If you wake at midnight...

Rye is a charming medieval village on the southeast coast of England that was an important port back in the 13th century. It was attacked several times by the French and it was nearly completely devasted by fire, and many of the walls around the village have been rebuilt. But perhaps Rye's most exciting point in history was the 18th century when its prosperity depended as much on smuggling as any other trade. Smugglers crept around Rye through secret tunnels and passages which still exist today. This poem was written about them.


This house is across the street from the famous mermaid hotel and pub on mermaid street. Not sure if you can read the name but its called 'The House Opposite'


Beautiful curvy cobblestone streets, not only beautiful, but it felt like you were getting a foot massage when you walked on them:)


Not every day you eat lunch among gravestones...

The pub next to our b&b welcomed children until 8pm so Jake made the most of it!

Lady Baillie of Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is a really interesting castle to visit as it was lived in up until 1974 by the wealthy Lady Baillie. She spent many years restoring it with the help of famous architects and designers, and beautifying the grounds adding a duckery and aviary due to her love of birds. The castle was built and fortified in 1119 by a descendent of one of William the Conqueror's Lords. Leeds Castle passed into royal hands in 1278 and became part of the Queen of England’s dower - the settlement widowed queens received upon the death of their husbands. Over the course of 150 years it was held by six medieval queens!

St George's Day

Londoners (and Canadians among others!) gathered Wednesday in Trafalgar Square, beneath statues of imperial lions and military heroes, to celebrate England's patron saint — a third-century Turkish soldier who supposedly had the power to slay a dragon but likely never set foot in Britain.







Grandma Bev & Grandpa Gordon left yesterday and we have lots of pics from their visit which I will be adding over the next week for all to enjoy!

More beachy head

Rich is a little too close to the edge for me!
A few years ago, this lighthouse had been moved 55 feet inland as the cliff edge is receding...its also a private residence! Not really my ideal home, but definitely unique.
You can see the old foundation here

Gorgeous views walking back down the hill

Beachy Head

We drove down to the South Coast of England and stopped along this beautiful stretch of chalk cliffs known as Beachy Head. Less famous, but just as dramatic as the white cliffs of Dover. More pics coming soon...

The birthday celebrations continue...

Jake is now 13 months, but we wanted to have a party for him after we moved into our flat and it coincided with a visit from his Saskatchewan grandparents! I think he loved being the center of attention!


Hey you! Come to my party!!


Sooooo excited to have Grandma & Grandpa at his party!

Family pic - Jake is eating the cake already. We had about 20 guests getting cozy in our front room, hope someone will send me some pics of the rest of the group, in the chaos we missed some great photo ops! Thanks to everyone who could make it!
The cake (Grandpa Lion Gordon especially liked it!)
Opening presents!

Daddy getting the toys out of the box
Hurry up Daddy!
The next morning Jake was still tired after a long day of celebrations, and just wanted to cuddle up with Grandma...

Big Jake and Big Ben

Grandma Bev & Grandpa Gordon arrived yesterday much to Jake's delight! He was full of smiles for them and is loving the attention!

Today we were off to see Big Ben and then to the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum, which is by far the coolest museum I have ever been to!





All of us enjoying some refreshments at the pub after the museum

tweed

Every once in awhile Jake gets all dressed up...cricket anyone?


On the train in Daddy's arms!