It is always sad to say goodbye, but the time has to come. Today we leave Catford and drive up to Cambridge. Last night we had a lovely final dinner with Rowena and Gerald, and today we are saying goodbye to them, their son Julian and Leo the dog. It has been great here, a home away from home. But now we are longing for our real home…

 

I’ve been having a great time the past few days, heading in to meet mum at the British Library for lunch every day, and having adventures on the London Underground. I’ve also been playing with my beautiful new doll Lena, who we adopted in Barcelona, and wearing some of the beautiful clothes we also bought there.

 

Today we went on a little pilgrimage to pay our respects at the grave of John Locke, at the church in a little village called High Laver. Then we tramped down muddy paths and over barbed wire fences to visit the site of Otes, the house where Locke lived with Damaris Masham. Although when we got there all we could see was a boggy field and two ancient (possibly dead) lime trees that Locke may or may not have planted.

 

Somehow we just managed to escape the squally rain, and continued the drive up to Cambridge. We were tired and hungry, but still headed out for a walk into town for dinner and a brief tour of the beautiful streets.

Our first full day in Cambridge began with a walk from our flat in Robinson College, through the Backs, across the Cam to the town centre for a coffee at Indigo Coffee House, before checking out the market. We then met our friend Jess for lunch - she’s just arrived from Australia and is still feeling quite lagged. After lunch we walked around town and visited the spectacular King’s College Chapel. The sun shone, then the rain came down, and then a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.

 

After a nice afternoon we drove out of town to Hildersham to a pub called The Pear Tree, where we ate a yummy dinner.

A fairly laid back day today. We walked in to town and met up with Jess, while mummy was busy at her conference. We walked around Cambridge, saw a few of the sights, and did a lot of browsing in shops. I bought a beautiful blue dress from the Oxfam shop for £1.

 

Today I had breakfast with mum and dad at Robinson College, then Jess came to visit. We walked down the River Cam to Grantchester while mum went back to her conference. I missed the first part of the walk because I was taking a nap (all this travelling is really tiring), but when I woke we were walking alongside a river in a beautiful meadow, with ducks and swans frolicking in the sun (although a bit later it started snowing lightly). Such an English country scene!

We had lunch at The Orchard - a quaint teahouse that has been frequented by numerous famous thinkers including Keynes, Russell, Wittgenstein and Hawking.

 

Today was our last full day in England. Tomorrow we begin the long trek home, beginning with a 3 hour bus trip to the airport before the 21 hour flight. It is going to be tough - but we’ve done it before, so we can do it again, can’t we?

Today was a fairly laid back day. After breakfast and another snooze I said goodbye to mum, who went back to her conference, then dad and I met up with Jess again and wandered into the Fitzwilliam Museum. I had a great time - I was introduced to Plato, I admired the collection of armour and swords, and I saw a lot of beautiful pictures.

 

After the museum we went to the Rainbow Cafe where we met up with mum, who was happy and relaxed, now that her conference had finished. We sat around, played, and ate some yummy food together.

 

We are home, and it is fantastic to be back. I’m so happy! We flew in yesterday morning and then slept most of the day - we are still in upside-down time, and it is so confusing. Last night Auntie Mel came over and it was great to see her. This morning I had breakfast with Mel and Bianca. Now I can’t wait to see all my other friends and relatives.

The flight back was long and difficult, but was actually a lot of fun (after the nightmare of dealing with Heathrow Airport in London). There were lots of other babies on board, and we all got together for a little party.

 

The last few days have been a bit of a haze. I’m still on upside-down time, trying to sleep during the day and wanting to play at night, which isn’t really pleasing my parents (although I know they are also feeling it). I’ve managed to catch up with many of my friends and family, and last night I saw lots of people at a big fun event - my first Passover Seder at Nanna Luba and Asher’s place. It was great fun: lots of other people to play with; great music and singing; fabulous food; and an excuse to stay up late. Except, unfortunately, I fell asleep just before dessert and missed out on what looked like some delicious poached pears. Oh well, maybe next year.

 

We went to a party this morning, and I had a great time playing with all the other kids, and with all the great toys that Isaac’s parents Russell and Cordelia borrowed from the toy library. The party was to celebrate Isaac’s 3rd birthday, and it looked like so much fun that I can’t wait to have a birthday myself (less than 3 months to go!).

 

Today was very exciting. Nanna Sandra arrived from Tasmania, and also brought along her brother Roger and his wife Carole who are visiting from New Zealand. Auntie Mel also came over to visit, and we all had a big fun play together.

What a fun weekend. We drove down the Great Ocean Road to the Sparrow family’s fabulous retreat at Grey River. I went there once before, when I was much smaller, and had a great time then, but this time was even better. Rob, Deb, Griffin the dog, my parents and I read stories, played cards, listened to great music, and ate lots of fabulous food.

 

We also went on an adventure to the beach. I rode in a rucksack on my dad’s back, then got down and had a great play in the sand. I also tried to explore some of the rockpools, but I got a bit wet and cold, and the surf was a bit too wild and scary. Maybe next time I’ll go in the water, if the weather is a bit warmer.

 

Today was ANZAC day. I’m also 10 months old today.

Nanna Luba, Asher, and my cousins Ruby, Leah, and Hannah came over to visit. They brought some yummy ANZAC biscuits that they had baked that morning.

 

After all that fun we got into the car to take Nanna Sandra to the airport. I’ve had a fabulous week with Nanna Sandra, and I can’t wait till she comes to visit again.

 

The fun didn’t stop there. In the afternoon we had a visit from Mila and her parents Gretha and Willem. Mila and I got stuck into some of the yummy food, and then we played with toys, read stories, and had a big game of chasey!