UK 2023: Part 1

Hello! Me again!

In true ‘Lulu’ style I’ve left publishing my 2023 adventures to the very last moment. I mean I’m leaving for my 2024 summer adventure this week for goodness sake, so I’ve dragged my feet on this for almost a year!

When I think back this has been my MO. From school homework and exams, getting up for work, boarding flights, and recently filling up my scooter with gas (btw I’m very grateful to have made it to the gas station on fumes!) it’s often last minute!

Anyway, I’m here and that’s what matters, right?

This year’s trip followed a similar vein as last year. Some may call that playing it a bit safe (and it was) but I like to think of it as doing what I love in the easiest way possible!

So, UK 2023 started with Dad greeting me at Heathrow Arrivals with a beautiful bouquet of red roses! ♥ They took pride of place on the kitchen window sill for almost my entire stay, which is pretty impressive for roses!

I arrived in early June and spent the first month with Dad, Mum, and a whole bunch of good friends!

The weather was bright and sunny, albeit cool, so sitting with Dad in his garden was a joy.

Making the most of that great weather we visited some of the local open gardens and art shows!

We also ate far too well (as you can tell from the clean plates) at The Woolpack for Father’s Day!

[Dad, we need to make an effort to take more photos together!]

A week later I took the train to York for a visit to see my Mum. The journey went smoothly, but I only just caught the connection at London Kings Cross – that station confuses me!

In my defense I was carrying a rather large extra bag – I’d bought Mum a fold-up Thai mattress and underestimated just how tricky it would be to navigate the trains and tubes with it!

Ah yes, to be back in old Blighty! The land of the washing-up bowl! When living with someone from the US of A, these are banned! Period!

We managed to pack a lot in during the four days I was in York.

The beautiful Moorlands Nature Reserve

There was lots of eating and one particularly delicious early birthday lunch!

Mum tirelessly doing alterations for me, and they’re never easy ones either but I still get a little mum message sewn in!

We covered some miles on various walks and trips into York on the bus. Not sure this cat’s too happy!

Did I mention eating? These are the best fishcakes in York but who can beat a home-cooked roast?

Back in Bucks, I managed to squeeze in a week-long pet sit in Wingrave. This was a return visit to our first-ever TrustedHouseSitters pet-sitter hosts! Lovely to be back!

Vincent and Mia were just as adorable …

…and the house was artsy and cozy!

There was an added treat in store. My hosts had installed a resistance swimming pool at the end of their garden! With the water jets turned on you could endlessly swim against the current. Genius!

It took a bit of getting used to but I loved it!

(Vincent kept me company too!)

It was here I got to try out the Brit’s new must-have gadget – the air fryer! I have to agree they’re the biz. Quick cooking and easy cleaning – result!

And finally, I’m very grateful for a few photos of my time with friends – wish there were more!!

Bye-bye, hometown!

My onward route took me to London Bridge station where I changed from the tube to an overground train.

The short walk took me right under the Shard. Magnificent! I just had to stop to take a quick photo. For a moment I removed my hand from my wheelie case, took the snap, and turned to collect my case, but wait, what, where was my case? Oh no, had an opportunist run off with my case? It was nowhere to be seen, but then embarrassingly I realised my case had rolled backward down the pavement into a commuter (a rather cute one at that) who very graciously returned my case. Oops!

Next stop Dunton Green and a new pet sit!