Bourton on the Water

With little time to go before our world gets turned upside down (in a good way). And there will be no more, just the two of us mini breaks, Luis has taken me to the Cotswolds.  I have been to some other villages years ago but never to Bourton, what a beautiful little town it is.  Luckily we have come before the schools break up and during the week as I cannot even imagine how full this place is at the height of summer.

Our first stop was the Maze, we found most of the clues but missed the one that would have put it all together. However, we did make it out without having to call for help or anything.

 Apparently the Little Venice of the UK, possibly a little bit of a stretch but still beautiful.

 Our final tourist trap for the day was the Model Village and we were the only people there (as this seems to be  a day time destination, well for now anyways).  

It seems to be not only a cream tea place but also a hot chocolate place so who are we to argue with that.  

Weirs in the Sun

We woke up to a lovely sunny day yesterday and got to spend sometime with the Weirs before they went off to London and us to the hospital.  It was great to see them again in a much less hectic environment than the last two visits (our wedding and Maria's wedding).  The kids are just fabulous and proper little people with lovely confident personalities.  

Just need to make this more of a regular occurrence now!

The Weirs in Marlow

Yesterday the Weirs arrived in Marlow for a small camping trip.  What a treat to have them all to myself for a day or two! We had a BBQ with the Hopkins and chatted into the night.  Lovely to have them here and now hoping the sun pops up for a day on the river together.

 Some sneaky pictures from the night before have also made it in!  We made a delicous Mexican :)

 Their children Jessica (my Goddaughter so obviously quite amazing) and Peter (equally amazing) and Ellie and Patrick.

This is a bit dramatic, our English weather puffer jackets but it was cool for a bit.  Now up early as well that is what happens with kids and especially kids in tents.  

Luis Arrives

Luis arrived yesterday and was relieved to see bright sunshine and a bigger pregnant wife.  He was of course exhausted after a long journey, time difference and no sleep but managed to stay awake for a Hopkin meal before crashing.

After dinner, almost every night me and Pip enjoy a long walk on the river.  The sky last night was just amazing.  Let's hope this weather lasts the whole summer!

Sun still Shining

I have been here almost two weeks and the sun is still shining.  I have said it a million times and probably will a few more, but really think no lovelier place to be than the UK in the sunshine. The week has been filled with some ups and downs as I battled with the NHS about the birth of our baby.  But without going into all the details I finally got somewhere yesterday and now feel like I can breathe.  I did not really realise the strain it was putting on me until it was actually sorted.  

 A few pictures from around the island.  So lucky to be here.

Most of my ups include this wonderful family, our nightly BBQ's, outside dining, chats and walks.  i would have most certainly have lost the plot this week without them.  I actually think I am almost ready to pack that hospital bag that people keep telling me about.

Heron Lodge Meal Times

I love meal times here at Heron Lodge, the whole day actually revolves around food and bonding over it.  We all have a big breakfast together and then not too long after lunch and then start thinking about the evening meal.  It is so nice to have so many people around a table chatting about the day or days a head.  When you have had a bad day it is almost impossible not to perk up after a Hopkin meal.  

 Big Sunday breakfast before Nicola, Freda and Nick headed off.

 My turn to cook.. No surprise then that we had an Indian take away.

Last night Frankie and her friend Penny prepared a BBQ.  I usually am not a fan of BBQ's as people tend to only have one (which is fair enough) and I can't handle veggie and meat on the same one.  But here they have a meat BBQ and a veggie BBQ so it is a whole different ball game.  One thing is for sure if I was not big before a few more weeks here and me and baby will be significantly larger!