https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-10-21 https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/cheerio monthly 0.5 2026-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3be6d768-3bb5-4247-b936-db07bdbf25f6/tempImageDfscvC.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e6eb0a4-b67f-479c-9084-f0efe8df659c/tempImage0kHhTD.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out For our final morning on Tuesday the choice was easy: pancakes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2b9bab3-f5e3-4f7b-b460-5de5c05a56cb/tempImagea2FUCg.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out A painting of Beck Hall before the dining room was added. Our total bill for four nights at our Yorkshire Shangri-La averaged just $298 per night, including our room, parking, dinner, all drinks, desserts, breakfast, & tips—an extraordinary bargain, especially considering the exceptional food‼️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/651fe9dd-8ce7-4599-a18a-aed76c104b74/tempImagebgpdET.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out On the way to York we made a quick stop to see the Knaresborough Viaduct, which carries the Harrogate line over the River Nidd in the charming Yorkshire village of Knaresborough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a998b553-7457-4944-9a6f-6f11cbbd241b/tempImagedOxcoA.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out The ornate viaduct & tranquil river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9332225-10c5-47fd-bfbf-10ea20e0d5ea/tempImageXJdzKM.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out I dropped Amanda & our gear at Yorkshire Railway Station & then returned the car to the nearby Enterprise. Afterward I made a quick trip into York. Of course, I used the medieval York City Walls path where I could! Yorkminster Cathedral is in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c07b304-38f3-4a3e-992a-fd8bcee20358/tempImageXRl7n0.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out I ran by the fictional home of Patience Evans from the York-based detective series Patience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aeeffbcb-133b-4989-a351-ae9095376fc9/tempImagezLGhGM.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out The fictional home of Patience Evans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d74c49ff-92b3-4995-96b3-ffb32a504954/tempImage3r1Z84.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out On my way back to Amanda I stopped at Rise. Coffee on Museum St for a matcha & mocha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d2a4a968-8495-43ba-a05f-91402502b1d7/Screenshot+2026-09-24+at+12.04.41.png Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out In the first HP movie only, they used the footbridge inside York Railway Station as London's King's Cross Station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/57185fc9-d426-4507-b2b6-ce98d025737f/Screenshot+2026-09-24+at+12.04.22.png Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out This was the scene where Hagrid shows Harry into the station but then suddenly disappears after giving Harry his ticket. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3a235e91-7c34-4282-b796-974b44efed76/tempImageDWptFH.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out Us on the York Railway Station footbridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aec249c4-73e9-431d-91e8-637d554eaa8d/tempImageC01DJa.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out The two stations share many similarities; however, there was definitely some computer graphics needed to give the station its on-screen magical feel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e71627f5-1349-4cc0-9bd2-71519c0e5fc6/tempImagetbok9u.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out Waiting at the platform in York for our LNER train to London. I’m sorry to report that our train arrived at Platform 3. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b3782d7-feb0-48cd-addc-42b045c141c8/tempImageyy3QTY.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out Beginning in Inverness, our LNER Azuma train arriving in York. The name Azuma means East in Japanese & pays homage to the train's design roots, which are based on Japanese bullet train technology from Hitachi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/361d0ec5-dce9-4166-9476-2affacfe5b44/tempImageCkv6Q6.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out After arriving at King’s Cross Station in London at 4 pm, the 173-mile journey taking only 2 hours! We checked bags into storage, did some shopping, & had dinner before taking the Heathrow Express to the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/da13c97d-f431-45f8-8089-44bd01b2021b/tempImageavBbAI.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out Deeply grateful to have the time & means to enjoy such an epic journey, our sad faces tell another story: we had finally been reduced to Starbucks before boarding our Wednesday morning flight home to LAX. ☕️✈️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e0ad504-e7d8-4089-abce-539d868c9730/tempImagexahucN.jpg Blog - Cheerio! - Make it stand out On board British Airways Flight 283, departing LHR at 10:30 am. We definitely prefer flights that chase the sun. Just like The Beatles, we’ll “follow the sun.” As we deplaned at LAX around 2 pm, a flight attendant actually said to Amanda, “Cheerio!” “One can love many places and still miss home.” —Emma M. Lion “One should go away long enough to know the cotton-soft contentment of coming home.” —Emma M. Lion https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/more-dales monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ddf6d437-05c7-4c9a-bd05-4dc306ae5e80/tempImageSQlxcm.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f8d1f7ea-b4bc-45b5-b53d-ab10dd7f18db/tempImageY6Tq3F.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Every Sunday morning should taste this good. We both agreed these were quite possibly the best pancakes we’ve ever tasted. The menu description was American-style pancakes, berry compote, oat yoghurt, & agave syrup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c69fd3f8-0815-48bf-a2ce-60f26ae04d63/tempImage8whUuz.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out My smashed avocado, smoky cured carrot, & rocket. Somehow the carrot really works! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/545aaf63-d504-4355-bc01-0d68afd7af79/tempImageoWGvR8.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out A pre-hike mocha in the hotel’s snug. The wood paneling is inscribed with the date 1689. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/96d1acbe-a8c7-4b37-a6b8-a43b24dd1720/tempImage3TSu82.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Rub the turtle’s head for good luck on the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a36ac9dd-1af7-4cff-b48d-7a2fb37902d9/tempImageQlwMcm.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Those clever, clever Brits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dfe96d8f-9af3-4ddf-8ad0-ec82c9b32a59/tempImageGwgHBP.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out A glorious Sunday in The Yorkshire Dales. For I have learned To look on nature….And I have felt A presence that disturbs me with the joy Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime Of something far more deeply interfused… —William Wordsworth https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/387ccd84-9f5a-4134-a264-dba1030481f2/tempImagepH1zQn.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dffed138-7e09-43c3-93d8-beeff22c186f/tempImagef1ksyF.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/876768f5-8283-4c6f-ab19-c2199173ca1b/tempImageyqxdAq.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Nearly to our destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a279779-c64b-4c8a-a7e2-93468cb8ae2f/tempImageU8bx93.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Janet’s Foss—According to legend, the waterfall is named after a Queen of the Fairies who was reputed to live in a small cave located right behind the cascading water. Foss is an old English word for a waterfall or a section of a river where the water drops over rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f9cdfb4f-8704-4a70-8267-3a6022d12197/Screenshot+2026-09-20+at+19.00.44.png Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Janet’s Foss was the location used to film the scene where Helen happened upon James wild swimming under the waterfall (S1:E2). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f611491-c2a8-4ab2-a564-82359ebe03c3/tempImageQH62PC.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale We did another hike on Monday with Amanda playing the role of Helen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9442f7cf-d0e0-4905-82cf-b339752b2c05/tempImagesQjsew.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Returning to our Sunday walk: we then followed the stream path back into the village… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aaa2d99e-caee-47af-91f5-8516fb8f99bf/tempImageh5bkZH.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out …finding this delightful little forager along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/69072901-9913-446f-a304-a8fa90a4ae2d/tempImageCLrbpX.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2746bdd-d4c4-4a7b-bf21-17acbdbfafa0/tempImageTsQBSs.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out The 2.5 mile loop with Amanda apparently wasn't enough for me, so I headed out on my own 4.5 mile odyssey with my first destination being Gordale Scar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c78c5746-f2dd-4adb-b647-dda3029c9c5d/tempImageVeqUUj.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Over the last one and a half million years, Malham has been covered by at least three great sheets of ice. Each time these glaciers melted, huge torrents of water poured off the plateau above Gordale, scouring away the rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/915dce63-5f12-4353-8b7c-4cb49165dcac/tempImageP5oV4q.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Ice & rain further eroded the limestone, producing the extraordinary chasm that we see today. Looking out of the canyon back toward the trailhead takes your breath away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/94a3f025-3305-4ac9-8d38-19e6df6f0e7e/tempImageXNrRoz.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out On the trail to the top of Malham Cove. Beck Hall sits in the grove of trees near the center of the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/281d6345-1594-44a1-a445-4bbdf1dadadd/tempImage4yajbi.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Amanda’s idea of how to spend the second half of the afternoon—hygge! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9a24305-cbde-4016-8eea-aa4529a1adca/tempImagePSJ47W.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Reaching the top of Malham Cove. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87408fa2-8327-4ab1-bc68-b9aa158871da/tempImageY30ct7.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out What a view! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/80511be4-38a8-4d53-810b-e278ec945705/tempImageWosGPX.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out The glaciers that created Malham Cove also helped form the barren rocky landscape on top of it. The famous “limestone pavement” was scraped bare by the ice over 12,000 years ago. Since then, slightly acidic rainwater has dissolved the rock away along faults & cracks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df28ff74-02d1-428c-8471-22fbc3fd70b8/tempImageTc6N2E.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Swinging “kissing gates” are a favourite way of crossing boundaries along England’s footpaths. A little more fun are step stiles—essentially wooden ladders built over dry-stone walls. But my absolute favourite are the stone steps that neatly protrude from either side of the wall, creating a wonderfully fun way to cross. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/de42ca4d-11c5-439f-b123-3515b6258edc/tempImageu0N3KR.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Those steps took me to Yarnthawe Barn, which was used as Mr Dobson’s barn on All Creatures Great and Small due in no small part to the dramatic backdrop of Malham Cove (S5:E6 Glass Half Full). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ea4433a-436f-42a7-a399-3fc42f5d78d3/tempImageAv0mGL.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out How could you not fall instantly in love with The Yorkshire Dales?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eb3c13c2-14ec-4ba7-96cd-e465788be0c7/tempImageVOAFO4.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out For dinner I had the Casear-Style Salad with romaine, crispy tofu, avocado, fried capers, multigrain croutons, crispy kale, & cashew parmesan. It may be hard to believe, but the crispy kale was a delicious treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5719eca8-eefb-4ced-bcc5-72be4435b5f9/tempImage97VYu9.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out Amanda had the Korean Rice Bowl with gochujang chili ginger chicken, soy beans, roasted sweet potato, kohlrabi slaw, crisp shallots, & charred red pepper mayo. We’re both obsessed with the gochujang sauce! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/30b5184e-2a94-4ada-8a67-cb2d24a5ba64/tempImage6o1OPT.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale - Make it stand out For dessert, we shared a chocolate bread-and-butter pudding with salted caramel sauce & vanilla-pod ice cream—the perfect ending to a deeply enjoyable Sunday surrounded by the glorious beauty of nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce0342ba-abcd-4788-8158-4605acc96dfc/tempImagetQdEdC.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale What a lucky woman getting to wake up to this every morning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3fc309d4-c36d-4a6b-ad23-7115196d5826/tempImagelxRLMt.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale And I’m the luckiest man alive! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dcd4c356-c6ab-4f42-bc17-f4c707bf5a63/tempImageheDU9T.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale We haven’t shown them before, but we each enjoyed a flaky & fluffy pain au chocolat from the breakfast bar every morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6dce1bd2-295a-4f43-a5b8-15e3c406b18d/tempImage9ABKqk.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Like the tide to the moon, Amanda was helplessly drawn again to the pancakes on Monday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2418785d-3916-4bb4-8443-223140824111/tempImagedykEDF.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale For me, variety is the spice of life, so I was drawn to the sausage & scrambled tofu sourdough bap. (In the UK, a bap is a soft, round bread roll that is typically spilt in half & filled with savory items like bacon, sausage, or fried eggs.) I asked for a side of their stellar charred red pepper mayo—yum! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/70816d56-4af4-4eba-8aff-054bb6839a33/tempImageExTKXv.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale After breakfast we drove up the famous Malham Rakes (a rake is a steep narrow track up a hillside), past Malham Tarn (a tarn is a small mountain lake or pool, usually formed by glacial activity), & along this impressive northern ridge line of a glaciated dale (a dale is a valley). The park’s dales were formed by ancient glaciers carving deep U-shaped & V-shaped valleys into upland limestone & gritstone—creating the stunning landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/617641c1-eb25-44d4-8a13-28d7f5728798/tempImagewNj61h.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale The village of Arncliffe below sits at the intersection of two perpendicular glaciated dales. Arncliffe means Eagles' Cliff—a rather fitting name for this dramatic Yorkshire Dales village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/469c4d9e-5bb6-4767-90ab-d03576c6343d/tempImageKsd9Wa.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0b677b58-b77a-4e2d-84b8-d7c58ff19fac/tempImageKWvAYR.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Though we had visited Arncliffe before, we had missed that this house was used to film the “back” of the veterinary surgery from All Creatures Great and Small. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5fa8d8f9-1b99-4d1e-85d1-07f82195c42b/tempImageQLUv3k.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d870943-daad-431e-be90-4cbd625d8c64/tempImagesjDCpb.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale The property name is Carr Farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac2bd40e-1601-4d13-b471-164189607015/tempImageVNTOzh.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Looking inside the small barn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/80c7adab-75ea-4cf7-9d1e-eb38c59fc2b7/tempImageqYHn8w.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Near the entrance of St Oswald's Church are these remarkably well-preserved old village stocks. They retain the original wooden frame, the iron locking mechanism, & even the small stone stool where the accused would sit while restrained. These were used for centuries to punish minor offenses, such as public drunkenness or vagrancy. Offenders were locked by their ankles in full view of passers-by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8bc85c8b-3467-4295-b40b-f64f0a68d98e/tempImageiz0sX7.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale An intricate Celtic cross in the St Oswald's Churchyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f09ebeab-9848-4e47-b60a-7f6ccc6e562b/tempImageDpyUSo.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Amanda with the tranquil River Skirfare running behind the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd504ad8-90e4-4aca-9fc5-a666535bbb71/tempImageF1Nkgv.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61159701-a048-40b1-9665-cbdaee056537/tempImageVa5cc8.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale When we returned from our drive to Arncliffe, there were cows on the hill crest above the hotel. They are fans of the hotel’s vegan ethos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/69cdda1d-20a3-42ce-bd23-c180af9ce0f3/tempImage1E6jQA.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale After our drive, we decided to read our books by the fire in the hotel’s snug. I had my mocha & we shared a little slice of million-dollar tart heaven. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7be23826-e295-4774-92e0-b2327dc53b6d/tempImageyfji3S.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale In the afternoon we took a four-mile walk so Amanda could enjoy Gordale Scar & the waterfalls. We crossed this adorable bridge along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a05aaf03-7692-4d48-a9c7-4bdf1fc79995/tempImage9layjo.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Us at the Gordale Scar waterfalls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa193062-43cc-41d0-a4e0-a23e6d510725/tempImageNuiuyN.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale We’re really going to miss these views! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/81ed9033-0497-490b-8bab-16fe3b770797/tempImageXQjfOp.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale After our hike, we made tea and returned to the snug to sit & read by the fire. Amanda started her new book Theodora’s Tea Shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44728242-032d-4409-a6ac-887cccfc60aa/tempImagez7JLvX.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale I continued reading the new memoir from Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e42bd41f-8313-465a-b988-86cdcdf93504/tempImageLz4yD7.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale For our final dinner we had this flavorful sweet potato & ginger soup—so great, especially on this misty evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36ae6c53-f10f-480f-93a5-f7174cb9522f/tempImagePKXWw8.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Amanda had the Caesar salad I had last night. I had the plant beef & Guinness suet pud, with beetroot & potato gratin, seasonal greens, & proper gravy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fdda4597-a919-4f0b-9181-b5ee654ab411/tempImagecRYEnu.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale The crust was made of polenta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/20b8950b-85f7-4dff-9645-7186a9b08669/tempImage0MSiLd.jpg Blog - Over Hill & Dale Raspberry & Elderflower cheesecake, with butter biscuit base, elderflower gel, dried raspberries, & honeycomb. It was more mousse-like, which was great because we couldn’t have managed a heavy cheesecake. And so, regrettably, our three-week food-porn channel comes to a close! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/beck-hall monthly 0.5 2026-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e6c38bfd-95d1-4b89-b283-8fcb2c50f41f/tempImageFtLrc0.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8813f893-c891-4c8d-a872-f1e84fa4da46/tempImagexC0yrc.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out All day Thursday during our Magical Mystery Bus tour Amanda was thinking about & missing her dad, knowing how much he would have loved peeking into the lives of The Beatles. On Friday morning, we were walking from our hotel toward the parking garage when she looked down & saw a single “dime” (5 pence) on the pavement. It was a very emotional moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/46b6de3c-74ad-4418-86bd-25b54278da85/tempImagehzyU5v.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out We dropped our gear in the secure parking garage (ask us about getting in & later finding the car unlocked), & then walked to breakfast. After The Vibe & Down the Hatch left us underwhelmed, Lovelocks swooped in to save the day—and our Liverpool food experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a7c446b6-af86-4afb-ac9f-14da6312f51c/tempImagehrfrvc.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Amanda loved their matcha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/23faf8aa-5603-49e1-b06b-93b16c8b2f75/tempImageMvffKM.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Tasty mocha https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a0f0453-e6be-4528-9c20-6ad26a37336b/tempImageffoLEx.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out If this image doesn’t capture us both at our very cores, I don’t know what does—two slices of sourdough vs a Full English (vegan style). One little moment that feels so wonderfully, unmistakably us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/37dbd416-195d-40c4-b40d-bf7dbda2e441/tempImaget0Cm9c.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Wandering Liverpool https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2937498-e45d-43f9-9587-7eb0d37f8387/tempImagerFVDFK.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a9822ae5-db42-48c1-9b7b-508e44d820b2/tempImagesOhuil.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out A two-story Lush! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d6ee796d-c239-4477-b3f8-18ab2df3a0e7/tempImageNOtxVX.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out On our way to Beck Hall we stopped in Newton-le-Willows for petrol & a potty break at Tesco, where Amanda found “dime” #2 at the self-check till. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/857fe280-a62b-4ecb-8da1-8d2e952622ec/tempImagelwunmT.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out A historic 1705 coaching inn reimagined as a cozy countryside escape, Beck Hall is celebrated as England's first fully plant-based hotel. The 2-hour drive included plenty of rain & some lovely single-track roads toward the end to make it extra challenging, but we arrived safe & sound. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/308841f1-6a58-4c2a-8448-14b81d95b41e/tempImagekCGJ4h.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Ready for our first dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3c72954d-10ed-4332-a908-344ef2e237d5/tempImageK2W4dm.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out These keema matar (“mince & peas”) samosas were pure flaky-dough perfection, filled with beautifully spiced tempeh & green peas, served over a bed of raita & pickled mango purée. Absolutely exquisite! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4c611f9-5869-4c68-bbce-faaf348485a5/tempImagef0o9u8.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out I swore no more beer, but the Ilkley Brewery Beck Hall Blonde cask ale melted my resolve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0935aecc-9575-4de1-86f6-7a306d8d0d47/tempImagem8M72g.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Amanda had the wild garlic pesto linguine with plant chicken & toasted sunflower seeds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8cea1060-5750-41da-98b7-0948c49ea872/tempImage6TtL7C.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out On the left: glazed gochujang (red chili paste) tofu with hot chilli ginger glaze & black & white sesame seeds. Heavenly! On the right: white bean & red pepper hummus with Kalamata olive tapenade & fried capers. Yum! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b3a0d214-8d26-458e-813a-f251c41730dc/tempImagefrDZIO.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The pièce de résistance—a vegan vanilla crème brûlée that was too good for words. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0aa42005-5396-4e7e-ba8e-fa25c31047db/tempImagePOqMD3.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out My scrambled tofu on sourdough with smoky lardons, roasted red pepper mayonnaise, & avocado for Saturday breakfast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5942f2a5-508b-45b2-a46f-ea619dd2c2c2/tempImagetRdmlr.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The rain had passed, so I enjoyed my morning mocha beside the swollen river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ee2b5378-ee3d-4f1f-9e3a-4b19e07a2e23/tempImageZlyPUu.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Riverside reading https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8321f0da-08ce-4876-a661-6c5fc6605d8d/tempImageLdSzHi.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c1f5d972-e3ec-4f91-962d-9b9a4e7256e9/tempImageN8ycNK.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The only way to reach Beck Hall is over this charming stone footbridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1af05a0e-78eb-42e2-891f-4e639c38ac6e/tempImageIe5FWj.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/514c52c1-02c9-43b6-ae26-4725bf6790a4/tempImagekumEMb.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4666e909-165f-41c5-9466-f5c1ed378cf2/tempImageEABnxL.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out “What are men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend! And when we do return, it shall not be like other travellers, without being able to give one accurate idea of any thing. We will know where we have gone—we will recollect what we have seen. Lakes, mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations….” —Pride and Prejudice, Vol 2, Ch 4 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca660529-afb8-4c34-9127-1df4a28b5460/tempImageYGa6p0.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out In the early afternoon we drove to Parcevall Hall Gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e9de309-ec9d-4966-955d-196e99ee18e7/tempImageEuYbvm.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out A wonderfully fragrant English rose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68e13dd5-8d09-459d-a5bb-bdb1f2fb6620/tempImageGItt0G.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Ballerina Fuchsia hedging https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d0b6812-8bd5-4fc2-8540-81543467ad4c/tempImagePEfqss.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Perhaps not a bona fide toadstool, but it does have a red cap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/abe19324-8396-4588-9637-79ea01b5f633/tempImageFNJ6CR.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The limestone hillsides of The Dales. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b6d93e97-608a-4440-9a91-286ae70eaf63/tempImagevFKJhS.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e1e2e01-2871-4774-b036-89545156dea5/tempImagemS6dlt.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out With time on our hands, we did a little garden photo shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72c7c700-d0ac-4a20-a68b-40ffdb93940d/tempImageXWVUEu.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0e39d19d-0a1f-46fb-8f28-e11910c9e129/tempImageQOLAII.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out “Sitting in an English garden, waiting for the sun. If the sun don’t come, you get a tan from standing in the English rain.” I Am the Walrus, The Beatles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/881165f0-1fef-4e06-ab9f-67a0354aaaf8/tempImagelwOO8c.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca0b8adc-9097-4005-b69d-0ac1f6889121/tempImageuzerbg.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/66b7e48b-fe6d-43b7-9921-9627c0e667db/tempImageujIaFb.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/34ddefbc-75b6-4a7d-8bf9-cacb4489d09b/tempImageZiiusU.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35035ddd-6f8c-4316-bb1c-0aae9b7c6093/tempImageFqiMFN.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d7c40c2-71b5-4e7a-8c96-c591c8071ee7/tempImageakR5aH.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1932678c-54ed-471c-be53-82bbb037f455/tempImageuu5MqM.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce2d3bad-3fa7-43db-9ad5-c296b2255299/tempImage8GoFMx.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/510495b0-7dc7-4719-8f3e-d7776b2e835e/tempImageoxs4Zr.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Amanda’s beloved hydrangea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce962b82-f59a-4fc6-85a5-2cc5ee7f3e4e/tempImagetciWz1.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/194ba77d-93ee-45ea-907b-407b2694b3bf/tempImagesZbFKf.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out After our stroll through Parcevall Hall Gardens, we headed to Grassington for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1c280e00-c7f7-4649-8250-824cec7bc4de/tempImagevbyrD2.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Outside the car park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60ab05f0-574f-4d50-925c-5b059c635bad/tempImageysNJQK.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The sign at the entrance to the Grassington village square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dfdaee3a-2c76-4f67-8f10-6267e95d6d4a/tempImage1LQtxU.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out As a rather happy accident, a 1940s fête was filling the village square in Grassington, making the whole place look as though we’d wandered onto the set of All Creatures Great and Small. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afcce8e4-7ba2-4148-b806-457710d2c95f/tempImageUjZ9kO.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c208fa9d-9b11-4840-8993-4edd18541254/tempImagepr47JO.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6caab87-4637-4db5-b4d8-4be8fd3f304f/tempImageI6DiBy.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b07f7cd2-8628-4ed0-9b48-7b2cdffaf685/i001422981.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Tristan to James, “He let you drive the Rover?” (We visit this location in our next post.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/558e8451-b42e-4c5b-9283-066c0519fc17/tempImage17hDfa.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out In another bit of serendipity, the fête had on display the actual 1935 Rover 12hp Tourer owned by Siegfried in the latest remake of All Creatures Great and Small. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/07e4f26b-aa90-43e4-a26c-df7e05ee21a5/tempImageuWaBcg.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Vintage 1930s MG, which looks crazy similar to the Rover. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/52022020-9e0d-4182-aaca-abe07c1e0502/tempImageaQAKEI.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Possibly a 1936 Austin Six Hertford Saloon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/20bf8ea0-2729-40fd-828b-0f2976b19b40/tempImageUgwzyL.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Possibly a 1930s British Austin saloon, most likely an Austin 10/4. This was the actual car that stood in as the 1933 Vauxhall Light Six “hooptie” with passenger seat that slides backwards & highly intermittent brakes that Siegfried gives James to drive. Amazing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8dc0be89-f676-4d1f-a619-1a68ae9bbf98/tempImagedrV9YU.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out You’d be hard-pressed to find an English country cottage without a wooden duck. These slightly eccentric & whimsical items of home décor are quintessentially British. We’ve been seeing them everywhere for the past 17 years, so it seemed high time we had one too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4d6e0032-9e88-4cf7-8c1b-1d90f6eeadf9/tempImageKVNWJR.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Say hello to Debbie Duck of Darrowby, standing at the front door to the veterinary surgery. The dcuk company (the name emphasizing the UK) hand-carves & hand-paints each duck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/adf1d526-a2d2-4e2f-8f0e-b3d8538e1a16/tempImage5Icccw.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Steve on the steps of the veterinary surgery in “Darrowby” FaceTiming with Jeff, Madi, & Emma. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8209bd1a-0252-46dd-8f35-8dada6dd5821/tempImageTbGC1Z.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out We made a dinner booking at The Devonshire, the pub that stands in as the exterior of The Drovers Arms in All Creatures Great and Small. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54bb3755-2e96-4847-b777-d08a911f87b6/Screenshot+2026-09-20+at+18.59.47.png Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The Drovers Arms is unmistakably The Devonshire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6677a277-12e9-4348-a651-ef651a11ed0a/tempImage3g0vou.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out So clever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/31590a16-1156-43c2-9857-d991bc69eeaa/tempImagegCEX4J.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out The jolly good fun continued inside the pub, of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/442cfc47-51a7-4d87-96c0-b5294c6813f1/tempImagetvn5Fg.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Waitress dressed like Rosie the Riveter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/223e7438-81c7-412d-9472-c13815c58298/tempImageBSq90r.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1733dc0d-3101-4f3a-8ad1-65479a0f4395/tempImageeKdZkw.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55979194-7981-436c-ab9e-d89e3d71cda3/tempImage2NuLQQ.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out An extra cold Guinness & a Timothy Taylor’s Drovers Best cask ale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/17e2685a-d581-41dd-a6fe-4a00cd6ed648/tempImageyYzAOg.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Amanda loved her butternut squash risotto with miso & vegan parmesan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90692494-25b2-484b-9c87-4ed3862fa3a3/tempImageMQP6Rt.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out My wild mushroom, sweet potato, chestnuts, spinach & kale Wellington served with roasted new potatoes, sautéed fine beans & carrots, & vegan gravy. All I can say is, “WOW!” A British classic at its finest—with exceptional roasted potatoes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3a2c0fcd-79f3-4799-9028-61a3f1c87187/tempImageA5FgBr.