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Me | No Place Like Travel - Part 3
Archive by Author
Saturday, 13 December 2014

Daily Pics: London Friends

Back to back to back visits from our lovely London friends. Aunty Nic has been a star hostess with the mostest, double dutching at The Grazing Goat, munching on sweet treats in the afternoon and cooking the most delicious lamb roast for dinner. Champagne, pate and red wine. Great company. Who could ask for more?

 

Baby on woman on sofa

Uncle John Fitz better watch out

 

Baby little girl and woman at cafe

Lunch with beautiful Princess A and Foodie Cindy

 

Coffee bottle and ball on a coffee table

How times have changed – hitting the bottle now has a different meaning

 

Baby and three women

Delicious lunch time catch up

 

People behind a cake country

Sweet treat with Snowboard Rob, Pretty Poppy and Sweet Honey

 

Baby sitting on girls lap with a ball

Loving the attention and cuddles

 

Pate cheese and champagne

Pre dinner decadence

 

Lamb roast

Aunty Nic’s yummy roast

 

Broccolini peas and sweet potato

Yum fest continues

 

Man at dining table

Very serious and intellectual discussion with Gooey

 

Man at dining table

Debating racial profiling with English Hubby

 

Woman at the dining table

And the Middle East crisis with Aunty Nic

 

Yesterday’s post: Have Wooden Spoon Will Travel

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 12 December 2014

Daily Pics: Have Wooden Spoon Will Travel

It’s true what they say about kids and their toys. Forget the expensive stuff. Bring on the wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and wooden spoons. Thankfully Aunty Ali had an abundance of spoons we could take with us on our walk along the Thames. We had a lovely day exploring the neighborhood, walking along little side streets and imagining how this part of London would have looked, felt and smelt (not great I suspect) a hundred years ago. One thing I love about London is that people take pride in preservation. From the grand buildings to the little delectable gastropubs, they are all refurbished so very tastefully. 

 

Baby in stroller with wooden spoon

Taking his wooden spoon out for a walk

 

The Thames river at low tide

So much history the Thames must have seen with every rise and fall of the tide

 

Red telephone box

Do these still work?

 

Grand gates of Kew Gardens

Grand gates of Kew Gardens

 

Baby on grey carpet with wooden spoon

Study of a wooden spoon in grey

 

Christmas craft project

Afternoon Christmas craft project

 

Woman and baby playing musical spoons

Musical spoons

 

Woman and baby playing with wooden spoons

Spoons gone wild

 

Dinner at the city barge

Out to dinner at The City Barge with Aunty Ali and Cousin Kim

 

Fat hot chips

Scrumptious food. It was a toss up between the aged steak and soft shell crab brioche

 

Foxs party rings

This country is marvelous!

 

Flaky pastry biscuits and cup of tea

An English nightcap

 

Yesterday’s post: British Food Fest

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Thursday, 11 December 2014

Daily Pics: British Food Fest

England has changed in lots of different ways. According to English Hubby, everything has shrunk to a toy land size. Perhaps it is the stark difference between driving a 32 foot RV through Texas, the land of the big, then inching our way through the streets of London in a Honda Civic. One thing is for sure, the British sure can do a mean curry and a peshwari naan. 

 

Baby holding a bottle

Baby Boy O finally got the hang of drinking from a bottle

 

Baby in high chair eating watermelon

First course watermelon. Thank you Tesco for cut up finger fruit

 

Baby eating apricot in high chair

Second course squishy apricot

 

Baby with chocolate mouse on mouth

Dessert course is chocolate mouse

 

Baby in diaper

Next comes the hose down

 

Woman with baby sitting on couch

Then off to Aunty Ali’s and dinner with Daniel-San

 

Yesterday’s post: Friendship

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Daily Pics: Friendship

Aunty Nic came to visit today and have a good olde catch up. Little did she know she would be subjected to a riveting story time at the library and lunch at Pizza Express. Just like old days meeting up in London and grabbing dinner at the tried and trusted. There was a recent news article that talked about a friendship study which found that if people were friends for over seven years, they would likely be friends for the rest of their lives. We firmly qualify. 

 

Woman crossing street with coffee

Making the trek up from London

 

Woman holding baby eating paper

Devouring story time at the library

 

Baby with woman in cafe

Playing with Aunty Tall Chris’ lips and blonde hair

 

Deer in knole park

Afternoon walk in Knole Park with the deer

 

Yesterday’s post: English Roast

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Daily Pics: English Roast

Off to Colchester to see Great Aunt S + Great Uncle B for a traditional English Roast lunch with all the trimmings. On a chilly day there’s nothing more satisfying. For English Hubby it was satisfying to finally finish his fantasy saga, a quarter of a century later. 

 

Baby reading books in bed

Reading just like daddy

 

Baby asleep on dad

So tiring being a baby!

 

Baby with silver spoon and grandparents

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth

 

Baby with great aunt

Cuddles with Great Aunt S

 

English roast

English roast 

 

English roast on plate

Piled up high

 

Baby boy o eating roast

Please sir, can I have some more?

 

Great aunt and uncle with baby

More cuddles and tickles after lunch, and of course a spoon in hand

 

English hubby with fantasy book

Finally a quarter of a century later the saga is complete

 

Yesterday’s post: Bend and Stretch

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Monday, 8 December 2014

Daily Pics: Bend and Stretch

The little one has regained his appetite after yesterday’s fever. This morning was a messy face stuffing session. It’s been a few days of people and places, and today is a welcome slow down. With a walk into town, meditation in the garden, gym session and coffee. It feels nice to bend, stretch and breathe. 

Baby in high chair stuffing his face

How much can I fit into my mouth at the same time?

 

Sun rising over house

Sunny meditation

 

Baby in hat rugged up

Feeling much better today

 

Decaf coffee

Delicious decaf

 

Baby with grandpa on couch

Just hanging with Yah Yah

 

Yesterday’s post: Sunday Fever

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Daily Pics: Sunday Fever

Sunday lunch quickly turned into Sunday fever. Nothing makes you feel more helpless than a sick baby. A little sweaty ball of fire, he was burning up, needed cuddles more than ever and just not his chirpy self. Whimpering little cries just break my heart. Thankful to have remembered to pack the baby Panadol. 

 

Baby with cold towel on head

Cold towels and mummy cuddles

 

Baby and Aunty

Sunday lunch cuddles with Aunty J

 

Yesterday’s post: Meeting Half Way

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Saturday, 6 December 2014

Daily Pics: Meeting Half Way

We continue our tour with our little prized vegetable (as English hubby calls him), visiting friends and family from all over. This time over a lovely long lunch in Cambridge with the NeoNatal Dorling family and a surprise and wonderfully welcome drop in from the Lovely Anita. We gossiped until the sun set and drove home under a big round moon. 

 

Baby and grandma having serious chat

Having a very serious chat with Mah Mah

 

Sevenoaks church

A crisp morning walk into town

 

Baby in snow suit and wooly hat

Started off bundled up like this…

 

Baby in snow suit with wooly hat covering eyes

…and ended up like this

 

Baby with woman at restaurant

Cuddles with the Lovely Anita, and catching up on all the gossip

 

Two men in a restaurant

Not much has changed between old school friends, except the hair 

 

Baby and girl in restaurant

Cuddles with Sweet Fiona

 

Thai curry chips and coconut water

Coming home to thoughtful treats. Mah Mah is looking after us so well!

 

Yesterday’s post: Life

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 5 December 2014

Daily Pics: Life

It’s worth contemplating how you measure a life well lived. It’s not the material possessions accumulated, that often we hold so tightly to. Having things may make you more comfortable but not necessarily bring true and lasting happiness. Perhaps it is the connections made with family, friends and perfect strangers. The invisible ties that bond humanity together. From chance meetings with Roger Doger in the local pub, to life long relationships. Today we visited dear ones who are are exemplar of those bonds. Beacons who shine, for one day if we are lucky enough, we will each be walking these paths with grace.

 

Man and baby

A welcoming cuddle from Dear John

 

Visit to the nursing home

Our beautiful Tea Lady

 

Baby touching lady

 

Baby eating pate and crackers

Pate and crackers for lunch at the pub

 

Visit with great great aunt pat

Working his charm on Great Great Aunt Pat

 

Baby with camp Charlotte

The lovely Camp Charlotte – she would have kept him if she could!

