Bonnieux - part 2

As promised, here are a few more pics from Provence...






stray cats ruled the streets, some cuter than others


thought this was an interesting take on the election results...


But I've saved my favourite spot for last - the poppy fields! We were a few weeks too early for the lavender to be fully in bloom, but the vibrant red fields more than made up for it. They were breathtaking, and we had to try and capture them to share!

Bonnieux - part 1

Well, we had a great first family vacation - even though I packed too much - Ryan air were kind/annoying enough to let us repack our suitcases as mine was over the limit...can you imagine?! Lesson learned I guess...

....anyway, this trip was full of 'firsts' for Jake! Here he is enjoying his first plane ride.




Bonnieux is known as one of the most beautiful villages in the area, perched on the the North face of the Luberon. (as you can see, the view of the village is breathtaking!) It is well known for cherries, lavender, olive oil, and poppies! We were able to get some great pictures in the poppy fields (coming in part 2). Everyday we enjoyed fresh bread, olive oil, wine and fruit - the cherries were especially delicious! It was a perfect time of year to go - a week before high season and the temp was between 25 and 30 every day...


Jake was able to kick back and relax too - this was inside our apartment, which is called the 'Old Gendarmerie' as many years ago, it used to be the old police station, complete with bars still on most of the windows....which was a lot more quaint than it may sound...



...view from a local cafe


We tagged along on this well organised trip courtesy of the Turners. Thanks again for a great vacation Christina and Matt! Our apartment was perfect complete with a little kitchenette and balcony and more importantly, a pool overlooking the valley (can't get much better than that!) We went out for lazy dinners outside every evening...why do we live in London again??




First dip in a pool - Jake found it a little too chilly for his taste:)

Spectacular sunsets...

Have passport, will travel...

I know, I know - I'm so mean making him pose for me! Well, we are off for our first 'family' vacation to France this Saturday - so the passport and visa arrived just in time. We are going to Bonnieux which is a medieval town on a hilltop, surrounded by other towns on hilltops, in the Petit Luberon mountain range. It was made famous by Peter Mayle if you have ever read A Year In Provence. Its dry, hot, produces loads of lavender, spices, olives and generally amazing food.

Stay tuned for pics on our return....

Happy 2 Months!

Already at 2 months, a clear personality is developing complete with likes & dislikes...

Likes - nappy/diaper change (even in the middle of the night is full of smiles), sticking out tongue, cuddling, pacing up and down the hall to fall asleep, itsy bitsy spider, "hand, hand, fingers, thumb"

Dislikes - being held in a reclined position, shirts stuck on his head, coming out of the bath...

"Everybody was kung-fu fighting..."

I think he looks pretty tough in his Bruce Lee t-shirt don't you?

Power of the Pram

As we don't have a car to drive around the block to put Jake to sleep, the pram is the best we can do over here:)

The Red Book

This is a great idea actually - apparently 'red books' have been around for 30 odd years in Britain, and are a complete record of your child's health, including check ups, immunizations, etc. Your local health visitor (social worker) drops in to check on you after a week or so of giving birth to give you your 'red book' and warns you to treat it like gold! The warning is for good reason, as the doctors and midwives here need this in order to see your child. If you don't have one, (or god forbid lose it!) you are treated like a 2nd class citizen or just ignored.


So Jake and I went to his first official check-up, which you are supposed to do between 6-8 weeks, armed with our red book. We walk in to the local clinic during drop-in hours to find chaos! At least 15 moms and babies (and prams) in a tiny little waiting room. There is no reception, so I follow another mom who also just arrived into a smaller room to see 3 wire baskets. 1 has a sign on it saying 'red book', another says '6 weeks' and another 'immunizations'. I hesitate and then place Jake's red book into the 6 week basket and hope for the best. (not sure what the red book basket is for....) About 10 minutes later, a midwife with a strong british accent yells out 'Jack?' - after the third try, she yells 'Gavin' - so Jack Gavin and I figure out its our turn.


After the initial confusion, we are treated very well, but we did witness a mom who had the nerve to come in sans red book, and she was almost turned away. One of the midwives took pity though and after a long wait, reluctantly wrote down some information about her child on a form.


So, we are pleased to report that Jake now weighs a whopping 11lb 12oz and received a clean bill of health from the pediatrician! Here are some pics of him as he is growing into his 3-6 month outfits now...