Hampstead, London, UK

We got back to London last Thursday and then spent the weekend in Kent with Ben and Jessica and Sydney. We went to a local farm with a small petting zoo and a playground and Sydney ran around enjoying feeding the creatures. We met with Phil and Sandra, Ben's Mum and Dad at the farm and then went back to Jessica's house for lunch.
Evenings were spent on an epic Downton Abbey binge viewing and we watched the entire recent season almost back to back. We await the Christmas special.
Back to London on Monday and a huge curry dinner with my brother and his girlfriend. Out to Ealing on Tuesday to visit with cousin Ann over a very pleasant pub lunch.
I went to Royal Academy on Wednesday to see an exhibition of Australian Art and a Daumier exhibit and had lunch with yet another cousin, Steven.
Yesterday, we went to the Thai Embassy to get our visas for our time in Thailand in January, February and March and then spent a pleasant afternoon in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

sydney driving

sydney and goats

sydney feeding the lambs 

swinging sydney

chihuly lights at the V & A

Rochester, Kent,UK.

We have had a weekend of doting.

Here are some wedding photos. We will get some professional ones in due course

London,UK.

In many ways it was difficult to leave the comforts and  beautiful weather of San Diego but it was time to get going again. Our flight to London was quite good as the plane was half empty and we were able to get three seats each and I managed to get a few hours of snoozing.
The London gloom was a bit of a shock but to be expected at this time of year. Jennifer and Josette arrived on the following day and then it was full on preparation for the wedding of my niece Lisa.
I'm not usually mad keen on huge gatherings but it was great to get all dressed up and have three of the kids in one place at the same time. Ann, Jessica, Jennifer and Josette all looked beautiful and the wedding itself was meticulously planned and most enjoyable.
I don't know how much jet lag was involved but I managed to stay awake until the wee hours of the morning.
On the following morning, we got to see baby Sydney in the flesh for the first time in six months. Even though we see and talk to her on Skype almost on a daily basis, face to face interaction was much better. I think she knew who we were but she seemed a bit confused as to why we weren't talking to her via an electronic device.
We went to Amersham on Tuesday to visit with the Admiral's mum and dad and also had  a very pleasant visit with Helen Southwood, one of our good cruising friends at her new home in Chorleywood .
Photos to follow