at another playground. This time Olive played with the kids making a dog pile on the slide, and made a little bratty girl cry by standing her ground that she was indeed waiting in line for the see-saw. We managed to pass the Cafe where Amelie was film, the Moulin Rouge along a porn riddled street of NYC past, bought Absenthe (and yet to try it), and Olive took a nap on a bench in the middle of town due to all the carrying she had been subjected to all day.
We enjoyed dinner in an open air resturant watching the tourists walk by and street artist strum up buisness for portraits. Waiting for our food, Olive and I sat on the curb blowing bubbles at them. Other kids stopped to play and pop the bubbles, a dog chased them, adults smiled (mostly), an older artist kept coming by telling her how beautiful she was and how she was making magic in French, the waiter was stealing turns and blowing bubbles at her, and the smokers who sat near us left after being pumped with them. All benefits in my book. Big belly laughs from O. Somehow I hope she remembers that one on her own with out us having to tell her about it later in life. Meal itself? Yet to be impressed by French cooking. Sweets, yes, yes I am impressed, all others, so so.Our time being almost up, we took the Metro back to city center to see the Eiffel Tower alight. We waited on the Pont Alexandre III bridge (the one w/gold horse statues). O continuing with the bubbles was trying to blow them over the water to the tower to no avail. Had yet another eclair and waited till 9pm. O was wowed. I said the lights looked like ants running up and down the tower and Olive quickly corrected me and said they were Elephants. Ants would be to small. Silly me. To that we said "au revoir" and started making our way back home.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Arachnophobia
Really, I am okay with spiders. Don't bother me a bit when they are outside. The ones who spin webs and eat pesky little bugs in my home are A-Ok with me. However, I'm a bit changed by these new English variety. My neighbor, Alison, upon our first meeting, asked me how I felt about them. Now upon our next meeting, I'll have to revise my original statement and tell her, that yes, indeed she was correct in saying there are some SPIDERS who like our homes a little too much. I might even take back that I'm willing to come over and "take care of" the ones she finds. Just when you're not ready for them *shiver*.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Stay Left, Look Right
After being here nearly 3 months now, driving has gotten considerably easier. Sure there are those heart fluttering moments every so often, but as Josh says, what would be the fun with out them.
However, the following situations continue to plague me causing me to hit the brakes, swerve, or let out a new explicative for Olive to learn:
1)Narrow roads- visually, and sometimes mathematically impossible roads for 2 cars to pass one another with wheels on pavement. Either by a very hard, solid stone wall/building, shrub, ditch, dike, embankment, or drop off looming very close to pavement's edge and equitably solid vehicle, delivery truck, or Lory on the other. It's like a game of chicken with the oncoming car. I always end up being the chicken.
2)Speed limits- technically I am allowed to drive 60mph on said road above. Mind you there is also dips, swerves, and blind spots over hills. I'm driving this country in the wrong decade of my life.
3) Roundabouts - I get them. I'm good. But, I forget certain ones are there. It's the itty bitty ones that I seem to drive straight through only to remember to look right when I see the little spot in the middle of the road. Gas stations, and small side streets are going to do me in.
4) Randomly parked cars, bikes, roadwork, and other random hazards on roadside- Nothing says break like seeing a car parked facing you in the middle of the road. Could be in a no parking zone, curb, or sidewalk. Parking rules I guess are optional.
5)Pigeons- stupid, fat, slow to gain lift birds. One will soon be victim on my windscreen. I won't mind because there will be one less wood pigeon on the Island, but it will surly crack or dent my car.
There's a few driving video's on flickr if you're interested. Josh doing the driving (and having a quick break behind a biker... it may be hard to tell since I'm putting the camera down reflexively to brace myself for possible impact)
However, the following situations continue to plague me causing me to hit the brakes, swerve, or let out a new explicative for Olive to learn:
1)Narrow roads- visually, and sometimes mathematically impossible roads for 2 cars to pass one another with wheels on pavement. Either by a very hard, solid stone wall/building, shrub, ditch, dike, embankment, or drop off looming very close to pavement's edge and equitably solid vehicle, delivery truck, or Lory on the other. It's like a game of chicken with the oncoming car. I always end up being the chicken.
2)Speed limits- technically I am allowed to drive 60mph on said road above. Mind you there is also dips, swerves, and blind spots over hills. I'm driving this country in the wrong decade of my life.
3) Roundabouts - I get them. I'm good. But, I forget certain ones are there. It's the itty bitty ones that I seem to drive straight through only to remember to look right when I see the little spot in the middle of the road. Gas stations, and small side streets are going to do me in.
4) Randomly parked cars, bikes, roadwork, and other random hazards on roadside- Nothing says break like seeing a car parked facing you in the middle of the road. Could be in a no parking zone, curb, or sidewalk. Parking rules I guess are optional.
5)Pigeons- stupid, fat, slow to gain lift birds. One will soon be victim on my windscreen. I won't mind because there will be one less wood pigeon on the Island, but it will surly crack or dent my car.