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out By the time we finished our dinner, the village square had settled & many of the familiar sites from All Creatures Great and Small were recognizable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e2925c1-c1e8-48ec-8487-db4801a43740/tempImage2uJc8m.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79b6929f-db4d-4175-9f79-48a58fd1f35e/tempImagemLBKg9.jpg Blog - Beck Hall - Make it stand out Oh Tricki Woo, what a day we had! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/beatlemania monthly 0.5 2026-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/58e0acdb-fa71-420a-8106-c2529cc53976/tempImage107fr0.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68d0b6ee-2ff4-456f-bb83-1cc99eb71cb0/tempImageT38eHs.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Thursday’s drive from Wrexham took about an hour, with the Queensway Tunnel carrying us beneath the River Mersey & into the heart of Liverpool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5c2d205-1c57-4335-bb83-a1321777262a/tempImageX7Z7ou.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out We left the car in a parking garage & walked a short distance to The Vibe Plant Based Café, where Amanda ordered a hazelnut hot chocolate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc3ab26b-2baa-49de-8fe9-441e4a9b66c8/tempImageTsoZau.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out For breakfast she ordered Faux Rocher pancakes, which ended up being too sweet & with tasteless pancakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/960103c7-b004-45d3-a914-529c1dfb448a/tempImageZw4NGz.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Figuring it was nearly autumn, I skipped the mocha in favor of a pumpkin spiced latte, which was a bit disappointing to be honest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f7d117b-c4f5-4b19-97a5-9c9a5c75d89a/tempImagerChTSh.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The saving grace was the tofu egg scramble & whipped avocado on sourdough toast, which were really good. After yesterday’s stellar lunch at Lot 11 in Wrexham, The Vibe was an overall mediocre experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c152874d-5247-4612-a879-f28316f49dea/tempImageITPOFK.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The Beatles Statue along the Liverpool Waterfront. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4c5fa637-f8c0-4920-9041-6856a38a2534/tempImageyJg0Zn.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out “Roll up, roll up. The Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you away.” At the nearby Royal Albert Docks we boarded our Magical Mystery Tour bus for the 12:30 tour. (No psychedelics involved!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ee62490-40c1-4385-bee5-1aae478ed641/tempImagenudjMp.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out From the bus looking down at 9 Madryn St (near the end on the left) where Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) was born in the "Welsh Streets" area of Toxteth/Dingle. The next street to the right is Powis St, which was a major filming location for Peaky Blinders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/22778315-0646-4a33-a1dc-5d7df2631c00/tempImageUjeGCt.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Ringo moved about 2 blocks away to 10 Admiral Grove where he lived as a small child until The Beatles found fame. This Ringo Star mural on High Park St sits between his two former houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f48c1c0d-1a62-44ed-b785-c04bd276cecf/tempImageRiRskR.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out “Penny Lane is in my ears & in my eyes, there beneath the blue suburban skies.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55d19c3f-e9df-4d81-9174-4c9533cc3c1c/tempImageCersJD.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The OG Penny Lane sign, signed by Paul McCartney during Carpool Karaoke with host James Corden in June 2018 (no longer discernible). (Taken Friday) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24ac6f2b-6c3a-4884-8d9b-405fcfb9595a/tempImagehykMOe.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The old fire house near Penny Lane has been converted to housing but retains elements of its original purpose. “Penny Lane, there is a fireman with an hourglass and in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen. He likes to keep his fire engine clean. It's a clean machine.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d2cd1c7-0b6e-4075-8ad3-c7d41ed1bba6/tempImageygC3F5.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The “shelter in the middle of a roundabout.” (Taken Friday) “Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout, a pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray. And though she feels as if she's in a play, she is anyway.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fb6045fe-7498-4a7a-890e-174c29eb718d/tempImageIJhcvR.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one..” (Taken Friday) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6104c258-3cea-4805-9d8e-eb92035bce75/tempImage2HvCqF.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Our bus stopped next in front of this pub to visit George’s birth home. The tour guide said we could use their loo if needed—the irony was not lost on him! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c2211fc-a124-4131-9656-0c5141d62f21/tempImageri3ng7.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out George Harrison was born on this cul-de-sac in the small two-up two-down Victorian terraced house with the blue plaque at 12 Arnold Grove. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b14a463-0857-491a-a646-bb567741a109/tempImageDqLxGl.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out “Let me take down ‘cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields.” John Lennon regularly "bunked" over the stone perimeter wall to explore the wild, unmanicured gardens of the Salvation Army children's home (orphanage) at Strawberry Field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/105d04c9-3fcd-4f82-9c5b-78e582efc7af/tempImageRPnyZb.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out John added an “s” to the song title Strawberry Fields Forever. He used to sit in a particular tree there, thus the lyric, “No one I think is in my tree.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8df1b574-d1a3-4656-870b-c9306e4382f8/tempImage47PRBt.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out He lived with his Aunt Mimi at the time & she used to get upset with his visits. He was dismissive, saying no one was going to hang him for it, thus the lyric, “And nothing to get hung about.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ef6c427-aef1-474b-961b-58e89b6d679b/tempImageESiWeB.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The semi-detached property at 251 Menlove Ave, which belonged to John's Aunt Mimi & her husband George Smith. John moved here at the age of five after his mother was persuaded it would be better for him to live with his aunt. The house was closed for filming. They are currently filming four movies, one about each of the Fab Four. Apparently, the idea is to see all four films & thereby collectively “experience” The Beatles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0869e559-91ad-489d-91ed-23e2604913c0/tempImagehzpnps.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Our final stop was here where the McCartney family lived in a modest mid-terraced home at #20. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f8d3f407-1304-4f75-899a-40bbed25abda/tempImagecTk9uU.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul’s room was above the front door & it was here that he & John wrote & rehearsed many of their early songs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33fc2f47-de3c-4389-9c75-60cb9ff24c8a/tempImageNVPgAU.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul’s mother was a midwife who was often called Mother Mary, so the lyric is about her rather than the Virgin Mary: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom: let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom: let it be.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e5e331ea-83e6-4418-bb8e-04ca1bf21d8b/tempImageG1Eo4T.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul McCartney auditioned for the Liverpool Cathedral choir in 1953, when he was 11, and was not accepted. (Taken Friday) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/47adcd44-2f74-4331-9486-751997e2a451/tempImageQLlxEh.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out In 1991, nearly four decades after being rejected as a choirboy, McCartney returned to Liverpool Cathedral to premiere his own Liverpool Oratorio with the cathedral choir. (Taken Friday) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4932b5f-8a13-4987-83a1-184b31377576/586644733_1274240368074491_5370501063191359173_n-2.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Liverpool Cathedral has the distinction of being the longest cathedral in the world, stretching 619 feet from end to end—a breathtaking scale that makes its vast interior feel almost endless. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/77be10c2-3ae2-4860-bafc-a58e575c9c54/tempImageajRYbe.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out On our way out of town on Friday, we stopped at St Peter’s Church in Woolton. On July 6, 1957, Paul saw John perform with The Quarrymen at the church’s annual fête (at the church hall across the street at the back of this image). A mutual friend introduced them & Paul then impressed John by playing several rock ’n’ roll songs & demonstrating how to tune a guitar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21eb6f3d-90b3-4bcc-8fc0-bdd490555aa0/tempImage65Hql3.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul & John spent time hanging out & sunbathing near this graveyard as teenagers. It is believed they borrowed the name Eleanor Rigby from this headstone. “Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been; lives in a dream.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8d6d411-e3e2-4950-8236-67c15fdcd359/tempImage6YirwG.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out “Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name. Nobody came.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a0f8578-e281-412a-a446-3d6f501d6021/tempImageB8QNoY.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul originally named the character "Father McCartney" in early drafts of the song, basing him on his own father, Jim McCartney. He changed the name to McKenzie because he felt embarrassed using his actual family name in the lyrics. He picked the rhyming, similar-sounding Irish surname to distance his family from the sad story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e1dc33f-b2bc-483c-94bf-aa70bd237a65/tempImageCOSwRO.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Coincidentally? a separate headstone with the name McKenzie is also located a few yards from Eleanor’s. “Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e1198852-6b29-4160-843e-03b62dd22c8c/tempImageByvtlZ.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Our Magical Mystery Bus with driver Dennis & guide Del (our photographer). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/350b5100-7f15-4723-8cd6-a154f3e89463/tempImageLePKGi.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Mathew Street—Home of The Cavern & birthplace of The Beatles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9f934393-95e3-4880-8adc-999fa3252d21/tempImage9wrdU4.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Intending to visit The Cavern, we entered The Cavern Pub instead at 5 Mathew St. It was a happy accident though because both are operated by the same company & the pub had loads of music memorabilia on display—including Amanda’s beloved MJ! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1669f5f7-005f-49bf-b8b2-1c6dd89e4a91/tempImageUnDPH4.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out In Sep 1988, at the height of his fame, Michael Jackson came to Liverpool to play at Aintree Racecourse, where he Included a special Beatles Medley in his set. Some 125,000 flocked to see him, then the largest concert ever performed by a solo artist in the UK. Michael donated an official staff Tour Jacket to be raffled off to support Radio City's Cash for Kids charity. The Cavern proudly beat all other bids to be able to exhibit this piece of local musical history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7b47249d-9a69-4883-87cb-f3dbda7c9b86/tempImage62ofbz.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The Cavern at 8–10 Mathew St is the legendary underground live music venue that originally opened in 1957, where The Beatles played 292 times. If you’re interested, look up more on how they got their start here, it’s truly interesting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7e9f8834-e4a3-4143-9cc0-be9e47163211/tempImageowULWo.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Though the original cellar was filled in during 1973 for a railway project, it was meticulously rebuilt nearby on 70% of its original footprint using original salvaged bricks & reopened in 1984. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ece5db41-e2a3-4fde-a749-f784e8afe09a/tempImage5hE4Mw.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The club was built in the basement of a warehouse on Mathew St, where the existing brick-vaulted cellar provided an inexpensive, naturally sound-insulated space for a jazz-turned-rock-and-roll club. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33e176d0-9273-438b-a05d-c97538adeaa5/tempImageA0tIcV.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The subterranean setting also helped create the dark, intimate, almost cave-like atmosphere that became part of the Cavern’s identity—and its name. Check out this Local Group! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5da68eb8-d13b-4b10-8f7a-68a5af965661/tempImageymgUkm.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Today, live music is still performed here every day. It will come as no surprise, though, that during peak tourist hours, playing The Beatles is obligatory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/73c66cea-0bb4-4a09-95e8-4f5b2ed3ff8b/tempImageGlBpgF.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/912b9629-39fe-42fe-8e93-d518dcc66a01/tempImageBtbtyT.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f5f2a2e-de9e-494b-b9c9-037ea5d672dc/tempImageXB3rFX.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e9aaadb-c404-4c0a-a395-8f8af53034c9/tempImage6lfIiM.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aaa1ae6e-5cf5-4b6f-ac95-9208d82be220/tempImageiXfna1.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out I think this is meant to look spiritual or inspirational, but it comes off creepy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33de0168-596a-4c1c-b9df-6ec2af936f77/tempImageoqETQM.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6cda40ce-78e3-48c6-9d94-37b77ed1c737/tempImagevaKtfs.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out We ate dinner at Down the Hatch, an all-vegan restaurant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c3e92421-7498-4296-a78d-e42a7c324b47/tempImageMzhieR.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Amanda had a Caesar salad, side of baked mac & cheese, & garlic bread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/958b3eb0-e7a9-4daf-a47c-f11ddd933866/tempImageqP66MO.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out I had a an Italian herb meatball patty burger. Perhaps our expectations have been raised by all the exceptional food we’ve enjoyed so far, but Down the Hatch earns a decidedly middling B− from us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae449568-47d5-4587-a5a5-cd3252ddb013/tempImagej4qTcF.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out After dinner we grabbed limited belongings from our car in the parking garage, walked to the Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre (Lime Street), checked in, dropped our gear, & took a bus to the Philharmonic Dining Rooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6dee76e3-ec39-43fc-9a19-6187a3d346f0/tempImageYV0fSo.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out The magnificent Philharmonic Dining Rooms—“The Phil” to locals—is a Grade I-listed Victorian pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61594700-7560-43c5-81b6-503da9f19ea4/tempImageH0pHMu.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Built between 1898-1900 opposite the Philharmonic Hall, this “gin palace” is renowned for its lavish Victorian interior—stained glass, carved mahogany, mosaics, ornate plasterwork, & even its famous pink-marble gentlemen’s toilets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c1f40fbd-9415-44bd-b27a-3ff86b3cce11/tempImageCflZrg.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out Paul McCartney performed at the pub as a young musician & returned in 2018 with James Corden, when the pair filmed a surprise performance for Carpool Karaoke. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/373752a0-1ad5-42a0-a4de-06db1a11211d/tempImageAO9gpq.jpg Blog - Beatlemania - Make it stand out McCartney’s impromptu appearance with Corden brought the legendary Liverpool pub—and its connection to the Beatles—back into the spotlight. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/wrexham monthly 0.5 2026-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44f374a5-adbf-4be5-8999-d2b27298ed28/tempImagehFx9tD.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ee5d3f4-47a8-49eb-a250-6cae5fef28a9/tempImage0gwNXK.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out On Tuesday morning, we enjoyed a farewell breakfast at The Cozy Café before bidding our lovely little cottage adieu. My hash browns, sun-dried tomatoes, & piquanté peppers, served on a bed of fresh greens & chili jam, were a delightful treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e40df73e-7da2-403c-a2af-86c7543abbff/tempImageO1kg5l.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out We stopped at the Ludlow Tesco Superstore for some chocolate biscuits & a bag of Billington's Demerara Sugar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/daf504f3-350c-4968-8c8f-57e93757d396/tempImageseqrbJ.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out We then walked 3 miles in the Mortimer Forest hunting for toadstools . Sadly, we found none. However, our forest bathing did reveal many other small delights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f6eadec9-8331-4cc0-89c7-95ffc3f14853/tempImagePvkJKz.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b6b7650-423e-4e23-a894-33c73be0b706/tempImage69id0Z.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/53e4085d-c15d-4771-a8e9-1f7af3f11cb9/tempImageLSLxV1.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a1957e6-8de2-431c-958e-321355218c8b/tempImage3dt3CL.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0f886b5c-c11f-425a-b359-bd14532670cf/tempImageYpDzzV.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d367d353-e211-4153-adab-891d0db6591b/tempImageRIWDrC.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a999d6f-1f80-4749-8a07-fe9625e52093/tempImagemL5siu.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/76a00182-77c4-464e-bdd2-7163c3336484/tempImageGWSYr6.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98397538-d36b-4a92-a7e8-df4950a6caee/tempImagepqxJRW.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/264f99fd-f848-497a-bece-f6c7b5e6ac32/tempImageBUWHe0.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out In Wrexham we checked out the Minors Monument, famous from the opening credits of Welcome to Wrexham. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5dd5f4a7-8d0f-4801-a766-8a2f252daa52/tempImagetHdz0U.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Between the hike & the drive, we were knackered, so we retired to our room at Premier Inn Wrexham City Centre for some downtime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8aa725fa-32f1-4866-97cc-1aa0288b170c/tempImageO3XulS.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out No longer in Airbnbs, we spent most of Wednesday morning at Dolly Tub Launderette doing laundry. Afterward we were fortunate to have selected Lot 11 for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/433ef9e1-c22b-48bf-8c26-340471feb316/tempImageBDWETm.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Amanda’s London Fog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/30d1d555-ede2-4403-b308-2658ce3c47d9/tempImage1Cc7L4.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Mocha for me please https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1c5bd55-3263-44c2-986b-7cf88ba4da5f/tempImage2fjJUG.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Amanda was hesitant, but her bravery was rewarded with this tasty sweet potato falafel & hummus on sourdough sandwich. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ee0fd169-ebc9-40b7-8cff-874f58faa464/tempImageVgq4ok.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out My Lot Smashed Avo was served on a thick chunk of fresh sourdough bread with rocket, hummus, & chili jam drizzle. Lot 11 was 10/10! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21fab1ce-c917-411d-bcad-012db50017eb/tempImageCLlF5P.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The traditional Seven Wonders of Wales are a group of notable landmarks in North Wales, famously listed together in an anonymous late-18th or early-19th-century rhyme. They include the Wrexham Steeple: the ornate 16th-century tower of St Giles' Church in Wrexham (actually a grand tower rather than a steeple). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4bf417fc-e386-40b0-96c3-ebe88e537791/tempImageMUYFmf.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The grave of Elihu Yale. Born in Boston in 1649, Elihu spent much of his life in England, Wales, & India. A controversial & often ruthless figure, he amassed a considerable fortune & made substantial donations to the Collegiate School of Connecticut, which was renamed Yale College in his honor & eventually became Yale University in New Haven. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ede078e8-60b8-47ae-93f7-e52a42cac079/Screenshot+2026-09-16+at+18.47.03.png Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Wrexham Tower at Yale University in Connecticut is a replica of St Giles’ Church in Wrexham, Wales. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c86308ee-b011-40f9-ac8d-485647b9150e/tempImagePEHfxm.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The inscribed stone near the base of the church tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e0fe1637-d2cb-4584-b4e0-449792c614b1/tempImage9Hfl8n.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out An inscribed stone taken from St Giles' Church in Wrexham, Wales, was placed at the base of the Wrexham Tower in Saybrook College at Yale University in the USA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3b482bdb-fab9-459d-9702-5869f795334d/tempImagePFQaLN.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out At the end of WWII, the 129th General Hospital US Army gave a flag to Wrexham in gratitude for the town's hospitality (left). This flag was replaced in 2005 & the original has since been preserved. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion in China, US Marines & the Royal Welch Fusiliers served together. The USMC colors (right) were presented to the Fusiliers at the church in 1945. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/927dbf10-0609-445f-9611-8866f14891dc/tempImageu47sJK.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Elihu Yale purchased this painting of King David on the lyre in Rome & later donated it to the church. It is thought to be quite valuable.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/000611ef-4061-441d-93ad-a73f63f28acb/tempImageNDbAhq.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out One of the angels in the church ceiling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60c64b01-0947-4cd9-b21b-10828ac0c64b/tempImagenNt4TJ.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/944a64a9-b96a-4384-a197-e4b1f5a7fbcb/tempImageq6Kd45.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The mural of Paul Mullin on the side of The Fat Boar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/005c13c0-fef2-4c7f-91ac-c92373d50b2f/tempImage8XozYE.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Joey Jones mural on the west wall of The Turf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8af38e8f-d13d-44d9-8ee4-d1c2e630d652/tempImageXSjGew.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out It’s finally time to visit The Turf‼️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7476aa70-cc4e-44ea-98c6-a3d6dfa28a4b/tempImageZkbfns.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The Turf Butty Van is an institution from the TV series. The Kop Stand, a concrete terrace built in 1952, was demolished to make way for this new 7,750-seat‍ addition thanks to the infusion of cash after Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds purchased the club in Feb 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/356fb3f7-2c38-4457-8b80-f557cee44594/tempImageACY4w2.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Rob & Ryan say “Welcome to Wrexham” in Welsh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88b7a268-6526-4758-b44f-21303331d8c8/tempImagelV6pSC.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Team manager Phil Parkinson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3cb5ef6f-251c-45f3-b68f-43f8857078c0/tempImageiPrnkz.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out The long-anticipated time for a pint inside The Turf.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21bb46e3-8ba1-423a-b35d-8453119d9255/tempImageMjwHsz.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Front door https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b259c7f8-3461-4f77-97a7-a4a880447d71/tempImageUJuo2I.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Ordering two Wrexham Lagers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/706f5cd6-af1e-4ab5-bb1c-eb4835397747/tempImageZtjW72.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Mullin & Parkinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1431304c-ee32-4eb5-b5de-072719d92c76/tempImageMkAMub.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/18f04f10-0265-49f8-85f4-301e009fa001/tempImagenU1aTM.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Golden glory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2af7cafa-7f49-471d-9714-1442804d29cd/tempImageMa3m5x.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42cc3ed7-aa4f-43a6-8631-0b13713ed97c/tempImagewxfxmU.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Pub memorabilia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a364befc-53fb-4f49-93b2-83ae4b4c5f74/tempImagefEDb0s.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Prince William visits The Turf in March 2024 & pulls a pint alongside Rob McElhenney. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/47332988-4557-4504-bf35-c0738faad687/tempImage8jBZOm.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out Thank you to our new Canadian friends for one final picture before we leave The Turf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0c361cf-003d-4580-945f-c8c1c218a7ac/tempImageKrMaUP.jpg Blog - Wrexham - Make it stand out On our way to Liverpool on Thursday morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0fca2029-227d-4725-b5c2-470dc578c639/Screenshot+2026-09-28+at+12.50.52.png Blog - Wrexham https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/12745a25-e2f1-4d02-bf6a-3b771ef1153e/IMG_8209.jpg Blog - Wrexham https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/hay-on-wye monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f7dbc71a-5bec-4a38-b097-ca39b2b74160/tempImagePJYfCE.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0c29485-23ed-4ef2-9057-b2833ec4e9d8/tempImagew1wCTx.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Our train did not leave Bath until 10:30, which gave us time to grab a final mocha at Society Café. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b7ee52eb-713b-48aa-b2a6-4c69d6e41d19/tempImagegOYiIE.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Our train left about 30 minutes late, but the ride to Bristol was only 13 minutes. The #8 bus took us from the train station to a stop about 0.3 mile from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5432e121-1be0-4d91-bed5-a3b2c3157bfa/tempImagevkWYJE.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out We parked & walked up to the Clifton Observatory to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon Gorge & the River Avon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/067f69b1-4a2f-4474-b726-cacf48ea007b/tempImage4MofHu.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Amanda with her Kimomo matcha which features matcha from the Kagoshima region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9e44ed2-d366-4507-a9ea-2a373024d2bc/tempImageAPjR9U.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out From Bristol we drove to Tinturn Abbey on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, made famous when William Wordsworth penned the poem Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cc2d99bc-bca4-4d11-ac37-8e1dd79dcfc0/tempImagel9hJfM.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out The Queen Inn in Cwmbran, Wales, is frequently ranked among the very best vegan restaurants in the world—a remarkable achievement for the staff of this unassuming village pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c44e3205-47b5-433e-b78e-5f30362e7786/tempImageOH6uft.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Tiny Rebel is Wales’ largest independent craft brewery located in Newport, South Wales. This was their cask ale & it was very refreshing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc540dde-3936-4a70-b1b7-7f0f2ecfd3a0/tempImagealXIVD.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out For a starter we ordered the spiced “lamb,” hummus, & pita bread platter. I lost my bloody mind eating this exclamation‼️ The pita was pillowy soft, the hummus creamy perfection, & the “lamb” was out of this world! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2ef1d70-89e0-4be0-a7eb-406cbfaaefdf/tempImageMIO3Gv.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out The Sunday roast menu worked by selecting your roast, so I chose the garlic mushroom crumble in the ramekin. All roasts included seasoned vegetables, “roasties” (roasted potatoes), Yorkshire pudding, sage stuffing, & a boat of gravy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7934d617-a63e-4a26-8976-13e058211358/tempImageGrfD9V.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out The food was so delicious I had to take a moment to compose myself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fcb253fb-1304-4e11-a62f-0b3bed14dbe8/tempImage0qHXMu.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Amanda’s roast (top of plate) was the chicken en croûte with mozzarella, basil, & sun-dried tomatoes. She absolutely loved it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eb84b050-9845-41aa-a110-5f3004ab130c/tempImageJ5UWWP.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Jaffa orange fudge cake & ice cream for dessert. Our dinner proved beyond any doubt that its reputation as a world-class vegan restaurant is thoroughly deserved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a55df01d-f9b0-43c6-b3a1-41415c3933e5/tempImageDonRpH.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out The small stream & waterfall in front of the pub. The staff were wonderfully friendly, adding to the warmth of an already delightful experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7c659fb5-774d-49dc-8b45-1223802098bc/tempImageyO1Kpb.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out From The Queen Inn, we drove to our Airbnb: The Tiny Townhouse in Hay-on-Wye. It was tiny in the best possible way—full of cozy cottage warmth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/655c93e1-bb3f-4f70-86d0-4dbcb6114422/IMG_0133.JPG Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out 5 Heol Y Dwr was simple but nicely appointed & near enough the center of town to be convenient yet quiet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e0d77dd2-c67e-4258-95ab-074adc7bd47e/tempImageqnnHwi.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4db815b-51a1-4dc5-9b65-0d38a67f23a1/tempImage8FYfFI.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/942f6fd0-0553-4653-ada0-d357f03c412f/tempImagew2q65Y.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e980bff5-6bdd-4939-982f-7144d4b33f43/tempImagehWJJXO.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Wales, lush it is! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d084a8bf-c11b-48da-8e6d-a6573f6834e7/tempImageAJezBl.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Monday’s breakfast tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e6125c1-d840-4d44-9fae-e90f257946a2/tempImageMNdbgc.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Mocha https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7731029f-6819-4686-80fd-9d9ed3043f8b/tempImagehWBWWC.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Hazelnut pain au chocolat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14e9e8df-b732-41ab-a9fd-4c86c317580f/tempImagezXu0s3.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Sourdough toast…so Amanda! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7c3a81ba-fe5e-48b4-8fe3-0fcb4e52d46b/tempImageliaMkU.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Avocado bagel…so Steve! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21e85a87-2c84-4c49-b28d-6ae53a39bf4b/tempImageTRl1br.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out We’ve been fed… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c4743c7d-1f49-4245-a2e8-3f5b4a40c082/IMG_0134.JPG Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Feet are properly attired… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd8136a6-fc8f-4cd1-9017-2d07c20a2cfa/tempImagelXibMF.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Let Book Polooza begin! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2011c536-9e9d-48ce-9bcd-07e718554271/tempImageIsgPmV.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9184bb3e-924d-43d6-9e6a-4be9c20a057a/tempImage6GR08p.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whilst there are soon to be 9 volumes released in the US, the first two volumes have just hit the UK shelves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f41402d3-673a-442a-ab3f-3a4b1a9c9df8/tempImagetayynZ.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out We loved this shop name & the 3D book sign complete with spine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b7a29435-c579-48f5-a9d6-97c22375fd34/tempImage8akyiO.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/146b41b7-cdce-4916-aa36-6b66d1ef69a7/tempImagekAJchT.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Amanda bought a lovely copy of Jane Eyre here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1a651ab0-c17b-4c15-a4e2-e6457a8bf317/tempImagebjM6l1.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Hay Town Clock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9fade328-9375-40af-87e9-f9871ff440cc/tempImagefWHsfC.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Hay Castle in the center of town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dbaf8097-c52b-4e90-96fa-1227f5cb9814/tempImage9HeU7D.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1ffa7a88-6875-4e8a-a20c-a0387323fef5/tempImageRCKjFc.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out River Wye https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/223e5193-9474-45f0-b47d-6fbb69d69289/tempImageYnDE0S.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out We had dinner with the locals at Three Tuns free house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/013ccde0-0ba2-42e9-b0ef-c01a8077a2a3/tempImagea20cc1.