Reflections on a return

I'm writing this 8 years to the day after we moved to America, so as we prepare to return to the UK, it's worth a look back at the last few of them and some of the memories from Franklin: home; nature; friends; family; beginnings; memories . . . and hot air balloons.

Baa made a few visits for quality time with us.

Daddy gives the best hugs.

We'll remember the 'deer grass' at the back

Nashville Zoo

Never has a mall's play area been so exciting. She nabbed TWO ducks on this trip!

Primrose Spring Fling 2019

Primrose school Easter Egg hunt

the Williamson County Fair

Earrings happened in Franklin

As did the very first trip to the 'movie theatre'

the rec center Splashpad

First Day on the school bus!

climbing 'Pride Rock'

Racing to the end of the road to see it take off

Halloween in the States is something else

a memorable parent/child art class. (Hers was better than mine!)

And she knows it ;)

She graduated from her gymnastics class. 

Smith Park was wonderful. This is the day we did the Red Trail. 

I'll remind Ananya of this when she's older . . . but at 5 years of age she was obsessed with the Ghost of Christmas Past. 

Franklin Dickens of a Christmas, 2019.

Many a morning spent walking around the Factory at Franklin. 

Froggy Park. 

Early 2020 snow. 

Happy times.

UK June 2018

A long overdue trip to London and Edinburgh in June. We'll try not to leave it so long next time.

Chicago

We took in the Windy City on a cold (but dry) weekend in April. Lots of walking; Ananya literally taking it in her stride, but we still needed a well deserved restaurant break every now and then...

Navy Pier

The 'Bean' 

Lake Michigan, walking to the zoo...

Which wasn't too bad for a free zoo. We saw a snow leopard but also a very sad looking polar bear.

Well deserved lunch at The Cheesecake Factory!

Washington DC, July 2018

A weekend trip to the capital. Not enough time to take in all the museums at the Smithsonian, but saw some great sights nonetheless.

National Air and Space Museum (the 'space' part being a highlight)

Wonderful museum of Native American History. 

Winter means winter for the first time in five years....

So from the extreme muggy heat of Tennessean summers, we are now in the depths of a bitterly cold winter! This made our Christmas turkey dinner a lot more enjoyable than eating it in the LA heat.

It also makes wrapping up a lot more fun, for winter walks. Most exciting of all, our new home features daily visits from a family of deer, right in our back garden, grazing and playing. It's a lovely sight. 

Franklin Christmas Parade 2017

Hikes in the parks

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park has become my favourite hiking spot. There are several different trails, challenging gradient, plenty of wildlife (I saw a deer scampering through the forest last week) and great views. Needless to say my amateur photography doesn't do the place justice...