Our England Journey | Cup of Jo


Whats up once more, buddies! I’m so excited to catch up. This previous weekend, we received dwelling after two weeks visiting household in Cornwall, England, and seeing buddies in Italy (extra on that quickly). Listed here are a couple of photographs, when you’d wish to see…

The journey from Brooklyn to Cornwall is not any joke: you’re taking an in a single day flight to London, hire a automobile, then drive 5 hours southwest to my aunt’s home.

However after all of the anticipation, getting into her village feels spectacular — you drive by way of miles of nation lanes, then BURST into the harbor. That is the view!

Lulu at all times greets us with drinks, snacks, and big smiles.

We took a bleary-eyed however glad photograph on our first night time.

Anton reunited together with his long-lost cousin Jimmy, who’s his English doppelgänger. They’re like little soulmates, leaping into the water, consuming salt-and-vinegar chips, and entering into mischief. (Right here’s a photograph of them from six years in the past.)

So courageous!

And Toby lastly caught up in top to his same-age cousin Bo. (Right here’s a candy slideshow of them by way of the years.)

On the peak wall, the infants, toddlers, and youngsters slowly creep up, however youngsters begin capturing up 4 inches yearly. My sister’s late husband, Paul, additionally as soon as marked his top within the morning and the night to show that folks get shorter through the daytime.

In the meantime, Lulu’s canine, Jane, appeared surprisingly unfazed by all of the chaos.


On days when it didn’t rain (it’s nonetheless England, in spite of everything), we’d take the little boat into the ocean, the place you’ll be able to see jellyfish when you look over the facet.


The boys would swim from the rocks to the boat.

And my dad was psyched didn’t care once I advised him that boat footwear are literally very cool proper now!

If it did rain, we’d hit the seashore, as one does, haha.


Lunches had been of the smash-and-grab selection…

…or we’d get fish and chips and mushy peas on the pub.

We additionally performed a LOT of Go Fish. (What different traditional card video games do you want? Endlessly in search of recs.)

One afternoon, Julia Chook — of seaweed artwork fame — stopped by Lulu’s home, since she lives in the identical city. I used to be so glad to fulfill her! After chatting about work and youngsters and marriage, she mentioned, “Properly, I must stroll the canine and go for a swim, so I’m going to like you and depart you.” How candy is that phrasing?

That is Julia’s pretty store. (I introduced dwelling slightly print for Freddie.)

Within the evenings, we’d sit exterior and chat…

And watch the boats.

One night time — for the reason that sky doesn’t get darkish till 10 p.m. — I lay in mattress, trying over the water, and considered what number of occasions we’ve come to Cornwall, ever since I used to be seven. We’ve missed a couple of summers right here and there — when cash was tight, or once I had infants, or throughout quarantine — however total these annual visits have felt like a heartbeat in our lives. We moved round loads after we had been rising up, however my grandparents’ yellow home was at all times there, yearly, precisely the identical. Whereas penning this publish, I used to be pondering how there isn’t a lot new to report, however then I noticed, that’s the purpose. It’s all cousins and moist fits and fishing traces and half an avocado within the fridge.

The one catch was a abdomen bug that handed by way of the group — or, as Toby referred to as it, “the illness.” We nearly escaped unscathed, till we drove again to London and I caught it from my brother. However each journey has some ups and downs, proper? That’s what makes it a household trip.
Thanks a lot for studying. We love you, Cornwall! Italy recap coming quickly… xoxoxo
P.S. Many England journeys by way of the years, and what’s your #1 journey tip?