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Great atmosphere https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/960f207a-c9dd-4fdf-87f5-68c980fbe3eb/tempImageeDGayh.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9f90227-7d1d-494e-bec4-299ed158d59d/tempImagefcDxMj.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out Another great local cask ale was imbibed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e0b452c9-3b33-40ec-8032-87d797c67b78/tempImage6CeVgK.jpg Blog - Hay-on-Wye - Make it stand out For dinner I had portobello mushrooms & new potatoes in a caponata with micro greens. We’re continually amazed by what great food these small pubs turn out! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/bath-1 monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0e11d0b2-5d89-4048-8944-368e0e2dfe78/tempImageU7lAcP.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2325b579-8756-4a59-8079-ce13039c4496/tempImagevyLmnG.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out On Friday morning, we took the 10:30 Great Western Railway train from London Paddington to Bath Spa, arriving at 11:45. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c2c0fe37-b984-4d94-b3ed-9eeb1c5f5d3f/tempImageOqllmx.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Decorations in town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f1c4092-72cd-4309-bd57-075ecd4cc849/tempImage9VX4eY.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a3866c38-030b-4aa3-b2ff-1d884c4036f7/tempImageIzaM43.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Entering the fabled Abbey Green, where a magnificent London Plane tree presides over the historic courtyard. Our apartment is the white door in the distance, along with the two windows to the right. We stayed on Abbey Green with Dan & Elizabeth in June 2015. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/70ea966c-5fba-4710-b06e-48c2bcae9890/tempImageT4hePO.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Amanda beside the entrance to 2 Abbey House. As in real estate, where you stay on trips is often all about location, location, location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/306ed3e6-69dc-4850-992a-e62b1e169ded/tempImagexo4fkO.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out We dropped our bags inside our Airbnb & then took an Uber to Hare & Hounds situated on a scenic hilltop above Bath. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68a8b9e7-8239-4cde-88dd-a072f162e0e4/tempImageO7iY0w.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9c74df6b-0bf7-45bf-84f5-119d8c8775ea/tempImage76Piqx.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out I’ve wanted to sit on this patio ever since our 2009 trip. Seventeen years later, we finally made it happen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f7e6eda-edc0-401f-95c8-bbb26cc127fd/tempImageINXm3d.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out My cask ale brewed just down the road from the pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e834af09-bb48-4dd6-919a-9a2052926095/tempImagem4svzI.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7eec0e33-5af6-4e12-9425-adea2e32f55a/tempImagehJJRsH.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The Coronation chickpea ciabatta with roasted chickpeas, lightly curried mayonnaise, lettuce, & poppadoms was so good we plan to try & recreate it when we return home. Of course, no pub meal would be complete without “chips.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35a72deb-e976-433c-8cbc-2181db6ed806/tempImageRgaNWJ.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Turned out there was a bus stop at the pub—who knew! A short bus ride & we were back in Bath where we bought a fresh loaf of sourdough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/261177bd-e95c-4807-9387-e3c43903c73e/tempImage71Vc0O.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Bath Abbey, beautiful as ever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e14f8157-c947-44ab-8eac-679b499ac84e/tempImageY3LTLN.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out At Topping & Company bookstore we bought a copy of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley started writing the book at the Villa Diodati near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, but wrote a large portion of it later in rented rooms at 5 Abbey Churchyard. The original house was torn down in the 1890s to make space for an extension to the Roman Baths & Pump Room. The plaque behind Amanda memorializes her stay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f2792a7-d5f5-4082-a71e-994236c054d1/tempImagezINZ38.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Having watched Wayne’s World too many times, we assumed we had “backstage passes” to see Tom Bailey from Thompson Twins. Despite arriving late for the pre-show meet-and-greet, we were early enough that they still permitted us to attend. ‍ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f8c4cde-2155-41fc-8d8d-4f506d70ac2b/tempImage8vHoQc.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out We had a nice chat with Tom, who is a fellow vegan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d609a11-1208-4975-bfed-b6e9f8991db9/tempImageIcwN53.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out He signed a tour poster & an early-release CD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d34beeb9-0b3c-42ba-9195-1dd6a1728c97/tempImagerYIEf6.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out We’ve been listening to his music since the early 1980s, so meeting Tom in person was a real treat—made all the more special by doing so on his home turf here in the UK. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b634bf7-bda0-489c-91c7-d291666023e2/tempImage3DG92G.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The UK band Blancmange was the opening act (they never broke into the US market in the 1980s). In the middle of the first song the lead singer quietly asked security if fans could approach the stage & they agreed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cdf151eb-65a0-4ed8-b77a-454fa0764664/tempImageMmjxSn.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out After Blancmange & while they set the stage for the Thompson Twins, we took a spot at center stage, where we stayed for the entire concert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f83de6b4-d06d-4a5b-967c-297862cdae5a/tempImageQwaJeo.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out All these photos are taken without zoom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6a30ca88-c162-41a2-84d0-fda94aceac98/tempImagegXNErM.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33c29190-ef57-46fc-8193-1be5947a44d3/tempImageUdnzvl.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc3f4ece-f051-4cc5-9624-962d2da0619b/IMG_0109.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Of course the grand finale was Hold Me Now, which we consider “our song.” At one point, Tom came right up & looked directly into Amanda’s phone—amazing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ee293186-f2c9-4a7c-be14-e802850c9ccb/tempImageulZoIN.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Just before going a cappella for the end of the song, Tom threw the pick he was using to play Hold Me Now to Amanda! I don’t think I have to worry… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21cc8f2e-3ba9-4f3a-a0b9-533dfc2ebf33/tempImage1C5STA.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The band takes a bow. We will never forget this night‼️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97b7811c-fb83-4ab8-aeec-0f7000e0db75/tempImageeL4KmC.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The view of Bath Abbey from our bedroom window on Saturday morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7dff051-851d-4cc3-9fbb-110968d23d26/tempImageG7PMHg.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out After toasted Warburton’s crumpets at home, we enjoyed coffee & tea at my favorite: Society Café on the High St. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d8a0873-2723-4999-ac41-82cb5b301ad8/tempImageNkUj5o.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Then it was off to enjoy the Jane Austen Festival. Here, participants gather on the lawn in front of Bath’s Royal Crescent before the 23rd annual Grand Regency Promenade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/11e486eb-385a-408d-9858-1425c238b518/tempImage4ClLRP.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Many people went all-in on their Regency costumes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1ed95b9-0cee-410a-a825-0bfd98c05bf5/tempImage3b9hMa.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c7dc0bd6-6311-42ea-b979-686db6ead836/tempImageYcdIaL.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Taking a not-so-Regency cell phone photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a672ceb2-0841-427c-9341-dd701bd435f5/tempImagenTleSR.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Even some dogs wore Regency attire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24ea2092-e4ec-42f4-a52b-325aab7352ca/tempImageBicPLv.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/50e65333-7327-49f2-ab95-5ae47f7dbab8/tempImageA5PnWQ.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea6b4057-d031-42f6-a154-694c6db4ef45/tempImageTZ9N5B.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The promenade begins down the eastern extension of Royal Crescent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/56742d5b-a812-4c00-999f-4388c4507b87/tempImagekWoFaN.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e428cb8-0f27-413d-8faf-8ebcfd35aa53/tempImageVHUMzH.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Picnic at the ready. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f16d575d-e149-4da5-b3f8-6ba13166c1d4/tempImageygfFYv.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/875ad74a-df0b-442e-a5da-fe04a077c4b8/tempImageYPxiWG.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/530c458e-b970-4184-a1f1-1e9bf983fb5c/tempImageX0PTOv.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42568c64-1802-441a-9a23-e24a25b78d01/tempImageTbZiE5.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c7c56bcf-7c38-45b8-8836-2a5c552f376d/tempImageHzXb7c.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3076491-75fd-4d74-874e-c5c30abdc3d9/tempImageemrzCr.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Looking up Gay St toward the magnificent trees in the center of The Circus. The internet says there are “more than 2,000” participants, but I’d be quite surprised if the number were really that low. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b27c9367-82ee-4ed4-9d49-3318f5f55e51/tempImageZUSjRx.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out After the parade, our UK matcha mission continued at Matcha Thing in Bath. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d3686816-3b30-48fa-a447-8a85ee47a54c/tempImageWjNxdX.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc5b6fe6-dbd1-4f7d-b2e7-240f583c1f46/tempImageqTMDka.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out The city was filled with people in Regency attire all week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/903f9263-e8e2-4a24-95e6-49892b2451db/tempImageWXtwOf.jpg Blog - Bath - Make it stand out We spent the afternoon “taking the waters” at Thermae Bath Spa, getting a hot-stone massage, & then eating a delicious dinner at Thaikhun—the same place Amanda took me in 2023 for my 53rd birthday. Bath never disappoints! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/six monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/798ffd48-7af7-4501-8e2a-5d0afecada39/IMG_7478.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a03b3eb3-7081-4159-b353-ee29f8e8efc2/IMG_7435.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Day 6, our final day in London. We returned to Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr to see the model of London’s medieval bridge. The archway is under the tree & the old main roadway was to the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/92be6c15-eec5-419d-88f8-0a11e13a9263/Picture1.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out To improve flow, buildings were eventually removed from the bridge. From 1763 until the demise of the old bridge in 1831, this archway was the main pedestrian entrance onto the bridge. Millions of people must have walked through it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c2b95c33-072e-4641-a30b-b71e5161716c/Picture2.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out View from The Monument to the Great Fire of 1666 looking toward the church & bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a538d95-e6c6-4950-ba1c-c14bc92a6587/Picture3.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out (Looking the opposite direction.) The new bridge opened in 1831 & the old bridge was demolished over the next two years. This bridge was dismantled in 1972, shipped to Lake Havasu & replaced with the current structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ef99c44-aa0d-464a-8631-71fcec4d0b1a/tempImageT56d1F.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out T S Eliot wrote that, “the walls of Magnus Martyr hold inexplicable splendour of Ionian white & gold” & held that “the interior of St. Magnus Martyr is to my mind one of the finest among Wren’s interiors.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c5776b23-fe28-4548-b2f9-5cea27ed1a6e/tempImagecaTCel.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out The remarkable model of medieval Old London Bridge inside St Magnus-the-Martyr vividly recreates the crowded medieval bridge, complete with its houses, shops, gates, & fortified towers. We’ve long harbored the fanciful dream of stepping through time to wander this bridge & Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in medieval days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/957ce32d-de14-4401-b87f-761f3e17f151/tempImage6PnIP0.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out The model was created in 1987 by David T. Aggett, a Metropolitan Police officer & liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers; he spent nearly three years building the 13-foot-long model, which depicts the bridge as it appeared around 1400. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a9b89eab-152a-485e-bf64-0c9041223e9a/IMG_7432.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out A particularly charming detail is the tiny policeman on the bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7dc39df2-6a1c-435d-8817-752f86bb3a78/tempImageAQbwUf.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Sitting on a sharp corner in Mayfair & decked in a timbered façade, leaded stained glass windows, & intricately carved woodwork, the Coach & Horses is a time capsule hidden amongst its modern neighbors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90926532-c348-403a-9660-31ac68da0467/tempImageYDcPnz.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out A coaching inn has been on this site since the 1730s. What a building! Its unique shape adds greatly to its character. The late Queen Elizabeth II was born just down the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54c12739-3945-4f15-9c1a-6b184f18d05f/IMG_7438.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out A proper pint of real ale! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e990e0de-d402-4528-832a-de42600c3f06/tempImage6hDFUJ.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Amanda’s half pint, apropos of Laura Ingalls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/00834daa-43ce-429e-9552-c33a2a1a1630/IMG_7443.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Immersing ourselves in the old world charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6089f357-96b2-4056-a4fc-96d23ef43e1f/IMG_7452.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out I’ve always loved that the pubs invest so much effort into their signage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1b9d340-2e96-49fc-b107-2c081b83796f/IMG_7458.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Seven Dials is a road junction & neighborhood that retains its 17th-century street-plan. In 1694, a large sundial column was erected at the center of the circle where the roads converge. Ingeniously designed, it featured six faces, with the column itself serving as the gnomon—the shadow-casting element—for a seventh dial. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54ebac40-d57f-4e71-a218-950436b17e27/tempImageJdLmtA.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Charles Dickens wrote about the area & Agatha Christie chose it as the setting for her 1929 novel The Seven Dials Mystery. We’ll remember it for the cute shirts we bought there for our lovely granddaughters! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac763e48-8c12-48bf-95a4-47deadc5ae01/IMG_7466.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Hilarious sign on Cecil Court. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe9f8078-dadc-41cc-898a-6168c85a06e5/tempImageGvIWUM.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out We miraculously found a bottle of Sprinkbank 15 & also a bottle of Jameson Crested. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91c1c49e-a080-4c5d-962a-d03ce20ea9c7/tempImagefSROmU.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Time for a wee dram https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/196096b1-16ec-4f1e-91b3-935ef60e5753/tempImage6nIEAl.jpg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Gotta loves those matchas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21a220b7-79a7-45ee-8294-957c9eaedc00/IMG_7474.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out We ate a lovely dinner here between the two acts of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child in April 2025, so it seemed fitting to return for dinner before seeing Six. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/09aa35dc-0215-4419-a8d2-dc1e42b72263/IMG_7469.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Inside, Circolo Popolare is a riot of Sicilian exuberance—20,000 bottles glowing from floor-to-ceiling shelves, cascades of greenery overhead, twinkling lights, & richly layered décor creating the feel of a magical Mediterranean garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98698b3f-08d0-44e6-b72f-28e58d5ef6d3/IMG_7473.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Such a fun place to enjoy dinner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88e54956-763a-48eb-8f04-fe26b5cd76a6/IMG_9997.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out The signage for Six outside the Vaudeville Theatre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/83486b0c-7309-4f73-b96f-f23af941e785/IMG_7475.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eafe3f12-411a-4e09-8cc8-45bcca0244f2/IMG_7477.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Our seats at the front of the Dress Circle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e41ebe40-d512-4217-aa6b-b9d5dd00e36c/IMG_7480.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out The musical was hilarious & so much fun! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f8384b6-d1d9-4d89-9970-25b523b4107d/IMG_7482.jpeg Blog - Six - Make it stand out Such a fitting finale to our time in London! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/hampstead-heath monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dbe897a2-c82c-469d-a648-523845d20938/IMG_0921-2.jpg.webp Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4108fb98-304d-4596-8428-18198ef348db/Wide-paths-in-the-woods-in-Hampstead-Heath-1024x747.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out “It was weather ordained for a walk.” —Emma M. Lion Wednesday was all about Hampstead Heath—the vast, ancient expanse of rolling meadows, wooded hills, ponds & wild open countryside in north London. It is also one of the wealthiest & most exclusive neighborhoods in London. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4882c553-4ebb-4ac0-8a67-17b85987d01e/kinda-co-spirulina-blue-cheese-3176690.jpg.webp Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Escape to the Country is a British show a bit like House Hunters in the US. One episode featured the work of Kinda Co. who make vegan cheese, so our first stop in Hampstead Heath was at Planet Organic to purchase a farmhouse cheddar & blue “che*se.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87d14bb5-80a5-409e-91d1-59a91227f59f/tempImageL482Id.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out We then walked to Karma Bread where we picked up a freshly-baked sourdough loaf & two fresh cinnamon rolls. Soon we were ambling along a path in the shade of ancient trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a48c86cb-9061-4f8d-8258-d024e8687218/tempImagetZs5lk.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out We meandered up Parliament Hill (aka Kite Hill) & found this bench with views over the Heath & beyond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a8389917-fe8c-4ebc-9e78-4afd2437f009/tempImagei5Km2k.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out The bread & che*ses were as exceptional as the view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91d51f67-a04a-4c7c-bff6-b14ce93b622d/tempImageMZ0SIy.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f03b8809-12b0-432a-a7aa-440470e1babf/IMG_9973.jpeg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out “Our Spot” on the Heath https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f634c73-3b6d-47b7-9691-97c842f94c64/tempImageZu95Tx.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out “I am set for a day of far walking and long thoughts.” —Emma M Lion The far walking was perhaps father than expected, but our path eventually led us to the sprawling & wooded Highgate Cemetery. “When the living irritate, best to spend time with the dead.” Pierce about Highgate Cemetery, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4ccf3188-112d-469d-b39c-8b843d9f860e/tempImageJrmB7z.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Amongst the roughly 170,000 people buried across its east and west sides is Karl Marx. Expelled from Germany & France for his revolutionary ideas, Marx moved to London in 1849 as a political refugee & spent the last 34 years of his life there, writing works like Das Kapital at the British Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2837ad4e-9183-471b-a40e-dc485733b716/tempImaget6Ktz2.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out The cream-colored, turreted, gothic lodge at the west entrance was once the residence for the cemetery superintendent. There were two distinct chapels on opposite ends—one for Anglican services & the other for “Dissenters” or “non-conformists.” Through the archway, a large open courtyard was designed to let horse-drawn funeral carriages turn around easily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9c9fbd4-7b91-4680-9161-03e1baa73660/IMG_9974.jpeg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Lovely Waterlow Park neighbors Highgate Cemetery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bea55411-3764-4451-937b-56d16b28d81d/tempImagefj35hy.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out We were tempted but decided against trying to search for George Michael’s grave in Highgate Cemetery, but we managed to find the next best thing in Waterlow Park—a memorial bench dedicated to Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (George Michael). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19966c4f-f23f-4006-96ae-55898302c386/tempImagetMA2tQ.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Fortunately, we found a nearby bus route to take us to Kenwood House. Amanda standing against the front façade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/de2084e9-2954-4d00-8a9a-d3cbb1c3eda3/tempImagenb9hXD.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Our 2:30 guided tour included this lovely library & a survey of the astonishing collection of art work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/539a1b1a-5f93-4e39-b3fa-584d32cd0760/IMG_9984.jpeg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Edward Cecil Guinness—the Irish philanthropist, businessman, & head of the Guinness brewing family—purchased the house in 1925 to save it from development & filled it with his personal collection of 63 elite paintings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e80452e-49e3-4489-99ad-e8d807e3d08a/tempImageDWvmT1.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out You may recognize the rear elevation from the 1999 rom-com Notting Hill where Hugh Grant visits the set where Julia Roberts is filming a period drama & overhears her dismissing him to a co-star by calling him a “dithering sort of bloke” & saying he is “just an old friend” who means “nothing to me.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ee006427-19f3-408c-be40-a8be9663bad4/tempImage25mWHy.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out If for no other reason than the cheekiness of the name, we had intended on both of our previous trips to eat at Temple of Seitan. Well, we finally made it for Wednesday dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1cf80689-4c76-4251-8bb6-8d5933f1856e/tempImagehWS6fS.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out My burger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/16dc59f6-49b9-4677-858b-0f1876ab93d5/tempImagej9Swse.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Amanda’s chicken strips & fries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5a813fc7-0c09-4161-bcb9-7ae4cfd73d14/tempImage3r6HMg.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out Oreo shake & cookie. Not our healthiest choice so far, but everything was so delicious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/edee9b4b-9554-4f0f-86a9-8c1c5178fb68/tempImageGJTOUo.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out After dinner we took the Tube back to The Scottish Stores & the Tennent tap was fixed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5547eb3-c49d-41b5-a8aa-b383a824bee2/tempImageVnIAv1.jpg Blog - Hampstead Heath - Make it stand out On our way home, as we approached King’s Cross Station, the entrance gates were being pulled shut & a recorded message was telling everyone to exit the station immediately due to an emergency. Thinking it could be terror-related, we left the area, walked to the next Tube station, & rode home. From what we can tell, a sounding fire alarm led to the station’s closing & evacuation. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/tuesday monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d7b70ea-7e55-48df-b54e-44a93ff473c6/tempImage7LY583.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eb330e66-09a0-4fc8-ab86-e6dd53cca775/tempImageHSw2fJ.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out A while back we watched Season 1 of The Art Detectives on PBS where they uncovered a lost painting by J. M. W.Turner. The show highlighted this Claude Lorrain painting—Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba (1648)—& his masterful use of light, which inspired Turner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3e3e954-28c1-4473-bf40-b8d51134829f/tempImagerWkpoV.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Turner’s Dido building Carthage (1815) showing his fascination, like Claude, with landscape & subtle, shifting light effects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fd56966c-e057-414e-ab73-c7f0392f26c1/tempImageZZCQze.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Turner gave his painting (right) to the National Gallery on the condition that it would be displayed beside the Claude (left), whom Turner deeply admired. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/56a182b0-779e-4d9a-b0d7-90ac737330d9/tempImageV25CHo.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Between 1875-1914, 61 of these buildings were built around London. Most were staffed by an attendant who sold food & (non-alcoholic) drink to cabbies. The green huts were not allowed to be larger than a horse & cart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/48cede78-2f5e-4dc4-a2e2-b4b296ac4b6b/tempImagedVvUtc.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out On the Golden Jubilee (pedestrian) Bridge looking south toward Big Ben. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b051fe30-0379-40d7-a7a0-b0526ba14073/tempImageWJovJ8.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The King’s Arms pub on Roupell St in Waterloo. Built around 1830, the area features rare Georgian/Victorian architecture that lacks modern clutter. The pristine terraces are frequently used to double for working-class northern towns in past decades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/258febe9-7936-47da-a248-5a0ba2469b04/tempImagevzcR7Y.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The pub retains its rare two-bar partition. The larger “saloon bar” with its horseshoe-shaped bar (behind us) was historically a more comfortable/formal section associated with a somewhat higher social status (& often higher prices). The smaller “public bar” is a more basic drinking space. At the King's Arms, those two historic bars are still physically separated by the unusual partition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/03ce7aff-7691-4d28-9644-30e8d613c109/tempImageTR2jPp.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Finally! God bless the Brits for their real cask ales! Photos taken from the smaller “public bar” looking into the larger “saloon bar.” The partition is to the right. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Legend, No Time To Die, Call the Midwife, Slow Horses, Silent Witness, Bridget Jones's Diary, Pennyworth, & EastEnders have all set scenes on the street and/or inside the pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/144222a2-a6d1-4801-bf76-a78a784953d3/tempImageKSt7NK.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out From The Kings Arms we took a red double-decker bus to Temple Church. On our last trip the church was closed for Easter services, so it was great to finally see inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/62acb31e-67d4-4323-bb5b-cecf31c74a1d/tempImagerSsZ5o.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The church's circular nave, the oldest part of the building, was built by the Knights Templar & consecrated in 1185. Its unusual circular design was deliberately modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, particularly the rotunda surrounding Christ's tomb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/45397a0a-fd7a-4ab5-bdf4-223395014cfc/tempImagecavxaj.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out These ancient spiral stairwells seem to carry inspiration in every turn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc67c9f5-e404-4734-9e6f-a723c419d0c4/tempImagetkEwg6.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Church organ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e27e09af-c9df-4413-b43d-a82d216d0534/tempImageftZX7g.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Following the Great Fire of London in 1666 (which the church itself miraculously escaped), architect Christopher Wren heavily refurbished the interior, adding the wooden screen behind the altar. The screen was placed into storage before WWII which is how it survived a firestorm during the Blitz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc1be397-4b54-4425-a837-6e888b214a94/tempImageGghRq7.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Twinings was a short walk from Temple Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b6766e39-f444-4304-81d2-1451dec45b51/tempImageCUgN0O.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10774d27-a86c-446a-b7aa-765f57cc7d57/tempImage3f3usp.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out We so love London’s remarkable layering of old upon older, where centuries seem to sit comfortably beside one another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1fab093a-6c06-476e-af98-efe60d7c8f2c/tempImageXYBweZ.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Next, we visited the home of Samual Johnson (1709–1784) who was an English writer, critic, & lexicographer, best known for compiling the hugely influential Dictionary of the English Language (1755), one of the most important English dictionaries of its era. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7fcbcdb8-1752-41a5-b3e5-d110546975ff/tempImageutyvKt.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The household's only entrance had to be secure. The spiked iron bar above the door stopped burglars lowering children in through the window & the chain is hung on a corkscrew latch so that it can't be lifted up by a hook from outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a20d43ad-6d4d-47ed-88e9-fb514f1d25b2/tempImageXJkSxj.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Amanda in front of the wig cupboard, originally used to store wigs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fbe88a1a-f53a-4e9f-9718-2bdcffe77f88/tempImageP2as1x.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Its size allowed a chair to be placed inside, meaning the wig-wearer could sit, close the doors behind them, & powder their wigs without a mess being made in the room. This is where the term powder closet (now powder room) comes from. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7dac6ae-d308-452c-a679-8d939e577774/tempImageP2ZlkK.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out This little cupboard was used to store candles & candlesticks which could be lit downstairs before lighting the way up to bed. Such a neat old house! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4edfe15c-dc02-4e64-ac5a-f34dd776cbb1/tempImageww4B2A.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The old house was simply magical. “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” —Samuel Johnson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14d6fa68-e269-4801-b98e-b25dbbb0de38/tempImageylrwY6.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out In Gough Square below is a statue of one of the most famous cats in literary history: Johnson's feline companion Hodge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a61283de-bf3c-4782-9cc0-b9ca6bc6b99f/tempImage1aD8ce.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5cf3c57-7a98-48e0-9954-44a6594eb8c1/tempImagevSmMd1.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Just blocks from Johnson’s home is one of London’s oldest & most iconic pubs, rebuilt after the Great Fire of London, which began on Sept 2, 1666, in a bakery on Pudding Ln & burned for four days, destroying much of the medieval City of London. Our visit on Sept 8, 2026, was nearly exactly 360 years after the fire broke out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/53caba41-9ea6-4506-84cb-512e9b14c6d2/tempImageMXSzdn.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out A pub has stood on the site of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese since 1538, prior to which the site formed part of the guest house of the 13th century Carmelite Monastery. The Chop Room is the traditional dining room, centered around a long oaken table where, over the years, Dr. Johnson, Charles Dickens, Oliver Goldsmith, & many other celebrated figures once sat & dined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4d4b5076-1949-4f35-b909-9a2d07003425/tempImageSKjIMB.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The pub is a wonderful warren of rooms & crooked passageways. We discovered this little alcove one level down, where even ducking wasn’t quite enough to save my head from the old stairwell. We then descended another level into the ancient cellar to order our drinks. What an experience! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ef19f8f-a534-4a40-962b-d121f5270343/tempImageQWCL0o.