 

Biscuits

Tea, cakes and biscuits

 

Smiling great great aunt

Always smiling, and so infectious

 

Yesterday’s post: Swimming and Bouncing

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Thursday, 4 December 2014

Daily Pics: Swimming and Bouncing

You know when you are a citizen of the world when you meet up with old friends from Canada, in England. Through the magic of Facebook Curly Sue and I realized that we would be a short number of miles from each other, which called for nothing less than an international play date at the local swimming pool, followed by a fish and chip (and mushy peas) pub lunch. 

 

Baby and lady

After being rescued from his first crèche session, we bump into Our Edna

 

Baby on pool change table

Hats off to the Sevenoaks Leisure Center for being so very baby and family friendly

 

Baby in stroller with toddler friends

Totally wiped after a swim in the toddler pool

 

Girl with ham and egg and chip lunch

Anyone for green ham and eggs?

 

Two babies in high chairs with snacks

Baby Boy J is wondering why his mum gave away his snacks

 

Two babies facing each other

Face off, David v Goliath

 

Stroller in between car seats

Why is everything so small in this country?!

 

Baby with Pom Pom ear hat

My little bear

 

Baby in a bouncer watched by grandparents

Trying out Aunt Susan and Uncle Bryan’s Christmas present

 

Baby in bouncer smiling

Bouncing fun

 

Yesterday’s post: Sevenoaks

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Daily Pics: Sevenoaks

Not too bad a night considering we’ve just crossed the Atlantic. Baby Boy O is being thoroughly spoilt with kisses and cuddles from Mah Mah and Yah Yah. Not to mention a whole new winter wardrobe, some of which our tiny little one will have to grow into, and a big bag of toys from Cape Town Harry. Most excited of all was Aunty Ems who could not wait to come over for lunch. We tried to surprise her at the Stag, but she was so excited that she left work early. Luckily we caught up with her down the lane. Unluckily she ended up in quarantine at home with shingles. 

Be by and grandma

Good morning Mah Mah

 

Baby in snow suit

Snug as a bug in a rug for our stroll around town 

 

Woman walking down Sevenoaks lane

Catching up with Aunty Ems

 

Baby with new toys

So many new toys…what to play with first?! Thanks for the loan Cape Town Harry

 

Yesterday’s post: Out With the Old, In With the New

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Dear American Airlines

Dear American Airlines,

I can only imagine that you get a lot of misplaced complaints, especially over the holiday season. I am sure you are trying your very best to be a great airline, but your reputation (or lack therof) precedes you. Rather than adding to the steaming hot pile of dissatisfaction, here are nine easy ways to make flying with you much more enjoyable:

One…Given your flight schedule is planned well in advance and most people like me would have booked and paid in full for our tickets, you are pretty much guaranteed we will show up with bags in hand. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to you when people turn up and expect a little assistance to check in. Perhaps during these times it may be a good idea to schedule more than two agents to deal with the plebs. These poor check in folks are the face of your company and bear the brunt of your poor resource scheduling. It is not their fault when they are unable to magically process a snaking long line of impatient customers who are worried that they are going to miss their flights, even though they have turned up three hours in advance. Your agents look a little burnt out. It really is a sad state of affairs when your own check in agents recommend we submit a complaint online to help them get more staff “because the company doesn’t bother listening to us”. [note, this letter fulfills my promise to do so]

Two…For a family of flyers (like us) who have to cart an infant car seat from one continent to the next, large plastic bags at baggage check can generate a surprisingly high level of goodwill. This is a common item provided by real airlines, sort of like water and pretzels. Yours is the first to suggest we just throw our infant car seat into the luggage hold without any protective covering. Obviously your damaged baggage insurance policy is rather generous and it is cheaper to compensate travelers for an important piece of kit like this, than to provide a cheap plastic trash bag as courtesy.

Three…As a business traveler I use to hate traveling on flights with babies on board. I admit I would roll my eyes heavenward when I saw some frustrated parent overloaded with diaper bags in one hand and an unhappy infant in the other. Then I became one of “those people” and an epiphany struck – passengers very naturally get annoyed with crying babies (no one likes to be stuck on an international flight with a wailing child), however babies cry more when their parents are stressed out, parents are stressed out because airlines like yours do very little to accommodate. So how about allowing parents with children to board first. Yes, first. Even before your First, Business, Premium and Priority status passengers. This may appear counterintuitive but there is sound, self serving logic to this. It avoids having your expensive fare paying customers getting bopped and bumped by parents like us as we shuffle apologetically past business men and women drinking pre take off champagne. Parents (and therefore kids) are less stressed, kids/babies pick up on the happy vibe and are less likely to fuss, elite customers can enjoy their beverage of choice without spillage and the balance of the force is returned to the universe.

Four…Once the plane has taken off, reaching a safe cruising altitude and the seatbelt sign has been switched off, it would be super helpful to have someone from your customer service team attach the baby bassinet immediately, before you start serving drinks. I promise it will only delay drink service for no more than 30 seconds, and allows the trolley to better roll down an unblocked aisle to deliver refreshments to thirsty passengers without having to navigate an infant, seat table, glass of water and unlatched bassinet frame in a weird cirque du soleil maneuver.

Five…Speaking of baby bassinet, you may want to add that to the list of things that your cleaners attend to, or even better provide a freshly laundered one like your peers at Cathay Pacific. As much as I appreciate your contribution to my son’s growing immune system, I didn’t think it was prudent to let him inhale leftover crumbs and what not from the last baby that used it or perhaps the last person that mistook it for a place to discard trash.

Six…At the risk of sounding like a precious mum, it would also be useful to have an infant seatbelt for my baby. I know my baby son is a bit of a freeloader and we only paid a 10% fare plus taxes for his privilege to sit on my lap. I would still like to think that you value my son’s well being as equally important as the other full fare paying passengers who must wear their seatbelt for safety reasons. Other grown up airlines provide infant seat belts for use during the flight. Although I periodically do strength training at the gym, your sagely advice to “have him on your lap and hold onto him tightly for takeoff” will only go so far. If we were to encounter difficulties during our ascent I doubt my heroic efforts to prevent him from smacking into the bulkhead wall would hold up to much at 130 – 150mph, let alone rough turbulence whilst we are airborn. Just in case you need to convince the bean counters in your organization to approve a requisition order, you may want to think of it this way – if my son remains safe on your flights, he will grow up to be nice and healthy, and one day he will be a grateful paying customer. There’s your return on investment.

Seven…My last baby related suggestion (I promise) is to adjust the design of your 1980’s style bassinets. The carpet blue and steel look can be enhanced by adding some sort of hood or covering. Before you dismiss this as a mother’s crazy rant, hear me out. Your bassinets sit right under that riveting display monitor that shows the flight path, time to destination, outside air temperature and all manner of very useful information. This is illuminated throughout the entire flight. It means the poor little soul who is placed in the bassinet has to fight really hard to get to sleep. I’m sure you would also struggle to snooze if your bed was placed under all the shining lights on the Vegas strip. Remember point number three? That virtuous circle of happy baby, happy parents, happy passengers applies equally here too.

 

American Airlines baby bassinet

Sleep stealer

 

Eight…As stewards of industry and proud representatives of the all-things-American brand, you may want to relook at your dining choices. Two types of sloppy cheese or cream covered pasta for dinner? A breakfast snack box totalling almost 600 empty calories which includes an orange muffin thing that has sugar listed first and an ingredients list that reads like it was concocted in a science lab? Really? Perhaps you’ve heard of the obesity epidemic? How about helping to turn the tide by offering real food and fresh fruit. We would really appreciate it and you could eventually make more money as we would remain trim and you could squeeze more passengers into economy by further reducing the seat width and shortening leg space.

 

American Airlines breakfast

Sugar high 

 

Nine…Treat your employees nicer. As much as we love overhearing closed curtain galley gossip about the most recent thing “the company” has done and how “corporate” is evil, it really doesn’t reflect well. You employ many kind, smart people who not only get us safely from one destination to the next, but they are also your ambassadors. How they feel about your company ultimately determines how we feel about buying services from you. Please don’t go down the crazy ‘we need more customer service training’ route – that is just a reeducation camp in diguise – you may want to look at simple yet important things like respect and values and perhaps your own staff would not be lobbying customers like me to write letters like this (and we come full circle back to point number one).

