…this week Johnbo asks if you like to travel https://photobyjohnbo.com/2025/11/15/lens-artists-challenge-374-on-the-move/
My answer is simply, ‘yes’. I do enjoy travelling. I’m not a hugh fan of flying but since two of my three children and my two grandchildren live 1000s of kilometres away, flying is the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation. Closer to home I enjoy travelling by train and car and even in London I prefer the overground rail system.
…thanks to Becky B for hosting NovemberShadows https://thesquaresofb.com/2025/11/14/shadow-square-14/
Can’t believe this photo was taken 12 years ago.
…thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull Up a Seat https://xingfumama.blog/2025/11/14/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-2025-week-46/
Random places to rest our feet in London, back in 2024.
…thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting Pull Up.a Seat https://xingfumama.blog/2025/11/07/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-2025-week-45/
On our recent trip to London, we would often walk along Church Street, close to our Airbnb. On our last day we experienced our first rainfall in two weeks. I call that a win when visiting London, England. It didn’t, however, stop us from going for a walk.
One of our favourite things to do in London was pick up our granddaughter from school, walk back to flat with a stop at the corner store to stock up on drinks and snacks and on one occasion we got Sevin ready for her ballet class and walked her over to to the community hall for her lesson.
…a private showing curated by our son, Brendan
One of the unique features at the V&A Storehouse is the private showing of items that members of the public can request to see up close. You simply go into the on-line catalogue of items stored in The Storehouse and choose up to five items that you would like to see. There is about a two week wait so you have to book in advance.
Brendan curated our pieces for us based on our interests and family history. Last Friday we arrived at the Study Room, washed our hands, donned purple gloves and read the rules for handling our chosen items.
Kevin’s items came up first. The first item was a silk screened poster from 60s of the band Buffalo Springfield, the second a 1970s Canadian made telephone, the third a pair of trainers made on the 70s for Marks and Spencer’s, the fourth a 400 year old celestial globe made in Iran and the final item was an Irish bracelet made in the 1800s from horsehair.
My items included a theatre poster from a child’s puppet show held in the town of Magdeburg, where my mother came from, a bohemian glass vessel made in Schlesinger where my father was born, a pewter coffee pot made in Frankfurt, Germany where I was born, an 800 year old beaded banner made in Germany and one of the first pieces ever housed by the V&A over 150 years ago. My final piece was a large roll of screened fabric for household items made in Germany in the year I was born, 1952.
If you are planning a trip to the Storehouse I would highly recommend that you do some research in advance and book one of these free showings.
…in London, England
Getting ready for a vacation overseas is always a lot of work, especially when you try to get the house at home clean for overnight guests. On Tuesday, I spent the day cleaning the kitchen, changing all the bed sheets, doing four loads of laundry, cleaning out the fridge, delivering food that won’t keep to the neighbours and of course packing.
Finally at 8:00 pm the Uber arrived to take us to the airport and at the same time Gaelan and her family pulled up to stay overnight. We said a quick hello and goodbye and then headed to Pearson. Once at the airport we checked our bags and went through security and then had to wait over two hours to board the plane.
The flight was a bit turbulent and I found it next to impossible to sleep. We landed at 11:30 am UK time and then had a very long walk through Heathrow to get to customs and our luggage. The pick up for our London Uber was very easy to find and our car arrived within five minutes.
When we finally arrived at our son’s flat it was 2:30 and we were exhausted. Jet lag is always the worst on the first day but it is worth it when I can have dinner with this little girl.
…thanks to Jez for hosting Water, Water Everywhere https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2025/09/15/clyde-reflections-water-water-everywhere-279-2/
I decided to look back in my archives to see if I could share some oldies but goodies. From Niagara Falls to Ireland to Venice and everywhere in between from 2012 to 2016.
…watching Sevin at her school’s Sports Day and a feast with family at a Turkish restaurant
After packing my bags this morning I headed over to Finsbury Park to watch my granddaughter, Sevin, participate in the school’s Sports Day.
All the classes were divided into colours. Sevin was on the red team. As a former teacher I have to say that the activities were very well organized and the parents were well behaved. Everyone supported each other and cheered on all the participants including the children that were consistently last. It warmed my heart to see and hear the praise for all the children.
The games were also fun and the emphasis was on having a good time.
After standing in the sun for two hours I headed back towards our flat and met Kevin in the local pub where we enjoyed a light lunch.
In the afternoon we finished packing, picked up a few essentials for the flight, booked an Uber for 4:30 in the morning and tidied up the flat.
Being our last night in London Brendan wanted us to experience a Turkish meal. We got on the bus on Green Lane and headed north.
The food was delicious and we ordered the perfect amount. Farewell London. See you again in October.
Mama Cormier 