Grey Greenwich

The novelty of seeing the Cutty Sark de-rigged (for the first time since the 1920s) was exciting, but it was also rather sad since we are so used to seeing her bristling with uprights on our frequent sejours to Greenwich. For more about this ship and her recently-begun restoration, see http://www.cuttysark.org.uk.



Thank goodness that few boyish sadnesses aren't conquered (conkered!) by a the falling onto our homeward path of two leaves attached to a spiky seed-pod! (Ignore for now that what Soli is holding is not actually a bit of a chestnut tree...)


[Dear Americans, 'conkers' are what the English call horsechestnuts (which I grew up calling buck-eyes). In the fall, kids here in UK play a game by the same name. There's a decent explanation of this at http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/conkers.html.]


A couple hundred yards from the Cutty Sark's dry-dock is the edge of the River Thames. Above is a view to the left, toward Deptford; below is a view to the right, of Greenwich Pier. The tide was low at this moment so you can see the foreshore. (The only other place you can walk along the Thames foreshore in London is at Battersea.)

Beyond the pier, notice the electricity power station. It is the oldest of these hulks remaining in the world. (The other, made famous on the 1977 Pink Floyd album cover, is also at Battersea.) The original large-scale power station was built in Deptford, SE London by Sebastian de Ferranti in 1889. Sadly, it was demolished in 1992-- three years before my arrival in London-- so I never got to see it.



The November sky's play with light and cloud-shadow shows up rather well in this last picture. The seagulls seemed to be enjoying the air currents created by the funky atmosphere that day. The tall buildings are at Canary Wharf, which is directly across the River from Greenwich.

Coram's Fields

What a discovery we've made! Hopefully we'll get back there again-- and get more pictures of the place.




We 4 met up with Noa, Howard and Stephanie at this enclosed posh-park-in-the-city. Adults are allowed in only if accompanied by children, and the space and equipment are just-right for our wee folk.

Autumn is here

The fall 2006 installment of boy-in-a-bag:



In England, most children wear uniforms to school. Since Solomon is only in nursery (pre-school) at St. Stephen's, he is not required to wear one yet. However, a thoughtful friend has kindly lent Solomon a school shirt, which I actually had Sol wear the other day because his class went on a school trip to the National Gallery and I wanted to make it easier for the teachers to keep track of my contribution to their 40+ kids. If you've known me longer than two minutes you are probably aware of my disdain for school uniforms; if you like the look of a boy in (partial) uniform, look now, because this is not something you'll see often if I can help it!



With November come cold weather and more rain. Parks get muddy and windy; long walks lose their tendency to be altogether pleasant. So we look for indoor activities to keep children occupied. This is what happens when one leaves her children to take a phone call half way through getting them ready for bed...



Both of the boys seem to have shot up in height as well as speaking ability lately. Felix is a proper little boy now, no longer a baby-- though he still calls himself "beh-beh" in the mirror. Like his brother, he has taken to devouring apples, one of which he's clutching here.

October summary

back on top!

Soli's back on top of things now! He climbed this tomb lickety-split and was really pleased with himself.


And of course Felix also has a grand time in St. Paul's churchyard. We just can't stay away from Deptford!

Stricken Solomon

Conveniently, Solomon didn't have to miss any school during the week he was ill (cough cough cough, hack hack hack) because it was half term break (kids have several spells of time off throughout the year in UK). After a few days in a duvet nest on the sofa, he gradually started feeling better.


A few extra stories probably contributed to the full recovery.


Felix, meanwhile, remained chipper... until a couple weeks later, when he had a stupendous fever as well.

British Museum

Popped in to Brit Museum for a quick visit after attending a Human Writes conference one recent Saturday. Took this pic of lion for Sol and Felix, because even ancient lions say RRRRRAAAAAAAA!!!!! and we love to roar!



These, on the other hand, I had a little more trouble making sense of. Now I know how my students feel!