England

A few photos of our little four day getaway to London the week before last. I luurve London and could totally see myself living there one day. People are generally so much nicer and friendlier than in Paris, it always takes me a day or two to adjust, i.e. take down my anti-aggression shield. We were there between boxing day and new year and it was by far one of the best times to visit: the city was e.m.p.t.y! A real treat.



On our first day, we woke up late, filled our bellies on a full English breakfast (grazie Isabella!) and headed off on foot through Holland Park and Kensington Gardens, to the V&A. I wanted to see the new photo collection about the history of photography. It was an amazing travel through time. You can find pieces by Henri Cartier Bresson, Diane Arbus, Irving Penn, Man Ray, Lee Miller, to name a few of my favourite. It is truly worthwhile and you can see it all for free (I always forget that museums are free in London which makes it a pleasant surprise).

Day two was a crazy shopping day. Bond street, Oxford street, Carnarby street, Liberty's... we shopped until we dropped! Everything is much cheaper than in Paris now so it was all a bargain for us. One little gem of a shop our friend showed us was Skandium. It was filled with the most sumptous Scandinavian goodies... which I managed to resist but it was hard. Instead, I privileged buying a few cute little outfits for our wee man as clothes for little ones in the UK are more vibrant and whimsical than what we get in Paris. Our exhausting consumeristic day ended with our must-have curry on Brick Lane - a classic, yum!

The following day we visited some of my relatives in south London and met our new baby cousin (once or twice removed, I can never remember) who is so adorable and teeny weeny.

And before our trip back on our last day, we went for an expeditive walk around the picturesque Notting Hill to check out Fara Kids, a charity shop recommended by my friend Vanessa. I came out with an awesome pair of red jeans and an indoor football (the boy was ecstatically pleased with his pressie) for less than 10 pounds. Not bad me thinks, when the neighboring shops would almost be ready to charge you for looking at their clothes.

Wishing you all a happy weekend. I'll see you back here on Monday. x

M&S.

At the risk of sounding totally materialistic: today, my life in Paris reached a whole new level of greatness.

Marks & Spencer
100 avenue des Champs Elysees (oui, oui!)
75008 Paris

{image from here. See some photos here and read the article here}

The Beatles.

It goes without saying that if you travel to Liverpool you will somehow or another "come across" The Beatles, an all-time favourite band in our household. Our son was even named Lennon for a good 12 hours until we eventually decided to change our minds. So needless to say it was fantastic to visit The Beatles Story on the Albert Docks while we were there. Here's a fun historical recap of the band...

...as told by their hair!

English summer holidays.

Part 2 - le nord (Chester, Rhosesmore [North Wales], Liverpool)













More photos here.

English summer holidays.

Part 1 - the south (St. Osyth, Dedham, Flatford, Hastings)

















More photos here.

Summer holidays.

I am blogging from the car as we are on our way to Calais to catch the ferry to England. We've actually already missed our boat (good thing we bought flexi tickets) and have a flat tyre but my cousin is getting married tomorrow so by hook or by crook, we have to get to London tonight. If you don't hear back from me soon, it means I'm still stranded on the motorway, surviving on formula milk and a couple of mashed carrots.

Bonnes vacances!

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