Our England Trip | Cup of Jo

Hi there once more, buddies! I’m so excited to catch up. This previous weekend, we acquired residence after two weeks visiting family in Cornwall, England, and seeing buddies in Italy (extra on that quickly). Listed below are a couple of photographs, for those who’d prefer to see…

The journey from Brooklyn to Cornwall is not any joke: you’re taking an in a single day flight to London, hire a automobile, then drive 5 hours southwest to my aunt’s house.

However after all of the anticipation, coming into her village feels spectacular — you drive by way of miles of nation lanes, then BURST into the harbor. That is the view!

Lulu at all times greets us with drinks, snacks, and large smiles.

We took a bleary-eyed however blissful picture on our first night time.

Anton reunited together with his long-lost cousin Jimmy, who’s his English doppelgänger. They’re like little soulmates, leaping into the water, consuming salt-and-vinegar chips, and entering into mischief. (Right here’s a photo of them from six years in the past.)

So courageous!

And Toby lastly caught up in peak to his same-age cousin Bo. (Right here’s a sweet slideshow of them by way of the years.)

On the peak wall, the infants, toddlers, and youngsters slowly creep up, however youngsters begin capturing up 4 inches yearly. My sister’s late husband, Paul, additionally as soon as marked his peak within the morning and the night to show that individuals get shorter throughout the daytime.

In the meantime, Lulu’s canine, Jane, appeared surprisingly unfazed by all of the chaos.

On days when it didn’t rain (it’s nonetheless England, in any case), we’d take the little boat into the ocean, the place you’ll be able to see jellyfish for those who look over the aspect.

The boys would swim from the rocks to the boat.

And my dad was psyched didn’t care after I instructed him that boat sneakers are literally very cool proper now!

If it did rain, we’d hit the seashore, as one does, haha.

Lunches had been of the smash-and-grab selection…

…or we’d get fish and chips and mushy peas on the pub.

We additionally performed a LOT of Go Fish. (What different basic card video games do you want? Without end searching for recs.)

One afternoon, Julia Hen — of seaweed art fame — stopped by Lulu’s home, since she lives in the identical city. I used to be so blissful to fulfill her! After chatting about work and kids and marriage, she mentioned, “Effectively, I have to stroll the canine and go for a swim, so I’m going to like you and go away you.” How candy is that phrasing?

That is Julia’s lovely shop. (I introduced residence just a little print for Freddie.)

Within the evenings, we’d sit outdoors and chat…

And watch the boats.

One night time — because the sky doesn’t get darkish till 10 p.m. — I lay in mattress, trying over the water, and considered how many times we’ve come to Cornwall, ever since I was seven. We’ve missed a couple of summers right here and there — when cash was tight, or when I had babies, or throughout quarantine — however general these annual visits have felt like a heartbeat in our lives. We moved round lots after we had been rising up, however my grandparents’ yellow house was at all times there, yearly, precisely the identical. Whereas penning this submit, I used to be pondering how there isn’t a lot new to report, however then I spotted, that’s the purpose. It’s all cousins and moist fits and fishing traces and half an avocado within the fridge.

The one catch was a abdomen bug that handed by way of the group — or, as Toby known as it, “the illness.” We nearly escaped unscathed, till we drove again to London and I caught it from my brother. However each journey has some ups and downs, proper? That’s what makes it a household trip.

Thanks a lot for studying. We love you, Cornwall! Italy recap coming quickly… xoxoxo

P.S. Many England trips through the years, and what’s your #1 travel tip?