I can't believe we are under a month left! Yes, I have cried a bit almost everyday about the move. It is exciting to be close to family and friends and to be in our new house, but it is also sad to leave a great city and all the great friends we have made here....what a rollercoaster of emotions! I think this is much tougher than it was to move here...another tissue please...
posted by Chris @ 11:18 PM
Well we took our final trip to Dublin, Ireland this weekend. We had a good time, but we were more mellow than usual, we are a bit "citied out". Really we should have rented a car and cruised into the country side, but this would have required too much planning ahead which did not happen.
Sunday was spent with more walking around the city, shopping on Henry Street, spending time on the castle grounds and in the early afternoon taking a guided tour of the castle. The tour was interesting, and surprisingly better than we expected for 4.50 Euro. Sophie can nap anywhere and did so on my lap and the bench of an Italian restaurant where we had a late lunch. Hilarious!
Overall the trip was relaxing and enjoyable, a few downs, mostly ups, and it is always nice to not have to cook or clean. A little break from reality for us...now back to the moving to do list...
posted by Chris @ 9:49 PM
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On Wedneday, Sophie's Nursery School Puss in Boots had a picnic at the Golders Green park. It was a great park, nice green space, flower garden, playground and animal area with deer. While the weather didn't cooperate, Sophie had a nice time playing with her school friends. It was nice to chat with the parents while the kids played. The teachers at Puss in Boots have been amazing. It has been such a positive experience for Sophie, one that I am glad we decided to let her have.
So Friday, July 20 is officially Sophie's last day of school and then summer officially begins for us. Much later school let out than in the states! She and I are going to spend our summer/last few weeks getting together with friends, and seeing a few last things in the city before we leave in August. Less than 5 weeks until we are stateside, it seems surreal! Welcome Summer! Sophie is going to miss her teachers and friends dearly! Hopefully she will be okay with lots of mum for the next 4 weeks...
posted by Chris @ 3:58 PM
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The tile work in the bathrooms and hall from garage is almost complete; the columns between the formal dining and sitting room 
have been put up; the cedar siding on the front of the house is beginning; the alder wood shelves in all the closets have been completed and trim work completed; air conditioning/heating is being installed soon, and next comes the staining and varnishing of all the cabinets and trim. Things are moving towards the close on August 23!
posted by Chris @ 9:42 AM
I am so excited that Jeremy has to work in Dublin next week! Sophie and I are going to use up some frequent flyer miles and go along to sneak in one last trip. Of course I will blog when I get back. Sláinte! (cheers in Gaelic)
posted by Chris @ 3:55 PM
Afternoon tea is synonymous with Brown's. Ever since James Brown established his hotel for 'genteel' folk over 160 years ago, afternoon tea in the hotel's English Tea Room has been a British institution. The English Tea Room is known for serving the best afternoon tea in London and preserves its famous discreet and elegant setting, with a choice of teas including Brown's own blend, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, fine jams and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and delicate pastries, all combined to make a wonderful and exquisite afternoon tea experience.
I went to high tea with a friend from New York and we had a fabulous time! Brown's is "the" place to go for high tea if you are going to go and I would agree. I even put on pantyhose for the occasion and wore my high heels which amazingly didn't kill me walking to and from the bus and tube! The tea was excellent, we had sweet caramel. Tea always tastes better to me when someone else makes it, not sure why. But the little sandwiches, scones, and desserts were delicious. They kept refilling the tea and snacks, it actually was quite a bit of food, and definitely lots of drink, I think I had 6 cups! All the while the rain poured, and poured, and after 3 hours of conversation, tea and dessert it stopped so we could leave on a good note. This is a must do while in London, a bit pricey but worth it!
posted by Chris @ 3:40 PM
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Things are still moving along with the house, a little more slowly right now, but still moving. Rcent updates include the installation of the kitchen cabinets, in-floor heating in the master bath, tile work has started and painting/staining work will hopefully begin next week. Here are some recent photos... 
posted by Chris @ 10:53 AM
I sent a photo into the London Paper this week (it is a free paper that is handed out at the train and tube stations) and it was printed! It was a photo I took at Covent Garden while on assignment for my photography course. I am thrilled!
posted by Chris @ 6:03 PM
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This week has been an extremely intense one! I spent the week in training at the London School of Photography. It was fantastic, exhausting mentally but rewarding and inspiring. With only 6 students in the course it was very personal. The instructor, Luciana Franzolin was very experienced and a good instructor. Every day we spent time in the classroom learning more about our cameras, techniques, theories, photoshop, etc. and the afternoons were spent in the city trying out new techniques and working on our skills. It was great to see the photos that everyone took the next day. I really feel that this has helped take my photography to the next level. My next big obsession, working on getting a website up and running...
posted by Chris @ 10:16 AM
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We helped host a traditional American 4th of July party at our friends the Longhurst's with other British friends (11 adults and 15 kids!). The menu included hamburgers and sausages and fixings, homemade potato salad (by Jeremy it was fantastic and I don't even like this stuff!), baked beans, green salad, fruit, and veggies in the shape of the American flag. Desserts included blueberry pie, chocolate cake, and a Union Jack flag cake (looked good, but not much interest in it). Of course no celebration is complete without beverages, the local specialty for the summer is Pimm's, but I also made a non-alcoholic summer tea that was a big hit. We got so busy that we didn't even get to making the smores (to be done another day!). It was a great celebration with friends and the sun made a huge appearance which really helped make the day!
In the evening, there was an adults only party with more beverages and appetizers. And then the big finale with some fireworks. My friend Tracy got them from a local party store. They were a one light package which went off
continuously for a minute and a half. It was fantastic! It may have upset some of Tracy's neighbors, but it really was good. We finished the night off with some sparklers and conversation. Thank you Tracy and Paul for hosting all of us and letting us share our celebration!
posted by Chris @ 3:17 PM
Ahh, finally we have an official date for moving back to the states--August 22, 2007!~
This is a bit later than what we originally thought, but we will enjoy every last minute in London and it feels good to have an official date. Now we just have to do all the things necessary to move internationally again...See you all soon!
posted by Chris @ 3:14 PM
Sadly, Thursday was Sophie's last ballet class at the Rona Hart ballet school. She has been a bit sick and if it wasn't the last day, I'm not sure we would have made it. But Sophie rallied and we even made thank you cards and truffles for her teacher Miss Jenny and Miss Linzi the school director. She really enjoyed this class and will miss not going every Thursday afternoon. Hopefully we can find a ballet school and instructors as good back home. Another goodbye...
posted by Chris @ 2:44 PM
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Jeremy just got back from the states in which one part of his trip was spent in Minnesota checking on the progress of the house and making final selections on landscaping for the yard. Here are some of the latest photos. It looks like the house will be complete by August 15, the original plan. As soon as we have our exit date we will announce it. Cheers!
posted by Chris @ 9:16 PM
This blog is a diary of the 2005-2007 adventures of the Welsand family living in London, traveling throughout Europe, experiencing life to the fullest.