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The remaining part of London Stone. Its original purpose is unknown, although it may be Roman & related to once nearby Roman buildings. It originally stood in the middle of Cannon St & was later set in an alcove in the wall of St Swithin's church on this site. The church was bombed during WW II & later demolished. London Stone was placed in this alcove in 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/74274c8e-a974-4eea-b6bd-c87b31b41152/tempImagelqPyn4.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out We then went to Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr to see the model of Old London Bridge inside. We arrived too late, so we’ll return on Thursday. This archway is part of the church but was also once a key part of Old London Bridge. The first timber crossings over the River Thames were built by the Romans & many such bridges were destroyed & rebuilt between c. 50–400 CE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/15a60306-4a40-4510-9f99-950fa10365d0/tempImageOIkJDk.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Old London Bridge was the famous medieval stone bridge built almost exactly over the Roman alignment. It stood for over 600 years from 1209–1831. It came to feature houses & shops on top, but buildings were later removed between 1757-1762 to widen the roadway & improve traffic flow. Around this time, this archway became the main pedestrian entrance from the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5cd3ecca-f12e-447a-b7c2-43e3a7412755/tempImagePjLWEb.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out A piece of an old Roman wharf dating from c. 75 CE. This was found on the nearby Fish Street Hill in 1931, illustrating just how far the banks of the Thames have moved over the space of 2,000 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7eeae56f-e412-4b43-abbf-5d7dbe95f292/tempImageFs9XUq.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The Southwark Gateway Needle stands on the bank opposite & points toward Church of St Magnus-the-Martyr. This was once the south entrance onto the medieval Old London Bridge & the only way into the city other than by boat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0b78092-6ee6-4d80-b72b-25001ebfc0cc/tempImageEUbTXQ.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out The King’s Arms, a Victorian pub on Newcomen St in Southwark. The fine stone coat of arms used to say GIIR, for George II, and was fixed on Stonegate in 1728, the entrance to Old London Bridge from the Southwark side. When the gate was demolished in 1760, it was removed, the inscription changed to 1760 & GIIIR for the current king, & put up on this tavern. Walking London is to walk through living history! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dadc7005-1f05-43a6-aed3-8eda4c999ed5/tempImage5Zr3rH.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Borough Market, one of London’s oldest food markets, unfolds beneath a beautiful canopy of Victorian ironwork, glass, & modern structures, sheltering a lively maze of stalls beneath the railway arches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e679774a-737e-47f0-9270-c0f21de91659/tempImagexpSOcG.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Here is where we found Whisk by Jenki—yet another winner! Amanda did research London’s best matcha offerings, so it should come as no surprise that we’ve enjoyed them all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6931b5bf-ec63-4f73-98be-b01f8a91c638/tempImagea0k6S9.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out “Mary and I sat on a bench near the Southwark Cathedral this afternoon, eating sandwiches and boiled eggs prepared by Agnes.” —Emma M. Lion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4c0a4419-0197-4745-a6f9-890a3157cc6e/tempImagezvgPh6.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out For Tuesday night’s dinner we made a booking at Plants of Roslyn, located on the South Bank between London & Tower Bridges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2367a0b5-6887-45f8-ad5b-27062e95933e/tempImageaYHFvf.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out We shared the Som Tum Papaya Salad.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d019fdcc-aea9-4389-99da-f2b76603a355/tempImageYF2qeV.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out …and the Tom Kha Coconut Soup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67a9d788-c40d-498e-be20-f984bd4fb6a1/tempImage1wX6gX.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out Amanda’s Hainanese Chicke’n Rice was perfection! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6462d036-6535-433d-afb8-e7412aafc4ba/tempImageqSb0aS.jpg Blog - Tuesday - Make it stand out I had the Ayurvedic Tofu Massaman Curry. We’ve enjoyed a lot of truly delicious food this week, but this one takes the top prize! “…I did enjoy my walk across London. The city was full of movement and the sort of noise that makes a day stand on its own two feet.” —Emma M. Lion https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/sunday monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd25b5c6-7609-4d7b-b0ea-1d8170539746/tempImagevxql6g.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13d59035-a421-4158-aefe-e8c2c2a26b8a/tempImageBNcRkh.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out On Sunday morning, we took the 274 bus from our apt to Primrose Hill. The driver was aggressive enough to have been HP’s Ern from the Knight Bus. Believe it or not, this was our very first time riding an iconic red double-decker bus in London. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/939b9dce-2d9f-4e6d-a8d8-fd5ec1351aba/tempImagek5dK4l.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Graced with lovely weekend weather, Primrose Hill was chock-a-block with dogs. “It is a glory to be in London again…settled so near Primrose Hill.” —Emma M. Lion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/715971e9-6173-4dee-ae80-be5e93580bac/tempImagexyJk78.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Standing at the Primrose Hill Viewpoint with the Shakespeare Oak behind my left shoulder & central London in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/913c3844-f8f5-4e73-8ea9-24b3d1544c0c/tempImageCKDmDr.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out “I took myself out of the house and up to the crest of Primrose Hill. It was less for the exercise and more to feel I had accomplished Something Great.” —Emma M. Lion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c4f6359b-d106-4be7-a0a7-e249ab756737/tempImage8gpMAg.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out William Blake viewed Primrose Hill as a mystical place where the physical & spiritual worlds met. He claimed to see divine & spiritual visions in nature rather than just physical objects. The low wall in front of me is inscribed with Blake’s quote, “I have conversed with the spiritual Sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71e4c2c1-be36-4219-9e4d-bd953aa79cb8/IMG_4776.jpeg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out From Primrose Hill, we wandered down the western slope toward the imagined setting of St Crispian’s, the fictional town that has become so wonderfully real to us through the pages of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/73a85010-d711-4404-aa2c-42fbb01b3853/IMG_4775.jpeg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Volume 9 is due out this autumn…we can’t wait! Strike that, just got word we have to wait until Feb 2027. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8e501575-01d2-4c22-b2c7-edcc3cd8624e/tempImageFlfJAJ.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out The rather posh neighborhood bordering “St Crispians.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/29873460-6aed-4e87-9ab9-d901bc346e36/tempImage0sGe9r.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out From Primrose Hill we walked south to Regent’s Park where we took this photo standing on Long Bridge overlooking Boating Lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19da0ca9-9b1d-4a8a-a851-4e018023c752/tempImageWxx1WQ.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Waterfall near the Japanese Garden in Regent’s Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/74d55563-e046-4639-bd8c-20b29c680b8e/tempImageoJOeg1.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Inside the famous Daunt Books Marylebone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1bc19ccc-c349-465f-a933-a7e7e36fa7f6/tempImageGdStfe.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Our London matcha pilgrimage continued with yet another cup, this time from How Matcha! in Marylebone. So far, Saturday’s matcha from Blank Street Coffee in Camden has been the winner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2fbd83c-485f-46f1-9b05-b7543dd3ca62/tempImagedymL8q.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We both loved the beautiful floral adornments to this Marylebone house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/463c0c5f-052d-4679-a55c-cc96ecd03bcd/tempImager2ftSP.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out The Wallace Collection has the most impressive collection of armory we’ve ever seen. Among the vast array of art, however, we noticed a decreeable theme—the nip slip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fce0e765-1d3b-4b73-ba13-6745ec34d85b/tempImagebWdIka.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Which descended rather quickly from there. Lute player indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4bdbfe3d-b137-40f1-a3cf-cf7c822a847e/tempImageuDJcL1.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Anarchy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/560fe9af-4788-4a6b-939b-076f2cab8fc1/tempImagepcjuP1.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Of course, it was Jean-Honoré Fragonard's (1732–1806) treasured rococo painting The Swing that actually drew us to the museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/78524d5c-2517-4626-8a52-ec40d7e60411/tempImagep7eLQg.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Amanda learned about this painting during an art history class at Ventura College in the early 1990s, so it was a poignant moment to finally see the painting in person nearly four decades later. It really was exquisite! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/432fe0d6-3dba-4fae-8cc7-19a0303cbf06/tempImage1Dt2RE.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out On our April 2025 trip we unknowingly passed within 20 feet of the Alan Rickman memorial bench in the South Flower Walk in Kensington Gardens. We were sure to visit today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b629a062-dcfc-43ef-be59-4f46872f35fb/tempImageIPjCYC.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out The inscription reads, "It would be wonderful to think that the future is unknown and sort of surprising. —Alan Rickman” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/661e1af1-08c9-47e4-b196-cf2c2810d5e6/tempImagevmAJvw.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out A popular South African plant-based milk & cafe brand uses the name okja. Their branding notes that while it is officially pronounced "oak-jah," it is a playful nod to the Afrikaans phrase "OK, ja" (which means "OK, yes”). We found this vegan bakery a block from Unity Diner & picked out breakfast pastries for Monday morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60231d52-80ca-462c-80ea-d49d41d0a413/tempImagew9o70q.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out The Sunday Roast is a celebrated English tradition. During our 10 months living in country we never thought to explore vegan versions. We fixed that on this trip with three vegan Sunday roasts, starting here at Unity Diner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/660d5555-0d5b-46a9-bc2d-209f96c99537/tempImagee5t042.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Yorkshire pudding, roasted chicken, sage stuffing, crispy roasted potatoes, miso glazed carrots, cracklings, Brussel sprouts, cheesy cauliflower, & more. Everything was exceptionally delicious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/51df45ea-40bb-430e-bf1d-559d819709e9/tempImageZIClTk.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out After finishing the salted caramel cake, we were thoroughly stuffed—and grateful that walking home would help work it off. It was a deliciously filling end to an equally fulfilling day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/63c511ca-2908-4b39-a0a9-e3ef3861e4f1/tempImageOk6NCe.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out On Monday morning, we snuck in our okja pain au chocolat & morning bun to enjoy with our Blank Street matcha (our trip favorite) & mocha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dbe66f8b-6816-4ce3-98d8-df465e875815/tempImagex2B2PN.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We then joined a tour that climbed 334 steps into the belfry of Elizabeth Tower. There, we marveled at the clock’s ingenious mechanism, walked behind the massive clock faces, and stood just three feet from Big Ben as it struck noon with 12 bone-rattling bongs. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast the Liberty Bell (1752) & Big Ben (1858). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd694706-4c61-4161-bd1d-1087564584bf/tempImageFvOW06.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We felt exceptionally fortunate to have secured tickets & immediately knew we could count this among our very best travel experiences. If you can, book the 10:45 tour to experience all 12 glorious bongs! We had to check in our phones at the bottom, so we don’t have any photos of the tour. We did get this nifty certificate though! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d4d2107-02fa-411a-9576-6266410079bd/tempImageKQJ11F.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Before there was Buckingham Palace, Henry VIII created a grand royal palace at White Hall in 1529-30, nearly all of which was destroyed by a massive fire in 1698. Banqueting House (in white) is one of the only surviving buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4fe91df7-8d47-4e4b-a1f9-b8479f51de6d/tempImageBwwJPg.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Banqueting House is rarely open, so we were grateful to make it inside today to witness the ceiling paintings known as The Glorification of King James I. These nine paintings by the renowned artist Peter Paul Rubens were commissioned by Charles I to commemorate the reign of his father James I. They celebrate King James' wise rule & peaceful reign, the union of England & Scotland, and, at the center, his apotheosis (elevation to divine status). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8a4cadd-3f96-436a-be52-1b1b07be51bd/tempImagefB6rUx.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We also came because this place witnessed one of the most momentous scenes in British history. On January 30, 1649, Charles I was led through the second-floor window behind us onto a scaffold, where he was beheaded after insisting on his divine right to rule as an absolute monarch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54b8395d-d430-4cf4-8e3f-e31b7e57e167/tempImageTVXLFX.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Charles I reigned for 24 years before his execution. His son Charles II reigned for 25 years. Unfortunately, I don’t think Charles III has that much longevity left in him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1be04205-e52d-4787-855e-2ce062b32208/tempImageQo6HGz.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Passing by MI6 Secret Intelligence Service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d13d6cd5-e2eb-43ef-8598-997af26a693b/tempImageQlRZtu.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We took a Thames Uber boat from Embankment to North Greenwich. Along the way, we noticed the old London City Hall with the glass exterior removed. The building appears during the dramatic opening sequence of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Death Eaters attack London, showing office workers inside looking out in shock as the sky darkens and the Millennium Bridge collapses. City Hall has since moved & the building is being reimagined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c322d03f-3763-4fb9-a3c2-c8eb1d1182fc/tempImageTsHkgw.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We then took the London Cable Car from the Greenwich Peninsula (near The O2) to the Royal Docks on the north bank. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49aff954-4d52-4ae5-8652-9828f0b5672c/tempImageMLZvDv.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out From here we could see the Thames Barrier (above my finger). This engineering marvel is a retractable barrier system built to protect London from exceptionally high tides & storm surges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0ce744be-800d-45a0-a258-35927517bb5c/tempImage6ulyCH.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out The new London City Hall was built here, near the north end of the cable car ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36ddc5cd-b038-470b-a458-ba9be9af263a/tempImageTu0pJw.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out What a goof! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ebd53d56-413c-40c2-852d-725425cba400/tempImageQvReEg.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out We ate dinner at Planet Vegan, a vegan Sichuan Chinese restaurant in Camden. Amanda’s Kung Pao Chicken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d6c2aaf-6c88-48cd-862a-007ac7ed9df4/tempImagecu04fN.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out My Vegan Beef in Black Bean Sauce with Green Peppers. Both were 10 out of 10 tasty! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f36deb24-87c0-4e61-9633-3ad1b2bea6ec/tempImageNt5SaF.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out After dinner we took the Tube to King’s Cross Station, hoping to get a Tennent beer, Scotland’s favorite lager, which is rarely found on tap in England—except here at this London Scottish pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/39b9a916-3c88-4b6d-b419-0669fae2f48f/tempImageqzrlbM.jpg Blog - Sunday & Monday - Make it stand out Ugh! The tap was out of order! So, we got a Hawkstone for Pam, who enjoys watching Jeremy Clarkson’s show Diddly Squat Farm. Hopefully we’ll get a chance at a Tennent later in the week! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/across-the-pond monthly 0.5 2026-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c3ee21c-b010-4e0e-bcee-359c43d3c786/tempImageFG8SoY.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/289b81d3-a842-4337-b5f7-695421d96339/IMG_7170.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out On board our British Airways flight from LAX to London Heathrow on Thursday afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d8cdc2a4-034a-4ac3-b252-e72d44188b35/IMG_7174.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Now Friday, we dropped our bags at our Airbnb in Camden & took the Tube to King’s Cross Station, where it was high time for a matcha pick-me-up from Frothee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cfa1f04b-d669-4b31-b613-9ab6cf08ef24/IMG_7175.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Amanda’s matcha & my “dirty” matcha, with a shot of espresso, were the delicious energy boost we needed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b32bdfb-68d5-476f-b6ec-e490d6a6a4ce/IMG_7176.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Amanda at Word on the Water—The London Bookbarge moored on Regent’s Canal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42c7a456-0b8d-4b1f-b9fc-8d6a5b84ca43/IMG_7177.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Purusing the books onboard the barge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2dffddd9-1463-4bde-963c-361ee526b88b/IMG_7179.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out After dinner at our perennial favorite—Dishoom. The weariness is evident, but the food was delicious as always. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0c9a421-cedb-47de-a106-50a3faae6059/IMG_7204.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out We are now the proud owners of this Matka token. On future visits, like on the final day of this trip, we show our token to the server discreetly when asking for the bill. They will return with a wooden board, a brass pot (the matka), & a single die. We shake the pot & roll the die on the board. If we roll a six, our entire dinner is on the house! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10b0de87-d400-41a0-86df-b3bbe7f798d8/IMG_7184+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Amanda near the ornate gates to St Pancras Old Church, one of England's oldest Christian sites. When Roman Catholic missionaries brought relics of St Pancras to a chapel here in the 6th or 7th century, they gave their patron saint’s name to the surrounding land—and, centuries later, to the famed railway station. Dickens uses the churchyard in A Tale of Two Cities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3fc4fc64-b350-402e-9b60-7790aeaac39b/5500.jpg.webp Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out During the 1860s a railway line was being built over part of the churchyard. The novelist & poet Thomas Hardy oversaw the needed exhumations & had the displaced headstones staggered around the large Ash tree outside the church. In time the tree grew into the headstones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7f05044-e9d5-488d-99b1-483e95cfd6ef/IMG_7181+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Sadly, the Hardy Tree collapsed overnight on December 27, 2022 (while we were living in Edinburgh). The small woodland of towering trees surrounding the church creates a tranquil oasis amid the whirl and bustle of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/de785ef9-abc8-4df1-b31f-b109e48411a9/tempImagexIPm2l.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Saturday morning began at Attendant Coffee in Fitzrovia, located in a former Victorian underground gentleman’s toilet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42b2ae9b-3eab-4f00-b569-5ae30bc9348b/tempImageHtBnsV.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Six former full-height urinals were fitted with a countertop & now serve as bar seating. The coffee was exceptional…must be the water! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/044a5408-b89e-453d-88d2-986b3e182b92/IMG_7188.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Avocado toast & mocha served à la commode. Post Script—This was the best coffee of the entire trip. Flush with flavour, it was a real number one, & it took the urinal cake! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1f2f5618-33f0-4533-a882-e5d28c156eb1/IMG_7190.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Langstaff at The Langham Hotel, where Emma M. Lion occasionally has tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8038c3a0-9e22-4087-9851-7e9b93bdbe76/tempImageejNu8e.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out At noon we toured the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. No photos were permitted until we were here in the back garden. I had the last word though: I’m one of the few, to do a poo, in a Buckingham Palace loo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e3107b3-4710-486e-8c4a-40d15940f911/IMG_7195.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out At 2 pm, we joined a small-group walking tour through the private gardens of Buckingham Palace. As expected, photography was not permitted in this secluded part of the grounds, leaving us to simply take in the experience & enjoy the surroundings. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a lovely soft-serve cone, complete with the Palace’s signature wafer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7071f1b9-c0ab-4af8-959d-b5f5f7f0eefa/tempImageAmoumI.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Our third & final stop at Buckingham Palace was at The King’s Gallery for the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibit. The first dress was this gold lame & lace evening gown by Norman Hartnell that she wore in Wellington, New Zealand, during her Commonwealth Tour of 1953-54. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/be72dffb-42bc-4077-a7ef-bf0504733266/tempImage7oySJW.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The sheer scope of the collection is staggering, reaching all the way back to her first birthday dress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db8e9da3-355a-46a4-91f5-4022e5ab9e6e/tempImagegTNvhw.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f76f4208-164f-44ae-86f3-5ab808ed8805/tempImage0jyoda.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3de63744-ae8d-4cf3-a0f1-2cf8318dbc99/tempImagerXbqcK.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/473950f7-91ea-4ff9-90e1-a08665420620/tempImage9krcw3.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Wedding dress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0cabef9-bb70-46d7-a236-16eddd120f3d/tempImageEQPIKl.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Wedding dress https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f9e3a6f2-03f9-45fe-84b8-04a1178fdadb/tempImageszgkto.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The detail work on so many of the dresses was simply extraordinary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/63e52f53-a550-4d51-9c74-1a2353906614/tempImagek91E0E.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The dress Amanda most wished she could wear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5641f131-0959-42c7-af44-5fe999b69ad2/tempImagetfAdqf.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Some of the brilliance of the blue is lost in the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9038e88-7f48-4d53-b23d-38d4dc2f8870/tempImageW9s0A5.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fdfed3b6-272b-4857-bb0e-65e40efc02d0/tempImageGQiA9k.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out For a visit to Japan, this dress was a nod to the kimono & the falling cherry blossoms of Sakura. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3f5f63a-7d12-43e5-9c5f-f801a2d3ceb6/tempImageTx1qoz.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Amanda with the coronation dress, which borrowed elements of her wedding gown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/46d20c3d-06a8-478a-8170-4f6dfa2c4efa/tempImageV7i4Od.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Coronation dress, which included embroidered images for England, Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland, & all Commonwealth countries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b3509eb-170b-493e-88e2-f07570fa0fa8/tempImagewjdh6N.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The Scottish thistle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4bd1f288-cc79-443f-a5ed-5842366de5b8/tempImageluwFvg.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The Irish Shamrock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd144682-b6f0-4ff5-9d8c-63fd5db61fc4/tempImageMduJDR.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The English rose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a46ffc90-7cb1-4f32-97f5-b0ada299d97f/tempImages1t49i.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out The Welsh leek https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe65a3cc-f786-4605-abae-b818ddcafd4a/tempImages5bRDJ.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8c859b5-9ffe-4458-910d-7b8a637a4c5b/tempImageI1WBi1.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6689a44-2ed5-4db1-b428-c84c47cbd407/tempImageKrREV2.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/be287053-9ff2-4537-aa71-e73c6cc699cb/tempImageYXrkbw.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a932dac8-4e88-4cab-8aab-a0280e377719/tempImageIzc7vd.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24f78470-85e5-49d7-91a6-21b409f2df26/tempImagefEQl5R.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e70b3461-db84-4789-82ae-29a3a89332ac/tempImage4zXYdg.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Many examples of the Queen’s fine millinery. The sensational exhibit was as exquisitely curated as the wardrobe it celebrated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0abe8ddb-658f-4c8f-974f-ac0f2a6dae1e/IMG_7197.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out We returned to Camden for dinner at 100% vegan Purezza Camden, where Amanda enjoyed this Caesar salad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f534e594-1731-419b-8978-12ef84465339/IMG_7198.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out Steve’s masterpiece cheesy, tomato, & aubergine Parmigiana Party pizza. Every pizza begins with wholegrain sourdough made fresh on-site each morning. Deliziosa! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85e17444-a88e-41a0-8944-b6b5ce1252ee/IMG_7196.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out I’m a total sucker for good roasted potatoes, so once I saw them on the menu, I was compelled. Good, but not as amazing as the ones I had with Dave in Polignano a Mare back in January. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/083bfc54-c9e8-4657-929c-6e29f29cb7a7/IMG_7199.jpeg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out A glorious tiramisu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04470c9c-86d0-4386-84e9-c69efea99c74/tempImageEfjxH7.jpg Blog - Across the Pond - Make it stand out We closed out Saturday night with a half pint of Guinness & a pint of Camden Hells Lager at The World’s End pub in Camden. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/family monthly 0.5 2026-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1325985-d66c-493c-aadc-3b69dcc8a1b8/IMG_0479.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2a549ef1-c225-4982-9d6f-af068bd9505f/Mt+Vernon+1966+08.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim at Mount Vernon, Virginia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/15a4ddc1-ec98-4ce2-9c40-5624bf149d58/2026-07-27-19-54-0003.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim in Kingsville https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f32d29d9-6c06-46b4-b618-29bc6c61387f/z2026-07-27-19-54-0002.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out The happy couple https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f7ed3b3e-2bbd-4ceb-b67a-95fe50d7bb0a/2025-07-10-20-25-0005.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Tustin front yard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13e4fe42-872d-466f-85b4-b2eea1395901/2025-07-30-11-42-0009.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Tusting front yard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea0c8577-4107-460d-80f8-8488402078e7/2025-07-30-11-17-0003.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Tustin foyer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f0a9b3b-3894-4d91-b888-69a9569c5857/2026-05-28-08-14-0001.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out No idea??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b22d4de0-9f7f-4bab-bf7e-d223e7ff6d77/2026-05-16-20-58-0001.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out 1987—A newspaper announcement placed by their kids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/09ea4aa6-b095-4e8e-bd71-f1635e1b4245/2026-05-28-08-06-0002.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jun 1998?—Debbie’s wedding??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a7f73789-e798-4362-8adb-f68ec8c9b0ec/1st+223.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 2004—Ruth & Jim celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with family at P.F. Changs in Long Beach on Shoreline Dr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ec90294-478d-4162-827e-f8e6415a475a/2026-05-28-08-11-0001.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Event??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a557bf3b-d79d-4ab2-84be-66d0963fd8c6/2025-11-22-17-08-0001.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim in Hawaii in year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/921ce121-a394-4b16-a51c-cbfc74ba3356/PICT0047.JPG Blog - Together - Make it stand out Mar 2000—Ruth celebrating Jim’s 40th birthday at Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d538aaf0-1df0-4571-9111-216ae5e4ef26/IMG_0430.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2007—More here… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e98c2e2-7f8a-4413-93ac-9f94d2aa9b09/IMG_0451.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2007—Ruth & Jim splurge on a seaplane flight into Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska for their 43rd wedding anniversary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/83c4164c-b347-4f6d-8627-01392a2944ef/IMG_0476.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2007—Lake name here??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/750635cb-6454-4804-8f2e-71f9d6062323/IMG_0503.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 2, 2007—Cruise ship??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0bb32f46-c188-4a51-9153-e1f2bf4e0d65/IMG_0659.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Sep 25, 2007—At the home Christa’s parents in the Rocky Mountain outside Denver, CO. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b84eb7a1-a522-49a7-a6e7-09f47584e47e/IMG_0686.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Sep 27, 2007—More here… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e00987ea-cc27-45c9-aec0-291fbd6706e1/IMG_0882.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Apr 22, 2008—Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2662a6c-09a7-4610-bfa0-98b48e74c7a5/DSC00133.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jun 25, 2011—Tower of Pisa, Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c431d88d-2a21-4a22-a8fd-2194f25aa519/IMG_1292.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jul 3, 2011—Venice, Italy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/30e08f34-92e2-4bd6-836c-0fd1f821b350/IMG_1430.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out May 21, 2012—Disneyland in celebration of Jim’s retirement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/20b2a42b-b5e7-4240-9b47-0df93f7d0679/IMG_8947.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jul 27, 2014—More here… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0915ec69-c943-47f7-ada4-e9c5a4fda04c/DSC02013.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2014—Where is this??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eae24c44-9fb8-4fe0-84af-1d59333d17d8/DSC02007.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2014—Where??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/764195cc-e2f1-464f-ac97-9eb60b3e9739/DSC_0150.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 18, 2014—The 50th anniversary cake Aug 17 or 18??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d3bebd5-f00d-44b4-88e4-ee62a0fb578c/IMG_2762.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 18, 2014—Lynne, Jim, Jeanne, Tim, Ruth & Christina at Jim & Ruth’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration held at Vince & Dar’s house at 95 Avocado Pl, Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7c6b5216-ed32-4160-9f79-842446ac69ae/2013+Larsons.jpg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Larson’s??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4327e430-bf37-4fe5-8c51-10858ff12002/IMG_0753.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jun 24, 2019—Loiré Valley, France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c34c532f-8057-40c4-9c80-5d52c1c7f515/IMG_2454.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Jul 11, 2022—Lynne orders the cover-up in collusion with Ruth & Jim at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f527e05a-1bd8-4ea2-bbf4-473379e9ec42/IMG_2471.jpeg Blog - Together - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2022—Harbor ??