Summer, sun and races

The beginning of June was gorgeous. Went to a party on a boat down the Thames. Was a stunner day, meet up with some friends before hand, and almost boiled on a roof top bar! Who would have thought in London?! Was a lovely night cruising down the river, nice to have a different perspective than from the street.

The following weekend got to catch up with Nan and Papa who were in town. Was lovely to see them after a year and a half. We checked out the Seville gardens in the great park, and headed out to Hampton Court Palace the following day in the pouring rain. Not a very good demonstration of the English summer! The Place was an amazing sprawling place, made famous by Henry the eighth. Full of flash suites of rooms for only one royal and masses of history. Said goodbye to Nan and Papa as they set of on the rest of their English road trip.

Had a fun build up to the Ascot races. Living in the Royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, as I was out for a ‘jog’ in the great park came across a train of horse drawn carriages with tails and hats driving past me! Haha needless to say I was not looking my best sweating along! It had been a wet week, but managed to start out fine on Saturday. We braved the weather and set up our picnic outside. Was a fun day of food, wine, friends, and a little punting. Managed to ‘virtual’ pick a few winners (much to Todd’s annoyance, that I didn’t actually put any money on them!). Was amusing see the brits tottering round in their giant satin heels, while trying to navigate the less muddy patches of grass. The Queen was in attendance and saw her as she entered in her carriage with Prince Philip – very cute! A great day out J

Looking forward to catching up with Phil and Fi in Spain at the end of the month, and then hanging out with Fi here in the UK in August, and then very shortly will be speeding down to NZ for a quick hello! Can’t wait! x

Hampton Palace Courtyard

One of the many great staircases

Snooze anyone? 

The man room -its decorated with wepons

Rainy gardens

Chapel windows

Ascot Racecourse

Lovely Ladies

Happy the sun is out!

Phill in London town and Ireland

It seams as if the year is just disappearing! May has zoomed past speedly. Phill arrived on the 7^th May we had a nice dinner out in Windsor with Todd. Saturday we headed into London and showed Phill the Notting Hill markets, then down to Clapham for a birthday bbq. The following night Phill and I had the lovely experience of tasting Sowerkrawt, which Phill kindly brought over from Germany. Hmm. Fermented cabbage, fairly potent stuff, it was tolerable with other things, but not something I think will catch on! Phill nipped away to catch up with friends during the week and the following weekend we headed out for the classic brick lane dinner and drinks. Made a very bad choice of wearing my new heels out, and my feet were shredded before we even got to the restaurant! Was great to see the bro, and hear of all his (slightly dodgy) adventures in america. Monday he was off to Palma to continue living the dream of sun, sand and boats!

The following weekend it was mine and Todd’s turn to be jetting away. We headed to Ireland for Todd’s mates wedding just north of Limerick . Shannon is a tiny wee airport much like home! Got door to door service from Dan (a kiwi mate of T’s over for the wedding), and cruised into Limerick to meet up with the others. We were staying in a sweet little town slightly north of Limerick on the lakeside. The hotel looked over the lake which was very picturesque with views across to town and up the lake to the hills. Friday night we headed into the village for a feed at a cute Italian place with amazing pizza. Typical Irish weather meant it was raining on Saturday for the wedding. A bus took us up to an old whitewashed chapel sitting on the hill. The bridesmaids all had matching umbrella’s, a must for the day! After the service we headed back to the hotel, where we were meet by refreshments and nibbles before the reception. They had the best table full of lollies! (very dangerous for both children and I!) The reception was a massive affair with around 150 guests, amazing dinner and punting on the length of speeches (which I actually won for our table!), dancing and drinks well into the wee hours. I couldn’t quite handle the Irish pace and knocked off before the sing-along and dawn arrived.

Sunday we took a cruse up the river, checked out the markets in the village – which had the most amazing cheese, olives and goodies, an afternoon nap and the leisurely dinner at the local pub. Then it was Monday and time to head back to reality. It was the most organised weekend  i think I’ve ever been on! The Irish were so lovely and hospitable; it was like one massive family gathering. Will have to do Ireland again sometime J

Irish Times

Proof Phil made it

View from the hotel across the town

Bridge view

Todd and I 

The wedding party

Cute little church

Most amazing lolly table!

Bride and groom - aww

In our finery, not a bad view either! 

Lakeside summer house anyone?

Local church

Canal by town - best market food!