{"id":892564,"date":"2026-04-14T03:29:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T03:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/892564\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T03:29:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T03:29:46","slug":"our-mother-son-trip-to-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/892564\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Mother\/Son Trip to England"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Joanna<\/p>\n

\"Joanna<\/p>\n

This spring, my two boys had different weeks off school for the first time, so I took them on separate one-on-one trips: Toby and I went to see family in San Francisco<\/a>, and Anton and I were thrilled to visit our English relatives, including his beloved cousin Jimmy<\/a>. Here are a few photos, if you\u2019d like to see\u2026<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

We started off in London, a city I haven\u2019t spent much time in even though we\u2019ve visited Cornwall<\/a> so many times (we usually just take the train directly there). We were excited to explore.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

We really lucked out with weather \u2014 the sun came out almost every day! \u2014 and walked around a lot with my brother Nick, my bff Gemma<\/a>, and my long-time friend Colby (above), all of whom live there. (Btw, in America, my hand gesture is not considered rude, but I forgot it is in Europe! Gahh!)<\/p>\n

\"national<\/p>\n

My top cultural request to the group was that we go to the National Portrait Gallery<\/a> \u2014\u00a0how gorgeous is this gallery wall?<\/p>\n

\"Lucien<\/p>\n

We saw an exhibition of Lucien Freud\u2019s paintings<\/a>. Did you know he was the grandson of Sigmund Freud? So, an old-school nepobaby, but his work was beautiful and felt so alive.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

My English cousin\u2019s son, Jimmy \u2014 whom we call Anton\u2019s cousin, even though I think they\u2019re technically second cousins? \u2014 spent the week with us, and almost immediately\u2026<\/p>\n

\"anton<\/p>\n

\"anton<\/p>\n

\u2026the boys developed a secret hand shake and second language of inside jokes. We\u2019ve always lived far away from family, and it brings me SO MUCH JOY to see them fall right back into their friendship.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Since one of the best parts of trips is doing absolutely nothing<\/a>, one evening, after having dinner at the delicious Speedboat Bar<\/a>, we turned on The Fugitive. (This Lindy West recap<\/a> always makes me laugh.) It\u2019s a very fun movie to watch with teens, if you\u2019re looking for one!<\/p>\n

\"England<\/p>\n

Next, we drove to the seaside town, where my aunt Janey and cousin Olivia live. To get to my aunt\u2019s house, you have to casually DRIVE THROUGH A FORD, which the boys loved.<\/p>\n

\"Janey<\/p>\n

How chic is my aunt Janey, btw, in her baba\u00e0 sweater<\/a> and track pants<\/a>??<\/p>\n

\"snacks\"<\/p>\n

We also went to my cousin\u2019s house for olives, chips, and onion dip<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Janey<\/p>\n

\u2026and we cuddled outside under blankets\u2026<\/p>\n

\"best<\/p>\n

\u2026and my cousin made the most delicious roast potatoes.<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

Finally, we headed to Cornwall, where my aunt Lulu<\/a> lives (and where my grandparents<\/a> lived, before her). This, above, is the view when you first enter the village \u2014 it takes my breath away every time!<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

The boys rode the suitcases down the lane\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

\u2026until we got to our favorite place<\/a> in the world. xoxo<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

Soon the boys were jumping into the cold harbor\u2026<\/p>\n

\"walkers<\/p>\n

\u2026while I cheered for them and ate roast chicken crisps.<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

We added our current heights to the height wall (I had not grown)\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

\u2026cuddled Lulu\u2019s dog\u2026<\/p>\n

\"toasts\"<\/p>\n

\u2026and ate many, many pieces of toast with every meal.<\/p>\n

\"glendurgan<\/p>\n

\"glendurgan<\/p>\n

We usually stay in Lulu\u2019s village for our whole trip, but we decided to take a small excursion to Glendurgan Garden<\/a>, where the previous owners created a hedge maze for their 12 children. How cool is that? \u201cI thought this might be the worst,\u201d Jimmy told me, \u201cBut it\u2019s like literal heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

\"Cornwall<\/p>\n

Finally, it was time to head home. We always feel so grateful to be able to visit and a little heartbroken to leave. Don\u2019t forget about us, England! We love you and will be back. xoxoxo<\/p>\n

P.S. Our England trips with the boys at different ages<\/a>, and Lulu\u2019s beauty uniform<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

49 COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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