Family Stacation Day 2

Woo hoo! Staycation is officially in full swing! London goes in swings weather wise, so we got out to enjoy the sunshine while it's here.

The first stop was our favourite greasy burger joint-- the kind of place where everything comes in styrofoam boxes and you don't ask too​ many questions, but get a sloppy burger dripping with garlic sauce that only costs £3.90. Its pretty goid, especially when it sits on a main street right next to a posh burger joint where a simple meal costs £15!

Takeaway burgers and chips (fries) in hand, we made our way down to Regents Canal, where we walked the towpath, watching the narrowboats and dodging cyclists.

Our destination: a doughnutterie in Shoredirch. Recently, my mom sent me an article highlighting 6 London Desserts You Have to Try, and since I have a pretty serious sweet tooth, and hadn't tried any of the treats on the list, we decided to make it a crazy week and see how many we can get to.

So we headed to Dum Dum Doughnuts, for a sample of their famous cronuts- a baked blend between a croissant and a doughnut. I chose a Zebra-- a mix of chocolate and vanilla pastry filled with chocolate creme and topped with ganache, while the hubs picked Salted Caramel & Lotus (Biscoff), and Fishy nabbed a White Chocolate filled mini doughnut. It was denser than I expected but a yummy treat! And don't worry about the calories- the walk the was about four miles, so I think we balanced out!

Stay tuned for where we are headed next! More deliciousness is on the way!

For my brother in law....

At some point, I'll post a more complete post on our adventures in Dover eventually, but my dear sister-in-law Emily wanted to send something to her hubby to let him know we were thinking of him. But it's a pretty exciting adventure just the same.

Dear Yoshi,

You are far away off in a distant land, doing brave things. Your wife is here in jolly old England, enjoying our coastline today. She said you'd asked for some rocks from the White Cliffs, but all of the hiking paths were on top of the cliffs, not below by the water. We searched for a path down to the sea, and at one point, saw a spot that looked promising. We climbed through the fencing they'd put up with red tape (part was knocked down by someone else already anyway), and scurried our way down the steep hairpin path to the bottom of the cliffs. It was less of a path, and more run-off ditches, but we were so excited.... till we got to the last 30 feet... and saw this:

Is hard to tell from this picture, but the path along the rock face narrow from about 24 inches to about 8 inches, just before the wooden bridge that they'd built across the gap gives way. There's a small section connected by dirt, but if you look close, you'll see that its already cracking, about to give way.

We took a video for you. Click here to see it. (Sorry its on Vimeo, I had a hard time loading it properly.)

Just wanted to let you know we were thinking of you. Your wife misses you greatly. Be safe, love you!

Kate

A Walk in the Chilterns

We're going to flashback a bit for this post.

The hubby and I got out of the city for a day this winter, but I never uploaded the photos. I'm finally getting to it tonight.

We wanted to get out of the city and see some English countryside. When my Aunt Jenn was here, she took me to the Cotswolds, which were SO charming! But the hubs hadn't really left London. So we decided to remedy that. Last minute train tickets were a bit pricey, but with a little looking, we found that the tube (Metropolitan Line) could get you out of London pretty well. (Ok, just outside the encircling freeway, but Londoners never get out that far!) :-)

Keep in mind it was mid-December. The air was crisp and cool, but plenty warm for a hike. It was lovely.

We stepped off the train at Chalfont and Latimer. I quickly discovered that like cities in the States, the 'burbs are where its at! The gated homes were beautiful!

Through a field path (which is an awesome English concept, that walking footpaths are required through private land between villages)... around the corner, we saw the open fields of the English Countryside!

We stumbled on (and across) Harewood Downs Golf Club-- the footpaths go right through the fairways! (Don't worry, Dad. I kept proper golfing etiquette and stayed out of sight in the woods till the foursome had teed off and started their way down to their shots!)

From there, we meandered to Chalfont St. Giles... a charming tiny village (and cool, as our church is St. Giles!)

Through the lych-gate (corpse gate) at the local church. Read the wiki entry about these gates to find the superstition behind them!

The woodwork on the chapel entrance was lovely.

Then we found what we meandered here for-- Milton's Cottage! This is the home where John Milton penned Paradise Lost. We weren't able to tour inside, but it was so neat to be peek inside and consider the history that had been here, and the great minds that once dwelled in this home!

** Random shot of the day ** In the public loo, they had this hand washing station, with buttons for water, soap, and then air drying. Weirdest thing I've ever seen, but apparently, they're not uncommon!

Then we quickly realised we were running out of daylight (in December, the sun sets sets before 4pm!), so we hoofed it up to Amersham, where we did a quick tour of Old Amersham (historical district) and  stepped in a quick charity shop (thrift shop) before catching our train back to London.

They trim certain trees here in England like this. I don't really understand why they lop them off so starkly. They do it in the country and here in London. It makes the the parks look like a Dr. Seuss book!

Dear Mama- I thought of you!

Apparently, we were in the county of Buckinghamshire, in a region of hills called The Chilterns. (I love that!) And we'll have to go back... apparently, there are a few places near there that they used in filming (both) versions of Pride & Prejudice! And the Austen geek in me wants to see them!

P.S.   Dad- You can bring your clubs when you visit. Harewood Downs is only £30 for green fees. I'll go with you if I can borrow your clubs!