Thank you for listening.

Me.

 

Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Daily Pics: Out With the Old, In With the New

We survived Baby Boy O’s first trans Atlantic flight. He was a superstar sleeper, in spite of the bright cabin lights that American Airlines liked to imbue upon him. Dear Yah Yah was waiting for his precious cargo at Heathrow. We have learnt that it is best to de-plane last to avoid the mad rush. That being said, we did manage to leave one item of luggage unclaimed at the baggage carousel, only discovering that it was missing when we went to look for Baby Boy O’s toys. 

There was much excitement back at Sevenoaks. A grandson for the Christmas holidays is what Santa delivered. English Hubby however didn’t waste much time before he started his program of decluttering. Yah Yah’s collection of old canal boating magazines didn’t stand a chance. Shelves of old electronics were cleared, that being said relics like the old Spectrum computer have somehow become retro and valuable. 

Baby and grandad on couch with toy

Hanging out with Yah Yah

 

Lunch with family

Lunch spread at Sevenoaks

 

Baby eating cucumber

Cucumber fingers

 

Old programming book

English Hubby’s geek books

 

Tapes

You know you’re a child of the 80’s when…

 

Atari joystick

…you know what this is for

 

Atari games

Classic or junk?

 

Installation hard disks

Old skool days before the internet and cloud. These could make great coasters!

 

Yesterday’s post: Go!

Tomorrow’s link:

 

 

 

Monday, 1 December 2014

Daily Pics: Go!

Today’s our last day in the USA for the rest of the year. Off to London tonight, the first leg of our round the world expedition. Closing one chapter and opening another. Escaping the freezing weather. Thankfully we had our London clothes with us which helped shield us from the 40 degree drop in temperature.  Ready, set, go!

Baby in bothers

Started the day with a little swim in the hotel pool…still waking up after too many episodes of Master Chef Junior. Addicted and adoring Oona!

 

Mum and baby in a pool

Little dip in the pool

 

Baby and dad in the pool

Always time for thumb sucking

 

Family pool selfie

Family pool selfie

 

Baby floating in a pool

Just chillin’ out

 

Stroller bag

Pack and go! Love this stroller bag

 

Lunch at the cosmic cafe

Cosmic Cafe two days in a row. Yum!

 

Mail in car

Grand Prairie mail run, mobile banking from the car, picking up sunglasses from LensCrafters and buying a big pillow from Walmart. Done.

 

Baby in stroller with luggage

Someone’s excited!

 

Mum and baby in airplane

Somewhere above the Atlantic

American Airlines strikes again…

 

Yesterday’s post: Go!

Tomorrow post:

 

 

 

Sunday, 30 November 2014

Daily Pics: Digging Dallas

Best ways to get to know a new city is to eat and walk. We found a local gem (thank you Yelp) of a place – Cosmic Cafe – a Himalayan vegetarian restaurant. Good for the body and soul and even had a meditation center upstairs to boot. Our inner Om connected with our stomach yum.

We had a lovely lazy morning in the hotel room, I had some me time at the gym, off to lunch then a walk along Dallas’ Katy trail green belt area. Just soaking up the glorious Dallas winter sun. 

 

Baby with love me sleep sack

Love me…so easy to do

 

Christmas tree at the Hilton Anatole

It’s starting to feel a bit like Christmas

 

Gym

Feels so good to exercise

 

Baby watching babies crawl on iPad

Teaching Baby Boy O to crawl by showing him how

 

Indian food platter

Cosmic Cafe Om and yum

 

Happy man with Indian food

One very happy English Hubby

 

Baby eating naan

Baby Boy O getting in on the action

 

Buddha painting

Loving the vibe

 

Sunshine on trees by creek in Dallas

Winter sunshine

 

Katy Trail Dallas

Stumbled across the Katy Trail

 

Before I die list

Not sure eating a panda would be on my list

 

Bar

It’s thirsty work walking the trail. Had to stop for a cold one

 

Baby smiling

So happy to be outdoors

 

Baby asleep in cot

Out cold after a big day

 

Yesterday’s post: Speed Bumps on the Road to Dallas

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Daily Pics: Speed Bumps on the Road to Dallas

They say a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. They forgot to mention the speed bumps along the way. Little annoyances that slow you down, scrape the bottom of your car and test your ability to practice mindfulness and compassion. I am pleased to report that we got to Dallas in the end, but only after clearing a few trying hurdles along the way. What hurdles you may ask? Here’s a selection:

  • We discovered our storage unit had a residual oil leak from the previous tenant. Although the manager promised to have it cleaned up before we moved in, it never happened. The last thing we wanted was for our tiny house on wheels, with all the personals we left behind, to smell of oil after three months in an unventilated storage unit. English Hubby came across a fix on YouTube. Cat litter. Yep, sprinkle it on and it soaks up the slick and smells. Cat-astrophe avoided 😉
  • We took Rover to the RV service center to be winterized yesterday. They forgot to drain the pump, which would have frozen over and cracked should the temperatures dip below freezing. A number of calls and an impromptu pit stop back at servicing and it was fixed. Not a biggie, but begs the question why things can’t be done right in the first place. 
  • Just as we were storing the RV, we noticed little mud dauber nests on the struts. Not wanting to come back to an infestation of wasps, we had to destroy their little nests and just hope they don’t return. We could be in for a nasty surprise in three months time, but hey ho.
  • Then after covering 200 miles and arriving at our hotel in Dallas, the front desk informed us there were no more cribs left. What happened to the special request, and phone call to confirm that we had a crib for our seven month old you may ask? A mystery that will go unanswered. 
At the end of the day, speed bumps make the journey memorable. A lot of good things happened too, too many to list without boring everyone to death. 
 
Cleaning up the RV for storage

The big clean up

 

Packing up the RV

Packing up our tiny house on wheels

 

Empty RV fridge

With a valiant effort, we managed to eat most of our food

 

Couple in front of an RV

Getting nostalgic as one chapter ends and another one begins

 

High chair and placemats at chick fil a

Brunch at Chick Fil A whilst we wait for Rover to be fixed. So impressed by the high chairs which came with sanitizing wipes and fresh plastic placemats for kids to eat off. So thoughtful and great service

 

Mud dauber nests

Unwelcome surprise in our storage unit

 

Man sweeping storage unit

Nothing a broom and a stick could not fix (we hope!)

 

RV backing into a storage unit

Wide load

 

RV in storage unit with brake light on

Precision driving

 

Family at sonic

Mid way pit stop and diaper change at Sonic

 

Roller skating sign at sonic

With roller skating waiters and waitresses…so very Happy Days

 

Baby in car seat stretching

We all had a nice little stretch and cuddle

 

Dallas theme song and skyline

Playing the original theme song…

 

Dallas skyline at sunset

…as we roll into town

 

Hilton hotel room

Cribless at the Hilton

 

Baby sleeping on bed surrounded with pillows

Sleeping amongst a castle of fluffy pillows

 

Yesterday’s post: Set…

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 28 November 2014

Daily Pics: Set…

In the midst of a packing frenzy. Trying to pack for three months abroad, five countries, seven stops, winter and summer seasons, three people, two bags plus baby gear. Add to that, packing up the RV for storage. As Irish Lass commented on Facebook, such a huge first world problem to have!

As with any challenge, solving it starts one step at a time, and with long lists of things to remember on Evernote – remember to empty rubbish bins, give away condiments and frozen stuff, pack international plugs, passports, print travel insurance docs, pack 6 – 12 month clothes, winter and summer stuff…and the list goes on. Ready, set…

 

Baby on bed with clothes all around him

One very important thing to pack!