There's a few driving video's on flickr if you're interested. Josh doing the driving (and having a quick break behind a biker... it may be hard to tell since I'm putting the camera down reflexively to brace myself for possible impact)
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Wales Tales
Our latest adventure took us to Wales this past weekend for camping and seeing some local sights. It all began with what Google maps called a 4 hour drive... We thought we'd break it up by driving t
o our friends in Birmingham Thursday night. Ron and Maria graciously housed us, fed us, and were so polite by our late arrival due to traffic cues and confusing directions into B'ham. We left Friday morning to complete the journey to Betws-y-Coed. Again thwarted by long queues, this one for the music V-Festival, rain, confusing signs - Cat's Eyes Removed?!- and general UK roads, we arrived at our destination some 7 hours on road.
We did some research on where to stay in Snowdonia National Park, tried to make reservations, but ended up winging it in the end. With pouring rain and brisk winds most of the quaint farmland fields looked swamped and we kept on driving until we decided on Swallow Falls Inn/Hostel/Pub/Tavern/Campground. We pitched the tent on a staggered hillside overlooking the building, but had the roar of the waterfall tempering the not-so-camplike feel of the place.
After we got our tent up
, and dried off a bit, we walked across the road to view Swallow Falls. A few pounds later to get thought the gate, we were able to see all of water from the latest rains. Done in 20min. So, back to the tent to fall asleep by 8. Josh, however, was devoured by little no-see-ums which left him looking like he had developed a case of the chicken poxs.
Saturday was our day of hiking. Most of Snowdonia National park is 
used for farming, so, essentially your hiking though someones acreage. We saw sheep, sheep, and more sheep. Other animals, possibly wildlife? Nope. Nice views of the valley from our hundreds of rock steps up. Olive caught a ride with Papa for most of it. She did want to cross the fence lines herself.
Sunday was our in town day. The morning we went over to Llanberis. There we spent the morning wandering about the Slate Museum. We were all equally impressed with the gigantic water wheel that once ran the various saws and machines. Afterward we took Olive on her first train ride. A blue steam engine named Thomas Bach and old wooden coaches down the side of the lake. Olive kept looking for his face and his other friends- Percy included.
Later on we went to the Caernarfon Castle - started being built back in 1283 - and we went up and down all the towers and halls. Olive's favorite part was the scoop of ice cream she got at the end of the trip. *note to reader, I just had to cross the room and squash a giant spider that Josh thought was a mouse* The end of the day was ended with a pint on the picnic bench while Olive played on the campground playground.
Monday was the return journey home. All seven hours of it. But before we left Wales we went to the Trefriw Woolen Mills. There we saw raw wool carted and woven into beautiful blankets. Learned about tweeds and various other styles of wool cloth. I picked up some local roving and Josh got a smashing tweed flat cap.
That was our trip to Wales. *Geeze ANOTHER frickin' giant spider crawled out from under the couch towards the hearth. Josh's turn*
o our friends in Birmingham Thursday night. Ron and Maria graciously housed us, fed us, and were so polite by our late arrival due to traffic cues and confusing directions into B'ham. We left Friday morning to complete the journey to Betws-y-Coed. Again thwarted by long queues, this one for the music V-Festival, rain, confusing signs - Cat's Eyes Removed?!- and general UK roads, we arrived at our destination some 7 hours on road.We did some research on where to stay in Snowdonia National Park, tried to make reservations, but ended up winging it in the end. With pouring rain and brisk winds most of the quaint farmland fields looked swamped and we kept on driving until we decided on Swallow Falls Inn/Hostel/Pub/Tavern/Campground. We pitched the tent on a staggered hillside overlooking the building, but had the roar of the waterfall tempering the not-so-camplike feel of the place.
After we got our tent up
, and dried off a bit, we walked across the road to view Swallow Falls. A few pounds later to get thought the gate, we were able to see all of water from the latest rains. Done in 20min. So, back to the tent to fall asleep by 8. Josh, however, was devoured by little no-see-ums which left him looking like he had developed a case of the chicken poxs.
Saturday was our day of hiking. Most of Snowdonia National park is 
used for farming, so, essentially your hiking though someones acreage. We saw sheep, sheep, and more sheep. Other animals, possibly wildlife? Nope. Nice views of the valley from our hundreds of rock steps up. Olive caught a ride with Papa for most of it. She did want to cross the fence lines herself.
Sunday was our in town day. The morning we went over to Llanberis. There we spent the morning wandering about the Slate Museum. We were all equally impressed with the gigantic water wheel that once ran the various saws and machines. Afterward we took Olive on her first train ride. A blue steam engine named Thomas Bach and old wooden coaches down the side of the lake. Olive kept looking for his face and his other friends- Percy included.
Later on we went to the Caernarfon Castle - started being built back in 1283 - and we went up and down all the towers and halls. Olive's favorite part was the scoop of ice cream she got at the end of the trip. *note to reader, I just had to cross the room and squash a giant spider that Josh thought was a mouse* The end of the day was ended with a pint on the picnic bench while Olive played on the campground playground.
Monday was the return journey home. All seven hours of it. But before we left Wales we went to the Trefriw Woolen Mills. There we saw raw wool carted and woven into beautiful blankets. Learned about tweeds and various other styles of wool cloth. I picked up some local roving and Josh got a smashing tweed flat cap.That was our trip to Wales. *Geeze ANOTHER frickin' giant spider crawled out from under the couch towards the hearth. Josh's turn*
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