It's been a great week for walking England's southern coast

So the tables are turned. This summer, I returned to work and the rest of the family has been having a splendid week on the Dorset/Devon border. Dog-sitting, no less.

Their first walk with Ebony (who was clearly interested in the sheep)

The next day's hike

The beach captivated them 

but being a sandy beach in Britain, it was packed 

The stunning coast on day 3

Of course Dad had a hiking book

The kids ached to go for a swim. So Ebony played ball for ages

and the kids borrowed a boogie board

Their books are so good that Seb wants to read BEFORE computer time.

It's tiring all that walking. So there has also been lots of reading and Olympics viewing (sailing, gymnastics and archery are popular).

Summer holiday 2016 - part 2

Our 2nd day was market day and yet again, a bounty haul

The amazingly wonderful Babush and family came for a visit (B&K's 3rd, Ben's 2nd, and Hannah's 1st)

Seb & dad played "arc touche"

pal-ling around with Flossie who was visiting at the same time as us

riding her make-believe steed

undercover spy?

taking on a medieval opponent

flexing with pals

smiling (and spa-ing) with other pals

marketing with Toronto friends

visiting with "nos amis vacanciers"

annual dip in the Eyrenville's frigid pond

The kids caught a beetle

and made it a lovely home

There was some time for crafts, night markets,

cold, garlic soup-making

nocturnal canoeing

kitchen tile selecting

snacking in the garden

But in addition to all that, we snuck in the 600+ pages of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and reflected fondly on the summer that the Brighton cousins were visiting and co-reading it when it was hot of the presses (2005)

SPOILER:
 But hark, what's this? Dumbledore dies?! my love shed a tear at the funeral scene. xoxo

Summer Holidays 2016 - part 1

First things first - we had to get "there". So I flew in from Athens. my love from Toronto via Montreal; and 2 enthusiastic bundles of joy came from Saint John via Montreal. And we all met on the TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Libourne!!

And finally, we could start reading. Except we had accidentally booked seats in a silent carriage! 

So bring problem-solvers, we huddled together and read silently, pointing to the page when we were done.

And then we read aloud on the choo-choo.

It's not only sailing

but solo (100% solo) kayaking

and canoeing

Grandparent camp is about the relatives

Aunt Ina was thrilled to see them

Sailing Camp - take 2

First Day and it's going even better than last year!

It's even warmed up for some swimming

With their instructors - who have been so lovely and flexible with our schedule

Start of Grandparent Camp 2016

Strawberries and cream at breakfast in the trailer

Watching the Canada Day parade in Saint Andrew's

Her grandparents swear that this little lass adored Soph

Holding a star fish

Having a snack on a windy day

What would we do without our Carrie?

She has been our flexible rock - if there is such a thing. We owe her so much, but let's start with:
We love you, Carrie! Thank you!!

Can't wait...

As you all know, the family tradition is to crack open the next volume of Harry Potter as soon the summer holidays start. That would have been Wednesday night this year. However by then we were in 3 different places - Toronto, New Brunswick, Greece.

So we will have to wait 2 weeks and 2 days until we reunite on a TGV in Paris!

Will they be able to resist????