 

Shoe rack baby clothes holder

Repurposed show rack packing hack

 

Baby clothes in shoe rack in bag

Rolls up and packs beautifully! And everything is ready to go on the other end

 

Vietnamese restaurant with green walls

Crappy Vietnamese. Should have known from the green on the walls

 

Yesterday’s post: So Very Thankful

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Daily Pics: So Very Thankful

Our first thanksgiving as a family of three. We have so much to be thankful for. Our complaints are small, our challenges insignificant in the broader scheme of things, we have good health and a precious fortunate life. Today we had a great opportunity to give back and help others. We helped fold clothes, prep food boxes and set up tables and chairs for Thanksgiving lunch at the Dream Center in Conroe. Our contribution was so minuscule when you realize 45 million people in America are at minimum wage or less (think $7.25 to $9.50 range). That’s a lot of hardship for a lot of people. I’ve come to appreciate it more and aware of this hidden issue since finishing Linda Tirado’s book, Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America. I am thankful for so much and thankful I can help others too. 

 

Baby on front looking at trees

The only way we can get him to do tummy time. The boy loves trees!

 

Mum and baby in Pom Pom hat

We waited so long for you, so thankful to be your mum

 

Thanksgiving volunteering

Driving to the wrong side of the tracks, parking next to a lady turning tricks, trying to order chaos. Some things feel broken and need fixing

 

Man standing in front of dream center

Such a small drop in the ocean, nevertheless it was a drop

 

Baby reading book

So thankful for my beautiful sister who sent us this book

 

Thanksgiving lunch in the hall

Breaking bread – Thanksgiving turkey and pot luck lunch at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

 

Baby with sweet potato on his nose

Someone liked their sweet potato

 

Baby with two teeth crying

Poor Baby Boy O. Second tooth breaking through. Grumpy

 

Thumb sucking baby

Binky is so yesterday! He’s started sucking his thumb

 

Dad giving baby a bath in RV

Last tub bath in Rover (for a little while at least)

 

Yesterday’s post: Ready…

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

Daily Pics: Ready…

Were getting ready for the next leg of our journey. There are an incredible number of things to think through. What to pack, what needs to be done first, dependencies, contingency, milestones, status reports…hold on wait…slipping back into work mode. Today we planned, ate watermelon and burgers, slipped in a second massage at the great Thai place (little gem in Conroe) and got the storage organized. All in a day’s work. 

 

Baby eating watermelon

One of his favorites, so far

 

Thai massage room

Who would have expected to find a traditional walk on your back type Thai massage in Conroe Texas?! Reminds me of the days living in Bangkok 

 

Five guys burger and fries

Then followed by Five Guys for lunch. Heaven.

 

Man closing door of RV storage

Storage organized. Rover has a home for the winter 

 

Baby and mum sitting by the campfire

Baby Boy O’s first campfire

 

Yesterday’s post: Practicing Mindfulness

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

Daily Pics: Practicing Mindfulness

It’s been eight years since I started practicing meditation. Some days my mind races all over the place like a monkey swinging from tree to tree. Other days, there there are moments of mindfulness and calm. The world seems to be as it is and right here is where I need to be. Nowhere else, nothing else, just here. This morning was one of those days. Baby Boy O and I went for an early morning walk in the cold. He fell asleep, I did nothing but breathe.  

Baby asleep

Sleeping beauty

 

Carter's store

A sad little outlet mall off the interstate where unloved things sit on shelves. Looking for warm clothes for Baby Boy O

 

Picnic table by RV

Making phone calls in the sun

 

Dinner on the grill

The day seems to disappear, and then it is dinner time

 

Campfire

Sitting by the fire, red wine, pistachio nuts and sweet potato chips

 

Yesterday’s post: Alone at Last

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Monday, 24 November 2014

Daily Pics: Alone at Last

Having a baby changes you in all the ways you can imagine, and even more the ways you didn’t know to imagine. Sleepless nights, constant feeding and care, crying, diapers, smiles and all that stuff came easily. The harder part is working out how to make this constantly changing symbiotic relationship positive and enriching. When this little being is physically, and if not, then mentally joined at to you at every moment, finding the line between us and me is a see saw that can slope one way more than the other. Equilibrium takes vigilance and effort. Today that see saw got balanced. Driving in the car alone, having time to think (not about Baby Boy O) and doing something for me, and me alone. A long overdue and welcome step in the right direction. 

 

Baby with spew

Wouldn’t trade him for the world in spite of another round of chunder

 

Lunch on picnic table in the sun

Lunching in the sun, then off to a Thai massage

 

Yesterday’s post: Sunday Afternoon Stretch

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Daily Pics: Sunday Afternoon Stretch

After what seems like a very long stretch of bad weather, the sun finally broke through. I don’t know how people who live near the poles cope. Darkness, clouds, rain and gloom can really be a Debbie downer. Today it was a sunshine day and we escaped to Sam Houston National Forest for a wonderful leg stretching hike. We were all so glad to be outdoors. Baby Boy O was beside himself, all chatty, his legs kicking and arms waving all over the place. Thankful for a wonderful happy Sunday. 

 

Baby with rattle ring

Magical moment – morning playtime in bed

 

Baby and mummy

Went for a morning walk around the campground

 

Panera bread steak sandwich

Slightly addicted to Panera Bread’s steak and white cheese panini

 

Sam Houston loop trail

Setting off on the loop trail at Sam Houston National Forest

 

Sun shining on lake Conroe

Beautiful Lake Conroe. Beware of the alligators

 

Baby and dad with stick

The cobweb sweeper stick

 

Family photo in the sun

Sunshine and happiness

 

HEB supermarket

Another new supermarket chain. One of our last shops as we need to eat everything down before we put Rover in storage

 

Sunset and moon

Driving back after a long fun day

 

Yesterday’s post: Storm Clouds

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Saturday, 22 November 2014

Daily Pics: Storm Clouds

Sometimes there’s sun, sometimes there’s rain, and then there are days like today when everything is stormy. The weather’s been crap, we lost power at one point and we’ve been stuck indoors for what seems like weeks. Baby Boy O was upset, sweaty and teething. Misery loves company. 

 

Baby teething

Ouchies! But thank goodness he is sleeping


Panera bread

Heading out for an exciting lunch

 

Yesterday’s post: Pause Button

Tomorrow’s post: Sunday Afternoon Stretch

 

 

 

Friday, 21 November 2014

Daily Pics: Pause Button

After three intense weeks of travel we have decided to hit the pause button and stay put for a little while. We are north of Houston, pointed toward Dallas where we’ll soon be heading off on the overseas leg of our travels. Storage for the RV is now arranged, next comes the packing of bags and packing up to leave Rover over the winter. Parked up at the Thousand Trails on Lake Conroe is a great place to catch up on all the small tasks that seem to grow as the days pass.  It is also a good place to practice meditation and be in the moment, especially since these moments seem to fly by. November already. How did that happen? 

 

Baby chewing on zebra

Practicing being ‘in the moment’ with Mr Dribble Guts

 

Baby sleeping on dad

English Hubby on daddy duty

 

Baby looking out RV window

Being in the moment – watching Baby Boy O watching the rain fall on the trees

 

Panda Express Chinese food

Craving for Chinese food. This was the best we could find in Conroe Texas

 

Baby with groceries in stroller

Another Walmart shop. Something for everyone

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post: 

 

 

 

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Daily Pics: Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

Today’s soundtrack belongs to Otis Redding. Today we caught our breadth after a few hectic weeks covering many miles and entertaining very important guests. It was nice to bask in the sun, stare out over Lake Conroe and go for a walk. We got back to our half day split routine where English Hubby was on point for Baby Boy O in the morning and I took over in the afternoon. It feels good to be productive and relaxed.

Baby sitting in bed

Hoping for a lie in, but Baby Boy O had other ideas at 5.30am

 

Baby with big tears

Someone was a little upset today

 

Baby sitting looking over lake Conroe

Taking him out always cheers him up

 

Lake Conroe

Afternoon duty, taking Baby Boy O for a walk

 

Baby and mum

Too excited to sleep. So many interesting things to see

 

Waterfront RV site on lake Conroe

Looking back on our waterfront site

 

View of the dock

Practicing meditation along the path

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Monday, 17 November 2014

Daily Pics: Baby Gap

91 days oversees is starting to dawn and get daunting. The weather has a slight chill, which will be nothing compared to the wet English winter. It’s just occurred to me that we have nothing for Baby Boy O that is fit for snowy climes. So hi ho hi ho it’s off to Baby Gap we go. Stumbled on the lovely Woodlands shopping area where a little bit of damage was done to the credit cards. 

