Planes, Trains and Automobiles...(and Ferries and Buses)

So we've finally found a few moments to revisit our trip to England. Out of the 1000+ pictures we've accumulated from everyones camera's, we've whittled it down to these 25 of our favorite (which was difficult for such a long trip).

During our trip we were got a chance to visit family, friends and even fit in a little family history tour. In all we drove 1100 miles in the 9 days we were there (fortunately our fuel efficient diesel rental car made it no more expensive than had we drove the same distance here in the states). Here's a map summarizing our travels.

Our reason for going to England (like we need one) was to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary (congrats!). Below is 5 of the 6 kids (one brother is in Japan and couldn't make it) with spouses and grandkids where applicable. From left Michael, Isabelle, Tiffany, Mike (dad), Jay, Sue (mum), Tallulah, Levi, Anna, Jonathan, Lucia, Mally, Colin, Toni.

Izzy didn't want to miss out on the fun so she refused to have most of her naps and got to stay up late. Here she didn't even make it to lying down in her car seat before pooping out.



The cousins playing at the park.



Grandad who is also a US and UK citizen poses with his baby US passport with Isabelle.



One of the days all the girls of the family took the train and went on a day trip to London (Izzy got to stay home with her Dad and Granddad). As you'd imagine they'd never done the sight-seeing tour so this time they decided to take in a bunch of the sights the easy way. As advertised on the bus they were all over London. 



Here's Tiffany and Lucia in front of the London Eye by the River Thames. 



Here are the girls in the famous Tate art gallery.



Meanwhile, Izzy, Grandad and I went to visit Izzy's cousins in Peterborough. I was aiming for favorite uncle for Levi so I promised I'd play cricket for the afternoon.  This picture I'm in really bad form but I haven't played in 12 years.



The next day we enjoyed a family history day / trip to the coast with granddad. Of course we had to take in some Fish'n'chips.







I had to get some treats that you can't find in the states from a sweet shop.



Here's Izzy enjoying an ice-cream cone on the promenade. 



Here's where we stayed.



This is my response to thought of driving a right-hand drive british car in Europe (where they drive on the right side of the road)...as you can imagine, it got very confusing.



Our trusty rental car that got us all of these places. Here we are waiting to get on the ferry to take us over to Calais, France.



Izzy checking out the car.



Leaving the port of Dover (UK) on they way to France.



Out on the deck somewhere on the English Channel.



We just missed this group of british "bobbies" posing for a group photo.



Here we are with the Myles and Julie Proudfoot in Belgium.



This is the Belgium Royal Gardens that are only open to the public for 4 weeks in a year. Good timing!



Here are the Proudfoot children (Ben, Emily, Michael, Oliver and me) playing a game they invented called "Crockey" or "Hocquet" (you guessed it a combination of Hockey and Croquet). It was great to see how much the've grown especially as I've know them since their Michael was 2 years old.



In the evening we visited a BlueBell forest. Can't really see the Bluebell flowers in the picture but it certainly was picturesque.



Lastly we got to spend a night with Anna, Colin and Lucia. We got to go to one of my favorite restaurants "Nando's" which originated in South Africa. and is fantastic. My sisters insisted on taking Tiffany shoe shopping which was a fair trade-off for going to Nando's.

All in all we had a great trip. Thanks to those who spent time with us and put us up. Our only regret is that Isabelle will be too young to remember this one. At least we have all these great pictures!