Park, Park, Park & Park

We all went out to Mickleham and dragged Nate up and down muddy trails.  And then had a nice pub lunch.

As per tradition, opened on Christmas Eve, a gift from Grandma.

We borrowed a local Lab and took him for a walk on Wimbledon Common.  Kids loved it.

And off we go to Partridges on the King's Road to load up on American food for the holidays.

After reading at the St Barnabas evening Carole service, we opened a bottle of Christmas cheer.  A gift from Grandpa Wigan's celler.

... of demi-pointe ballet shoes.

Grandpa Wigan's Very Large Hamper arrived this evening- full of treats.   We have made a family pact to not eat or drink any of it until Uncle Nate arrives.

We had a crowded table on Sunday for a Thanksgiving feast, both friends and family.  The centerpiece was C's pumpkin pie.  It turned out brilliantly. Two highlights: a game of American football in the park before the meal.  And fireworks bacck in the same park after the meal.

So that means a trip to Partridges in Sloane Square for American food! Loaded up on Kraft Mac & Cheese, marshmallow Fluff and Stove Top stuffing.

At Brunswick House in Vauxhall.  

Hard at work cleaning cars for neighbours on the street.

Back again to the new US Embassy. Renewing my favourite daughter's passport.

A neighbour needed a little help managing her pup.  So the kids get to get dragged around the park.

We went over to the family of C's friend last night for dinner and fireworks. The Dad had a full arsenal of stuff.  And has some very understanding neighbours...

Off to renew C's passport this morning.

Minus the jacket (because it's a little chilly), she looks great.

C and his friends- Robbie, Nick, C and Jack.

A day out on the south coast.

Sophia, D and Alice, ready for a celebratory pizza.

Along the river.

Bulgarian Babysitter stops by, with her husband.

With her handstands.

D is just a shade taller than Grandma now...

Sophia, D and Molina. 

On the south end of Loch Fyne.

We went up the glen (behind Tuggy's brewery!). We slept on the edge of a pine grove, after dinner on a campfire.  That's Loch Fyne in the distance.

This is Michael Wigan, a distant cousin of Bella's father. He lives in a remote part of the Highlands, where his closest town is Helmsdale, 15 miles away.

You stumble on ruins at every turn, it seems.

They lasted 12 years.  They died on Ben Nevis.  We buried them in the bin at the base.

It took us 3.5hours on the way up, and 2.5 on the way down.  Cold at the top, rainy most of the way, and very tough on the legs.  But the kids did it.

We went out on Peter's boat today and caught a half dozen fish- C's first catch. Then he needed to gut them before Louisa turned them into pate. 

This is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen.  It's at the very top of Scotland, and the weather was hot.

Outside Durness, North coast of Scotland.

I went off to my AMTE Power board meeting, and these guys went even further north, by ferry, to Stromness.