 

Baby sitting in seat with bobble hat

Oh little sweet pea

 

Baby in stroller wearing bobble hat

Getting a little nippy in Texas

 

Conroe campground pond

A walk around the campground to watch the ducks

 

Baby in snowsuit

Mummy, I can’t move in this snowsuit!

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Sunday, 16 November 2014

Daily Pics: See You Soon

We say “see you very soon” to Mah Mah and Yah Yah, bidding farewell from a Walmart carpark. We will be seeing them in a couple of weeks time, which makes these goodbyes much easier. After the airport run we scooted off to Houston to meet Finnish Gal and Handyman Dan for brunch. A lovely afternoon getting acquainted with Houston town, with our very own historical tour guide. 

 

Dirty RV

Caked in dirt

 

Baby looking at lady

First Finn he’s ever met

 

Walking by the river in Houston

Post brunch walk around Houston

 

Baby in stroller with lady looking at him

Always time for a quick cuddle

 

Houston by the river

Industrial meets…

 

Houston city from railway angle

…city…

 

Houston meets green belt

…meets park green belt

 

Little bird graffiti

With little gems for a keen eye

 

Canoe tree art

Is that a canoe up a tree?

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Saturday, 15 November 2014

Daily Pics: Buc-ees and Popeyes

And so continues our crazy manic round trip to San Antonio and back to Houston. A day of driving and high fructose corn syrup excitement with a pull over in the rain stop at Buc-ees. This little beaver has been taunting us for miles, inviting us to stop in. Only Texas can come up with something this cheesy, so we curbed and spent some money on sugary fake food. If the glycemic index hadn’t already shot through the roof, we would send it sky high by finishing the day with an infamous Popeyes fried chicken with all the trimmings dinner. Heaven have mercy on our waistlines. 

 

Baby and dad cheek to cheek

Y’all have a great morning

 

Morning cuddles with grandparents

More morning cuddles

 

Man eating campground breakfast

Campground breakfast on classy foam plates

 

Baby smiling wearing winter hat

Still a barrel of sunshine even though it is wet and yucky out

 

RV at Buc-ees

Buc-ees, Buc-ees, Buc-ees. We wanna stop at Buc-ees

 

Man and baby at buc-ees

No turning back now!

 

Dad with cowboy hat and baby with Texas hat

Only in Texas

 

Aisles in Buc-ees

Aisles and aisles of crap

 

Beaver nuggets

Beaver poop

 

Popeyes chicken

Fried chicken heaven

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 14 November 2014

Daily Pics: Last 4 Hour Stand

The battle at The Alamo lasted only 45 minutes, much faster than it took English Hubby and Yah Yah to work their way through the museum and historical site. We made our last stand at the mall during which Baby Boy O sprouted a tooth, mastered calculus and graduated from college. Only after, English Hubby returned to meet up with us. It was a long, long day. 

 

Baby's first tooth

Breaking through, his first Texas tooth

 

Baby and grandpa taking

Having a man to man talk 

 

The Alamo

Making a last stand

 

Baby in bear suit

All dressed up and nowhere to go, except the mall for four hours

 

Taco dinner

Capping off the Mexican theme

 

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Daily Pics: Grumpy and Cold

When we did our road trip in 2005 we had countless days of sunshine, warm weather and only five days of rain. This time around it seems like San Antonio is intent on tipping that record on its head. Not sure if we were brave or foolish to head out in arctic conditions to dinner on the Riverwalk tonight. I can report that no one caught frostbite, but I think we were all pretty close. 

 

Cleaning up puke on the duvet

Puke is never a good way to start the day

 

Baby on okay mat crying

Our little slug baby refusing to do tummy time

 

Baby being held by grandpa

Much happier when he is being held…

 

Baby with grandparents at whataburger

..and held…whatababy at whataburger

 

RV rest stop

Roadside nap

 

Father eating dessert

Like father…

 

Man eating dessert

…like son

 

Yesterday’s post: 

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

Daily Pics: Houston Space Center

Unlike many, I’ve never wanted to be an astronaut. I like gravity and oxygen too much. The predictable way water runs downhill, the abundance of air and not having to worry about freezing to death or being radiated by the sun to a crisp every time I step outside just suits me fine. Nevertheless spending the day at the NASA command center was pretty cool. It really is amazing what brainpower, ingenuity, physics and some metal and duct tape can do. The thing that stuck me most – the tour guide said the average age of the men (of course they were all men in those days) running the command center that put Armstrong and Aldrin on the moon was 26 years of age. I guess Jesus was 33 when he was crucified, leaving behind a major religion. Mark was 23 when he became the Facebook billionaire. Feeling a little small and insignificant. I guess that’s what happens when you see the earth from space. 

  

Baby napping on diner bench

Starting the day with a nap…

 

Breakfast at IHOP

…and a hearty breakfast…

 

Baby with grandparents at IHOP

…at IHOP

 

Space craft

Then off to the Houston Space Center

 

Baby and alien friends

Baby Boy O quickly made friends who were out of this world!

 

No stroller sign

Houston, we have a problem

 

All bundled up on the tram tour

Luckily it is easy to bundle him up all nice and snug

 

Mission control

Mission control

 

Baby and dad with astronauts

Standing in good company

 

Liquid nitrogen

Some seriously cool stuff

 

International Space Station mock up

Real life mock up of the International Space Station

 

Orion space craft

Headed for Mars

 

Rocket connector

Built by rocket scientists

 

Baby and dad staring at each other

Star struck

 

Astronaut toilet

How do astronauts go to the bathroom? With difficulty…

 

Moon rock sign

The real stuff

 

Moon rock

It rocks! 

 

Space shuttle endeavor

Endeavor, the space shuttle, not boat

 

Space suit

All suited up

 

Baby in rocket command seat

In the rocket command seat

 

Baby bathed by mah mah

Getting him clean for his next mission…off to sleep

 

Yesterday’s post: Hello Texas

Tomorrow post: 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Daily Pics: Hello Texas

Heading west into the lone star state. Another day, another Walmart. I never thought I’d be a fan of the evil mega store, but when you’re traveling cross country, they sure are a convenient one stop shop for groceries (with a growing selection of organic produce), baby stuff and odds and ends. Hopscotching between grocery store chains like Krogers, Piggly Wiggly, Food lion, H.E.B. and countless others has its drawbacks. It takes forever to orient yourself and find what you need, and after a while it becomes frustrating playing the ‘which aisle is it in’ game. Here’s to crossing over to the dark side. 

Baby in play seat outside RV

Left to his own devices

 

Waffle House

Breakfast waffles

 

Kitchen in Waffle House

A new perspective after reading Hand to Mouth: Living in a Bootstrap America

 

Texas welcome sign

Into Texas we go, waiting for English Hubby to catch up

 

RV in Walmart carpark

Running through the rain at Walmart

 

Grandpa pushing baby in stroller in Walmart

Playing Choo Choo trains up and down the aisle

 

Tamales

We’re definitely in Texas now!

 

Yesterday’s post: Duck Duck Closed

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Monday, 10 November 2014

Daily Pics: Duck Duck Closed

Baby Boy O had his first close encounter with feathered and webbed footed friends this morning. It’s fascinating to watch as his reaction which swung quickly from nonchalance to a ‘you’re not going to leave me with them are you’ frown. Can’t blame the poor kid. They are noisy creatures and even more so during feeding time. 

Speaking of feeding time, today’s adventure was a non starter. Lunch in the carpark of the Acadian Cultural Center was the highlight, given the museum was closed. At least lunch was good.  

Hungry ducks

A flock of hungry ducks

 

Worried baby

Please don’t let them eat me

 

Sitting around in the RV

All work and no play

 

RV in carpark

Having fun at the Acadian Cultural Center (carpark)

 

Freeway with oil refineries

Spot the oil refinery

 

Yesterday’s post: The Sugar Palace

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Daily Pics: The Sugar Palace

Ankles were quite the thing back in the day. Seeing them on a lady meant one of two things – a pistol duel at dawn, or marriage. So walking up stairs was a logistical nightmare. Men had to head up first or be trusted to avert their eyes honorably. How the last couple of hundred years has changed our ideas of modesty, fashion, beauty and manners. Since the days of the sugar palace (aka Houmas House) very little is off limits. Thank goodness as sandles really don’t look good with socks!

