England

We have left France behind on a very long one and a half hour plane ride on Ryan Air. Luckily, Bill is at the other end to pick us up at midnight. We drive another hour and a half to Canterbury. The whole Betham clan was awake, waiting for our arrival. It felt like we were already home from the trip to see so many friendly faces - everyone so excited to see us. It really was a welcome home. Bill showed us the sights of Canterbury, brushing up on his local history, and gave us a great walking tour of the inner city. 

London was next on the agenda. Ava had to see Big Ben. When we saw the large clock face, the guide on the double decker bus let us know that Big Ben isn't the clock, but the bells hidden in the tower. Ava had a hard time believing or understanding the idea that you couldn't really see Big Ben. 

We watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace, with all the pomp and flair, which wasn't much, but was very crowded. The kids kept asking us to go. But the 6 story toy store didn't receive the same mediocre reception from Hannah and Ava. It was a celebration of excitement and wonder. Stuffed animals everywhere. Store employees running around with toy gizmos like bubble guns and gliders, yelling about the products to no one and everyone. Real live manikins outside of the store left the kids with a wish to come back.

The next day Bill led us on a pilgrimage of biblical proportions as we navigated our way to Wystible through the fabled city woods. It took us a while to find the pasture land beyond the oak filled shadows, but we finally burst through to the other side to find a hay field. It was just the beginning. By 2 o'clock we found ourselves at village where the bar had some good food and beer. A call to a taxi was immenent. We finally walked the stone beaches to Wystible, where the family, except Nicole took a dip in the North Sea.

A great dinner at Cafe des Amis Canterbury ended our beautiful European vacation among close friends. It was so comfortable and loving to finish the trip with the Bill, Emanuelle, Emily, Luke and Paula.