Park, Park, Park & Park

A highlight of Uncle Nate's time with us (this stay!) was Bodiam Castle . It's out in East Sussex, built back in the 1300's. C was slightly afraid of heights at the top, but that didn't stop Uncle Nate from getting there.

Yesterday, D spent her first full day in nursery. Bells is going back to full time work at COI, but only three days a week. It's been a really enjoyable 15 months of maternity leave for her. C started pre-school today. His parents most likely felt a bit more anxiety about it than he did. All reports early in the morning were fine- C spied his good mate right after finding his jacket peg and tore off after him.

Over the last few weeks, I've collected bits of all kinds. In here are Grandpa as a duck, Adam at Caerphilly Castle attacking people, Danny propping up D in Greenwich, and Nate savoring meat after a long, traumatic absence.

My brother arrived in London today, on his way from Afghanistan back to the US. C has been excited all week, and D remembered him from his stay with us 6 months ago. Video to follow.

While Mark, Judith and Logan were here a few weeks back, C found a caterpillar in the park. It was adopted as The First Pet. We punched some holes in a jam jar and put some wood and soil in it. It gets fed new green leaves of various kinds- mint, grass, sage, etc (he's a bit posh)- every few days. It has survived so far, including a journey in the car to Wales and back.

My cousin Danny arrived a few days ago, en route to Viet Nam(!). C has had a fantastic time giving him a taste of London, although he's been here several times in the past. Here they are in Westminster. We then hopped on the river taxi and went out to the Thames Barrier, and stopped at Greenwich for a spell in the park.

We spent a lovely time with David and Camellia- family friends from Bella's side. They live in Wales, just around Cardiff. We visited the beach at Rest Bay, Saint Fagans National History Museum grounds , and even Caerphilly Castle. And here we are with Sari (friend of Bells from school), Jonathan, and their kids Jack and Zoe at the end of an action-packed day.

On the bay in Cardiff, in the rain, C still finds colourful things to do.