Ashtons in London

Happily (at least for us!) Ashton numbers increased by three in July when Scott's dad and family came to visit. We had such a fun time exploring London with Ron, Jane and Daniel. As tour guide I failed miserably as photographer, and thus don't have much to show from their time in London with us which included high tea the the Ritz Hotel, an evening at the open air theatre in Regent's Park, a Wicked night out, a walk through Primrose Hill, a walk across Abbey Road and more, but here is a peek . . .






Outside the London LDS chapel the day Scott was officially (and belatedly) made a high priest by his dad. Recently I was beginning to think Scott was looking more and more his age, but then I saw this photo. Looks more like his mission farewell!

Cotswolds

A couple of days after touching down from my whirlwind BFF Boston excursion, Scott and I had an opportunity to escape to the country together. I love London, but I had forgotten just how much I love England until I rediscovered her beyond the tube's reach. The Cotswolds are a cluster of hillside villages in the heart of England just a two-hour's drive from the heart of London. It's amazing how two hours can take you from the sounds of trains and taxis to the sounds of swaying hillside grass and grazing sheep. In fact Cotswold actually means "sheep enclosure in rolling hillside." And when you visit, it's obvious why. Ba, ba everywhere a ba, ba! These towns were built on wool's fortune and each comes with a Sheep Street . . . and plenty of charm!


Our B&B window


B&B grounds



Beautiful Cotswold cottage (but not our B&B)



























Day two: Oxford


Christ Church College


Christ Church College


Christ Church College


Recognize this scene? Professor Mcgonagall? Harry?


Where Christ Church students dine and Hogwarts great hall was inspired

Boston

Really any place where you spend hours laughing, eating, shopping, talking and generally making up for lost time with your BFF rocks, but Boston under any condition really takes the cake . . . or the cream pie! What a completely fabulous city! Let's see, there's the deep layers of rich early American history that make your chest rise with patriotism. Okay, maybe that was partly due to a serious case of unexpected homesickness that I felt for all things Americana having spent the last 11 months overseas! There's also the colorful cultural influences woven seamlessly throughout; Irish pubs abound and Little Italy makes you want to say "grazie mille" as you sift through the many Zagat listed restaurant options. And once you step foot onto Beacon Hill you begin daydreaming of your very own brownstone. And who could forget the Red Sox! The list goes on with great shopping, entertainment, museums and who doesn't love a good Boston accent?

I didn't take a photo, but my one-hour shopping spree in a suburban Boston Target gets an honorable mention. Thanks, Jen for humoring me and letting me live my Target fantasy! Seriously I've had dreams of this place. Don't ever take the red bullseye for granted!


Samuel Adams


Mother Goose


One if by land, two if by sea


Freedom Trail


Freedom Trail


Faneuil Hall


Little Italy


Fenway


Fenway


BFF


Tubular Meat


Reflections of a Boston Duck Tour (if you look closely, you can see me with my big fat camera and my BFF)


The balcony where the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time


Cheers! Growing up this was my all-time favorite show, so this was a necessary pilgrimage.


Nobody knew my name


Beacon Hill


Beacon Hill


Beacon Hill

London Bits

Parlez Vous Franglais?

Isn't she . . .



stunning?

She is the epitome of style and grace. Sometimes I want to call her Audrey. She has a gift of making everyone she comes in contact with feel special and valued. And even through trials of her own, her concern and compassion for others is unflappable. She is a true friend. She is also part French. Well at least she became such when she married her Parisian sweetheart. Together their lives are full with their adorable, jeune fille who is beyond charming and so full of life. Presenting my favorite bilingual family.