To enjoy the last week of summer

It's the last week of the school holidays and we've been back from the lovely island for two weeks (already!). The warm summer has continued and over the last two weeks we've been to the cinema, to the outdoor swimming pool, to the London Zoo and also managed to fit in a couple of play dates and fun in the park.

Only a few days left and as a pre-birthday/end of holiday gift M got something she had wanted for a long time - hamsters! Instead of bigger one that we had intended we ended up with two dwarf hamsters, proudly named Moo and Sweetie (not sure if sisters or brothers but we do know they're the same sex...). Very very cute and even if I'm not a big fan of caged animals, nor "ratlike" creatures even I enjoy watching them running around. M is delighted and we thought it would be a bit easier to start with hamsters than a cat, in a flat...Also, one of my first pets was a hamster and I remember the excitement (even though he turned out to be a she and I all of a sudden had 6 more hamsters...).

I'll have a few weeks to ensure M is settling in with the new teacher and in Year 1 but I'll start working at the end of the month, new exciting contract work and after nearly four great summer months off, I'm looking forward to it! M is going to start swim school as well as try a gymnastics lesson this weekend - we're all set for the autumn term now. (And in true style, Christmas musical and ballet, and Christmas eve lunch are also booked...only 3 months to go!)

Last day at the beach on our island.

At the London Zoo...we did see some real animals too.

Moo and Sweetie are settling into their new home.

To have summer holidays on the Island

A few weeks have passed and we're still on the island in Sweden having a relaxing time. We've managed to spend a lot of time with family and friends as well as doing a lot of "touristic" things. It's lovely to be exploring the island over and over again as an adult and to let M experiencing the country side. Nearly three weeks have passed already and on Tuesday it's time to head back to London again, packed with great memories and bags full of Swedish stuff...(clothes from the summer sales, ceramics, local herbs and jams...)

To find a little gem - a trip to the Garden Musuem

The hot weather continues and we decided against the beach as to not drive for too long in the heat (and Sunday traffic) for our usual Sunday family outing. After a bit of research we settled on the Garden Museum, next to Lambeth Palace. The Garden Museum resides in an old church, St Mary's, that was rescued from demolition in the 1970s and then turned into the world's first Garden Museum. It was very pretty and picturesque, a little gem and oasis in the middle of busy London roads. We had a vegan lunch at the museum cafe, not as popular with the rest of the family as it was with me.

There was also a small exhibition with Dan Pearson, a contemporary garden designer (that I had never heard of but apparently it was one of the reasons my husband suggested the visit...), and M really enjoyed watching the soothing films about his gardens and design, appropriately in a comfy deckchair.

The entrance to the Garden Museum - which didn't really have a garden, just a small church yard/garden - it was still pretty.

We've only got a balcony but it's lovely to have our own oasis, albeit small. This little bird came home with us today, our small balcony might be a bit crowded but there is always space for something pretty.

Beautiful "seed display" from the olden days.

The cafe in the Garden Museum/church.

There was also an Arts & Crafts fair going on and outside, in the small church yard, M got to draw on ceramics and created a colourful pendant (she chose the shape of a leaf, very appropriate).

 

Outside the Garden Museum, which is next to Lambeth Palace (the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and opposite one of the most famous buildings in the world...Big Ben is behind the tree...

Outside the Church aka Garden Museum, necklace/pendant on full display.

Free seeds for the kids!

To enjoy the afternoons

The fantastic and (almost too) hot weather continues and it feels as we will have a proper summer to remember, finally. What's great with where we live, and is probably true for most of London, is that we have several parks nearby. Today we went to the paddling pool to cool down. Many of M's school friends were there too and we had a really nice and relaxed afternoon. M finishes school at 3.15 PM so there is plenty of time to do something in the afternoon. Tomorrow it's time for a play date, and every Tuesday we have one of M's school friends here as I pick up both girls from school. The parents will return the favour when we need someone to pick up M.

Better make the most of these warm summer afternoons, whilst I'm still around a lot, and whilst there is not too much homework. It will probably change next school year.

I feel really grateful that I get to spend this much time with M, and enjoy this summer with her. And I also feel really grateful that despite living in London we do have several "watering holes" and parks. It's not the beach and the sea (which I deeply miss...) but for that we've got "my" beautiful island and we'll be there in less than 2 weeks. Something else to be grateful for.

Strawberries by the Streatham Common Paddling pool.

The Rookery - Streatham. Look at those magnificent trees!

To pretend to be in Provence

And we don't have to go very far, less than 30 minutes from us we have our own little "Provence", a fantastic lavender field which apparently was a global leader in lavender production up to the end of the Victorian era - who would have thought! It was beautiful, and the scent just heavenly. And all organic.

The summer so far has been great, sunny and warm weather and up to 30c, and it's apparently going to continue (obviously forgotten about those weeks in June when it wasn't...). We spent the morning at the lido (outdoor swimming pool, and we had to queue for an hour!) and then the late afternoon with the "lavenders". We've got 8 more days at school before the holidays start but we're making the most of this lovely weather every day.

To enjoy the sunny days

I certainly don't miss the office, especially when it's hot and sunny, and even though I hope I will get to do some work soon, I'm making the most of the freedom for now.

It's such a treat to be able to pick up M from school every day. This afternoon we we to the park with her friend and had a pancake picnic. 

Today she also had her ballet show and it was lovely to be able to be there at 1.30 to watch her dancing. Ballet has been a struggle...she's enjoyed the actual ballet but as the lessons take place at lunch time it means she misses out on having lunch with the rest of the class. That's been tough! Anyway, she's really proud today and of course I felt tears welling up whilst watching...

To have a bit of summer

Long time no seen... Still in London as school won't break up for summer until the 24th July - too late for a Swede! A few weeks to go before the next Sweden trip and a few more weeks to get my head around this whole freelancing business. In the meantime we're making the most of the summer in London.