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/58553612-e8a7-40e5-bac8-13d6af6e9975/Screenshot+2026-05-29+at+16.06.10.png Blog - Together - Make it stand out Oct 16, 2022—Where??? https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/through-the-years monthly 0.5 2026-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0b98551-2bde-4c85-b6c1-85d458d84993/2025-07-10-08-39-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e40e46f-97a8-403b-9b8e-3e7787529035/2026-05-19-10-47-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out A young Ruth at the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d20105d-a5ae-4fd6-866d-23d3a0bc732c/2025-07-10-08-25-0007.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth, Ruth’s date Joe Sheckells & Vera in front of the Southern Ave house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c6e0c45-1655-4d55-ae28-5e0dbceba106/2026-05-19-12-12-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Who are all these characters?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e2556a6-1158-4ee5-85ca-33d547cd2066/2026-05-18-21-34-0003.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with Donald?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5a725e57-1d10-4798-ac3e-142b46ed424e/2025-07-10-20-07-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & Mildred with Ralph, Gail & Ricky—the children of Mildred’s brother Alvin—at confirmation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4b1d2354-5d21-4b13-8e54-000be1e0f347/2025-07-09-21-51-0007.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth at the beach with Mary (her brother Pat’s wife) and baby Donald. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea8a45bb-8d0a-4c44-ae0a-12e82faa9dde/2025-07-09-22-02-0004.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & her father possibly on vacation in Florida. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae4b6a5b-b5fa-49a8-a4e5-e972daaf95f8/2026-05-18-21-34-0004.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth at ?? Beach?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e6cb2d1c-d81d-4961-b46b-509fd6a1d464/Scan103021-11_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & cousin Marie (Frank’s younger daughter) in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b87eaca-8d25-4761-8341-39d8797de2d4/2025-07-10-20-07-0003.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her brother Paul’s oldest child Danny in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0bc9c8dd-bf1b-4f9b-b175-f409c2cc32fe/2025-09-25-19-46-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the Thetford Rd house pregnant with Steve and visiting her friend X and her daughter X. Virginia “Ginny” Cameron née Warfield??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4a8920e5-54fb-42ef-924d-a9f44c7c885b/Ruth+Actor+Lawson.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Early 1970s—Ruth in Palm Springs with Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford, a member of the "Rat Pack" and the brother-in-law of U.S. president John F. Kennedy & senators Robert F. Kennedy & Edward Kennedy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/965c0f56-791f-4ddc-999c-107601760475/2024-08-04-10-59-0013.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth in front of the Tustin house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e1dcf06-8d68-4d29-ad54-b0a850d78759/2026-05-06-14-23-0008.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth at Christmas in the living room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a8a5b9f-5dd4-4f76-8985-65f1bd913efa/1981.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out 1981—Ruth in the Tustin living room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/759521bc-1a55-4990-a66b-31d7c65c4ec9/2026-05-06-14-23-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth possibly at the Larson’s home in Santa Ana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97a5e804-4ca3-430d-adeb-b2bd990169d2/2024-08-04-10-59-0009.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth (and Laura-Ann Madott née Atkins) at an event at Red Hill Lutheran School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/94d26e49-594c-4f3c-a174-18c6cf5e5dd2/2026-05-06-14-15-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth hands out balloons at an event in front of Red Hill Lutheran Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/95b60a04-412e-4eff-8553-da9c19ea0d92/Scan103021-19_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth was always close with her cousin Vera (Frank’s older daughter), seen her in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8dacb5f1-6e7b-4f80-b0e3-166793c1e4e8/2025-07-10-20-30-0006.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s cousin Vera, her husband Richard, and two sons: Ricky & Christopher in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/59ae2e0c-0742-4679-8cf2-7f61988ac6f8/2025-07-10-20-20-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & Debbie (front) visit family in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc24a906-480a-49dc-a7fd-95f564ad6f47/2026-05-06-14-23-0007.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth at a gathering for Red Hill Lutheran School staff serves cake in the family room with the covered patio & shed behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/70685536-0423-420f-ab7b-31c6839e9e1b/1974+Ruth+Sheila+Feher+Jan+Hundeby+Linda+Garner.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out ≈1974—Ruth with friends from Red Hill: Sheila Feher, Jan Hundeby & Linda Garner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e39570c-8006-4781-a3f7-ae2b85cca2c4/2026-05-28-08-45-0004.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out ≈1982—Ruth with beagle April after she found an Easter egg on the Tustin patio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/027a35fb-7ab7-402b-945a-9cea4ad084b0/2026-05-06-14-26-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth looking very fashionable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1902942-20aa-4ee9-bf34-ea3dc243157f/2025-07-10-20-39-0004.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her parents where?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9dd16842-6320-48da-9a55-3d8f49e4ab6a/2025-07-10-20-07-0009.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & her father Pat in Tustin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4976fb3d-074b-46f9-af01-792516ac9ea0/2025-07-10-20-39-0005.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & her mother Mildred where?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea87eb15-06fd-49af-8f59-337afa8539dd/2025-07-10-20-39-0006.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her parents where?? hat?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/94db41b5-7f05-4d3e-af2d-920c7738b34d/2026-05-06-14-23-0006.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with friends at the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91deaa4f-abdb-4af1-ac78-994fa1d12097/unnamed.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Sep 1984-Dec 1986—As so many woman do, Ruth placed her career on hold when she & Jim moved to CA in 1970. In Sep 1984 “it became necessary for Ruth to seek FT employment outside the home.” She worked as a librarian at Hewes Middle School until Dec 1986. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1cad2c3d-cf27-4258-8cd3-fd6d28f226cd/2025-07-10-20-39-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jan 19, 1987—Ruth on her 45th birthday, her first in Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5de4d5db-469c-4f6a-a0ff-5ed50ff0debb/2026-05-06-14-25-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Mar 1987-Apr 1991—Once in Camarillo, Ruth worked for Unocal for 4 years. May 1991-1994—Ruth next worked for Ventura Co. Dept. of Alcohol & Drug Programs for 3 years. While working these jobs, she began taking undergraduate and 7 graduate classes at CLU. She passed the National Teachers’ Exam in 1989 & obtained her clear CA Teaching Credential in 1994. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b87333c-44b0-427c-af6f-a9286af9283c/2024-08-04-10-59-0008.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out With great effort, Ruth obtained her clear CA Teaching Credential in 1994 and then landed a job at St John’s Lutheran School in Oxnard during the 1994-95 school year, teaching religion, math, & language arts to 7th & 8th graders. Ruth dresses the part for a lesson on XX. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a60ddcf3-0e23-404d-92d9-50574e5f7b18/2024-08-04-10-59-0016.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth outside her classroom at St John’s Lutheran School in Oxnard dressed as a California State Parks employee. Ruth taught at St John’s from 1994-1998. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc084754-c0cd-46c3-9f07-e8cc2e842f86/Christ.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out 1998—Ruth & Jim moved into a condo at 1410 Brett Pl, #131, San Pedro so both could work at Christ Lutheran in Rancho Palos Verdes. Ruth taught 8th grade, which included planning trips to Washington DC. Debbie rented the Camarillo house in the meantime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8bf05de5-dcb6-40e2-a229-7a55707d71aa/2024-08-04-10-59-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jun 1999—At the end of their first school year at Christ Lutheran School, Ruth & Jim celebrating the graduating class of 1999. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f0159a6a-ea17-45ee-a9f3-9dcf80cf1aa4/PICT0029.JPG Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Mar 2000—Ruth planned a celebration for Jim’s 60th birthday at Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro. Owner John Papadakis had a child who attended Christ Lutheran School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ce35edf-6fc1-44b0-916c-efd16d6d594c/IMG_2610.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jun 2000?—Ruth & Jim celebrate another graduation at Christ Lutheran School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/109bf222-89e0-4a72-8d24-39bfcf93bf90/2025-07-30-12-00-0005.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jun 2005—Ruth retired from teaching. A highlight of her 19 years in public and Christian school was leading trips to Washington DC and a 2002 teachers’ workshop in Jamestown, Yorktown & Williamsburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ded12ac5-2cec-425a-a102-931674440502/2026-05-16-21-08-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out One of Ruth’s formal school portraits from Christ Lutheran School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab312770-315e-4234-ad33-ea8892be3a96/2026-05-28-08-06-0001.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Another formal portrait https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c34c0625-5a7b-4ee6-acda-766f68dbf57b/IMG_0824+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Paso snow day?? Probably not. UNK where?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a53be2cf-8024-4f68-9df5-46ea51a50819/2026-05-06-14-23-0002.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard in Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c7ed0cb-74a2-42e2-88ec-d85e1b653121/2024-08-04-10-59-0015.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Happy Birthday Ruth! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c717d660-e037-4797-97fe-1949357daa92/2010+08+27+Nona+Karen+Citrus+Cafe+Tustin.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth with lifelong friends Nona Newy & Karen Larson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/791a725c-6fa5-4d2c-8542-9fc5d7266301/2026-05-28-11-59-0005.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth, XX, Karen, Nona, XX & XX??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44a229db-c678-428e-ba32-20d5f55a2464/DSC00351.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Oct 22, 2011—Ruth & Lynne Verdone (brother Paul’s wife) at Glacier Point in Yosemite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cdde2541-e3ab-4c5f-acaa-e01f4201e83e/IMG_1351.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Apr 13, 2012—Ruth in Death Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85094639-2243-483f-87aa-bc16f46af4af/maryland+063.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Sep 23, 2012—Ruth at Baltimore’s Observatory at Patterson Park, just north of the home where her mother was born at 2412 Fleet St. The building’s design accents reflect the Gilded Age interest in Asian architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2e654fa-bdab-4dd3-a881-2594d66fcfc5/maryland+108.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Sep 26, 2012—Ruth & niece Joyce (brother Pat) at the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington Ridge Park, Arlington County, Virginia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/76fc7c41-99a5-4dd6-a373-c626293dfe7c/DSC01527.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out May 3, 2013—Ruth with roommate, bridesmaid, and all-around great friend Mariam Corbett née Evans at Western Maryland College Class of 1963 50-year reunion. They won the most spirit award. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1ee9236b-caa4-44d5-81b7-3441c11e0888/DSC01564.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out May 6, 2013—Ruth with close college friend and bridesmaid Virginia “Ginny” Cameron née Warfield at Great Falls, Virginia/Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ddf87cc-82f3-4692-afd9-5289b4a4591e/DSC01709.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jul 22, 2013—Ruth with Lynne Verdone (brother Paul’s wife) at Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c76f96ad-beb3-4624-a356-3115925d47eb/DSC01716.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Jul 23, 2013—Ruth at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2709175-23a4-4b64-bb28-094e4e506db7/DSC02480.JPG Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Dec 2, 2015—Ruth and fellow Danube cruise friends proudly display their Stephansplatz—iconic, all-red ceramic boot mugs famously sold in Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas markets) in Vienna, Austria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e317fc03-5c5e-421e-b852-99f31a87ed7d/DSC02639.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Dec 4, 2015—Ruth at a Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square in Budapest, Hungary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9ae753d-13bc-485a-8c35-374d3bd1c673/IMG_1015.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Sep 27, 2019—Ruth, Ginny Cameron & Mariam Corbett in Cape May, Delaware. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0c0e29d-b63e-48c0-b1d5-735e0aba95bc/IMG_1027+2.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Sep 28, 2019—‎⁨Ruth at Rehoboth Beach⁩, ⁨Delaware⁩ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce36ecf3-f0b5-4472-b121-b87d49504da8/2026-05-28-07-55-0003.jpg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Ruth & lifelong friend Karen Larson in front of the Larson’s Santa Ana home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/660e20a2-cb73-4b6e-8a2c-9e6111452153/2022-03-26+11.44.55.jpeg Blog - Through the Years - Make it stand out Mar 26, 2022—Ruth & Mariam Corbett in Ocean City, Maryland. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/greats monthly 0.5 2026-08-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44fd61d4-95bd-4e5f-832b-f7b388060a96/IMG_9566.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Ruth holding Silas James Arredondo (Rachel/Debbie), born July 9, 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35644abe-e72b-45f8-9ac6-5071d99acbc3/IMG_5099.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Nov 26, 2025—Ruth holding Emma Lynn Neumann (Jeff/Steve) at Thanksgiving at Steve & Amanda’s house on Kleck Rd. Emma was born August 5, 2025, and was 3.5 mo at the time of this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90cddbd3-bcac-48b2-8118-57d8ba1b1cde/IMG_1005+copy.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Silas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/616c757a-73ab-4db5-b683-d1bf3a265d2f/IMG_6172.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Silas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/733c9144-7688-4530-827a-ea47a5d5c901/IMG_5690.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Jim & Ruth with Lillyanna Eva Arredondo (Anthony/Debbie) born March 18, 2026. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa44e921-bd10-476c-9492-01812391d408/IMG_5733.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2026—Ruth playing with great granddaughter Emma (Jeff/Steve) at Emma’s 1st birthday party held at Steve & Amanda’s house on Kleck Rd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/28277660-29e0-403f-86a9-8b50c15fabeb/IMG_7495.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2026—Grandson Jeff (Steve) with daughter Emma (1 yr), grandson Jacob (Debbie) with daughter Zahara (2 yr/7 mo) and daughter Ximena (1 mo/10 days) held by Ruth, Jim, and grandson Anthony (Debbie) with daughter Lillyanna (4.5 mo). The party also happened to land on Ruth & Jim’s 62nd anniversary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/89bf312c-c5ec-42e9-9fde-8948a50addce/IMG_7029.jpeg Blog - Greats - Make it stand out Aug 1, 2026—The wives join in: Madison, Laura, & Victoria. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/the-grands monthly 0.5 2026-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e349cdea-82e5-4ddb-a583-e476b021ed18/2025-07-30-10-12-0012.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/78c8d89f-e821-404c-ac7b-729bab5470cc/2025-07-30-10-12-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Michael at Dave & Christa’s wedding July 31, 1994. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b3815a13-c485-49f1-9565-7e2b8f88c0a6/2025-07-30-10-12-0005.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/306e915d-318d-4eb9-828e-798711f62fd5/Mom+and+Matt.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aff828a7-38e6-4d4d-bc7d-5113b37f687c/2026-05-06-15-50-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1eec78f-e7d6-4897-beef-541ea5be6d51/2026-05-06-14-49-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d31c9f0-1e88-45c7-af85-c1bdd2d9afa3/2025-07-30-10-47-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Jun 1998—Mildred in Camarillo around the time of Debbie’s wedding with Ruth’s grandson Matt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df8d4b0d-7e80-4eac-b3b3-82df1eb2e457/2026-05-06-15-50-0009.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a0bd76a-3d11-44be-82d4-d440bdcf8be0/2026-05-06-14-47-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/023c94fd-5987-457d-b658-3a067cabaf13/Baby+Matt+copy.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c49f81a7-12ba-4b0b-8374-89b12798441e/Halloween+with+Matt.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aea7af6e-0728-492d-a3c9-60a138c90b32/2026-05-06-14-49-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c34dd85f-8ac5-4b4e-8e5d-8f8630ee4ce7/2000+01+Jacob.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Jacob https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/114dd391-b291-4415-9fd0-b3bdb0ed6191/2025-09-05-13-41-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Jeff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6228ae26-81a8-4e93-81ca-fdef2fba81f4/2026-05-06-14-49-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13580c40-aac9-4ff3-ac06-2888ee14c13b/SB+Zoo+1999.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc00605f-4fe2-4948-8350-7889f04a50d5/199+07+002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1f2bdc5-73b7-4a23-8f41-a969349dd69d/Morro+Bay+Museam.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4ff9adb-1728-4bb1-9f3b-1e38e994638f/2026-05-28-11-57-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Anthony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef827945-27a6-464b-9e4a-4de266c3a5e4/Mom+and+Dad+with+Baby+Will.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ecd4fff5-8837-43e8-be04-dd9e129cb566/Whole+Fam+Will+Baby.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/714c58a6-c6d3-49b1-87d1-bb0f1bbcc7a7/Will+01.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Will https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6af4dd34-4bc0-4f41-98a1-7efc454f5075/2025-09-05-13-24-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/48708b71-bf36-4022-9c42-ff41d9a1a645/Will+02.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Fat One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6f2242d-b6fe-4561-bb93-037f177653a2/2025-09-05-13-27-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f63f1d9b-d02d-4372-b2a5-7481707a782a/2025-09-05-13-27-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/01d3678b-9417-4166-a398-f887f7f86a4b/Morro+Rock.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/28daddd2-1c92-42ae-8795-36b81fa33100/2025-09-05-13-15-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5215c30c-6c0c-4da9-b414-005b7beee91c/2026-05-06-14-47-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b13c5d94-dbaa-4cd3-8b8c-c0cb954f844d/2025-09-05-13-27-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5dc7ebaa-829c-46cb-a7b5-0703e6eb36c7/2025-11-23-11-27-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out 2001 Baby Rachel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0e2c2e5-7968-4e08-bbc8-b29c2756f1dc/Rachel.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40fc619c-0142-4e73-8478-3ec1d7371365/2026-05-06-14-51-0005.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9c6e3a8b-3299-4ffa-936f-58be0d2ef002/IMG_4316.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d338d157-cd29-4ffb-a084-a75345c03408/Caleb+1.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75b2da4c-3625-43bf-90fd-437558e90494/2025-11-23-11-27-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0539d971-143d-419a-934d-65ea6c897c71/2025-09-01-19-05-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e222b1bc-c9af-4369-8fb9-c71d56a25d27/2026-05-06-15-55-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f31c0aaa-6163-40e7-b6cc-57d955e7c772/2025-09-01-18-56-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2136c9f-766f-41c6-8b6f-a4ceaa3d0ead/2026-05-06-14-34-0005.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Amanda holding Baby Karina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5fe4bd5c-1e12-4f6d-acf0-f5c12db180bb/2026-05-06-15-55-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3dee0e9-bf43-4ff4-9966-9ad8bde878d5/2026-05-06-15-50-0007.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/660175c2-043b-4a44-8500-f7abdd8b44c5/2026-05-06-14-49-0005.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5164a84-85c7-42dc-9d71-1e0a7861e56d/2004+01.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f80ddc8-0013-45d9-acb1-9246a6496a1c/The+crew+2.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out 2000 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cc06ddb4-27c3-4574-8234-ee8715b69c4a/The+Crew.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out 2001 Matt, Jacob, Jeff holding Racher. Anthony, Will, & Mackenzie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3c8e8c1d-923c-48c6-8d5b-d89ffd9e16e1/2026-05-06-14-51-0001.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/52a3381b-ca93-4cee-9824-fe1077b05c19/2026-05-06-14-51-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6108857f-9c6c-4ace-840f-24dc3f78559f/2026-05-06-14-34-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36272058-229f-4ddf-9f30-860e31bb5f68/Paramount+Ranch.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Paramount Ranch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44a6a2ad-d9bf-4870-8c6e-cb12e76eea55/Paso+Snow.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fde9cb56-3889-4560-bd12-e029e1ebec69/Karina+1.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d93c72d-2292-4708-9ca0-7e9a7850d027/1st+075.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/840c9bfb-6c03-4a9b-a350-668023f8bc5c/2007+01.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5db6183b-b997-4d04-9455-4e19ae74bf9b/2025-07-31-07-30-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1d69e45-c3ec-425e-860e-db74e2bea538/2025-07-31-07-30-0002.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ab59ec7-57a4-49e4-8248-414a51c10d1b/2026-05-06-14-49-0003.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e239fd23-e967-4bdf-8582-feb4cf104e0a/2026-05-06-15-50-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/490e339d-9aa8-40f9-98ea-226577a6c8d8/0224gg.JPG Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cef2526a-f73d-4870-aa1a-ffb07dd6afdd/0237.JPG Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5befb495-3cfc-475e-8e86-5db3a034f49d/2026-05-06-14-47-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5c13676-1128-4179-976f-305e0135e3c6/2025-11-23-11-27-0007.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/330095c8-6f4f-4e87-b89d-06405f7e710d/IMG_2656.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/218df906-e29c-4b19-a3e3-394659eb38b3/IMG_2719.JPG Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2e5f787-81db-4d37-b924-a783f2a36502/2025-11-23-11-27-0004.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab9cfe8c-73b3-47dc-97d0-377667ae1f4c/IMG_4756.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f4944d7b-9b15-4868-bfef-488827814850/IMG_3682.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e0b0096-648f-4a67-86ce-c1425c43ecbd/tempImage037Q4r.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d373e0c-d398-48a4-a665-2ec78338bab3/IMG_0208.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d54913a6-b4d3-4a40-a96c-37e2042c5db1/IMG_0675.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bb76d9be-6bef-41d7-a701-c05d081bf252/DSC02956.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/224e32f3-aefd-440a-8681-4f0ac58bffd2/8376D789-AFA6-4A2D-95A3-6C4508F19030.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d16fe573-744e-4716-99e1-315dd7948a93/tempImageXnDiUV.jpg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4355fe5d-8db2-4ab6-bd2a-b412ad3fc31b/IMG_1068.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fd9f0ebd-b8d4-43f2-ac03-d1712b495e6e/IMG_0576.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/accd2f4c-92e1-4763-bd16-02cee3642236/IMG_5888.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68476ca2-c2c8-4a79-ab74-c7ad95292538/IMG_0967+copy.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cdbee44d-dfe4-4446-ac85-f10a956c9a19/IMG_2495.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Aug 23, 2022—Back to school breakfast? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86a36b05-ba62-4390-b8c2-8a7db4ef5eb6/IMG_4870.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/65d3994b-048d-4095-8a75-ac62031e046a/IMG_6183.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f92366d-868b-42f3-8475-c6bc8fda8277/IMG_6728.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/933a4b5d-56b1-4bb7-bced-c7ed553da74c/IMG_9071.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4818270-4171-4408-ad80-e21f989c6039/FullSizeRender.jpeg Blog - Grands - Make it stand out Apr 18, 2026—Ruth & Jim celebrate the marriage of their grandson Caleb (Tim) to Bronte at First Baptist Church, 2120 Green St, Cambria. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/kids monthly 0.5 2026-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d715be0-59e9-4b3a-8011-383bd4f9bcc3/2025-07-08-20-52-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60d140e3-9d47-416c-9719-f223c60f9335/2025-09-21-13-45-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Mar 14, 1970—Ruth in Greater Baltimore Medical Center with newly-born Steve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f978314-8483-41a6-a7ef-6770945e6ccf/2024-07-28-14-53-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Back at the Thetford Rd house with their newborn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e23bbea-2ec8-446b-9f93-3a9816be7656/1970+20.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Sun, April 5, 1970—Steve was baptized at Calvary Lutheran Church, Northern Parkway & Old Harford Rd, Baltimore. Robert & Betty Lake were his godparents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cafc0238-898e-44b0-b2ed-23edc519bc76/2024-07-28-14-54-0017.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Baby Steve with Ruth’s father Pat in the family room of the Kingsville house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f72e05fd-8995-4033-921a-ef9e1c307d64/2025-07-10-20-17-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The children of Ruth’s oldest brother Pat—David, Julia, Joyce (holding baby Steve), & Donald in Ruth & Jim’s Thetford Rd house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/626f4fbb-7240-455d-9511-9725022fb3d5/2025-07-08-20-27-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jun 1970—Jim in his master’s gown and Steve (approximately 3 months) outside the Thetford Rd house. Jim often expressed his appreciation for the tremendous support Ruth provided as he pursued the advanced degree while working full-time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eab059ee-e6af-4b6a-8c34-b1e9e5b2e59f/2025-07-10-20-07-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1970—Outside the California State Capitol with another classic Mildred Verdone photo featuring half of Paul (Ruth’s brother) holding son Danny, Lynne (Paul’s wife), Jim, Steve (4 months), Ruth & Pat (Ruth’s father). As arranged by Herbert Stuenkel, Jim & Ruth met with Pastor Showalter at Red Hill Lutheran Church & School. Jim was later formally offered the principalship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea48db46-f070-43b5-9715-7aaaded94150/1970+07.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1970—Ruth’s parents holding 4-month-old Steve, probably outside the CA state capitol. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4bb8dc77-725d-4631-a08f-a997475a300f/Mower+1.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Steve in the driveway of her parents’ Kingsville house and Steve’s first time “in the seat.” This was likely right before the young family moved to CA in August 1970. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f925f546-12d9-4491-a36f-e7724e745b40/Mower+2.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out In the 1970s, Simplicity riding mowers—with their iconic orange and white paint—were renowned for their HD construction and Briggs & Stratton engines. A talented machinist with a full workshop in the basement, Pat designed, created, & installed a seat for the back of the mower. Here Tim enjoys a ride with Grandpa & an unknown child. The side of the detached garage is in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f7a8ce52-771e-4f47-92ca-ec3191affdba/Mower+3.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Grandpa Pat’s mower become the stuff of legend. Sadly (in Steve’s mind anyway), the grass on the half-acre plot rarely grew fast enough during the short summer visits to warrant a second mowing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b7c69ca-5134-4ba4-bb13-0ad0efdf54ca/2026-05-19-18-54-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1970—Returning to the timeline, Ruth & Jim placed a baby mattress across the Plymouth’s back seat, which was shared by Steve & Holly. Movers drove their belongings separately & stored them at a storage unit owned by church members Dick & Peggy Duntleys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5df2bf2-a8b4-42bf-bb42-29080d3da62b/Screenshot+2026-05-08+at+14.18.24.png Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1970—Red Hill Lutheran Church and School, 13200 Red Hill Ave (right). The church also owned the grey house (left) that backed onto the church property. When Jim, Ruth, Steve & Holly arrived, they initially moved into the upstairs portion of the house, which had an address of 13232 ½ Red Hill Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e31d7c99-fb1e-4010-a065-6fb5117cb67e/2025-07-10-20-30-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out A few months after moving into the small apartment beside the church, Ruth & Jim bought this home 1.6 miles away at 14426 Silverbrook Dr in Tustin, for a mere $42,000. This would be the family’s home for 16 memorable years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d640fe3c-bac9-4677-92de-ac321294b160/1971+Backyard.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1970—Steve playing in his new backyard. When Ruth & Jim purchased the Silverbrook home, there was a wooden fence that backed directly onto orange orchards that stretched for miles SE into Irvine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2eaa0968-d9a1-476a-94e5-04490f20d753/Fence.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1972?—One of Ruth’s favorite photos was this one of Steve peering through the fence slats into the orchards. The orchards were soon removed and replaced with houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14c76864-888b-48f8-8210-5288ab16bffc/2025-07-30-11-06-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out When the orchards were removed, a cinder block wall was erected several feet further from the house. The wooden fence was then removed, leaving the yard slightly deeper. Likely still to this day, there is a faint impression across the length of the yard where the fence once stood. The wall is seen here with Steve, who was probably helping Ruth’s dad build a sandbox. Also, the famous covered patio, seen here with the original low walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1d653184-4498-40ba-a343-4d5770a3ec9e/2025-07-30-11-06-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out One of the many epic birthday parties Ruth hosted inside the screened patio. Already the opportunistic jokester, Dave is shoveling food into his mouth for the camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e06bd33d-b5ef-4218-a3c0-ad699f9842c7/2025-07-30-10-33-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Possibly due to the annual Santa Ana winds blowing off the large winter plastic screen covers, Ruth & Jim had the wall built up, as seen in this photo with Dave & Debbie on Dave’s birthday. This was the bike on which Dave would later be hit by a car on Copperfield Dr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae7183c2-e5a5-4ac8-8f8b-a9b7f5b47caf/2025-07-30-10-33-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Dave, on a different birthday, showing the inside paneling of the now raised walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/491c7c16-0d51-4a51-82a2-2bfb8e0fbfd6/2026-05-16-20-41-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Two images are overlapped, but in the photo of Debbie’s birthday we see the shed in the backyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5fd5a62f-ff9c-457f-b976-a500a06d5f63/2026-05-28-08-01-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Returning to the timeline, Jim, Steve & Ruth in the front yard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e51f44b-6167-4bfd-b9ec-c8c82a72656b/2024-07-28-14-54-0013.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s parents visit the family’s new Tustin home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0082d605-8d47-4a15-ab82-6e1b56e569c3/2025-07-10-20-17-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s parents visit the family’s new Tustin home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/47758c8b-d0a6-4980-a1d8-ce628eb6344d/1972+05.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1972—Ruth & Steve seated at the dining room table at the Kingsville house. Ruth was 7 months pregnant with Dave. Apparently pregnancy never dissuaded Ruth from traveling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4cab84ff-252e-489e-a9a4-9ff8b3ab7473/1972+05+Betty+and+Alvin%27s.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1972—Steve with his grandpa Pat at Uncle Alvin & Aunt Betty’s house in MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49ba1fc8-0a29-42b5-8fdd-908e0b0b6d81/2025-07-30-11-42-0013.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jim, Steve & Ruth possibly at the Santa Ana Zoo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/164b5c44-d91f-4119-98dc-1ac60aa04f24/1972+05.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1972?