Baby sleeping in star fish position

Starfish napping

 

Baby in play chair with fruit

Baby led weaning fruit fest

 

Lilly pads

Gorgeous gardens at Houmas House

 

Baby in car seat smiling

The little Yankee taking it all in

 

Houmas house

The sugar palace

 

Southern belle at Houmas house

The southern belle

 

Houmas house dining room

Exquisite dining

 

Baby and grandpa sitting

Resting weary legs

 

Baby tickles

Belly laughs in the garden

 

Factory

Banks of the Mississippi once lined with plantations are now filled with industry

 

Man filing up at gas pump

After dinner left Baby Boy O with the grandparents and went in search of Walmart. Failed miserably.

 

Yesterday’s post: Louisiana Plantations

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Saturday, 8 November 2014

Daily Pics: Louisiana Plantations

Started off the day playing with our new toys. Baby Boy O tried out his play seat and we took the Shark out for a spin. It’s probably not natural to get this excited about a vacuum cleaner, but ever since starting the road trip we had been holding down the fort with a hand held dust buster which doesn’t quite have the suction power to get between the pile. You can imagine what we managed to pick up off the carpet with my favorite new piece of equipment. 

After waging a jihad on dirt and dust we headed out to explore a few plantations. First stop was the majestic Oak Alley Plantation where we walked through reconstructed slave quarters, learned about the history of the house and the people who lived within its four walls, and indulged in a huge lunch which culminated in an almighty sugar high with the best pecan pie ever. 

Our final stop was the Laura Plantation where stories were brought to life and the creole culture shone through. Again a very checkered past with slavery, with the sugarcane plantation held firmly by a family of matriarchs. It was a hard life back then. Makes you realize we have it easy. 

 

Baby in SuperSeat playing

Baby Boy O having a ball in his SuperSeat

 

Shark vacuum cleaner

An absolute god send!

 

Grandma grandpa and baby sitting in front of RV

Baby sitting duty

 

Crawfish étouffée

Finally got to try crawfish étouffée, a Louisiana special

 

Oak trees

Beautiful Oak Alley Plantation, leading to the Mississippi

 

Oak alley plantation house

A Louisiana Taj Mahal, built for his wife (except she was still alive)

 

Oak alley plantation tour guide

Southern drawl

 

Oak alley plantation bedroom

Steeped in history and fascinating stories about the people who lived there

 

These beautiful plantation properties also provides the perfect backdrop to play with black and white…

Balcony at oak alley plantation

Afternoon on the balcony

 

Beautiful oak tree

Majestic oaks

 

Sugarcane burning

Billowing smoke from the sugarcane burning

 

Sunset at Laura Plantation

Sunset at Laura Plantation

 

Orange tree at Laura plantation

Orange tree from the slave quarters

 

Baby Boy O and dad at Laura plantation

My boys in black and white

 

Yesterday’s post: This is How We Roll

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 7 November 2014

Daily Pics: This is How We Roll

Time to say farewell to New Orleans, crisp white sheets, rainwater showers and housekeeping. Back to the reality of life on the road, lunches in Walmart car parks and exploring the big wide world, notching up hundreds more miles under our tires heading as we head west along the scenic plantation route toward Houston. This is how we roll! 

 

Baby lying on bed talking to grandpa

Morning chat with Gong Gong on Skype

 

View of French quarter from 14th floor

Not a bad view from the 14th floor – trains, paddle steamers and so much to see

 

Mum and baby having breakfast buffet

What a big mess a small baby can make

 

Four adults and one baby in a cab

Jenga style packing, but we all managed to fit in one cab back to the RV park

 

Grandpa holding baby in Walmart carpark

Packed up and headed to Walmart to buy groceries, cabin linen, a vacuum and a baby play center

 

Yesterday’s post: Snap Happy in the French Quarter

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Thursday, 6 November 2014

Daily Pics: Snap Happy in the French Quarter

Whilst English Hubby and the In-Laws were off on a cemetery and swamp tour, Baby Boy O and I had a marvelous time wandering around the French Quarter on a photography safari playing with apature, shutter speeds, perspectives and angles. Natasha talked about the ‘establishing shot’, one that gives the audience a sense of place, an understanding of what makes it special, a recognition of newness with a dash of familiarity. It occurs to me that life feels like a series of estsblishing shots. Everyday on our road trip we’ve had to mentally take one to ground ourselves, and at the same time appreciate our new surrounds. 

Beignets and coffee

A delicious way to start the day at Cafe du Monde 

 

St. Louis cathedral in New Orleans

Situating shot one – St Louis Cathedral, it’s importance accentuated by the sky

 

Statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback

Our first photography assignment using the light (this one done with an iPhone camera, not the DSLR) 

 

Photography tour group

Photography safari, a great way to practice photography and have welcome help to push a stroller

 

Baby asleep in stroller

An absolute angel and the best photography buddy you could ask for. He soon became the subject 

 

Photography gallery

Taking in the galleries 

 

Foot massage in New Orleans

And a little break for sore feet

 

Bluegrass band

Bluegrass beats on Royal St

 

Baby listening to bluegrass

Listening intently

 

Streets of New Orleans

Soaking up a sense of place 

 

Blowing bubbles

Blowing bubbles to the blues

 

Natchez paddle steamer

Off to dinner on the Natchez paddle steamer

 

Jazz band

Jazz on the Mississippi

 

Steam engines on the paddle boat

Powered by Thelma and Louise

 

Paddle steamer

Pushing forward

 

Yesterday’s post: New Orleans Culinary Experience

Tomorrow’s post:

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Daily Pics: New Orleans Culinary Experience

Food can tell you so much about a place, a culture, an history, a moment in time. Which is why one of my favorite ways to experience a new city is to do a food tour and what better place than the melting pot of New Orleans. We learned about Creole and Cajun food, and what differentiates them – sauces, alcohol and tomato – all pointers to the higher brow Creole cooking. We heard stories of how the different settlers of New Orleans and Louisiana – French, Germans, Italians, African, Irish and more – all brought something to the table, adding their own favors to the mix. We saw bread pudding with hard sauce being made, along with gumbo, jambalaya and sweetest of the sweet pecan pralines. New Orleans has been a feast for the senses.

 

Baby with dog toy

Special delivery all the way from England for Baby Boy O. It talks with an English accent too

 

Sign for rubys slipper

Breakfast nawlins style with eggs on cochon and biscuits

 

Grandpa pushing stroller

Exploring on foot

 

Beer sign

Q&A session

 

French quarter street

French quarter sightseeing 

 

Baby biting on hot sauce bottle

Looking to spice things up

 

Sitting at the table at New Orleans cooking school

Getting ready at the New Orleans cooking school

 

Hot biscuits

Biscuit starter with sweet molasses

 

Baby eating biscuits

Everyone got in on the action

 

Cooking school demonstration

Watching Michael bring it all come together – gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding and pralines

 

Spoons of roux

Different shades of roux

 

Baby with plastic cups on his hands

Keeping himself entertained…for almost three hours 

 

Pecan pralines

Delectable sweet buttery pecan pralines

 

Bluegrass buskers

Buskers on Royal St

 

Not haunted sign

Good to know it doesn’t come with any added extras

 

Red wall of photos

Next part of the foodie tour in the hallowed dining rooms of Antoine’s

 

Green dining room

Each Krewe with its Kings and Queens of Mardi Gras

 

Sandy with shrimp Remoulade

Sandy taking us to try Remoulade shrimp, the German side of New Orleans

 

Fine dining room

Fine dining in the back room

 

Mardi Gras ball gowns

Party gal Germaine’s Mardi Gras ball gowns

 

Grandstand at Antoine's

Grandstanding

 

St. Louis cathedral

Strolling by St Louis Cathedral listening to the jazz

 

Baby asleep in stroller

Someone held up very well, having been out all day

 

Tujacques bar

Last stop for beef brisket

 

Pouring grasshopper cocktails

And world famous grasshopper cocktails (yuck!) 

