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.
Nettle and Quince 