St James park - places to go in London

If you live in London people who have never been there are amazed that you live with a child in a huge city. But London is not really the industrial packed city one imagines. It has these places where it feels like you have happened on a private place of beauty and tranquility. Throw in some warm sunny weather and its a day out you will always remember.

St James park is one of my favorite London parks. We have a straight journey into Charing Cross railway station and then a short walk through Trafalgar square before entering it. Pall Mall runs through it and Buckingham palace is at the one end. You can watch the changing of the guard and then walk down to the lake to feed the ducks and geese. You can hire some deck chairs and sit around drinking take away cappuccinos and eating M and s sandwiches. You can play with a ball. you can kick autumn leaves. a million things really.

If you ever come to visit do go, but please take me with you.

finally..

I have found a class / activity that Lily and I love. Its called diddi dancing. today we danced ,played with hula hoops, played with ribbons and countless other fun things with a lovely lady named Anne Marie. Lily was a bit tentative but I can see she will love it eventually as she started loosening up a bit at the end.

Some things occurred to me last night. Firstly , don't think when you are tired and laying beside your child trying to get her to calm down and go to sleep after a bad dream.
Secondly, When your baby is born they will never need you as much as they do on that day. These helpless little bundles that need you to do everything for them. From that moment we , as parents , are on a journey. A journey where every day our child becomes more and more independent and we ,as good parents ,must let them learn their own life lessons. We have to let them socialise and make friends knowing full well that on day they will be hurt in some way. They will have experiences that we will have no knowledge of. They will go off to school and we will not know how they react or how they feel.

So I say.. HOMESCHOOLING!!
No not really but I tell you I cried. I cried because my child is 2 and I can feel she is ready for more than just me. She tottered off yesterday in waterstones book shop and sat in this fake rocket thing with another little girl a little older than her. She wanted to go she was intrigued by this child. I watched on from afar as she chatted and laughed and they pretended to go to mars ( not Lilys idea I hasten to add) when her little friend had to go she was crestfallen and I was crestfallen for her. I cant help but think that this will be one of many times where I will cry for my daughter nevertheless I feel so privileged that this job has been given to me and I will be her guide and friend through it all. When she was born someone said to me congratulations she will be your best friend forever. I so hope that's true.

I am loving..

Cashew nuts. these delish little nuts must be salted to pass my lips, as a life without salt is surely not worth living? They are serving as my mid afternoon snack as they are healthy and low gi and scrummy yummy.

My red crocs. I have mocked and turned my nose up at them for a while now. I have rolled my eyes at my mums constant wearing of them. then one fine day in Hermanus I wore my sheepskin boots on a very hot day. I saw these shiny new red crocs in a shop and in a wave of spontaneity I bought them. they really are comfortable! and quite quirky and cool with jeans( that's what I think so no pointing out that it sounds like I am back tracking etc etc!!) and I match with my beautiful daughter who has a bright pink pair.

My new Persian rug. Its a beauty. I am new to Persian rug obsession but obsession with things of beauty is old hat for me. We were so kindly given some cash as wedding presents. I really wanted to purchase something that would last us a lifetime and would give us a lifetime of joy. Already this Persian has given me so much joy. it looks so beautiful. And here begins a new obsession.

Abba gold. I have recently seen mamma mia the movie.. twice. I loved it and the thought of dancing and singing around my lounge to dancing queen fills me with joy, so Kristian bought it for me .Lily loves it more than me and nightly we put it on and dance around to mamma eeeaaa wriggling our booties. try it. it will boost your spirits.

the lovely man in Objet D' art in Lee. I love his shop and wondered in in my homesick haze to look at this orange lamp ( I love orange) He was so lovely and helpful and then he recognised my accent and began to tell me in detail his love for my home town. He is a Londoner with a flat in high level road Cape Town. He was so positive and upbeat and wishes he could live there permanently. he and his partner go to Cape Town 4 times a year ( lucky sod) and he tells all his friends here that its gorgeous and "woolies is just like marks and sparks you know" .He made my day as I was feeling so isolated and alone and to meet him who knew where I was coming from was wonderful. So thank you Objet D' art man .

Ainsley Harriott cous cous in the Moroccan medley flavour. I have eaten it 3 times since returning and stockpiled some for the week. Its easy to make and really tasty.

Autumn

besides the fact that it herelds another long winter knocking on our door , I love autumn. the leaves and the colours are so beautiful and I love that crunch of leaves under foot. the photos above are proof that autumn is indeed here.

My daughter Lily at 2. She is just so entertaining and cute. her sense of humour is so spot on and her observations on life make my heart soar . At times I have tears in my eyes from laughing so at her. From her pronunciation ( mamma eeeaaa , tireded, quieted) to her little things she comes up with. The other day after a long day we were climbing the stairs for bath and bed time when she stopped and turned to me. " mummy, stairs heavy" she sighed before trudging up the rest. I just love the way she sees things .