—A family gathering probably celebrating Jim’s parent’s 45th wedding anniversary in May 1972. If so, Ruth is 7 months pregnant with Dave. Pictured: Don, Jean, Bob, Dorothy, Ruth, & Jim with Adolph & Mildred in the backyard at Jean and Don’s house at 1157 Steffen St, Glendora, CA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/07d5eebc-7b40-48c6-bce1-2977ec6bcbc2/2024-07-28-14-54-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—Ruth holding newborn Dave in front of Red Hill Lutheran School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6a46d08c-90c4-4ff0-bd45-e69c75061a32/2025-07-08-20-33-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—Dave’s baptism at Red Hill Lutheran Church with his godmother Jean, Jim’s older sister. At the far right is Pastor Showalter, the senior pastor who extended the call to Jim to become principal at the school beginning in the 1970-1 school year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1fff69a-1a1d-440b-9964-73c33593c088/2025-07-08-20-33-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—On the day of Dave’s baptism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d84dd296-e2db-4518-b9b8-4feb3a631901/2025-07-14-19-20-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—On the day of Dave’s baptism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc4559c2-2a11-44ee-9e6e-a2bd87ce7fe4/2024-08-04-21-34-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—On the day of Dave’s baptism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/407e1384-dbf3-4084-8565-84ebc8ffae40/2024-07-28-14-54-0021.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1972—Ruth’s parents holding Steve and newborn Dave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8790e4fc-da37-48ec-9f41-2562002aded2/2025-07-10-20-17-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Dave, Pat & Ruth https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e8d7a8a-72d1-4435-bb07-9430c777addc/Peters+Cabin+1.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth, Jim, Steve & Dave outside the Peter’s cabin in Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mtns. The Peters were the first to allow the Neumann family use of their mountain cabin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/435f9971-1c1d-4b8c-8ec1-7bdc7ed4ac77/IMG_2737+%281%29.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The family in a rowboat at the dock in the lake inlet just outside the Peter’s cabin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4faafbda-b8ea-443a-8c06-13d8cda5fcdd/Peters+Cabin+5.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s parents joined the family at the Peter’s cabin where a local fisher shared some of his catch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d2df07ae-9e83-4954-9ec2-d5484da7000a/1974+02.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Steve, Ruth & Dave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5dd24349-ddf1-4fa8-b81e-201245f238dc/2025-07-08-20-33-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Steve, Jim, Ruth & Dave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f8f7283-1315-40b5-8ccf-e9c5483c5b7c/2024-07-28-14-54-0019.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jim & Ruth with Dave & Steve https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa5791d8-a9e7-455d-87ee-37c71ecef7ab/2025-07-30-10-33-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out An enthusiastic Dave in the backyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d6d36c91-f2a5-4e4b-843d-5248f82782d3/2025-07-30-11-28-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Feb 1975—In Jan 1974, Ruth underwent emergency surgery for removal of a tubal pregnancy. Fortunately, by June she was pregnant with their third child Tim. On the day of Tim’s baptism, with his godparents Don & Karen Larson. Taken in front of the living room fireplace with classic patriotic wall hanging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/12d7640c-4a0a-4c5c-b024-bae692191f8c/2024-08-04-10-46-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Feb 1975—Ruth with her brother Paul, her parents, and baby Tim in February 1975. This is the first image where you can just make out the top of the sandbox Ruth’s father Pat built in the backyard (just behind Paul and Ruth). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/febebd13-6ec2-4d93-b45d-5b3851c07a29/2025-07-08-20-38-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Early 1975—The family seated in the family room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d54b4661-93fa-44f7-b958-ce726642020e/2025-07-10-20-20-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s parents with Steve, Tim & Dave on the balcony of the Lynch’s cabin. Once the Peter’s cabin was no longer available, the Lynch’s allowed use of their cabin at 33884 Cedar Oak Ln in Green Valley Lake, also in the San Bernardino Mtns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ed985f0-da79-4904-8c35-49efd765c91d/2025-07-10-20-20-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s boys with her parents, probably on their way to or returning home from the visit to the Lynch’s cabin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/293fc97c-ab45-4f78-9865-0ba5355caea5/2025-09-25-18-33-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Pat & Dave celebrating Steve’s birthday in the dining room. Ruth & Jim have the same hutch, only it’s now painted blue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/381bc576-6a83-4c91-a8da-9e38cdb35349/2025-07-10-20-47-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim with their boys. The Thompson’s van is behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae2ed7b2-4f17-4057-9919-f1a9e42369b6/2026-05-16-21-04-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth with her boys celebrating America’s bicentennial on Jul 4, 1976. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/918ebf52-4d1c-4aad-b1da-7b6b145aea45/2025-07-10-20-47-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth in a formal portrait with her boys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b0fdfe3-b0d2-4ab6-9cc7-1cd869ec7205/2026-05-16-20-32-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with her boys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed0685b7-83cd-42bf-bc6d-f7adccdb932b/2026-05-16-21-14-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with her boys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c67791d-74ea-419f-897c-261bf4f734b9/2026-05-16-20-33-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The boys in front of Red Hill Lutheran Church. Dave is holding a The Six Million Dollar Man metal lunchbox, featuring actor Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin using his superhuman bionic abilities—now a highly sought-after vintage collectible from 1974-78. Around the time of this photo, in 1977, Jim was offered a position in West Covina that he declined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8d27f8bb-42d6-4771-b38a-9fc0a944cf6e/1977+or+1978.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Another classic photo with several sets of closed eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a878b84-ebae-4050-b347-ed4e523350b2/2025-07-08-20-38-0010.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1978—Ruth & Jim may have expected Matthew John, but instead, on May 1, 1978, they welcomed Deborah Ruth to the clan. This photo is in the front yard looking through toward the Thompson’s house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/05e7a729-6971-4429-bb71-cea71ed2a384/2024-08-04-10-46-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1978—Ruth’s father holding baby Debbie in the family room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9021d90-6c40-4598-af94-7b554c12967c/2025-07-10-20-47-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 1978—Ruth’s father Pat with Steve, Tim & Dave in the family room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a27f12af-27ed-4df4-bd97-95b8452f5c18/2025-07-08-20-38-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Summer 1979—Ruth & Jim made their first trip to Maryland in 9 years. They spent an entire month visiting family & friends and seeing sights of Philadelphia, Annapolis, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Washington DC, & Baltimore city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f95da6d-5fbb-43c7-90a9-bd73cf5aa5da/2025-11-23-11-27-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Summer 1979—Ruth & Jim with their boys and Julia in Pat & Mary’s kitchen??? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/453968d1-d95b-4687-bbde-7e797b48d731/2025-07-10-20-30-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Summer 1979—Ricky (Ruth’s cousin Vera’s older child) with Steve, Tim & Dave in Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea82f51d-89c4-4da8-b43c-e3f621aace78/2025-07-10-20-30-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Summer 1979—The Neumann kids gather with Ruth’s brother Paul & Lynne’s kids Danny, Jeanie, & Christina in Kingsville. Her brother Pat & his wife Mary also celebrated their silver anniversary during this trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc329c78-52e1-464f-a91c-018707f51dcb/2024-08-04-22-09-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out First formal family portrait with the entire gang. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2764627-3280-466a-85c4-2a5b3d65980e/2024-08-04-10-46-0009.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth’s parents with the kids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1264295-8bfa-4a35-90b9-73b8bf5f9c44/2025-07-10-20-17-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Debbie with Grandpa Pat in the Tustin backyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ac0cd3b-71f9-4405-b2bd-69d283d79cd1/2025-07-10-20-17-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The crew with Grandpa Pat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9f58a99a-6ae1-4413-9a4a-00960ede8aad/2026-05-16-20-32-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth and her kids at an unknown beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd490e14-5827-4749-aab8-d1e1d03c3fe4/2025-07-30-11-10-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Debbie on one of the weekly summer trips to Corona Del Mar Beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2fe07e3-6356-4126-97a1-cd35dd16c979/All+Kids+Front.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The kids in the front yard with the sandbox roof behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce91da6d-94a3-4d46-80eb-0f1de7c17650/2025-07-30-10-17-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Debbie in the living room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b5097437-2b4f-47f3-800f-c2a862f61d4b/2025-07-14-19-20-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Apr 1981—Ruth, Debbie, & puppy April—Beagle #2—resting on Ruth in the family room looking into the screened patio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79e0b162-218c-43fa-8b60-4bf4dfa375ad/2025-07-30-11-10-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Apr 1981—Ruth & Debbie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/17cc9590-95fe-488d-b69b-6024aa61ae84/Apache+Tent+Trailer.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1981—Ruth & Jim purchased a used Apache tent trailer and planned a cross-country family quest. Apaches were unique because they featured solid ABS plastic walls that raised into place instead of canvas. The Buick LaSabre was outfitted with rear air shocks to manage the load. The family left Tustin early on July 4, surviving a night of torrential rainfall near Carlsbad Caverns. In TX they visited Jim’s brother Bob & family and Ruth’s cousin Vera & family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67383542-80f5-4b2f-903a-46b9cc9ffa7d/2025-07-10-20-07-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1981—They visited the Great Smoky Mountains, Jefferson’s Monticello, & Williamsburg before staying with Ruth’s parents in Kingsville for ten days. Here Ruth & clan visit Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Ruth, Jim, & the boys made a day trip to NYC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4a8c52fe-72a2-4182-9951-5e09cc06588c/2025-07-14-19-20-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 1981—Ruth & kids at the Jericho Covered Bridge near her parents’ home in Kingsville. The bridge was constructed in 1865 across the Little Gunpowder Falls near the historic Jerusalem Mill Village. This photo was before its latest rehabilitation in 2014-15. The return trip went through Chicago, Iowa, SD (Mt Rushmore), MT, & CO, where Jim had a conference in Denver. They returned home on August 7. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4ea99c30-aed3-491d-afb6-da1bb427261f/2026-05-06-14-23-0005.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Dec 1981?—Ruth & Steve, with his very groovy jacket, in the living room at Christmastime. Note the stereo receiver and record player on the blue Ethan Allan furniture, also one of the two tower speakers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/07a5c0d7-8f90-42ac-a448-51e09520ab92/2025-07-08-20-52-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The family making a crossing on the Balboa Island Ferry between Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, CA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cbb573f8-9f71-4b69-ad16-00bf0fe948f4/2026-05-16-20-32-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Debbie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a9e1bf66-7c53-4157-9818-755534e07d47/2025-07-10-20-17-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Steve, Christina, Danny, Pat, Tim, Mildred, Jeanie, Ruth, Debbie, Paul, Lynne & Dave. Paul is Pat & Mildred’s second son, Danny, Jeanie & Christina are Paul and Lynne’s children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/821573da-3a66-470c-ae4f-09f3ad327d1c/2026-05-16-20-32-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Back to school photo. Debbie with a metal Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox and Tim with a metal G.I. Joe metal lunchbox—classics! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/28bf745c-1afe-46b1-b129-f141fe7cf153/2026-05-06-14-15-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Mildred strikes again? Ruth and some of Debbie in the front yard of the Tustin house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0cb1a9df-8135-4a8f-ab73-552a8969659c/2025-07-10-20-25-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1983—Ruth’s father Pat, Steve & Jim in front of the main entrance to Red Hill Lutheran Church. This may have been Steve departing for the 1983 World Jamboree in Alberta, Canada. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/def0c63c-1dac-425e-a88d-ee669911bf43/2025-07-10-20-25-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 13, 1984? Bought Chevy 30 shell van and completed a custom conversion for cross-country travel. Bought Starcraft tent trailer from large dealership in. Irvine?? Flagstaff AZ, NM, TX, New Orleans, Gulf state to FL & Epcot, Outer Banks, NC, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ac416e4-70b2-48f1-b6c1-05a0daa487ee/2025-09-21-14-17-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1984—Ruth’s kids with her niece Julia (her oldest brother Pat’s youngest child) at a swimming pool during their Maryland visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c75df8f-a11f-43a9-8fc5-49b238b84380/2025-07-08-20-52-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1985—The family enjoyed a wonderful camping trip to Yellowstone. By this point, the six Neumanns had driven around much of the USA! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/45bf2d51-c90e-4659-a8b1-90305c9cf61b/2024-08-04-10-46-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Probably 1984 or 1985. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e05fa7d6-f97d-486a-806e-32c9bf3c3f37/2026-05-16-20-32-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Tim https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e6f5cfb-e6af-4879-921f-4104def1b838/tempImageNWqjhm.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Though Jim was widely respected for his dedicated leadership, by the mid 1980s the educational landscape was changing. In time, the school looked to embrace more progressive approaches to teaching & administration in response to evolving parental expectations & new educational trends. Jim nearly took a position in Torrance in May 1984, but by the end of the 1985-86 school year, Jim knew it was time to find a new position. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc900ea9-53c9-4581-bc43-d452f10e6ea1/Screenshot+2026-05-12+at+14.55.12.png Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 18, 1986—Jim began working at First Lutheran School in Camarillo. Jim & Ruth rented this home at 1897 N Landen St while they searched for a home to purchase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f402030c-df40-4bc4-90f0-c8a85eede54e/Tustin+House+2.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug-Dec 1986—Although the Tustin house technically sold in Aug, it did not close escrow until Dec 20. In the interim, to support two households, Ruth continued her work as librarian at Hewes Middle School in Santa Ana during the week, commuting to Camarillo on weekends. Steve & Dave took on many daily duties in Ruth’s absence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75a33d2b-33a1-48c3-8d7a-06dd5bd60cfa/2025-07-10-20-30-0008.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Sep 11, 1986—After 3 months in the rental, Jim & Ruth closed escrow on 91 Camino Castenada on Sep 11, 1986, for $185K. Sep 11, 2026, marked the 40th anniversary of living in the house. The large tree along the left side of the driveway was removed before the photo was taken, but the driveway had not yet been replaced. The famous (infamous?) olive tree is on the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/258feb47-cc75-4241-91e7-d42e9fac8459/45th+birthday+1987+2.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jan 1987—Dave gives Ruth her present for her 45th birthday, her first in Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cb2bee9e-a7bf-4170-88c5-08509fdeaed0/2025-07-10-20-25-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Mar 1987—Ruth flew to MD to visit her parents. Upon her return, she began a new job at Unocal in Ventura. This photo was likely taken in Ventura Harbor soon after Ruth began her new job. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/194cddbc-4301-4cbb-bf7e-f1f2ec247966/2026-05-06-14-51-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1987—Ruth with Tim & Debbie outside the Ojai Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d5db586-e833-4a8b-887b-9525b5146fe3/2025-11-22-13-26-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Summer 1987—Family photo in Camarillo with Tim holding the family’s third (and final) Beagle—Ham. According to the 1987 Christmas letter, Ham was a birthday present for Dave who had been asking for a dog for several years. The family selling the dogs had given them all pig-related names. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9779f1cc-7efc-48a0-a77c-51f95d110301/2024-08-04-10-46-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Late Summer 1987—Ruth’s parents made an 8-day visit the new Camarillo house. This was clearly before taking photos in front of the olive tree became compulsory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14793504-630f-408e-99b0-f1497625235d/2026-05-16-21-00-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The Neuman kids with Vera’s children: Ricky & Christopher in Camarillo. Vera had a miscarriage after Ricky and her doctor prescribed (probably) diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was once widely prescribed to prevent pregnancy complications such as miscarriage and premature labor. Later evidence revealed that prenatal exposure caused severe reproductive tract abnormalities. Sadly, as a result of the medication, Christopher was born with severe disabilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35382e16-961c-4965-8651-e7493ec35a31/2024-08-04-10-59-0010.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Two families from Tustin visit the new home in Camarillo. On the left are Sam & Edith Atkins. In pink is Karen Larson. On either side of Ruth are Mark Maddott & his wife Laura Ann. Laura Ann is the only daughter of Sam & Edith, who lived several blocks from the Neumanns at 1541 Copperfield Dr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea208ed1-08dd-46fb-821c-2b39f3cb5288/2026-05-16-20-41-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Perhaps the family’s first-ever olive tree portrait. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc5e0a94-af8c-4d7c-be3d-381e06c81518/2025-11-22-13-26-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out The family with Ham in front of the olive tree. Digging the “pegged” pants Steve! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0a5d204-8d37-4a4e-a12c-3d02b43a4370/2025-07-21-17-27-0009.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1987—The family attending Steve’s graduation from the Ventura County Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Academy held at Camarillo City Hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef839c27-09bf-4c7c-8e91-4615b85d5927/2025-07-21-17-27-0010.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jun 1993—The family in Aldrich Park for Steve’s graduation from UC Irvine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1859394-cacf-4f21-a3bd-8488b5a26cf3/2025-07-30-10-30-0001.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jun 1994—Jim, Christa, Dave, Ruth & Debbie at an awards ceremony for Dave at UC Irvine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c41e18c9-8b59-487c-bcbe-b5127378a1fc/IMG_4323.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 31, 1994—Ruth & Jim with Dave at his wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72d30065-4c8a-4916-af25-f1a5692c61c1/2024-08-04-10-59-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1994-1995?—Debbie joins Ruth in her classroom at St John’s Lutheran School in Oxnard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1bc2ad20-0611-4f97-ade3-b06df919b434/CHP+grad.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jan 1995—Dave, Christa, Debbie, Steve, Amanda, Ruth & Jim following Steve’s graduation from the CHP Academy on January 26, 1995. The party was held in the Langstaff’s home at 2759 Shalimar St, Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/725b2ade-2dd8-4249-87bf-63672a156134/Debbie+Solvang+7-6-1995.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jul 6, 1995—Ruth & Debbie pose for a vintage-style photograph in Solvang. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1989122c-a6bc-460a-a4d1-2e01739495eb/2026-05-06-14-17-0003.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1995—Ruth, Dave & Christa playing Pictionary at the White’s cabin at 739 Dahlia Dr, Green Valley Lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/498b5a87-38b8-4c80-af55-4def5a7ff2a7/2025-11-23-11-29-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1995—The family at the White’s cabin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/47707d11-4f2f-426d-b8bc-02319306480f/Ottavios+02.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 1995—Steve, Amanda, Ruth, Jim, Christa, Dave, Tim, Bre & Debbie at Octtavios Italian Restaurant in Camarillo, perhaps celebrating Ruth & Jim’s 31st anniversary. (Were we unable to celebrate their 30th with Steve in the CHP Academy & Dave’s wedding?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40fc5d25-a1f7-4c7b-ab59-f34671c4e8e7/Central+LA.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Early 1996—Amanda (pregnant with Matt), Steve, Ruth & Jim outside Steve’s first assignment at the Central Los Angeles CHP office. This was the original office used in the filming of the “CHiPs” TV series. The building has since been replaced, but it remains located inside the southwest cloverleaf of the I-110 and I-10 interchange in downtown Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/783c39b0-f430-49c9-896e-656d6c6f5eaa/2025-07-30-10-12-0016.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jun 1996—Ruth & Jim at Debbie’s graduation from Camarillo High School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0a3f6f0-a723-49b7-b820-7ba63343fff5/2025-07-30-11-06-0009.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1996—Jim, Ruth, Debbie, Christa, Dave, Amanda, Steve & Bre at dinner for an unknown special occasion, likely in 1996 (possibly Debbie’s high school graduation?). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6952fb7-29aa-4e42-9c16-165a5c63d828/2025-07-31-07-30-0006.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1997—Ruth & Jim with Dave & Christa at a ceremony for Dave receiving his teaching credential. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/af089f9b-3f03-46d7-951f-145fb9f8d39f/2026-05-28-13-27-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Christmas 1997—Amanda (pregnant with Jeff), Steve, Mildred, Ruth, Breanne, Dave, Debbie & Jacob in Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5ab5236-90a9-4573-9211-c5d8ced4ec94/56th+birthday+1998.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jan 1998—Fenwick was the bakery of choice for Ruth & Jim’s 1964 wedding in Baltimore. After relocating to Camarillo in 1986, however, Bread Basket Cake Company became the family’s perennial favorite. Here Debbie celebrates Ruth’s 56th birthday with one of the family’s first Bread Basket cakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9dd71ed7-65dc-4e38-b9b6-88ffc406d2b1/2026-05-28-13-27-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jun 1998—Mildred returned to Camarillo to attend Debbie’s wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4c47152c-4755-4e3b-8389-6a71da3c0f12/2026-05-06-14-17-0004.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Ruth & Dave at Easter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3c60e344-4bd5-4437-ab5c-fd259404d430/2026-05-28-11-59-0007.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out 1999-2000—Dave, Christa (pregnant with Anna), Ruth & Jim visiting Red Hill Lutheran. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85d24751-85a6-417a-b248-11c617e96fb5/Mom%27s+75th.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jan 21, 2017—The family gathered at Cafe Fiore in Ventura to celebrate Ruth’s 75th birthday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/088b61de-9878-4f86-b4d6-0b5b6f70c92b/2026-05-06-14-17-0002.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Jim, Dave & Ruth https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/763fe3a3-0d5a-41ef-8487-7baaf996da9d/IMG_7560.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Dec 22, 2020—Steve, Amanda, Jim & Ruth enjoy a pre-Christmas COVID-19-style tailgate party in the parking lot of the Isla Vista Woodstock’s Pizza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1dc172a-3628-4599-bd45-12e81f4bd7eb/IMG_8621.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Dec 29, 2021—Jim, Ruth, Steve & Amanda visit the Los Angeles Central Library after Ruth & Amanda finished The Library Book by Susan Orlean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a60ce0fa-af26-4754-8064-75ba395ae89d/tempImageDOw8i4.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Oct 15, 2022—Jim, Ruth, Steve & Amanda at Steve’s retirement party at the SpringHill Suites in Atascadero. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b380717e-e9dc-4742-a01b-bec2b631706c/tempImageD2amrE.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 4, 2024—Jim & Ruth are joined by Amanda, Christa, Dave, Steve & Debbie during a celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary held at Debbie’s house at 1433 Gracia St, Camarillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1f5c8c7-e501-425f-ae39-330c24ca9573/IMG_0598.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out Aug 4, 2024—This beauty also celebrated thirty-eight years of fabulous confections from Bread Basket Cake Company, each one marking a cherished family milestone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8e08a67d-78dc-47a9-a0d8-444c8af283f0/tempImagepNZ1EL.jpg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 3, 2025—Amanda & Ruth at Honey & Herb Belgian Waffle House in Newbury Park before attending the memorial service for Jim’s brother-in-law Don Simpson in Glendora. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04b41e2f-47f3-42ea-9702-281a058035b5/IMG_1839.jpeg Blog - The Kids - Make it stand out May 23, 2026—Jim, Christa, Dave & Ruth at lunch before seeing The Sound of Music at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/early-married-life monthly 0.5 2026-10-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87a49839-ae5d-4a12-b178-d28b528b4ada/z2026-07-27-19-54-0001+copy.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3a0fdb81-d245-4f27-98ec-214332070afb/Wedding+25+-+Car.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1, 1964—Perhaps inspired by the 1963 cross-country trip with her brother Pat and his family, Ruth agreed to drive the car of a fellow teacher from Maryland to San Francisco as part of their honeymoon. This Buick Skylark was used for the wedding so the other car was ready for the big journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f5afb51-8d98-4e73-a89a-43d0a99847fc/Image-1+%2837%29.jpeg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1964—Jim’s parents Adolph & Mildred in front of their Escondido, CA home where they met Ruth for the first time at the end of Jim & Ruth’s cross-country honeymoon travels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/723f0d33-1295-48a1-bc97-4045a10171ea/2025-11-14-19-38-0003.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 16, 1964—Adolph & Mildred outside American Savings & Loan Association, 15725 E Whittier Blvd, where Christ The King Lutheran Church (Wisconsin Synod) was meeting for services. The church bulletin for August 16, 1964, read, “Visiting us today: Mr. & Mrs. James Neumann of Towson, Maryland. Jim is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Neumann of this congregation—he and his bride are visiting California on their honeymoon.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa243f4f-b22a-4a18-96d3-984df60e9d3c/493938433_9507306756044170_8761348953959486058_n-2.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1964—Ruth & Jim visited Disneyland, nine years after its 1955 opening. At the time, they could scarcely have known that six years later they would live only ten miles away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5598064-6f98-44ee-995e-fb25f9aded28/IMG_6979.jpeg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jim got Ruth a large stuffed animal at Disneyland that she had to carry with her onto two flights back to MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f46a270-b527-40da-aee4-aac43185c00c/Screenshot+2026-05-08+at+11.28.03.png Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1964—After flying back from their cross-country honeymoon travels, Ruth & Jim moved into the bottom right apartment at 222 Donnybrook Ln, Towson, MD. The apartments had been recently renovated for students attending nearby Towson State University. They lived here for two years, while Ruth taught at Hamilton Junior High School in northeast Baltimore and Jim was teacher and principal at First Lutheran School in Towson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f27a52b6-4ebc-46ac-9c97-692b37701551/2026-07-27-19-11-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out A page from the Hamilton Junior High School yearbook for the 1964–65 school year (Grades 7–9). This was Ruth's second year teaching. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab49cdf4-023f-47af-b2fe-54f073e87adf/1964%E2%80%9365+New+York+World%E2%80%99s+Fair+Unisphere+.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out 1964-65—Vera, Jim & Ruth in front of the Unisphere at the New York World’s Fair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/96eb322a-e958-44d1-a5b9-e3ff4bdff622/2026-10-16-13-14-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life Aug 1965 - Presumably Ruth’s parents visiting Jim’s parents for the first time. The photo was likely taken in the backyard of Adolph & Mildred’s Escondido home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7635e85e-2adf-4595-a6e1-89d49a7b0793/2026-07-29-21-29-0003.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Oct 1965—Jim, Ruth, Julia, Mary, & Pat, probably outside the church where Julia was baptized. She was born on Oct 10, 1965. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2a3ba2f2-0438-4013-a9f2-a4e292a7d063/Thetford+1966+08.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1966—From the apartment on Donneybrook Ln, Ruth & Jim moved into this lovely brick row house at 1603 Thetford Rd in Towson on/about their second anniversary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/275a7c2e-7629-4d17-aa83-e397e31094d8/2026-07-27-19-54-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1966—Jim’s parents were unable to afford the journey from CA to MD to attend Ruth & Jim’s Aug 1964 wedding. They were finally able to visit two years later, just in time to celebrate Jim & Ruth’s new home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0b328922-aad7-429a-995e-f2a0f3960d5f/1966+08+Kingsville.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1966—Ruth & Jim with her parents on the front porch of their Kingsville house. The photo was probably taken by one of Jim’s parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a508a43b-07d9-4f02-8df6-31c031ced98f/2025-11-22-13-23-0002.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1966—Jim’s & his parents in the front yard of Pat & Mildred’s Kingsville home; likely taken on the same day as the photo with Jim, Ruth, & her parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85ff5bf7-913c-4764-bc04-2fc07d2a8d79/2026-07-27-19-54-0008.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim doing dishes in the Thetford Rd home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b57e198-67cc-462a-b0f3-9e61cd56048e/Thetford+1990s.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1989?—Ruth & Jim visit their old home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a7f400bb-954f-48f2-a241-07da078fc752/Thetford+Road+2000+09.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Oct 2000—Just over 34 years after they moved into the house, Steve, Amanda & their boys join Ruth & Jim in front of the Thetford Rd home on the occasion of Ruth’s mother’s funeral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ec91d802-e6eb-41a5-8fe9-c68814075bad/Jerusalem+Road.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Oct 2000—Ruth & Jim are joined by son Steve’s family & daughter Debbie’s family on the front porch of the Kingsville house on the occasion of Ruth’s mother’s funeral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/836141c9-c74d-487c-bd25-fa20281a7293/2026-07-27-21-02-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Christmas 1966 or 67?—Jim surprised Ruth with a beagle puppy tucked inside a shoebox. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c510ad56-c2cd-48a3-a761-cf14e09b71ca/2026-07-27-21-02-0002.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out They named her Holly in honor of the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10c47513-4ca7-4033-bfb1-1d46bee638c8/2026-07-27-21-02-0003.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Holly was so little, they had to return her to her mother before bringing her home permanently. Holly laying on Ruth’s lap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/099c6118-5fe4-4e4f-9959-5decaa7116c7/2026-07-27-21-02-0004.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Holly in the kitchen “helping” with a shoe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c91fe3aa-1d70-4a47-afd2-416ae1a643ed/2026-07-27-19-56-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Christmas 1967-68?