From Cambridge to York

So we ditched the Iceland idea, thinking we’d stick around and do a drive up north to Wales instead. But after considering the drive time and and also the possibility of dreary cold wet weather where we’d be going, we changed our minds again. Finally we settled on Cambridge and York.

This was my first visit to Cambridge and I really loved it. It has a such a cosy medieval feel, with its old buildings and small streets. Maybe one day, one of these two monkeys will be a student here and Shad and I can come and keep house for them 🙂.

Bikes everyone, you really need to watch where you’re walking to. 

Enjoying the peace and quiet around Christ Church College.

The beautiful interior of the inner chapel of Christ Church Cathedral built over the reign of three kings. 

The outer chapel 

Pity we didn’t have time to go punting.

Xu Zhimo’s famous poem carved into stone. Ryan could remember this poem from his Grade 5 work at ISF.

We really enjoyed our three night stay in York. We took our time walking through its many streets and beautiful landmarks. Walking through the town centre, it felt like a mix of old and new, ancient historical building mixed in with new modern commercial shops. 

Going back in time. Walking down a cobbled Victorian street in the York Castle museum.

Incarcerated for evading tax.

School in the .... times.

The old mill

York Castle Keep, raised by William the Conqueror. This is almost all that remains of York Castle.

On a sugar high after our visit to the chocolate school!

Shopping in the Shambles, the street which was the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books.

Our Airbnb was right in the heart of town. From the apartment we didn’t need our car and just walked to all the local attractions and different restaurants for our meals. More importantly, Betty’s Tea Rooms was strategically located diagonally opposite us! We trooped there a couple of times for afternoon tea, dinner and to stock up on snacks. 

York Minster at sunset, seen from our balcony.

Our comfy livingroom 

Beautiful tea rooms with excellent service and delicious food.

Afternoon tea for me! And yes I did share... 

Friends

Our original plan after South America was to spend two weeks in London before flying off to Iceland. But in the end we decided to just stay put in London and visit other parts of UK instead of rushing off. This would give us more time to spend with Tania and Graeme, and also to see our other close friends. 

These two just picked up where they left off. Waiting for the bus to go into Wimbledon for our Nando lunch.

Back home for dinner, Aunty Was’ yummy spaghetti and meatballs.

Pumpkin carving session

Out in the garden to get some fresh air.

Friends who have become family.

There’s never a dull moment when we’re with these guys. 

The following week, back together for Trick or treating. Out to roam the streets of Wimbledon!

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when one has to go to school and the other one is off to Harry Potter World 😜.

These two kiddoes were born two weeks apart. Aunty Was and Uncle Adib were so thoughtful to get Mia a cake and presents too!

We’ve missed Siu and the boys since they left Hong Kong earlier in the year. It was great to catch up with them here in London although it did feel a little strange knowing that this is now their new home. Guess it’ll be the same for them when they do come and see us in Melbourne. Glad we got to see them several times before we left.

The two sets of playmates, very happy to see each other.

These two munchkins had an early birthday celebration together.

Girls day out to Borough market where we gorged ourselves on humongous oysters.

So so creamy and smooth.

Sleep-over on a weekday doesn’t mean not having to do homework, it just means homework time is more fun when you’re doing it together with your buddy!

Outdoor playdate this time at St James Park.

Oxford and the Cotswolds

We went on a little mid-week get-away to Oxford and the Cotswolds, after our magical day at Hogswort 😆. By the time we left Harry Potter WB, we didn’t have time to stop anywhere along the way but head straight to our Airbnb in Winson. Shad had booked a quaint little cottage in this little village. It was so cosy inside with a fire place which was where we spent most of our nights curled up on the sofa watching Fawlty Towers, the kids’ first introduction to one of my favourite sitcoms. 

Spring Road cottage 

The little creek behind the cottage 

Nightly routine... Starting and tending the fire.

We spent a day in Oxford, taking a slow stroll through town, keeping warm as we had a leisurely lunch and visiting King’s College. 

Inside the Great Hall at Kings College.

We also stopped at a few small villages, Winson, Cirencester and Burford, for meals and a look around.

Huffkins Bakery and Tearooms in Burford, serving homecakes and scones since 1890.

Yummy homemade chicken pie and spotted prawn toasted sandwiches for lunch.

And of course scones with clotted cream too! 

Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio

Mia became a big Harry Potter fan after she watched her first movie in July. Then she became even more interested when she started reading the books. And once Aunty Ava told her about a Harry Potter World that exists in London, that’s THE place she wanted to go once we told her that we would be going to London. So you can just imagine the panic I felt when I tried to buy the tickets online and saw that tickets were all sold out until 4 January! By some stroke of good luck, 4 tickets became available when I searched again at 2am later that night, or rather early the next morning. Phew, disaster avoided 😓. Don’t think any of these photos need explaining if you are a fan. And if you aren’t, how can you not be?!

Butter beers to quench our thirst.

Which wand picked who??