I always loved history as a child and it was brilliant to see the awe in my own children’s eyes as we walked the set of a Victorian street at the Milestone’s Museum, in Basingstoke, Hampshire, this week. We are having such a brilliant holiday in the UK and soaking up the history is all…
Author: BritMumInNZ
Enjoying the Sites of Southern England
It was a sad farewell to Dan (aka Daddy) last week, but the girls are coping well. We’re really looking forward to seeing him and will be ready to fly home next Friday. They know Aunty Claire is going to help us on the return flight and were confused when she came to stay with…
Cosmos by Charlotte
Charlotte took this beautiful photograph of a Cosmos flower in ‘Chicken’ Grandma and Grandad’s garden (she calls them ‘chicken’ thanks to the great animal sounds my Mum – a former primary school teacher – has made on frequent telephone calls between the UK and NZ!). Unfortunately for my parents the name seems to have stuck!…
Happy Last Days with Family Lee
We left the Lee and Arnott caln in Colne with happy memories. Summer seems to have finally arrived and during our stay in Britain we have been blessed with mostly fair weather. Dan’s parents are blessed with beautiful countryside on their doorstep and we so enjoyed stepping out in the green fields. Though the population…
Towneley Park and Its Wonderful Playground
We have been missing our favourite playgrounds in Wellington whilst holidaying in the UK. Wellington folk really are overwhelmingly fortunate to have an array of 102 playgrounds to choose from, all of amazing quality and variety, which I’ve frequently raved about in previous posts. Well last week, whilst spending time with family in Colne, Lancashire,…
A Fix of History
We took the girls to Skipton Castle, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England, for a real taste of history. Living in New Zealand, but having all our family in the UK, we are always talking to the girls about their British roots. Charlotte, being older, has poured over castle…
Fairground Attraction: At a Price!
On our last day in the Lake District we stopped at Bowness for an Air Show and Fairground. Charlotte saw the fairground as one, dream play-ground and had no idea of the fact that each ride had a hefty fare attached! Thankfully her dear Grandparents were extremely generous and she absolutely delighted in feeling the…
Baldy Bear Lost in Lakes!
It had to happen one day. Baldy Bear, Charlotte’s beloved companion of nearly three years, lost his way in the English Lake District. His life was rich and varied. He jetted around the world, visiting Singapore, Australia and America. We are all deeply saddened. This is the last photograph taken of Baldy Bear before he…
A Magical Family Reunion in the Lake District
We’ve enjoyed a magical week in the Lake District. It holds a special charm for young and old alike. As an adult it is wonderful to visit a place that was treasured in my youth as a place of awe inspiring beauty and wonder. It is especially poignant to see my own children now wonder…
Up North in Blighty
We’re on holiday in good ‘ole Blighty and currently visiting Grandma and Grandad Lee in Colne, Lancashire. We’ve dreamed about visiting our families and seeing England again, but dreaded the thought of travel with two preschoolers. We’re feeling a whole roller-coaster of emotions right now. It’s wonderful to see our family and to see the…
Fleet Pond
Over the past ten years I’ve been coming back to England and visiting my folks in Fleet, Hampshire. During that time it’s been heartwarming to see the conservation and restoration work at Fleet Pond. Settlement in Fleet dates back to the Saxon period (a more detailed history is provided on the Fleet Pond Society‘s website)….
Country Cottages
Hampshire, Jane Austen country, is blessed with an abundance of country cottages. On my ‘most missed’ list of all things English country cottages come pretty high, along with country pubs. Today we snapped this beautiful cottage in the village of Dogmersfield. This is well known turf to me as I used to walk across the…
Family Gatherings
We travelled to Bristol and back (from Fleet) on Sunday. When the British motorways are flowing they are fantastic. Charlotte and Sophie were in awe of the six lanes of fast-flowing traffic. They also enjoyed a stop-off at a British motorway stop, a little different to New Zealand where we plan our trip around various…
Winter to Summer
Coming from a NZ winter to a UK summer has totally confused us all! The girls routine is completely out the window and tonight they went to sleep close to 10pm, waiting for it to get dark! This is fine, but if only they’d sleep in till 10am! The incessant rain that’s hit the UK…