The last time I moved across continents I had a three-week-new husband, a few metal trunks, and a couple of suitcases. This time was different. Moving with a full house and three children takes some of the fun out of moving. It dampens the feeling of freedom and endless possibility somewhat. There are schools to contend with, and lots and lots more stuff.
We gave ourselves two weeks to pack up in New York and two weeks in London to get everything sorted and those were four remarkably stressful weeks, but, I have to say, now that all is pretty much settled, in retrospect, it wasn’t all that bad.
Anyway, moving wasn’t going to encroach on our summer vacation, on the contrary, what a perfect opportunity to embark on a giant road trip through Europe. Because, why not?
First the Eurostar to Brussels to visit family and friends and pick up the children
Then a long drive to Munich to visit family and idle away the hours, from Biergarten, to park, to lake, to Biergarten
And off to Italy and beautiful Umbria!
We climbed up a mountain — Phew.
We lolled by the Adriatic.
All the while spending time with friends. Old friends we hadn’t seen in much too long. New friends.
People should get married much more often.
Then a violent drive to Paris, and Thomas eurostarred to London while the children and I continued on to Brittany for the last three weeks of this transitional summer.
Before moving to London.
Tags: Brittany, brussels, france, italy, life, moving, munich, travel, umbria
Nettle and Quince 
24 October 2013 at 14:53 |
What beautiful observations and photos, Valérie! Looks like it was an unforgettable summer. I hope you send us all your new contact info. We miss you, but your photo of the Empire State Building renewed my admiration of the Big Apple. love to all.
29 October 2013 at 10:55 |
Thanks so much, Megan. We had such a great summer, not least because we spend the week in Umbria with Julia, Kobi, Valerie, Don and families. It was such fun! Hope you are all very well and please do think about a visit to London… Love, V
23 October 2013 at 01:20 |
Such beautiful images and what an adventure. I could tell there were some big changes in your life from your photos on instagram but was too shy to ask where, when or why. Can’t wait to hear more about your new life in London!
29 October 2013 at 10:57 |
Thank you so much for your comment, Julie. I am impatiently waiting for quieter times and do hope to be able to write more regularly again!
22 October 2013 at 16:01 |
Sounds like my kind of summer vacation…wish I were there to help carry your bags.
29 October 2013 at 10:59 |
It was great. We were very lucky, and we now have this slightly delusional impression that this is to be our life from now on…
22 October 2013 at 05:54 |
luvly photos! Keep us posted on London. Wir waren soo begeistert wieder von dieser ALLES-GIBTS-DA Stadt. Hope you’re finding your homely areas there, seemed well in progress already when we visited.
29 October 2013 at 11:01 |
Thank you Malou! Es war sooo schoen Euch zu Euch. Hoffentlich ganz bald wieder. Liebe Gruesse, V
16 October 2013 at 08:54 |
Trop contente de suivre l’aventure via “Nettle & Quince”.
Miss you, the last new yorkers!
29 October 2013 at 11:05 |
Merci, Francine! We miss you and hope you will soon think about (re-)visiting the great city of Londinium…
16 October 2013 at 07:26 |
Amazing adventure you are on Valerie. Thank you for sharing with us…what an INCREDIBLE summer you had. Look forward to settling in to London posts too. Best wishes, Imen x
16 October 2013 at 07:45 |
Thank you so much, Imen. We were VERY lucky this summer and I do hope the adventures continue and soon bring us to Ireland! In the meantime I’m happy to be settling in and can’t wait to post more about London!