Our Mother/Son Trip to England

This spring, my two boys had different weeks off school for the first time, so we took separate one-on-one trips: Toby and I went to see family in San Francisco, and Anton and I were thrilled to visit our English relatives, including his beloved cousin Jimmy…

We started off in London, a city I haven’t spent much time in even though we’ve have visited Cornwall so many times (we usually just take the train directly there). We were excited to explore.

We really lucked out with weather — the sun came out almost every day! — and walked around a lot with my brother Nick, my bff Gemma, 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!)

My top cultural request to the group was that we go to the National Portrait Gallery — how gorgeous is this gallery wall?

We saw an exhibition of Lucien Freud’s paintings. Did you know he was the grandson of Sigmund Freud? So, an old-school nepobaby, but his work was beautiful and felt so alive.

My English cousin’s son, Jimmy — whom we call Anton’s cousin, even though I think they’re technically second cousins? — spent the week with us, and almost immediately…

…the boys developed a secret hand shake and second language of inside jokes. We’ve always lived far away from family, and it brings me SO MUCH JOY to see them fall right back into their friendship.

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

Next, we drove to the seaside town, where my aunt Janey and cousin Olivia live. To get to my aunt’s house, you have to casually DRIVE THROUGH A FORD, which the boys loved.

How chic is my aunt Janey, btw, in her babaà sweater and track pants??

We also went to my cousin’s house for olives, chips, and onion dip…

…and we cuddled outside under blankets…

…and my cousin made the most delicious roast potatoes.

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

The boys rode the suitcases down the lane…

…until we got to our favorite place in the world. xoxo

Soon the boys were jumping into the cold harbor…

…while I cheered for them and ate roast chicken crisps.

We added our current heights to the height wall (I had not grown)…

…cuddled Lulu’s dog…

…and ate many, many pieces of toast with every meal.

We usually stay in Lulu’s village for our whole trip, but we decided to take a small excursion to Glendurgan Garden, where the previous owners created a hedge maze for their 12 children. How cool is that? “I thought this might be the worst,” Jimmy told me, “But it’s like literal heaven.”

Finally, it was time to head home. We always feel so grateful to be able to visit and a little heartbroken to leave. Don’t forget about us, England! We love you and will be back. xoxoxo

P.S. Our England trips with the boys at different ages, and Lulu’s beauty uniform.