—Perhaps their second Christmas with Holly, and Holly’s first birthday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7da1367-c859-490d-9f7b-265eb53a4821/2026-05-28-08-45-0005.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Holly in bed with Ruth, who still has this blanket. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/83a0e68f-5360-40d1-a8c2-5a9f217bab63/2026-07-30-13-46-0002.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 10, 1968—Ruth as bridesmaid at the wedding of her cousin Vera (Elvira) to Richard Harold Miller at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, Bethpage, NY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4dbc3543-0b6d-4595-b57f-937b7ad8001b/2026-07-30-13-46-0001.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 10, 1968—Ruth & Jim at Vera’s wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a21f38ca-b29f-425f-9d15-50040c3ab663/maryland+098.jpeg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out This is the rear view of the Thetford Rd row house as seen during Ruth’s Sep 2012 visit. Though they struggled to conceive—and even underwent testing in search of answers—it was in this home that Ruth & Jim would eventually begin their family. It was also from here that they would unexpectedly depart for an entirely new life 3,000 miles away in California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/522ba2fc-c882-4e84-8cf9-fdc8a2a3a04d/dad5d5db81237d1742370ccce81a299a.webp Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out ≈1968—Ruth & Jim purchased a “Daffodil Yellow” 1966 Plymouth Fury III 2-door convertible from the owner of Brooks Buick in Baltimore (very similar, but missing rear fender skirts). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/73516b07-20f0-41d4-b67e-82a0437adf32/5bc702db51c8f4f1dedde529b635d401.webp Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 14, 1969—Ruth & Jim set out in the Plymouth on their second cross-country odyssey. Unique for the era, the car was equipped with air conditioning. Ruth kept a brief journal of the trip writing, “It was great to have an air-conditioned car going through Kansas since the temperature was in excess of 100° and the humidity was high.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/545f999d-9e94-4010-b3ae-651f910c4efe/5bb648d811d852408bd1c79198357bac.webp Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out After years of concern over not being able to conceive, Ruth discovered—just before their departure—that she was about one month pregnant. Best enjoy those carefree days on the road while you can! You may wonder what it cost to fill up the big tank? No worries…Ruth kept notes on that too. Not per gallon…but $4.91 on average to fill the tank! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c1623806-0829-41b4-bcf9-a78e96619478/1969+Near+Monument+Valley.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 17, 1969—”On the way to our motel in Kayenta [AZ], we drove through Monument Valley. Besides seeing many unusual rock formations, we saw many animals—sheep, cattle, horses, and jackasses—some of them in the middle of the road.” —Ruth’s journal from the trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/95193251-45f7-4f67-bce9-e02b2df2d04e/apollo-11-liftoff-july-16-1969.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 16, 1969—”Another early start got us to Denver shortly after 9:00 AM. Earlier, when we stopped for breakfast, we heard [on the radio] the blast off for man's first trip to actually setting foot on the moon.” —Ruth’s journal from the trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ffbb2fe-3075-44f3-b5b7-08d543e5d2b0/2025-07-30-12-09-0003.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 20, 1969—Ruth & Jim arrived in Casa Grande, AZ on the evening of July 18, 1969. Pictured are Jim & his brother Bob’s family—Dorothy, Ruth-Ann, & Jonathon—attending Sunday services where Bob was pastor. The following day, they drove to Escondido where they surprised Jim’s parents. Despite their plan to play it cool, Jim blurted out “Ruth is pregnant” as soon as they opened the door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5bea901c-e368-4df4-8395-732854120144/1969+4.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 26, 1969—Ruth & Jim stayed with his parents from July 22-26. Probably on July 26, they stayed at his sister Jean’s house in Glendora (pictured). They had more on their mind than the pregnancy, as this was also the summer between Jim’s job of eight years at First Lutheran School ending and his starting at Baltimore Lutheran High School. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a9ad29e1-ca99-4c69-9f5d-ed02c85d5a2f/1969+2.jpeg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Jul 26, 1969—This time with color film—Back: Jean, Jean & Jim’s first cousin John Desmedt, Jim, Ruth, & Mildred. Middle: Susan and Karen. Front: John and Cheryl. From Glendora they continued to Sacramento—via 17-Mile Drive—and stayed with Ruth’s brother Paul and his family. Then it was on to Eugene, Port Angeles, Mt Vernon, Spences Bridge BC, & Banff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4846712e-deed-4399-81e0-20937d5efa27/1969+Lake+Louise.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Aug 1, 1969—Jim at Lake Louise in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Possibly on August 1, 1969, on his and Ruth’s 5-year anniversary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/18c21027-4e14-41fe-a72a-494bcad9ad4f/614637909_1447285186758865_227814182890212749_n.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out In the summer of 1969, the American side of Niagara Falls—specifically the American Falls—was temporarily “turned off” by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate geological damage to the falls. Engineers built a large rock-and-earth cofferdam across the Niagara River to divert the water toward the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Jim & Ruth hoped to witness the blockage, but Ruth was not feeling well toward the end of the trip, so they cut south from Schreiber, Ontario to Bay City, Michigan and then home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/162f09f5-48dc-459b-8b81-95a0e04e00f4/2026-05-19-18-54-0006.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Ruth at her baby shower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60d37c8b-0dd4-47a4-b098-3cce4deb8471/2026-05-19-18-54-0004.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Ruth enjoying cake at her baby shower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ad4e028-0c3d-4096-a569-3b2e00750538/1970+02-15.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Feb 15, 1970—27 days before giving birth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d580faf7-e51e-474a-8559-286af32b78ae/1970+02-22.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Feb 22, 1970—Ruth in the Thetford Rd kitchen 20 days before giving birth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1317aca2-b4e8-46eb-8a50-d6d70f8b8a06/2026-05-19-18-54-0002.jpg Blog - Early Married Life - Make it stand out Five years and seven months had passed as the young couple settled into married life in Towson, each carving a path into their own career. Now, Ruth was resting on the verge of two seismic shifts: the arrival of her first child and the daunting not-yet-known leap from lifelong Marylander to Californian. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/couple monthly 0.5 2026-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/368b613c-e196-4ca1-a127-b96e93245912/Wedding+16+-+Rice.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0668ac5b-cf9d-42f9-870b-7f3ec001d67d/2026-05-19-19-00-0001.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth’s wedding announcement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c441a022-2e44-4261-8305-dceadd48b0c6/Shower+1+06+1964.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Jun 1964—Ruth enters the living room at the Kingville house for her bridal shower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21752d56-f4c0-411e-a5bb-4507d4bf0c63/Shower+2.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Jun 1964—Ruth looks at a gift during her bridal shower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c746930-7a7a-4b35-abe3-67a11562af0f/Shower+3.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out June 1964—Ruth at her bridal shower; her formal graduation portrait from Western Maryland College in Jun 1963 is on the mantle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e8374737-01c7-4779-bce3-299ca5788724/2026-07-29-21-29-0002.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth and her friends enjoying refreshments at the bridal shower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f10d9c9-55fe-4229-80c6-2dc504d79d36/08+Marriage+License+in+Paper.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Jul 19, 1964—Ruth & Jim’s wedding license announced in the local newspaper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1432f76e-5f3e-4b31-8551-2c2b62a53728/03+Invitation.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim’s wedding invitation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9fa6d56a-0d5e-4e79-b80d-2e9970c69828/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+13.20.00.png Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4601 Belair Rd, Baltimore—the Verdone’s longtime church home, sitting 0.3 mile from the family’s Southern Ave house, and the location of Ruth & Jim’s wedding, reception, & many photos on Sat, Aug 1, 1964. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40e6288b-a575-4811-ab94-f3dd7fe85302/Wedding+01+-+Mildred+%26+Ruth+Seated.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Mildred makes final adjustments to Ruth’s veil at the vanity in her parent’s room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e80589fc-23f8-4069-a59b-38a3ea5ff10d/Wedding+02+-+Mildred+Corsage.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth places her mother’s corsage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/48faf77b-aa6b-4d15-a144-d719982e865d/Wedding+04+-+Pat+Boutonniere.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth places her father’s boutonniere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a7db411-8a8b-4c1b-abed-b40d6284c61a/Wedding+03+-+Parents+Kiss+Ruth.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth receives kisses from her parents in the living room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f48a34d-64ed-4e81-8179-c42204e5a2e9/Wedding+05+-+Bridesmaids.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth is joined in the Kingsville living room by her bridal party: Miriam Evans (Ruth’s best friend from college), Virginia (“Ginny”) Cameron (Warfield), Marie Verdone (Ruth’s cousin and Vera’s younger sister), and maid of honor Vera Verdone (Ruth’s cousin). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a14da08f-7adf-4090-a740-4e23b9f74c64/Wedding+07+-+Ruth+Dress.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out The lovely bride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f3fa33f-d8c5-422b-a6f5-e4c528a5c682/Wedding+06+-+Ruth+Silhoutte.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth, captured in a stunning silhouette. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f64379ac-7ebd-4c47-a24d-320e2ceabe6b/Wedding+09+-+Pat+Down+Aisle.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth escorted into Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church by her father. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0661c052-e86b-4a80-9524-f1a8e3ae1860/Wedding+11+-+Congregation.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Pat at the traditional "giving away of the bride.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8741dbb8-f3da-46c8-85f5-f73c1598f913/Wedding+10+-+Alter.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Flower girl Joyce, maid of honor Vera, Ruth, Jim & best man Bill Roemer. Bill and his wife Gertrude were active members of First Lutheran Church. They became steady influences, guiding Jim through his early years as a teacher and principal, and later supporting Jim & Ruth in their first years of marriage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4a2146ef-ff1d-49ca-a113-fa3ac44d87ac/Wedding+12+-+Kneeling.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out The pastor says a blessing for the couple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/471e28bd-5582-48bb-964a-73bb76d851dd/Wedding+13+-+Church.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim walk the aisle as newlyweds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9420f0d-55c0-4b42-baba-851776a07a51/Wedding+15+-+Kiss.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim kiss on the steps at the church entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5c52a956-baab-4d65-ae26-27090a073d09/Wedding+16+-+Rice.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out The wedding party lines the steps as Ruth & Jim make their way to the reception beneath a jubilant shower of rice, the centuries-old wish for abundance & joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/95f9efb7-555e-4ca4-8db2-0e66bbcd37ca/Wedding+17+-+Couple+%26+Parents.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Pat, Ruth, Jim & Mildred on the lawn between the church and reception hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/939b383d-a0d6-45e4-9f93-864a924bc182/Wedding+18+-+Couple%2C+Best+%26+Maid.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Best man Bill Roemer, Jim, Ruth & Maid of Honor Vera Verdone outside the front doors of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f36899f4-9d5b-4227-a492-d54da020b9b1/Wedding+19+-+Groomsmen.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Verdone Family—Pat, Paul, Jim, Pat, Mildred, Donald, Ruth. Lynne, Joyce, David & Mary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7e17f0c5-8733-4393-9e21-a90f1dd8be17/Wedding+20+-+Bridesmaids.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Wedding Party—Marie Verdone, Miriam Evans, Virginia Cameron, Vera Verdone, Joyce Verdone, Ruth, Jim, Bill Roemer, Chris Dunker (Jim’s friend from church), Pat & Paul. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9722805a-c416-4110-b9b7-43899c981b74/2026-07-27-19-54-0009.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out A more intimate image of the happy couple outside the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e62a4a01-a446-49e8-b109-b91148e7f6c9/Wedding+23+-+Reception.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out A crowd gathers for the garter toss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9a06265-9dca-4ee7-a444-ce5e967d7f93/Wedding+21+-+Cake+Slice.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim make the first slice of their lovely tiered wedding cake from Fenwick Bakery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/25f42298-0817-4221-9d2c-6d6e80f13094/Wedding+22+-+Cake+Eat.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out In 1905, not only was Pat born in Italy, it was also the year Ernest Uebersax arrived in Baltimore as an immigrant from Switzerland. In April 1913, as Pat was about to arrive in NY, Ernest married Alvena and together they started their first bakery. Changes happened, but in 1927—just before Pat relocated to Baltimore—they opened Fenwick Bakery on Fenwick Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/273af784-b7f6-4414-ac7b-207e0ca825b0/IMG_7329.jpeg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out In 1952, the business was handed over to their children and this was where Ruth & Jim ordered their wedding cake in 1964. In 1971 the bakery moved to 7219 Harford Rd, which is where Ruth & Dave found it on their visit in March 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a7d102de-f17e-4e9c-9ef3-b01ff72620c3/07+Marriage+Certificate.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim’s formal Marriage Certificate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4122122e-c0d6-4789-b320-859d94981a26/Wedding+25+-+Car.jpg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Ruth & Jim in the back seat of best man Bill Roemer’s Buick Skylark. They used the Skylark to depart the reception so their other car remained ready for their big cross-country journey to California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/511dcf08-9a69-4fc7-9614-f56565b46e48/IMG_7309.jpeg Blog - The Wedding - Make it stand out Mar 2022—Ruth & Dave revisit Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/young-woman monthly 0.5 2026-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0623775d-873d-4b46-8d98-0953efb31d27/2025-07-10-08-25-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f7ae60d-e676-4344-ac81-be33af18af79/Screenshot+2026-05-09+at+12.29.05.png Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Summer 1959—Ruth graduated high school in Jan 1959. That summer, Pat & Mildred purchased a new home 12 miles northeast of Southern Ave, in the rural village of Kingsville. Pat had always wanted land and this ½ acre property at 12122 Jerusalem Rd suited him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24974ec3-c801-47f9-9907-818b664c0678/IMG_7339.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out The front porch, veranda, and driveway that featured in so many photos over the years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/12b2864f-7d1e-4fbb-9cab-81718868d22a/2026-07-27-19-54-0005.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out This early image shows the house as it looked when Ruth first moved in, lacking mature trees & with fewer neighbors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cfb7d510-42b8-4771-8e8c-fd91fec0bf6d/Scan103021-16_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Two NY families visit Kingsville. Four on left: Cousin Marie, Uncle Frank, Cousin Vera, & Frank’s wife Millie. Four on right: Uncle Gene (Eugene) and his wife Tesse. Behind them are sons Angelo and John (middle brother X is missing). Photo taken in the backyard near the veranda and outside the dining room window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f14cdbc0-1549-42b2-9d08-262ffc46d1ac/Scan103021-6_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out On the same occasion & location, but Pat, Ruth, & Mildred step in: Aunt Millie, Aunt Tessie, Cousin Angelo, Cousin Vera, father Pat, Ruth, Cousin John, Cousin Marie, mother Mildred, Uncle Eugene, & Uncle Frank https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13565a06-b714-40be-a728-b9c96e1f466c/Scan103021-12_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Pat’s brother Gene (Eugene) and his wife Tesse, probably in their Brooklyn home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/07d1a573-4540-4a42-9bb0-c04cd9fa4786/2025-07-10-20-07-0004.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Summer 1959?—Ruth & her parents possibly visiting Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) as a prospective student. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2e24c9f-37e3-4748-92a2-78517e2d37fe/2025-07-09-22-02-0010.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Fall 1959?—Ruth & “Aunt” Annie in Kingsville, possibly before Ruth left for college. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b3385982-9f9a-49c8-bbcf-bf718c1c6cce/2025-07-10-08-25-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Fall 1959?—Ruth & her parents, possibly on her first day at Western Maryland College (WMC). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9e45039-2724-4fa0-b4ae-fb9188743f89/2026-05-19-12-59-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out The WMC campus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/81340dc4-3acf-4db4-96bc-9e75715560e0/2026-05-19-12-59-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Baker Chapel (Little Baker) on the WMC campus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9caec50e-cfe4-42c0-9be5-78970e24d003/2026-05-19-12-59-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out The WMC campus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cee02b72-03ff-45eb-92a4-c02e7f22c7ef/2022-03-29+12.56.03.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth visiting the former WMC campus (now McDaniel College) in Mar 2022 with Dave. Her dorms were in the building behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4783c01a-5d63-4989-af52-185a6dce24fd/2022-03-29+12.44.58.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth in Alumni Hall at WMC. Completed in 1899, the historic building was specifically constructed to serve as a primary gathering space for commencement exercises, banquets, literary society meetings, and religious services. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bdbeabc8-ec59-4a6f-857f-b8f7e99bd656/2025-07-10-08-37-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Betty & Seth Hester, friends from church, visiting Ruth at WMC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21ed7f6f-4586-4d36-bf28-663fbf7991eb/2026-05-19-10-47-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Summer 1960—This was the first summer after moving to Kingsville & Ruth’s youth group from Jerusalem Lutheran Church visited the Verdone’s new property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85332077-e694-4237-a121-16f620436652/2026-05-19-10-47-0004.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Summer 1960—Ruth with members of the church youth group. The older man on the right is likely Pastor Manrodg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/740ef004-7a57-498c-b8d1-9d173c229526/2026-07-29-13-01-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Summer 1960?—Ruth began dating Billy Yutzy in high school and they continued for a short while into college. This was taken at his parent’s house in Rehoboth Beach, DE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/499ccec6-4841-40e1-8961-68129e68e595/1961+09-02+Allen+SpicerLabor+Day+Bethpage+NY.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Sep 2, 1961—Ruth with Allen Spicer in Bethpage NY for the Labor Day weekend. She had continued to date Billy Yutzy since high school, but met Allen in the spring of her freshman year (1960). Allen was 5 yrs older & in seminary. He was likely on campus because his father was head of WMC’s math department. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b29bbe46-a2a7-4b3f-9b61-7b9510ca30b5/2026-05-19-12-24-0012.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Sep 2, 1961—They began dating pretty seriously, which explains why he went with her to visit Ruth’s family in NY for the long Labor Day weekend. Her parents thought they would marry, but he was an only child who was coddled by his mother. When his mother made it clear Ruth would soon be taking over care of the 25-year-old man, Ruth’s interest in him waned quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7b062fca-fd80-4474-af0f-64bacd3f2578/2026-07-28-21-48-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Each summer in college, Ruth worked at Edgewood Arsenal (now Aberdeen Proving Ground—APG), a US defense research facility. Ruth likely dressed for a social event held by Edgewood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e6ca4760-f8ca-4c3b-a1e2-83474510c5e7/2026-07-29-13-01-0006.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with Lt Ed Otto, a co-worker from Edgewood Arsenal. Not everyone she dated from Edgewood was an officer, but many were. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/626f1b68-baf3-4f63-a5e1-11ef862679b8/2026-07-29-12-46-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out All that survives of a date with Ruth is this image of the man’s amazing 1960 Triumph TR3. Ruth recalls he came to WMC for a dance, was from NC, and was possibly a cousin or other relative of Mary’s brother. He was a pilot and took Ruth for a flight in a small plane (of course a pilot drove a cool car!). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cff04fda-0d26-4f1d-a5d0-362bb42ae282/2026-07-29-13-01-0004.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Come to think of it, this may be Ruth’s mystery date/pilot/owner of awesome 1960 Triumph TR3. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0aeefb4c-f685-4c8c-8870-70162d08dca5/2025-07-10-08-37-0005.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out The presence of Donald & Joyce supports the notion that Ruth’s mystery date was possibly a cousin or other relative of Mary’s brother. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b360bf29-f8cc-4a57-822f-3ebefedf08c9/2025-07-10-08-37-0004.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth on her date with mystery man. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4c386e1a-0010-4e7a-96de-aa62a87ba8f8/2025-07-10-08-37-0007.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth possibly dressed up for another Edgewood event. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dce7a987-7ff1-4b22-9089-2831111aa280/2026-07-29-12-46-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with Lenny Muller, a co-worker from Edgewood Arsenal. Lenny was from Wyoming, so Ruth taught him how to open Maryland crabs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db8ff573-a88b-4cf8-be2b-24dab366325a/2026-07-29-13-01-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with another person whose name she no longer remembers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e951a318-905a-4a78-b7cc-e5d37729c9bd/2026-05-19-12-12-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth likely with members of her church youth group, possibly at Gettysburg or another retreat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e429fdde-966e-4e9f-b47f-8ff3de63667d/2026-05-19-10-47-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth with Ann Weidermire, who dated Ruth’s brother Paul for several years. Ruth did not remember the house, so it may have been Ann’s house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2edb528-389d-47f3-aaa6-cd075c853ccf/2026-05-19-12-57-0004.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth standing just outside her dorm building at WMC with an unknown friend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d86584a-d8e2-4fe1-b3a8-2b254250c48e/2026-05-19-12-57-0005.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth outside the WMC dorms with two women should could no longer identify. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e621144b-a9c3-4267-a943-ac5c10d13212/2026-05-19-12-57-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth at WMC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e89d40db-d5bd-41bf-aa3b-cb40c1c775bf/2026-07-29-13-01-0007.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth at WMC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/41344b7e-b208-4a66-bfcb-b82d92aeacb1/Image-1.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 1963—Ruth’s formal graduation portrait from Western Maryland College. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/83410c44-3789-4628-b150-8fa982395238/2026-05-19-12-57-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 1963—M. Ruth Verdone’s college graduation announcement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a2cfd517-eb81-48f2-b09c-0d6d9c99e179/2025-07-09-22-02-0011.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 3, 1963—Ruth at home possibly on graduation day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/94dd7727-a4c4-455f-aeed-ee9573fc4595/2025-07-10-08-37-0001.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 3, 1963—Ruth on graduation day with good friend Mariam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f7f9a496-d8e9-4ead-80c3-9573c284b0ec/2026-05-19-12-57-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 3, 1963—Martha “Marty” Olson was a couple years older than Ruth. They both went to WMC & attended youth group activities at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2feaefbc-85cd-487c-b316-79a25587ded3/2026-07-29-13-01-0005.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date, possibly with Fran Stanton, whom she dated seriously for several years before briefly dating Paul (below). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/25a008b3-7f6d-4e2f-bb96-15da35ebfa12/1963+Mar.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Mar 1963—Paul Palumbo was a teacher who Ruth met in Fall 1962 while student teaching. She was only 20 years old and he was much older, so the relationship did not last long. This image was taken in the Kingsville driveway looking NE before there was a house there. This was mere months before meeting Jim. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1fd4659a-46ab-472e-8354-dd9c4276265e/2025-07-14-19-04-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out After graduating from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL in June 1961, Jim Neumann accepted his first teaching position at First Lutheran School in Towson. He lived on the upper floor of 44 E. Burke Ave—a home adjacent to the church with the downstairs converted into a classroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/671bb676-78f6-40cc-9b10-75ee2df5d845/unorge.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out On Wed evenings Jim did laundry at Norge Laundry & Dry Cleaning in Towson, where Ruth’s mother worked. Knowing Jim was a relatively recent transplant to MD, she introduced him to her daughter when Ruth picked her up one Wed evening. Neither were particularly impressed with the other. She was dismissive and he thought she came across as snobby with her hair pulled back. First impressions aside, Jim invited Ruth to a concert under stars in Towson and she accepted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe6a3069-153d-4855-a000-9b2e5882c271/2026-07-27-19-54-0007.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 1963—After graduation, Ruth joined her brother Pat and his family on a cross-country trip to Las Cruses, NM. Pat worked for NASA, deploying cameras on spacecraft and was assigned for the summer to the nearby White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f07afa1-0272-41dd-975f-3770b969447a/2024-08-04-10-59-0007.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 1963—This may be Jim at the Kingsville house seeing Ruth off on her cross-country journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ae49da3-a9fa-4a9e-9a45-99c5af051d27/2025-07-10-20-07-0007.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun 1963—Ruth & Jim with Pat’s kids Joyce, David & Donald in Kingsville (probably) before setting off on their cross-country journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/babe7434-aafd-4c4f-8206-3e8c513e0c20/2026-07-27-19-54-0006.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jun-Aug 1963—Pat, Mary, Ruth, Donald, Joyce, & David stayed in this tent trailer as they made their way across the United States. They visited Lookout Mt in Chattanooga on the drive west; visited Acoma Pueblo, Grand Canyon NP, and Zion NP in July; & Lake Tahoe, Grand Tetons NP, Yellowstone NP, Mt Rushmore, & Badlands NP on the return trip in August. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4dede16c-4bce-43c9-bd7d-6af059fbf596/IMG_6985.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jul 12 & 18, 1963—The Verdones stayed at the Mission Inn in Las Cruces while Pat worked at WSMR. Jim wrote letters to Ruth, first from his home in Towson and later from Illinois where he was taking summer courses to help him assume the role of principal. Note that zip codes were not widely used and the letters arrived despite the lack of a street address. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afe8db27-cf64-4a67-9bf6-0fb96af07978/IMG_6986.jpeg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Jul 20 & 28, 1963—Jim wrote to Ruth at least four times in only two weeks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ebc62611-6b5a-41b3-aeb6-745e55688654/2024-08-04-22-09-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Aug 1963—When Ruth returned, her mother offered to give her Jim’s address so she could write to him. Little did she know, the two had exchanged many letters throughout the trip. This photo was likely taken when Jim came to visit Ruth after she turned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a04222a6-232d-4568-8838-63e4fcb441f1/2025-07-30-10-37-0003.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Aug 1963—Ruth was never impressed with Jim’s 1960 or 1961 Rambler Classic four-door sedan by American Motors Corporation (AMC). She felt the Rambler looked too much like a station wagon. When Jim proposed, it was by placing an engagement ring in the glovebox one rainy night. Fortunately, her opinion of the car did not cloud her feelings about the man driving it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fae6b42f-a4a5-4dc4-b9e9-9d01a64326d9/09+Letter+From+Jim%27s+Mom.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out A sweet letter written to Jim from his mother about his budding romance with Ruth. In a triple coincidence: both their mothers were named Mildred, both of their fathers had birthdays in November, and Ruth and Jim’s mom also shared a January 19 birthday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/217cf8c8-40ed-48b3-989d-f9da29e76bdc/2026-05-19-19-11-0002.jpg Blog - The College Years - Make it stand out Autumn 1963?—Ruth & Jim in the living room at the Kingsville house. Now dating, Jim continued to teach 5th and 6th grade and was also named principal. Ruth began teaching at Hamilton Junior High School. The two decided on a summer wedding in 1964. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/becoming-1 monthly 0.5 2026-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f36784f0-fa9a-4a9e-862a-f511a0a020a5/2026-05-18-21-34-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04012568-155c-4184-a5a2-61a960c2eed0/IMG_20211109_0042.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Cousin Vera and Ruth rest against a possible Plymouth. The roofline and windows of the open garage do not appear to be at the Southern Ave house. This was likely in NY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0ac58895-f57b-4693-99a6-a3d2cb6f09e6/Scan103021-13_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Pat and his youngest brother Frank on the side driveway at the Southern Ave house. Frank was a car adjuster who assessed damaged cars and found ones that were salvageable. Pat bought all his cars from Frank. This was probably a Chrysler. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8d713074-24ee-4693-8fd6-04cd7eef162c/IMG_20211109_0041.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth with cousins Vera & Marie & an unknown dog with the car their father Frank brought for Pat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44e1bfd2-e205-4352-94b3-694f0be83e61/Scan103021-5_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out “Tippi” a close friend of Uncle Frank, Frank, Pat & Angelo in the front yard of the Southern Ave house with the side of 4104 in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe717671-2f3e-4458-a654-58206be36f4b/Scan103021-15_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Aunt Victoria’s husband Giuseppe (Joseph) “Pino” (right) and their eldest son Joe. Joe became a medical doctor, an impressive feat for a second generation Italian immigrant—one Victoria was forever fond of reminding family! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0347a90b-86fb-4d81-80cd-a5543e6dfc5b/2025-07-09-21-51-0004.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the living room at Christmas time of “Uncle” George and “Aunt” Annie’s row house (probably Mildred’s aunt) behind the old Memorial Stadium. “Aunt” Annie taught Ruth to swim, could proudly touch her toes, & was quite pleased with her tall, slim figure. She was known to regift presents & fond of wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d78d459-a229-4b40-997f-79053f20a7a6/2025-07-10-20-47-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Her parents & brother Paul sit for a photo together in George & Annie’s house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae99907a-61cb-4683-b85e-6a0a98838c5d/b1558.jpg.webp Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Memorial Stadium (900 E. 33rd St, Baltimore)—the iconic home of the NFL's Colts (1953–1983) and MLB's Orioles (1954–1991). The field was set up for both football and baseball games. Known as "The Old Gray Lady" & "The World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum" due to raucous crowds, the stadium hosted three World Series and the 1959 NFL Championship. It was demolished in 2001–2002.