 

Dad and baby in over 18 bar

Little rebel

 

Baby with grandparents in pub

Having a good hard look

 

Arm in the mouth of an alligator

We’ve taken a bite out of New Orleans, now New Orleans is taking a bite out of me!

 

Baby looking in the mouth of an alligator

Where’s my mummy?

 

Yesterday’s post: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Tomorrow’s post: Snap Happy in the French Quater

 

 

 

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Daily Pics: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Mah Mah and Yah Yah have arrived after 19 hours in transit. Plans almost foiled by a missed plane connection, a mile long train which stopped strategically so no road traffic could actually pass, and an intricate logistics shuffle to leave the car back at the RV park and get to the hotel in the French Quarter. The good news is that everyone arrived safe and well, Baby Boy O is sleeping like an angel and although we had to wait way too long for our dinner order which subsequently came out cold, the hotel did the right thing and comped us for our meal. Funny how the world always looks better and brighter when you get more sleep. Things are on the up!

 

Man working on laptop in RV

Busy morning with conference calls, work stuff, digital admin and the usual bill paying madness

 

Drive by mail boxes

Mail run and spotted the lazy man’s solution

 

Christmas trees in the department store

Running errands at the mall and noticed Christmas trees. Really? Already?

 

Baby in car seat in front of hotel with bags in background

Crazy how much stuff is needed for a three night stay

 

Paddle boat on the Mississippi

View from the 23rd floor of the mighty Mississippi

 

Baby and mum in mirror

Fluffy robes, white bath, smelly soaps. Happy to be pampered

 

Yesterday’s post: The Big Easy

Tomorrow’s post: 

Monday, 3 November 2014

Daily Pics: The Big Easy

We may be in the big easy, but it wasn’t an easy night of ‘sleep learning’ for Baby Boy O. He cried for the better part of an hour, perhaps even more. Did I say cry? I meant wailed, sobbed, heart breaking howls until he fell asleep, dried salt crusted tears on his face. It had to be done. Somehow he (we) had gotten into the habit of waking up three times a night. An untenable and unsustainable pattern of sleep deprivation that felt like a slow steady torture. Something had to change. Hopefully this is the first step in the right direction. 

 

Baby in dinosaur romper sitting

All happier after a good night’s sleep

 

Winn Dixie supermarket

Taking a stroll around Winn Dixie

 

Baby climbing on dad

Using daddy as a climbing frame after resisting nap time

 

Baby by the pool

Thoughtful reflection by the pool. Getting sleepy…

 

Yesterday’s post: iDisaster

Tomorrow’s post: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Sunday, 2 November 2014

Daily Pics: iDisaster

After driving 200 miles yesterday and hop scotching across Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, Sunday was a vey welcome day of rest. However that desired calmness was to be shattered by one little baby boy who, in the last 24 hours, refused to sleep longer than a two hour stretch and an iPhone who decided today was the day it would commit electronic suicide. 

I have to admit I’m not sure which one was worse. Grumpy baby or dead iPhone. Even getting a brand new replacement was bitter sweet. The last backup was in April. Thankfully most photos, with the exception of about 100 taken over the last five days, had backed dutifully. Nevertheless losing some of Baby Boy Os first Halloween pics was sad. Today’s post is thin on photos. 

 

Sleeping baby

First photo with replacement iPhone. He’s finally asleep, but not for long

 

Yesterday’s post: From Walmart to Whole Foods

Tomorrow’s post: The Big Easy

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, 1 November 2014

Daily Pics: From Walmart to Whole Foods

Access to healthy food choices is so important to overall health. It’s fascinating to see how variety differs significantly as we drive through towns in America. On the whole, access to fresh produce has improved since we did our last road trip in 2005. It is nice to see Walmart stock more organic products and a decent selection fresh produce.

I am so very thankful that the diet we grew up with was one that was balanced and healthy. Junk food was rare, water was the main drink in the house and processed foods were occasional. I am soberly reminded every now and then that not everybody had the same privilege. This morning we did a quick top up shop in Walmart. As we were checking out the slightly older cashier asked me what vegetable this was? I replied broccoli!

Contrast that to the Wholefoods in Jackson Mississippi. We happen to stumble across an on store chili competition. Ten delicious chillies made with all sorts of ingredients like shrimp, andoullie sausage, truffles, white beans, polenta and more. All competing for taste buds. We happily obliged.

Disgusting pink punch drink at Walmart

Not sure anything this color should ever be ingested

 

Jar of pickled pigs feet

We’re in the south now

 

Whole foods chili cook off

A great idea by English Hubby to stop at Whole Foods for lunch

 

Small sampling cups of chili

So many delicious choices

 

Baby eating chili

Even Baby Boy O got in on the action!

 

Empty chili cartons

Chili magic act…we made it all disappear 

 

Cup that reads a good day to have a holiday

A nice reminder that right now we are on holiday everyday!

 

Welcome to Louisiana sign

Moving from Mississippi to Louisiana

 

Sunset over the swamp

Sunset over the swamp

 

Moon rising

Blue moon over the bayou

 

Yesterday’s post: Trick or Treat

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Friday, 31 October 2014

Daily Pics: Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween! Poor little Baby Boy O doesn’t know what hit him. After a long drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway he gets stripped and changed into a ridiculous outfit and made to pose for pictures for his mum and dad’s viewing pleasure. After all that effort he doesn’t even get candy. Life’s tough buddy. 

 

Car gauges

Rocking the fuel economy using cruise control

 

Mum and Baby Boy O dressing up in lion cub costume

Way too big for him so there was a lot of tucking and cinching

 

Baby in lion cub costume with pacifier

Lion cub eating puppy dog

 

Baby lying on bed with lion cub outfit

Whatcha doing Baby Boy O? …just ‘lion around’

 

Yesterday’s post: The Farm

Tomorrow’s post: From Walmart to Whole Foods

 

 

 

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Daily Pics: The Farm

Ever since watching the documentary “The Business of Being Born” I’ve been enamoured with the idea of The Farm. The commune that was established back in the flower power era was, at one brief point, on the list of potential places to give birth. In my mind’s eye we would make the 1,000 mile pilgrimage from New York City to Summertown Tennessee a month before Baby Boy O’s arrival date, arriving joyous, round bellied and greeted by mystical midwives who would sprinkle rose petals as I walked along the path to motherhood. 

Today’s lesson is two fold: firstly, the dream can differ significantly from reality, nevertheless the dream makes you recognize the elements that personally ring true, like the desire to be closer to nature and the belief in the human body to do what needs to be done. Secondly, is that even I have limits to the level of ‘granola-crunchiness-walk-on-a-rainbow-flower-power-patchouli-incense-chanting-and-drumming-earthiness’ I can take without wanting to jump in my petroleum burning vehicle and order a non-vegan burger.

All that being said, I have deep respect for the philosophy and conviction that seeded and grew The Farm to what it still is today. 

 

RV on road with 11 ft bridge

Break on through to the other side, conquering yesterday’s predicament

 

Sign for the farm

Pilgrimage to The Farm in Summertown, Tennessee

 

Visitors center at the farm

Finally made it

 

Door of the visitors center with visiting times

Open 9 to 5…not. Thankfully there were instructions for a self guided tour

 

Philosophy of the farm

The philosophy and conviction I deeply admire

 

Man holding baby in store

Dined on vegan fare at The Farm Store

 

Yellow school bus in disrepair

Legend has it that an old school bus with seats removed and cushions on the floor was a the original midwifery center where babies were guided into this world

 

Barrel with bicycle

Pang of guilt when I mentally calculated how many gallons of gas we’ve used on this road trip

 

Gates leading to organic garden

It may have been organic, but it wasn’t much of a garden

 

Eco house with grass roof

Experiments in alternative ecologically friendly housing

 

Bamboo

Sustainability is key

 

Eco house with black panels

In harmony with the land

 

People in front of Eco house with one man drumming

Accidentally intruding on a meditative drumming session

 

Pumpkins and fungus

Pumpkin power

 

RV on the Natchez trace

Back on the road again in our tiny house on wheels – perhaps even in our gas guzzling vehicle we have a smaller carbon footprint than the average person?