STRICTLY COME DANCING!! the new season has begun and I have 3 months ahead of me. aahh viewing pleasure. how I wish I could tango. seriously this is my favorite programme ever .

my computer. Its keeping me in touch once again via email , skype and msn. and I get to read all my blogs and google anything and everything. In fact this morning I found out the actual name of pioneer woman's husband ,marlboro man, via google. I know I may seem bored but its been bugging me.

So there you go all the things I am loving. It felt good to write them down. I can enter my afternoon all upbeat and happy now.

xx

while I think of it

I have had a lot on in my life just recently and now that I dont I must just get all these posts I have written in my head out there.
Firstly to the golden girls. all the lovely ladies who clubbed together at my fabulous domestic goddess party and bought me a voucher from the sanctuary spa at the twelve apostles hotel. I went. I luxuriated in a fluffy white toweling robe in the buddah room and had a fruit kebab and water. I had 2 hours of massage bliss. full body massage from my toes to my head and then a facial and 2 mask treatments, I showered in the fabulous bathrooms and used this fabulous shampoo. I loved it. thank you so much.

I got my wedding photos and video and they are divine , amazing and emotional. In the video I got to see all of you though. All of you who witnessed that day and who celebrated along with us. It was an absolute treat to see all the outfits and when tears were shed and laughter heard. Its such a big day that you cant take every detail in. You all looked spectacular. thank you for being there and having fun.
I will put a few photos up later that camilla took.

What a blessing that I have had this time in cape town. I do appreciate it so. even though I get sad on my return I do remember all the fun and special memories I make every time. I feel blessed that I feel sad actually, as just think if You had nothing to feel sad about leaving. I know I have so many special people in my life that love me and wish I was around on a regular basis and I wish they were in mine . this is my path at the moment and I am grateful I have my loved ones missing me . until the next time.... although I am on a mission to recieve visitors this year..Come on Cobleys.. mum andrew? I have a spare room....

back to life...

Or is it? I am back in england. It is overcast except for a bit of sun this afternoon. I should say I am back home but I really , truley dont feel like I am. I was grateful that our house seemed homey to me when I stepped in. All my little ornaments and precious things sparkling and welcoming me back.
lily has been asking for her nana and dad dad a fair amount. she believes they are coming on a plane soon. this has been my hardest time yet because of my little girl being so aware that she loves her grandparents but not quite old enough to understand why we cant see them.

I was so happy to see Kristian and he has really been supporting me through this time. We went to buy Lily a tent today because she loves tents. she has been singing to her daddy all day as its his birthday tomorrow. she thinks he is 3 so we are going with that. Kristian is delighted.

I will survive ,but until then I think a few days of tearyness are in order.
To all my special people in Cape Town... I miss you and thank you for making this trip so amzing and special
xx

mummies and babies

Yesterday (Sunday) I had some dear friends round to bid farewell to Kristian. We had yummy lunch ( I must give you this recipe!) and we chatted. All the kiddies were playing and some were just sleeping peacefully. It was really wonderful and I think Kristian really enjoyed his last day

Gav , our friend, coordinated this photo shoot and i stole this photo from Nicci to put up here

From left : Veronica and Sarah Catherine and Max , Nicci and Joshua, Wendy and Lily

and yes Lily is eating and its a sweet because I have become a very bed parent and give sweets to bribe my child. but I so wanted her in the shot and she was being uncooperative!

Then the dads had a turn but Lily and Kristian were not there

From left Steven and Sarah , Max ( Gav's son) with Clive , Joshua (Clive's son) with Gav

all in all a lovely day and one I am sure Kristian is thinking of up i the sky as I type.

the last week

Its getting to be that awful time when I have to say goodbye. Not to all of you wonderful ,people as you guys are my mainstay , my link with myself. If I am feeling low a read of a good blogpost cheers me no end. No, its time to say goodbye to my nearest and dearest again. I have had the most amazing 2 months getting ready for our wedding, kitchen teas , honeymoon in Hermanus and all these lovely touristy things you never do when living in a place. Every time I come back to Cape Town it feels like a love affair. I jut fall in love all over again. I just cant help it ,Cape Town lives within my soul. She is a part of me and will forever be.

How privileged I have been to see Sarah come to her home to live with her mummy and daddy. I feel really attached to her and everytime I imagine not seing her for a year I want to cry. Its been so wonderful for Lily to see all my friends children and become friends with them. Amy is a firm favorite and she is so "tinyyy" and "cute" and she has a love hate relationship with Jake I think. they played very nicely though. She needed a bit more time with adam as just as she was warming up we had to leaveamys first birthday party.

My biggest heartache is that of my parents saying goodbye to Lily. They are so close and she just loves them so much. it breaks my heart .

I must focus on the good though and I have had such an amazing time. those memories must last for me now. I never thought I would be someone who would live a life like this and at times I just sit and wonder how the hell it happened. I am such a homebody , family type of person who loved where I lived in Cape Town. I can only hope that the fates look kindly on me and allow me to return at some time. Until then I will pack my bags and get through Thursday next week. I will be back boring you with more wedding photos from my photographer no doubt and a few of our beautiful gift s we recieved.

Heres a few photos of our holiday and a few of our honeymoon in the beautiful Hermanus

xxxx