New Beginnings: July 2006

Sofia is 14 weeks old!

Last weekend of July - Picnic

Since we spent the last two weekends away, we decided to stay home this last weekend of July. We went and visited Basildon Park, a Manssion and Park that is not far away from where we live. Unfortunatelly we forgot the camera, so if you want to see a picture, just go to the link. We had a nice and relax picnic on the grounds of the property. Then we visited the Manssion, it was used for some parts of the last version of the film 'Pride and Prejudice'.
On Sunday it was Patron's day at our church, so we went to Mass and then we had a very nice picnic with other parishioners. Our friend Mikel took these pictures!

Sofia likes Brenda and Mikel so much!

Wales part 4 - Last day in Cardiff

As mentioned before, the whole reason we went to Wales was because Chris had to work in Cardiff onMonday... so Sofia and I took the opportunity to explore the city. Unfortunatelly the National Museum is closed on Mondays. We also tried to go to Cardiff Castle, but due to a special event it was closed. So we walked around the city, took these pictures of the City Hall and took advantage of the breastfeeding rooms in the stores. Here some big department stores and shops that sell baby and childrend's stuff have amazing breasfeeding facilities. I love the especially designed breasfeeding chairs, the air conditioned, the cold water dispenser and ofcourse meeting new mums and babies. So on Monday we took our time to enjoy the city and meet new people. By the way, people in Wales have a stronger accent when they speak English, so sometimes I had to ask people to say things more than once.. since this got embarassing after a while I just guessed what they said and offer my best smile!

Wales part 3 - Looking for nature

One of the things we miss from home (apart from sushi) is our walks in the wilderness, ok yes, the hikes in which Chris tries to kill me, hahaha. In the National Park the Breacons in Brecon we took a short, but beautiful walk next to some waterfalls. Here are some pictures.

And last, the happy family!

Wales part 2

As mentioned before, we stayed in a B&B in the countryside, literally in the middle of nowhere, but we loved it. We had a very nice host who was a wonderful cook. Sunday morning we had the typical English breakfast, but this was the best we've ever had... I don't usually like it, but I loved this one. This was the view from our window. I sat there and relax my eyes for about half an hour, what a treat!

The name of the B&B is "The Old Rectory" and I have to say that the only thing I dislike about it was that it was located right next to a cementary. Yes, yes I know that the 'muertitos' (dead ones) can not do anything to you, but I was still terrified when Chris went to the bathroom in the middle of the night. This is the back of the B&B.

Sunday morning was the time to visit yet another castle, this is it: White Castle.

Isn't the view great?

Wales part 1

This weekend we decided to spend it in Wales. Chris had to work in Cardiff on Monday, so we left home on Saturday and drove through the country side. We enjoy very much driving in those narrow roads with beautiful views.
Our first stop was just before the border to have lunch in this beautiful garden, a National Trust property, by the river Wye. The Weir is a tranquil garden, too bad we couldn't spend more time there because of the rain.

Then after crossing the border, the roads got narrower and prettier! We will always remember Wales as the land of Castles. The first castle we stopped at was Gros Mont. The weather was beautiful here, no rain and hot, but not too hot. Sofia took advantage of this beautiful setting and had a feed (yes we look tiny, but that is us)

The view from the Castle.

Before dinner and before going to our B&B we stopped at Skwnfrith Castle. Here is how this 13th century fortress looks today.

The Isle of Wight

We spent a lovely weekend in the Isle of Wight. It made us feel like we were just back at home. We had to get up early and drive to catch a ferry, like the ones in BC. It was the first weekend Sofia did not sleep in her crib, but it was not a problem, she slept her usual 9 or 10 hours in a row at night.
It is hard to find just a few pictures that capture the beauty of the place and it is hard to show in them the great time we had. However, here are some.

The Needles, here during the WWII there was a battery, the view is great from it!

Natural coloured sand.

Ah! here is the old village in Shankin with its beautiful thatched roof houses. We had dinner in one of them, the highlight of the trip! What a place and what a dessert! oh yes the traditional English sticky toffe pudding with clotted cream ice cream! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!