Ingridanderikinengland

Today was another very hot sunny day here for our final outdoor lunch at The Bottle House Pub. Kids went to a waterpark and I went for a cool swim at Sigi's pool. Then home to pack our bags. 300 hundred year old tree at Sigi's

Busy busy busy on our second last beautiful sunny day in England. Kiefer graduated from eight grade, had his ceremony with speeches and awards, and then lunch and sports events where he also walked away with a cache of medals. Speeches only lasted an hour and a half, compared to three hours for Oonas graduation.

Yesterday, I was educated in graffiti street art and learned about the famous London artist Banksy. Erik knew all about the artist, was in seventh heaven checking out the street art in London and buying new graffiti pens in Camden market. Buckingham palace was ok too. Today we cheered Astrid on at her sports day where this little athlete walked away with a cache of first second and third medals, and tonight we saw Kiefer off to his grade 8 dinner dance.

Today we toured Bodiam castle which is about an hours drive from home, small enough to see in a couple of hours and looks like the castle could belong to a chess set. The castle was built in the 1300's. All the iconic features of a castle, like the moat, drawbridge, original old fashioned toilet, ancient well, and a form of grafitti from the 1600's( Erik was very interested) were easily accessible in this cool compact place. Meanwhile, Oona left for Canada today on her first alone plane trip. Grafitti from 1600's Off to Canada

Today was a simple Horns Lodge visiting day with Omi. Ralph and family were also visiting from Sardinia. Lovely grounds, gardens and pool as ever. And Badminton with Kiefer back at home. Picture taken from my bedroom window.

Today was a London tourist day with Erik. One of the last days all the Aikens will be all together in the same place at the same time. This summer, Oona is off to Canada to work in Georgian Bay. Kiefer and Astrid will be at camp for 2 weeks with cousins Sophie and Erik in Temagami Ontario and parents will be at wedding in France for a few days. At present time Galbergs already are dispersed. Sophie is having a great time with host family in Italy right now while parents are on a smallish cruise boat blissfully floating childfree, carefree off Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. Erik is here in Tunbridge Wells with me experiencing the wonders of London England with Aiken famiy as tour guides. Bon Voyage to everyone, have a wonderful time. Chris, Marianne and Sophie in Italy In London today Paddington Bear

Today aproximatley 15 bikers roared up our lane and stopped for a garden lunch break before carrying on to Hastings where they finished at Annette's place. All friends of Fabians as well as Ralph and Alex's uncle David. Not fierce at all in black leather police jackets and tatoos. Highway cars made way for them. Some bikes were of vintage origin. A very colourful pleasant group. Alex and Ralph setting out to meet others. The group Alex's uncle David And Mr. GQ trying on his suit for grade 8 graduation.

We are here! Here being Tunbridge Wells in England at Sonja and Alex's house. Toronto airport departure lounge was filled to capacity with 2000 extra people travelling at the time we were there. Or was the congestion due to having people arrive five hours early and then sitting around waiting with no seating space in the lounge. Heathrow was a breeze. Anyway, we made it and Erik is ready activites before crashing. Beautiful sunny warm weather. Delicious first meal prepared by Oona. Astrid ready to give Erik a grand tour. Hard to keep track of those two. Here is Yuka the Ragdoll kitty draped around Erik. Ragdoll cats become limp like rags when handled as you can see Yuka draped like a shawl around Erik. Alex preparing his Indian motorbike for rideout tomorrow in memory of Fabian. An identical car to Alex's that arrived with a mechanic to do repairs.