Video Highlights of England

England

After an entire day's delay, we finally made it to England! After having our original flight cancelled, we were lucky to experience an easy flight the next day. This is the first time that we have traveled to Europe and the boys did not sleep on the plane. Unlike their parents, they do not suffer from a lack of leg room, so for them, it's a first class experience all the way! They watched movies, played video games, drank juice and ate the entire trip... all the things that they aren't usually allowed to do! Bart and I are happy that it's still such an exciting experience for them... we feel just a bit differently about it though! After making it to our destination in Finchhampstead, we immediately went to bed for a 3 hour nap. We then enjoyed lunch and a cup of tea with our friends, Fred, Janice, their lovely daughter Layla and her sweet twin baby girls, Eva and Elana. Afterwards, we forced our bodies outside for a walk through the countryside to get everything moving... and to help keep ourselves awake. We all felt a bit sluggish and weary, but we made it! As you can see, the boys all stopped for a quick nap while climbing over a fence!

We've spent our days in England relaxing, visiting with our friends, playing, walking, and exploring villages. There are so many beautiful paths to walk here that we don't have to go far! Bart and I have enjoyed some time alone walking in the mornings while the boys play with their favorite playmate, Fred. It is truly an unique experience for us. To have so many paths to explore that wind their way all over the beautiful landscape. Through gorgeous countryside and quaint villages with thatched roofed cottages and window boxes spilling over with colorful flowers. Something else we are incredibly excited about... NO ticks, chiggers, snakes, AND the temperature has been between 65 and 70 degrees everyday! It has felt like paradise!

The first two days were a bit uncertain for us, as Bart seems to have torn his rotator cuff. It happened already a week before we left, but with time and then handling luggage it has gotten much worse. He ended up in the ER and has been given a sling to wear so that his arm won't be strained anymore and will have a chance to mend. Surgery will have to wait, as it's a last resort here. After a few sleepless nights, he has finally seen much improvement in the last day or so.

We've loved our walks here; it has been such a treat. The boys are so sweet, and like to try to outdo each other by seeing who can tactfully fill my hands with the most wildflowers.. I've even had the very unusual gift of a rolly polly bug.
One day we explored old castle ruins with amazing views, and from there, took a long walk through meadows, forests, and villages, and then enjoyed a much deserved picnic on the hillside.

Our longest walk has been over 10 miles along the River Thames. It took 4 hours, and the boys did great! We stopped only once at a pub for a drink and had some healthy snacks along the way to keep our energy up. It was a beautiful walk and afterwards, we enjoyed dinner in the village and then took the red double decker bus back to the town where our car was parked. The bus ride was an eye opener for the boys, as they felt quite proud of themselves when they realized how long they had walked! And actually, if we include the village walking, it was much closer to 11 miles!

One day, we stopped at a little farm and shop and picked raspberries, blackberries, and red currants. The vines were so full of fruit, that tons of it was wasting away on the vines. As we picked, we tried helping out as much as we could by eating our fill, so it wouldn't go to waste. A man was there showing off his birds of prey, and the boys even got to hold an owl!


Fred has always taken up a lot of time with the boys and this trip has been no exception. He has always been one of their favorite people. He is great at making up games to play with them and somehow makes everything seem so fun. They made paper airplanes together and then had contests to see who could fly them the furthest, most accurate and highest. They set up buckets and threw balls at them. They made teams and played billards, with Morgan and Fred winning the much sought after East Court Trophy. They helped play and entertain the twins. Got bombarded with water bombs when they least expected it. The boys even had private piano lessons each day and each picked out and learned their own song... giving us a concert the last night we were there. It was a wonderful time spent with friends and enjoying their generous hospitality. As the boys learned to say in England... We had a 'spiffing wheeze'!