 

Yesterday’s post: Predicament

Tomorrow’s post:

 

 

 

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Daily Pics: Predicament

Simple predicament…bridge clearance = 11ft, RV height = 11ft, destination = half a mile past the bridge, alternative route = 21 miles around. 

Sometimes life throws things at you and in these moments you recognize that if you can’t go through it, under it or over it, it’s time to go around it. It may take longer, but you do get there in the end.

 

Nachez trace parkway sign

Things are much simpler when people walked this route by foot

 

Bridge with 11 ft sign

One 11 ft bridge

 

Man on RV measuring height

Meets one 11 ft RV. Confirmed by measuring tape

 

Man holding baby ready for bath

Made it to the campground in time for bath time

 

Yesterday’s post: Corvettes and Chevys 

Tomorrow’s post: The Farm

 

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Daily Pics: Corvettes and Chevys

If today had a theme, it would be cars. We paid a visit to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A car collection and memorabilia mecca for enthusiasts. Not being a rev head myself, the most fascinating part of the museum was created in February this year, when a giant sink hole (like the one that revealed the entrance to Mammoth Caves) opened up and swallowed part of the museum, cars included. 

It was also time to say goodbye to our trusty Chevy Cruz. After three faithful months, over 5,500 miles through sunshine and rain, it was time to retire him back to the rental farm for an oil change and service. In exchange we now have a spacious silver bullet of a car. 

 

Blue corvette

The Italians have Lamborghini, the Germans have the Porsche, the Americans have the Corvette

 

White 1960 corvette

A classic beauty

 

Racing corvette surrounded by mannequins

The mannequins adds to the faux racing excitement

 

Blue racing corvette

Throwback to racing days of yesteryear

 

Red corvette

Similar to my first (remote controlled) racing car, a hard earned prize for getting my first filling at the dentist

 

Red concept corvettes

Fast forward to concept cars. Hail the curvature of mighty fiberglass

 

Corvette museum sink hole

The coolest part of the museum – a sink hole that opened up and swallowed eight Corvettes

 

Corvette broken

Chewed up 

 

Black Chevy and silver Nissan

Farewell Chevy, hello Nissan

 

Yesterday: Mammoth Caves 250 Feet Underground

Tomorrow:

 

 

 

Monday, 27 October 2014

Daily Pics: Mammoth Caves 250 Feet Underground

Mammoth Caves National Park rocks! Pun intended. We descended 280 steps, ducking and weaving our way 250 feet underground to the largest cave system in the US. A maze of tunnels 400 miles long, created by water seeping its way through limestone over millions of years. Baby Boy O did remarkably well spending near to two hours strapped to the front of dad. Thank goodness for good hearted National Parks guides and their torchlight tricks.  

 

Sign for mammoth caves national park

Loving our national parks

 

People waiting at entrance to mammoth caves

One of the many entrances to the cave

 

Cave rocks

Subterranean  

 

Baby with dad in mammoth caves

My little adventurer

 

Baby and dad in caves

Ducking and weaving

 

Frozen Niagara mammoth caves formation

Frozen Niagara formation

 

Stalactites and stalagmites

Stalactites hold tight to the ceiling and stalagmites might grow up to the ceiling one day

 

Mammoth caves bus

Baby Boy O wakes as we get on the bus back to the visitors center

 

Beautiful trees

We go for a lovely walk on the heritage trail as we wait for English Hubby to finish is second tour down in the caves

 

Yesterday: Shoney’s Sunday

Tomorrow: Corvettes and Chevys

 

 

 

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Daily Pics: Shoney’s Sunday

One of the pleasures of road tripping across America is being able to sample various fast food “restaurants”. Living in New York City quarantines you from the delights of interstate dining where clusters of eateries vie for your dining attention. For miles leading up to the turnoff are signs advertising all you can eat buffets, breakfasts served past noon, crispiest fried chicken with a serving of heart attack. Today we caved and ventured into one we hadn’t dined at before…Shoney’s. 

 

Baby in PJs in bed

Lazy Sunday morning in bed

 

Baby smiling

All dressed and ready to go

 

Baby with apple pieces

But first, an apple snack

 

RV park

A stroll around the RV parking lot aka campground that was our home for the last three nights

 

Shoney's restaurant

Sampling the delights of Shoney’s

 

Buffet

All you can eat buffet with a tiny salad and tons of fried food

 

Salad plate

Fairly healthy, minus the fish fry and fried okra

 

RV in Krogers supermarket carpark

Next a top up at Krogers

 

Dinosaur by the interstate

Then off to Mammoth Caves National Park…yes, that is a dinosaur by the interstate

 

Yesterday: Kentucky’s Finest

Tomorrow: Mammoth Caves 250 Feet Underground

 

 

 

Saturday, 25 October 2014

Daily Pics: Kentucky’s Finest

Kentucky sure is proud of its bourbon heritage. Two tours and several tastings later I’ve come to intellectually appreciate the art of bourbon making, however the enjoyment of the drink itself still eludes me. Nevertheless loving another glorious day in the sunshine.

 

Sign for awesome flea market

Hard to resist, but the Kentucky Bourbon Trail awaits

 

Man and stroller in front of Jim Beam center

First stop, Jim Beam. 95% of the worlds bourbon is made in Kentucky and 50% that comes from here

 

Man pouring corn into hopper

English Hubby giving them a hand

 

Bourbon barrels

It’s all about the barrels

 

Washing bourbon bottle

Giving a hand to wash…

 

Baby touching bourbon bottle

…and bottle

 

Bourbon making process

Making this stuff is a piece of cake 

 

Collage of Jim beam

Thanks to the Beam family 

 

Standing on the devils cut

Walk in a straight line please ma’am

 

Kentucky farmland

Back roads

 

Makers mark distillery

Trying out a smaller distillery

 

Tour group at makers mark

History lesson 

 

Stream flowing through makers mark distillery

Beautiful grounds with the right water being the key ingredient

 

Vat of bourbon mash

A matter of yeasty chemistry

 

Baby with makers mark label

Baby Boy O having a taste…of the label

 

Man tasting bourbon

Now for the real taste test, finished off with a chocolate bourbon ball

 

Makers mark advertisement

Cheeky

 

Baby kissing mummy

A different sort of cheeky, with a big serving of slobber

 

Yesterday: Louisville Surprise

Tomorrow: Shoney’s Sunday

 

 

 

Friday, 24 October 2014

Daily Pics: Louisville Surprise

Lexington was what we pictured it to be. Louisville was not. It was way cooler! To our surprise there is a great vibe and a laid back feel. As Maria the ex-New Yorker said, “it is a city with small town culture”. Loving Louisville.  

 

Main Street Louisville

So very Main Street

 

Airstream coffee trailer

Stumbled upon a pop up space

 

Pop up food stall behind mound of grass

Hand crafted local beer, pulled pork and more

 

Lunch in Louisville

Perfect for a bite

 

People dancing

And an after lunch Nia session

 

Plants growing in bottles

Green scene

 

R2D2

R2D2 came to visit!

 

Mirror with lots of reflection

Look closely…what do you see?

 

Solar powered trash cans

What a great idea

 

Dummy grenade sign

What a dumb idea

 

Large baseball bat on side of building

Off to the Louisville Slugger factory

 

Holding Mickey mantles bat

Batter up! Holding Mickey Mantle’s bat

 

Baseball bat factory

Hands on in the factory

 

Baby with miniature baseball bat

Little little league

 

Statue on main st Louisville

Art on the streets

 

Limo covered in spots

Kitsch

 

Horse statue with feather boa

Kentucky chic

 

Baby in stroller giving thumbs up

Thumbs up to the coolest kid in town

 

Material art

Gallery in C21 hotel

 

Gallery space in C21 hotel

Hotel with a twist

 

Family selfie

Modern day family selfie in the elevator bank

 

Louisville skyline

Louisville skyline

 

Ohio river

Meeting of the rivers

 

Muhammad Ali museum

Quick visit to the Muhammad Ali museum

 

Quote

An interesting character

 

Shadow boxing Muhammad Ali

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

  

Yesterday: Year of the Horse

Tomorrow: Kentucky’s Finest