Thanksgiving in Wales - v2

Last weekend was the (now) annual thanksgiving weekend in Wales - and we've now grown to 16 adults and 2 kids.  We found a fantastic house in the countryside that easily accommodated the group - and allowed for some backyard football (american style, not soccer), multiple family style dinners and some welcome country walks.

Rome!

Where better to spend a long weekend then a jaunt down to Rome - my first trip and I can't wait to return!

Remember Summer?

I do! ...and I have some pictures to help commemorate a truly fantastic British summer...

 

Country weekend with Bec and Zoe - a bit of hiking around Box Hill in Surrey

 

The lovely Anna during her visit in August - we took a day trip to Brighton

 

Kayaking on the Themes with Liz and Bec

 

Tasty cocktails with Liz

 

Not really summer (October actually) but a football match at Manchester United (with Bec)

 

Marrakech!

I know I know...it's been a while :-(  But I'll stay back up with some fun pictures from last weekend in Marrakech.  There were souks (markets), camels and lots of tagine!

my camel's name was Omar...Bec was lucky enough to get Victoria Beckham!

Dubrovnik!

A week in Croatia was just what the doctor ordered for some time away from the office :)  My good friend Keri and I hopped off for 5 days in Dubrovnik and i already can't wait to go back!

Cocktail Class

Apologies for the long break...between a few weeks in the states and a trip to Croatia and as you'll see some busy weekends(!) I haven't sat down a blogged in much too long.

Some quick photos from a cocktail making class which my friend Bec invited me along to - as you can see we had a great time!

Giant's Causeway

Because it's not like I've been busy lately...it seemed a weekend trip was in order :-)  Traveling with my good friends Chris, Margaret and Sarah (yes, another one) we hoped away for 2 days in Northern Ireland.  The purpose really was for a road trip up to see Giant's Causeway (pictures below) - which though we were completely soaked from the rain...was gorgeous and a great time.

---> Private snug to grab some Guinness and warm up!

Harry Potter studio tour

It's amazing, go go go!...but don't drink the Butterbeer, it's gross.

Dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia

Well I knew it would be something amazing.  You don't often get flown away for a weekend - only being told to prepare for a 'black tie evening' in Edinburgh.  I was lucky enough to have just that happen, with some very special previous clients inviting me to their event the past 2 days.

We (about 30 people) arrived Friday evening to drinks and dinner in the hotel and invitations to dinner aboard the (decommissioned) Royal Yacht Britannia for Saturday night.

We were greater upon arrival by a bagpiper and red carpet to board the ship - champagne in crystal flutes held waiting (and topped up frequently!)

Me on the grand staircase after our tour of the ship with champagne and canapés held waiting for us in each room by liveried servers.

Personalized menus for everyone - we started with a mushroom soup, risotto, then fish for me and coconut panna cotta for pudding - petite fours and after dinner drinks were served in the lounge.

The gentlemen all looked very handsome in tuxedoes! 

I was definitely sad for the evening to end!

Spring BBQ

Little know fact about London - when the sun shines (those few times a year) it's REALLY HOT.  So despite only being 54 on Saturday, the blue skies and warm sun made for a great deck BBQ!  The first of what I think we're all hoping will be many this summer :-)

Annika, Zoe and Bec the honorary grill master (because she's australian)

Amsterdam!

Some delayed pictures from a weekend trip to Amsterdam earlier in April.  We didn't get quite the tulip fields we were hoping for - but a great time at the petting zoo and a lovely bike ride up the north sea :-)

Pictures from Nice...

Lisbon!

A great weekend away to Lisbon with friends Chris and Margaret.  These pictures are misleading however because they were taken during the only 2 hours it wasn't raining the entire weekend.  Don't let yourself be fooled that Portugal is sunny all the time!