England

ENGLAND

With our dear friends from studying abroad and their kiddos, we now hold the record for fastest completion of the escape island!

The most delicious traditional Pakistani meal with Ghaniah's lovely family. Message Daniela if you want her mom's dal recipe!

Reconvening with our old flatmates 20 years after we lived together in London was absolutely fabulous! And to watch our similar-aged kids play at the park? Icing on the cake! Grace, Rafi, William & Levizah.

View of the aviaries of the Botanic Gardens in Birmingham near Zaki and Ghaniah's house.

Impressive and massive library in Birmingham.

Library of Birmingham holds Shakespeare's collection. We loved learning common saying that originated from his genius.

Afternoon at the Exchange (part of the University of Birmingham). Excellent cappuccinos, mediocre hot chocolate, and a fabulous free place for world-schooling.

Fancy dinner for fancy friends! Lavizah and Grace.

After uncle Steve's steak, William proclaimed this sirloin from The Ivy his favorite.

Daniela and Ghaniah... never enough time together!

After we left London (2002), Zaki visited us in San Diego. He showed us his album. Blast from the past!

Zaki's photo of Daniela and Eric c.2003. Babies!

Worldschooling in a free museum in Birmingham.

Another plot point for the historical timeline. Earth's bday... 4.5 billion years ago.

A hard and tearful (Daniela) goodbye to dear old friends and we're off to Haselmere.

Travelling again...

First long overground train of the RTW.

Even Leila (Grace's lovie) gets tired of trains, planes and automobiles.

Arrived in Guildford to meet up with our friend we met while traveling in Costa Rica years ago. Yay Jack!!

Quick walk through breathtaking gardens and the Guildford castle before heading to Jack's house for supper with his family.

Did we get the kids?

Haselmere, England. Jack's backyard - Complete with badmidton, his puppy Cooper and a fabulous BBQ dinner.

Jack's dad is a local firefighter and gave us an exclusive tour. We got to practice using the hoses and tried (unsuccessfully) to lift the heavy tools used to cut open cars.

Every little boys' dream. AND a great world-schooling opportunity to learn about Newton's 2nd law of physics. :)

Matt: our new hero.

Haselmere museum (again... donation based) is an absolute MUST if you find yourself in this sweet little town. Bee hives behind us. [LINK ON PIC]

Jack (zoologist) knows all and is the most fun teacher for the kids!

A day with Jack would not be complete without time submerged (literally) in nature.

Seriously?! We hiked a trail through trees and across a lake and ended up at this little pub tucked in the forest.

On the move. Again.

Arrived at our friends, the Fews, in Cobham and immediately found ourselves drinking in the 'bubble of trouble'.

Paula took Daniela on the most gorgeous 10km walk through the woods near their house.

In England, swans are real.

We found a clock!

Eye-Eye!

Introducing the kids to the magic of Lion King, London style.

Lion King!

Post show bike ride to Waterloo station.

Grace interviewing Paula about England for world-schooling.

Too cool for school. William got to ride with James to brunch in this old thing.

Dream come true for William... his first real Premier League (soccer) game. Although we were at West Ham's stadium, he was silently cheering for Man City.