30 Apr 2008

You Say Goodbye I Say Hello

Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my post yesterday. I felt much better after reading them. You are all so right - this is just the start of a new adventure, not the end of anything. Norway will still be there.

Following a manic last-minute packing session, we flew off yesterday afternoon after a slightly teary, but all in all fairly stoic goodbye with my family.



The boys were quiet and more subdued than usual in the airport, though their moods were livened somewhat by being told they could buy 'whatever they wanted' from the duty-free candy store (with higher prices than the local supermarkets - gah!).

B boy had taken one of the anti-sickness pills he so hates, and promptly fell asleep as the flight taxied out to the runway. He didn't wake up again until we were taxiing into our gate at London's Heathrow airport. Now that's the way to travel.

We had left a gloriously sunny spring day in Norway and arrived in England to -- rain. Probably the perfect reflection of my somber mood, but still...

On the upside, we were out of the airport in record speed - fortunately we did not have to deal with the luggage mess in the new terminal 5 - and the taxicab driver was jolly and friendly, and made us all laugh with his comments on London weather. The drive into town seemed to go much faster than we'd feared.



The boys were in awe of the hotel Mike's family has booked, and I have to admit - it is pretty swanky. We are staying close to Kensington, in a business hotel with apartments. Our apartment must be one of the biggest ones there, with three large bedrooms and attached washrooms, a new and well equipped kitchen, LCD TVs everywhere. Everything very nice looking and with high-end furnishings. Christopher went around in awe for a few minutes, commenting on this and that, and finally said "This is a suite!" I think my boy will be disappointed next time we check into a Holiday Inn :)



The boys were pretty tired after an emotional couple of days, so we decided to order food in, after which they hit the sack.

Today we are doing what Jen suggested, hopping on the double-decker bus to sightsee without listening to 'tired legs' stories from short people. Then we are off to the Tower of London, before ending the day with the boys' favourite musical of all times - Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat.

And guess what - despite the forecast - I am actully seeing sunshine peeking through the clouds as I write this. Cross fingers!

35 comments:

theotherbear said...

Have fun sightseeing. I'll be hoping for sunshine for you!

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

The bus tour is great...we did it twice while living there. As for the weather, here is some advice - if you're waiting for better weather in England you will never go out :) So just grab your rain gear and go. And when you are tired of people and noise, go wander Hyde Park...it's gorgeous.

Stomper Girl said...

Ooh, I'm so jealous of your *swanky* hotel suite!

Beth Cotell said...

Here's hoping all of your future adventures are done under sunny skies!

Suburban Correspondent said...

Enjoy! Still anxious to hear how the New World looks to you after so much time away...

Anonymous said...

Oh a Double Decker tour! It sounds wonderful. Enjoy your last three weeks over there, I am sure the return to normal over here, might just be a little less fun.

I hope you get some sunshine on your tour today!

Anonymous said...

I love the family photo at the airport. Such a nice looking group of people. :-)

I hope the d-d bus ride goes well. It was one of the highlights of our trip (at least, according to the girls).

Chantal said...

Enjoy!

dawn klinge said...

I love swanky hotels. I've heard so many good reviews about the show you're going to. Have fun!

Annie said...

I hope you enjoy a lovely day in London with the kiddies.

Misty said...

Oh wow, the day sounds so fun. Double Decker bus AND a musical? How fun. You guys are going to have an awesome time.

Gina said...

Oh I love Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat! It is a favorite for my kids too. I hope you have a fantastic sightseeing day and that the sun shines on you for at least a few minutes.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm sorry I missed supporting you yesterday, but it sounds as though you've bounced back a bit.

I hope the English sun shines on you today!

Ice Cream said...

How big is that bed you are laying on? All those pillows make it look huge.

I'm glad to hear the advintures are still happening. Your kids are blessed to be seeing all that they have seen. I wish we could do the same for ours.

TheOneTrueSue said...

Heidi, I haven't commented on the last few posts because it just hits so close to home. My throat hurts a little bit for you all, and I so admire your awesome attitude. You are a wonderful mother and seriously - SERIOUSLY - you are such an inspiration right now. I keep reading things and saying, "Oh, so THAT'S how you handle a move with grace."

Huge hugs to you and yours~~

Girlplustwo said...

your family is victorious, leaping off the next new adventure.

LoriD said...

Have fun at Joseph - it's one of my faves too. Hopefully you'll be seeing it with Lee Mead playing the lead (he won the part in a BBC reality show contest!)

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

NOTHING beats a swanky hotel! Have fun!!!

Candy said...

Leave it to you to take every step of this journey and turn it into an adventure for those boys. You're the best mom. I heart you.

Kyla said...

Have a good time.

Goodbyes are hard!

Lisa said...

I am so happy that you arrived safe and sound with no trouble! I hope everyone is feeling a little better today...I know the swanky suite would lift my mood (a little bit!).
Have fun!

Kat said...

Clearly you have more exciting adventures ahead of you! :)

kimmy said...

You and your family will make plenty of new memories in London! They will never replace the ones you made in Norway...but there will always be something new and exciting waiting for you!

Kimmy

katydidnot said...

posh digs and a double decker bus. that's a pretty good day.

Mary Beth said...

I love, love, LOVE England and would go back there in an instant if I had the money! Enjoy it. I love the picture of you guys reading together.

Mrs. G. said...

I am always interested in your journey-no matter where you live!

Amy said...

I hope you have a wonderful time.

Aliki2006 said...

Have fun and enjoy every second of it all!

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

A swanky hotel can work wonders. It's cool that your kids were so excited by the swank too.

I hope you enjoy every minute of your time there together.

Laura said...

A new adventure begins.

Enjoy!

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Oh, how fun! And I love Joseph ...

Barrie said...

Enjoy the swanky hotel. My fave kind. :) Safe trip!

Texasholly said...

The bus tour should be a good place to relax and soak it in. Have fun...the hotel sounds heavenly.

dkuroiwa said...

I just love the picture of you and the boys in the taxi!! Your faces are so full of..."okay...where to next?" :-D

Enjoy England...I wish you lot's of sunshine-y days. What a great way to work yourselvs back into going to Canada!!
And so...another chapter is about to begin....and we are waiting.
:-D

E said...

Even this leavetaking is teaching your kids and making memories that they will hold forever. Now they will have an example of how to do a hard thing with grace and cheer.
Try Charing Cross Road fo the great bookstores....