The English countryside is picture perfect in summer!
As a prelude to my family’s biannual reunion in June, we stopped in the UK for 4 days to spend time with the Kiwi’s family. Really, it was the only way to get from New Zealand to Israel – flying to the west coast of the US and then to London was actually easier than flying through Asia and the Middle East and Europe to get to England. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the Air New Zealand flights from Auckland to Heathrow make it easy. For real.
What we didn’t expect were the unseasonably warm temperatures! Granted, we were coming from the bottom of the planet, where we were having a particularly cold winter, but even the English were surprised by how hot it was. And most homes don’t have aircon, so you rely on the weak breezes that float across the farms and fields to keep you moderately sweat-free. (Spoiler: it doesn’t work.) We ended up showering a lot and wearing as little as possible. And giving up on my hair ever looking normal. And sitting in the shade in the back garden with a cold drink. It’s the only way to survive.
And survive we did! It was a short visit, but we had a great time with the extended family. I, of course, met most of them for the first time on this trip. But it was really nice to see the English clan gather and share stories and childhood photos with me. It was an unanticipated trip, which meant we were able to surprise the grandparents. Such a treat! If we could have stayed longer, I think we would have.
There’s nothing more important than family.
What a good-looking crew!