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cfac2ee7-4904-4aec-9efb-f37ed0405323/2026-07-28-21-12-0006.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth the ballerina under the family’s arbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1053c913-ee22-45c5-b232-00abcd263776/2025-07-09-22-02-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth (front row, fourth from left) perhaps at a Mayday festival at Gardenville Elementary School (about 0.7 mile away at 5300 Belair Rd; the original building replaced by a new one). Ruth’s friend Sandy Miller sits to her right and Emily Walton (née Dorsch) to her left. Lois Hash sits at the far right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/edb3c033-9828-485f-8da4-ba9493c9262c/2025-07-09-22-02-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth in her Mayday outfit standing outside the school. Ruth believes Grandma Husted made this costume for her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3a860af6-8e8f-4161-a02f-92578e388e6b/2025-07-09-22-02-0006.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth & her father stand near the base of the steps called Jacob’s Ladder, below the upper park entrance at Watkins Glen State Park in western NY—likely captured during a trip to Niagara Falls. Overhead rises the massive iron and steel trestle of the NY Central Railroad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99fdc6cf-d3c7-4f64-b048-d539d3707fa0/2025-07-09-22-02-0005.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Family photo, possibly captured near the main entrance of Watkins Glen State Park in western NY State, & likely on a different day than the photo with Ruth & Pat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed66d7b4-1a26-4ef9-a016-0067c479bdff/2026-07-28-21-48-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Pat Jr., Pat Sr, Ruth, & Paul ready for the mist plume at Niagara Falls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/92061dc9-ff21-4194-a343-a7729094bca6/Scan103021-3_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s mother Mildred & Aunt Millie (Uncle Frank’s wife & mother to Vera & Marie). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bb19ec9b-0c09-4c4d-9f56-c3ec0f8bed45/2026-05-19-10-53-0006.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out An adorable Ruth in front of an unknown house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8bde0c6a-dc6e-4733-bfbe-7716412f6303/2026-05-19-10-53-0005.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth (left) with neighborhood girls Sue Libowitz (Ruth’s age), Carol Libowitz (2 years older than Sue & Ruth) & Donna Feiler. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/728ce622-31db-43af-90e8-9de39107e4ab/2025-07-09-21-51-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1953—A rate glimpse inside the Southern Ave house. Friends gathered in the living room for Ruth’s (likely) 6th grade birthday party. Ruth is second from left in the back row. Her good friend Emily Walton née Dorsch is standing next to her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98c3ae4a-612f-453f-9d89-59d08991e63a/1953+Gettysburg+Natl+Battlefield.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1953—Ruth & her mom at Gettysburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cadbd8b6-a896-40c9-8397-2de801ce5631/2026-05-19-12-46-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1953—Ruth at Gettysburg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc0bef7b-5d09-4812-b7b7-ac43f43a38ac/2026-05-19-12-46-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1953—Ruth at Gettysburg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d53a461-6a19-479e-a51b-c17ca6d3d290/2026-05-19-10-53-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth in church choir robe at the corner of the driveway & back walkway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/350286a9-ab14-4dcf-bde2-76ad0798542e/2025-05-03-08-35-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Jun 1954?—Ruth with her brothers Paul & Pat in the front yard. Paul’s white coat may indicate this was his high school graduation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/454946f6-21c4-4d48-a945-5856401f06b3/2025-05-03-08-35-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Jun 1954?—The whole family on the same occasion. Mildred always wore a hat to church & on special occasions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c166a075-4f7c-464c-af14-b153da679aeb/Cypress+Gardens+FL.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1954?—Ruth at Cypress Gardens near Winter Haven, Florida. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90aa5f64-76fe-4a63-a9b5-58b4a37dafb0/2026-05-19-12-46-0005.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1954?—Ruth on a family trip to Florida. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/742fbca9-1b06-428a-b8ff-2fce7526a8a6/2026-05-19-12-46-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1954?—Ruth on the same family trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/572babe4-45ad-4b2b-99ec-ca15c0f032cb/2026-05-19-10-53-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth & Aunt Mary (Pat Jr’s wife) at Baltimore’s Sherwood Gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b3ef5f5b-c0dc-4950-8088-478008894f7b/2025-07-09-21-38-0009.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Cousin Bobby (Aunt Victoria’s third child) as a newly enlisted sailor, with Ruth & her father next to the garage in the back corner of the Southern Ave house. The beautiful tree from other photos is gone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1fbbd366-89e9-486f-9671-092e0b99b076/2026-05-19-10-53-0004.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth at Maryland Beach, located at the extreme north end of Ocean City, Maryland, near the Delaware state line. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fa1eef50-2f11-4da7-9014-42d55d9c1234/Scan103021-14_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s paternal grandfather Angelo (photo possibly taken in NY). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/502a4696-0572-4aae-96d7-bf2fc952a8c1/Scan103021-4_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Cousin Marie (Uncle Frank), grandfather Angelo (who brought the family from Italy to America) & Ruth at back corner of the Southern Ave property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5777b884-708e-4e16-914d-e73f4d710b56/Screenshot+2026-06-01+at+16.19.19.png Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Feb 1954-Jan 1956 Middle School—With a Jan birthday, Ruth was a “mid-year” student who followed a Feb-Jan track. Her middle school, Public School No. 49, unfortunately also known as Robert E Lee Junior High School, was an accelerated junior high school for gifted children. Located at 1205-1207 Cathedral St, the building has since been repurposed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0f83c503-3db5-4ed6-80bf-a9544e0356d1/2024-08-04-21-52-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Middle School—Ruth’s middle school included Grades 7-9, but Ruth was part of an accelerated program that allowed her to complete all coursework in only 2 years! The photo was taken during that time, at the corner of the backyard, perhaps in the same spot as the photo with Cousin Marie and Grandpa Angelo above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ff3596f-bf16-48c2-9b4a-31c19ba35bbc/2025-07-10-20-11-0004.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out 1955—Ruth’s Confirmation at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, probably at 13 years of age. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/50272059-6585-4a5d-bfd9-554f23e284e7/2025-07-10-08-25-0003.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out 1955—Ruth with her parents outside the church at her Confirmation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3abf80fb-c851-4d42-89bd-538eff7400e3/2025-07-10-20-11-0005.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out 1955—Ruth & her parents in the backyard on the day of her Confirmation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5df5ed40-6283-4aa5-9cbe-b054e810c7cc/1955+Monteal.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1955?—Ruth in Montreal on a trip with her parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c67009f4-30c8-4e3e-a30c-ff8143b97074/2026-05-28-07-55-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Feb 1956-Jan 1959—Ruth attended Eastern High School, a historic all-female, public high school. EHS moved several times during its long history since 1844. Its final campus at 1101 E 33rd St was where Ruth attended. Middle school was 7-9, so high school was only 10-12. Ruth graduated a semester early in Jan 1959, at the age of 17. The building sat directly across from the old Memorial Stadium, near the home of her “Uncle” George & “Aunt” Annie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/479b1d01-693e-4133-bc3e-bf4b61624dec/2022-03-28+07.51.21.jpeg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Eastern High School closed in 1986 and is now used for administrative offices by Johns Hopkins Medicine. This is Ruth during her Mar 2022 visit to the site with Dave. Eastern’s sister school—Western High School—remains open and is the oldest public all-female high school remaining in the US. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cd01af60-54f6-4116-aa82-2d98d7997e5d/maryland+075.jpeg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Baltimore City College—known colloquially as City, City College, & BCC—is affectionately known as The Castle on the Hill due to its prominent position on Collegian Hill and its Collegiate Gothic architecture, featuring a prominent 150-foot stone tower, arched windows & a crenellated roofline. Ruth’s brothers attended BCC, which sat directly adjacent to her Eastern High School campus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a3c3fdc-516c-4820-bcc6-2a335032fd96/2025-07-10-08-25-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1956—Ruth in the driveway of the Southern Ave house (right) holding baby Donald born Mar 8, 1956 (her older brother Pat’s first child). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a4487b32-a162-4671-8f40-b3024155f981/2025-07-10-08-25-0006.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1957—Ruth possibly holding Gail Husted, the daughter of Uncle Alvin & Aunt Betty, born in Jan 1957. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7b0ac0a8-c96c-4785-b812-e087414d0c83/2026-05-19-12-46-0010.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1957—Ruth in Jamestown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d64dccf8-20a2-4e2e-9c10-19464032ed5a/2026-05-19-12-46-0013.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1957—Ruth at an unknown location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d35cf39f-2960-450f-8012-ade39da61574/2026-05-19-12-46-0014.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1957—Mildred & Ruth in big trouble! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3c42d94c-f1c8-43c2-ba9b-e396c5cb1565/2025-07-09-22-02-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1958—Ruth as a "Candy Striper" at Maryland General Hospital (now University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus). She was 15-1/2 to 16.The term came from the traditional red-and-white striped uniforms of the teenaged hospital volunteers. They provided non-clinical support, although Ruth says hospital staff allowed them to assist in procedures that would never be allowed in modern times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e71b6b58-92c7-45d1-9166-8f0124f7f6d7/2025-07-09-22-02-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out ≈1958—Candy Stripers became common in the US in the 1950s. Ruth with “Aunt” Annie, who was exceedingly proud of Ruth, especially her work at the hospital. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54c40990-3c7a-4e95-87fe-e8e4afae728c/2026-05-19-12-24-0004.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with Joe Sheckells at Gettysburg. Joe was the first boy she kissed. Check out her saddle shoes. In this era, it was common to date serially to meet a lot of people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ffc660b8-9261-462c-b1f0-0fc471f1f190/2026-05-19-12-24-0007.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with Roy VonNordeck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/773f65eb-152a-43a8-bfaa-db428df0e9ad/2026-05-19-12-24-0009.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth on a date with Frank Daily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bcebb569-2c52-485f-8868-0c0965cd7d79/2026-05-19-12-24-0008.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s brother Paul and his date Ann Weidermire, Vera, & Ruth & Frank Daily In front of the arbor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7212b930-8442-4b0f-ad58-a5ee55fbf8cf/2026-07-29-21-29-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out XXXX, Ruth, & XXXX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6091c3ad-f97d-4c28-8cc7-0d5144096d6b/2025-07-10-08-25-0009.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Joanne Talbot lived 4102 Southern Ave. Her husband was a firefighter who died young of pneumonia. Because her parents lived in NY, Mildred saw it as her duty to look after her. Joanne would later invite Ruth to visit her parents, who did live in NY, but in the Hamptons. Ruth recalls catching blowfish and throwing them at each other and learning to waterski from Joanne’s uncle. Joanne was the only person to call Ruth “Peggy”—a common nickname for Margaret. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/728f2514-44b9-4692-bffa-987b22e4c393/2026-05-19-12-24-0010.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Ruth at a high school prom with Billy Yutzy. Ruth dated him into college. There is later picture of Billy & Ruth in the next section. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff52a09a-090e-4326-820f-dbdd1271b50b/2026-05-18-21-34-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Spring 1959?—A glamorous Ruth in a final photo before the lovely arbor, perhaps at Easter. After nearly two decades living in the Southern Ave house, the family sold up and moved to Kingsville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0bf94bde-9421-4d92-9a2b-1bf610fae559/2026-05-18-21-34-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Spring 1959?—Ruth at the driveway & back walkway, her final picture at Southern Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8aa39a76-8dc0-4f80-87ab-113439d30996/2025-07-10-20-47-0004.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Jan 1959—Ruth’s formal high school graduation photo, which coincided with her 17th birthday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9e03744-1deb-418b-9ba2-0316884e3c82/Camp+Hiawatha+Voyagers+Lutheran+Ministry+MN.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Between church and Girl Scouts, Ruth had many memorial camp experiences, including Camp Nawakwa, a Lutheran camp in PA; Camp Whippoorwill, a Girl Scouts camp in Lake Shore MD; & Camp Hiawatha, a Voyagers Lutheran Ministry in MN. Despite its unique formation and the older age of the attendees, Ruth could not recall the event or location where this photo was taken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d522bef-a8fe-433d-a677-9f85d37d9360/2025-07-10-08-25-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1959—Ruth graduated from high school in Jan 1959 and worked in Baltimore that winter & spring. That summer, before starting college, she served as a counselor at Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp. Ruth is pictured behind the campers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d741c20d-fe52-4e63-90dc-52ad4bd41ae5/IMG_0829.jpeg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out The camp name Mar-Lu-Ridge is an amalgamation of Maryland Lutheran and a reference to the camp’s elevated position in the Catoctin Mountains near Jefferson, MD. This is Salem (Peace)-on-the-Mountain Chapel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bf56fd8a-5f7f-4e78-92e6-d8e1e4722a72/IMG_0824.jpeg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out The chapel’s glass wall looks out over the Middleton Valley and the Potomac River. The two pictures of the chapel are from Ruth’s Sep 2019 visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/92ad88b4-8765-4e0f-9a2d-c4e8c5d133ce/2026-07-30-13-54-0002.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1959—Campers at Mar-Lu-Ridge. Ruth does not appear to be in the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a89aa3ca-e35b-4deb-baae-29e09d79bf31/2026-07-30-13-54-0001.jpg Blog - The Teen Years - Make it stand out Summer 1959—Ruth in the plaid top in the back toward the left. She has zero memories of moving from Southern Ave to Kingsville, so the move likely occurred while she was here as camp counselor at Mar-Lu-Ridge. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/margaret monthly 0.5 2026-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3cecfae8-8e57-47b6-b149-73f828755f16/2025-07-09-21-24-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ea8e61ba-83bc-41e2-8986-3131e1040381/2025-07-09-21-17-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out 1942—Ruth as a smiley newborn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b296fe7e-603a-4e9c-b962-acd1781d3f03/Birth+Cert.jpeg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s birth certificate from Jan 19, 1942, listing her full given name was Mildred Margaret Ruth Verdone. Ruth wasn’t aware for much of her life that her first given name was Mildred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cca41d58-83b0-491e-9c40-b8722a08da66/2025-07-09-21-11-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out 1942—Ruth with her father Pat in the backyard of the Southern Ave house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc3e8b2c-f0de-44eb-9a40-d4146f56a76a/2025-07-09-21-17-0005.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out 1942—Ruth with her mother Mildred in the backyard with the corner of the barn from 4104 in the background. The family’s grape arbor is behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fd2292ed-87ed-401f-8b74-ee14064b217a/IMG_7318.jpeg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The Verdone family’s longtime home at 4108 Southern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21206 (northeast of downtown Baltimore). Her parents bought the house in roughly 1940. Ruth stands on the steps on Mar 28, 2022, during a visit with her son Dave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a440c040-68c1-48c4-9be3-c43e541d9828/Screenshot+2026-05-05+at+20.32.30.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth always loved the large house next door at 4104 Southern Ave (left)—the side elevation of which appears in many family photos. The top of the small garage at the back of the property is just visible over the gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4b0e6e25-c116-48f7-960c-2a94656a6ace/Screenshot+2026-05-05+at+16.02.24.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Lot 4106 sits between the houses and has always been undeveloped. The house at 4104 once had a large barn at the back of the property, as seen in some photos. An unpaved alleyway runs behind the houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c20a9538-e99c-4f58-b87c-c61398af893b/Screenshot+2026-05-05+at+20.37.25.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The backyard as seen in present-day real estate photos. Gone is the paved driveway leading from the gate to the small garage, & the walkway from the driveway to the basement access & porch. Gone too are the open fencing and the lovely, charming garden atmosphere the yard once held. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7e4e9674-cec1-43d1-b0c6-48c5349b01f5/Screenshot+2026-05-05+at+20.33.04.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The “summer kitchen” remains as a porch. The basement was accessible only from the outside. Inside were the laundry area and a darkroom Pat helped his son Pat build to nurture his budding interest in photography. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e9f820a9-1e17-436e-90c8-f44175a938f0/Screenshot+2026-05-05+at+20.47.01.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The quirky little garage that sits at the back corner of the property (as seen in present-day real estate photos). It is seen in many of Ruth’s early pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7bd437b9-b22f-42a3-abd7-939a997a08ba/Screenshot+2026-06-04+at+10.04.52.png Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4605 Belair Rd, was about 4 blocks from the Southern Ave house. This became the Verdone’s family church. As such, Ruth was baptized, confirmed & eventually married here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa9e21d7-0a6f-4bfc-8e85-e7114ac7dcf3/2025-07-09-21-11-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard. The corner of the garage & the house at 4109 WoodLea Ave are visible behind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f347cb91-e4f3-45b5-93b0-8a1922c50827/2026-05-18-21-26-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth prepares to wash the car as soon as her father is finished with the maintenance on the 2-door coupe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ddaf6606-3f41-4436-8623-ca602fa5d2ed/2025-07-09-21-17-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out A beaming Ruth ready to wash the car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5c0147f3-7113-4694-be59-8e5e70e3d08d/2025-07-09-21-38-0005.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her maternal grandfather Conrad Husted on the front steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/260d9650-b20b-44fc-897b-7ef11c56b755/2025-07-09-21-17-0006.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her mother in backyard near the summer kitchen with the corner of an outbuilding from Lot 4104 behind them & the barn at the back of the property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67d0a6ec-ae8f-4eed-a597-d7c9497ffd7f/2025-07-09-21-17-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with the barn from Lot 4104 behind her. Sadly, the lovely barn was eventually torn down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f91cda0-7c11-4db8-a6f8-63072aad670d/2025-07-09-21-24-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth on the lawn near the front steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/edf0a42e-a09f-4860-870a-02a5829c8a66/2025-07-09-21-24-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out A cheerful Ruth with her doll seated at the bottom of the front steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7900e7b2-2cf4-4e1c-96a6-2e10cb022265/2026-05-18-21-26-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth at an unknown location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d62c6bd0-438c-4573-a6ca-db213578f5d0/2026-05-18-21-26-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with the locally famous family grape arbor behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2d14f023-5b66-4c38-a4d0-77842fee09c5/2026-05-18-21-26-0005.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with the side and rear of 4104 behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2d09a53a-c5b6-4e64-b097-ef9fb98ba593/2025-07-09-21-24-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the front yard with front and side of 4104 behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9743889e-af1f-4960-8b5f-699e50982ddd/2025-07-09-21-38-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with brothers Paul and Pat in backyard at the entrance to the grape arbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5cc579dd-8a49-4cb5-bb23-9bf6735d0183/2026-05-18-21-26-0007.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard near the grape arbor with a crazy, mixed-up dog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/17c0a376-a719-4210-bcb2-e1334afa5d11/2026-05-18-21-26-0009.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth probably seated in the front yard next to the driveway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/932979b4-f436-45aa-8d4e-c28a96339537/2025-07-09-21-38-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with Mary Spagnola & an unknown boy in the backyard near the garage. When Ruth’s father Pat left NY to work in Baltimore, Mary & her husband invited Pat stay with them. Pat, of course, had to send his entire paycheck to his father, so the generosity of strangers was essential. Mary became Ruth’s godmother, and the Verdones and. Spagnolas remained lifelong friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e8a4d93-3d99-46c8-84a9-01a175e26957/2025-07-09-21-38-0007.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The Verdone family—Pat, Paul, Mildred, Ruth & Pat—at the bottom of the front steps, with 4110 behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/edd7beba-5b99-4d70-aed6-797629ee7c96/2025-07-09-21-38-0011.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth’s father Pat holding Cousin Linda (Aunt Victoria’s youngest) & Ruth. They are sitting on a basement access door. This was likely a family member’s home in Brooklyn, perhaps on 21st St. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e1c891f-4056-49a7-a859-ebc2b2df71d8/2026-07-28-21-12-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with an unknown boy near the arbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c96e4ccb-c3f2-4278-9a53-ff2fa1711733/2026-07-28-21-12-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth resting against a car nosed up the garage in the backyard. The 1949 registration sticker suggests the picture was taken in 1948-49 when Ruth was 6-7 years old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/26dd1e7c-299f-4241-b9b8-3e4db37fe101/2026-07-28-21-12-0003.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ab4dda3-d8df-4f30-ae92-f574cffc55b1/2025-07-09-21-24-0006.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Cousin Vera (Uncle Frank’s oldest) & Ruth in front yard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7e13be34-5c15-4204-b9f3-eb6670d28f7b/2025-07-09-21-51-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with Uncle Alvin Husted (her mother Mildred’s younger brother) in the backyard near the garage. The yard is quite lush and beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/044c4102-99ed-4d95-a1c6-f68c0c9a476e/2025-07-09-21-24-0005.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Cousin Linda (Aunt Victoria’s youngest child) & Ruth in backyard of Victoria’s house on 21st St in Brooklyn. This was the house with the shop at the front. There were also two apartments behind the house that Cousin Vera (Uncle Frank’s oldest child) lived in when she & Richard first married. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4f979a0-6934-4875-a618-291bb5632108/2026-07-28-21-12-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with XXXXX, possibly on the occasion of her Uncle Alvin Husted’s (her mother Mildred’s younger brother) marriage to Betty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1f4df3ec-d054-449f-acdf-01e867703bbf/2025-07-09-21-38-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with brothers Pat (9 years older) and Paul (6 years older) in the front yard with the side of the house at 4104 behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c5172cf1-c697-47e7-a288-d2747c5dffe5/2026-05-16-21-21-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Family portrait with Pat, Paul & Ruth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79cbee72-0d97-4c28-9c4b-4a14f074ecc6/2026-07-28-21-48-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out The Verdone family likely at Niagara Falls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e852fea1-30e1-423b-a3ce-b1983cbcd69b/2026-05-18-21-26-0008.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in the backyard with her doll, the outbuilding and barn from 4104 are behind her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fa24f1fd-9838-4506-97b5-c53ef83bd5eb/2026-05-18-21-26-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her doll in a rocking chair—the very same rocking chair still sits on the patio of the Camarillo house some 80 years later! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4551deed-73ce-4d78-8580-df7640e7e86b/2026-07-28-21-12-0005.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth standing on the driveway at the back sidewalk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4ca18c81-ada6-47e5-8405-4c817c12652e/2025-07-09-21-38-0010.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth & two unknown kids standing in backyard with the side elevation of Ruth’s beloved 4104 behind them. She recalls the house including a fancy downstairs library at the back of house & a full attic with windows at the gable ends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21578bbf-2f01-4928-98d8-73250832dbc2/2025-07-09-21-38-0006.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth standing in front of her mother Mildred and Mildred’s mother Margaret. They are standing near the driveway, with the house on the left and the garage behind them. Margaret lived with the Verdones for half of each year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/05ea06db-cc00-49ed-98f1-c4c69c89931d/2025-07-09-21-38-0008.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with her maternal Grandma Margaret and Margaret’s father George M. Baier (1869-1947) in the front yard of the Southern Ave house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c0121cd2-367c-4b58-ac33-3f10493c6013/2025-07-09-21-11-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Perhaps early experiments with color photography? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98d56213-9715-4ff0-906a-1f5c99cd0b2c/2026-05-19-10-53-0001.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth in another oddly colorized photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a04168ea-63de-49b7-9656-167a72f44f91/2025-07-09-21-51-0002.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth with Cousin Linda (Aunt Victoria’s youngest), possibly in the backyard of the 21st Ave house in Brooklyn. The structure was either an outdoor toilet or shed. The two small apartments are toward the back of the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cf21169b-42d1-4863-9697-e95dd06bfa63/2025-07-09-21-24-0004.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out ≈1950—Ruth, approximately 8, strikes a pose in the backyard near the garage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/996a4f75-5969-4b4a-8fff-ee601dc35039/2025-07-09-21-38-0012.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth (8-9) at the beach with Cousins Marie (center) and Vera (right) (Uncle Frank’s children). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e8a49e7a-5fff-4cdd-a0e9-06cd25e45aa7/2025-07-09-22-02-0009.jpg Blog - The Early Years - Make it stand out Ruth wither her Uncle Alvin (mother Mildred’s younger brother) and his wife Aunt Bettie in the front yard with the side of 4104 in the background. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/pat-amp-mildred monthly 0.5 2026-08-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f75be65e-fd6c-43b8-b5cf-bad926a79954/2025-07-31-07-33-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fea32fda-4e93-4cea-88f3-ab2b1d1e8052/tempImagegaH77v.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out An approximate location where Pat’s family lived at 155 21st St in Brooklyn. The front was a shop where Angelo worked as a shoemaker. Behind and above the shop was the family home. Beyond a rear courtyard were two small apartments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/899f47e1-150e-41b9-aeff-b242c8b21dcd/1928+Dec+of+Intention.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Mar 23, 1928—Based on his Petition (below), Pat began working as a machinist on Mar 1, 1927, at age 21. According to this Declaration, he was still living on 21st St in Brooklyn in Mar 1928 at age 22. Within months of completing this form, he likely moved to Baltimore for work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2482c710-c643-47ba-bf3f-ad2b4db634ee/1928+Petition+for+Cit.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Mar 10, 1932—Probably in the later half of 1928, Pat & his two co-workers William Cooper & John Erhardt moved from Brooklyn to work at "the largest manufacturing plant of its kind in the world” at Crown Cork & Seal in Highlandtown, Baltimore. Ruth recalled the name Erhardt, so they must have remained friends. Note Pat’s address at the time was 710 S Ponca St. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/216bc108-bcec-4d9b-a31b-edfbd52cbe0b/Kronenkorken_03_KMJ.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out The “Crown Cork”—In the late 19th century, the market for bottled beverages like beer and soda was growing, but sealing carbonated drinks was a problem. In 1892, inventor William Painter patented the “crown cork” and started the Crown Cork & Seal Company of Baltimore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5fc4fde2-1f4d-484c-9159-eb482ee6ba11/crown-cork-factory-1914_1440x919-2x.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out In May 1897, Crown Cork & Seal moved into its first dedicated factory complex on the 1500 block of Guilford Ave, then known as York St, seen here in 1914. The pace of growth was so fast that the new factory was almost immediately insufficient to meet demand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/77c2a55c-e6a1-4d39-ba88-bb53f1bda05c/William_Painter_and_his_father%2C_Dr._Edward_Painter_-_sketches_and_reminiscences_%281914%29_%2814759982981%29.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Around 1906, having outgrown the Guilford Avenue complex, the company began relocating its primary manufacturing to a new, seventeen-acre site at 4401 Eastern Ave (& 4301 Eastern Ave) in Highlandtown. However, the company soon fell into decline until 1928. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed249e01-7372-4374-a5ee-7a458145fc1f/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+14.43.59.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out In 1927, Charles McManus acquired the floundering Crown Cork & Seal. He kept the famous name and the Highlandtown complex. Under McManus, the company entered its greatest period of expansion. The seventeen-acre complex was described as "the largest manufacturing plant of its kind in the world.” McManus’s resurrection of Crown Cork & Seal in 1927-28 is likely what drew Pat from Brooklyn to Baltimore. As an immigrant, Pat was extremely fortunate to land a stable job before The Great Depression. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a83f41db-5c0c-4635-843b-01c0df3cf1fc/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+14.54.28.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out About a half mile from the Highlandtown campus was this home (left) at 710 S Ponca St, in an area known as Greektown. This was the address Pat listed on his Petition/Final Papers, one month before his wedding to Mildred. We don’t know for how long Pat had lived here or with whom he resided. We also don’t know where he and Mildred fist lived together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f0474dd-aa1d-460a-92be-ec97f03578df/maryland+002.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Pat’s home in Greektown was so close to Crown Cork & Seal, it could be seen looking west down Fleet St, Foster Ave, or Fait Ave. Ruth took this photo during her Sep 2012 visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7c88da5-939a-4bac-93a0-6fd1cbf06f0f/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+19.00.25.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Nov 26, 1913—The birth certificate for Ruth’s mother says she was born to parents Conrad W. Husted & Margaret May Baier at 2412 Fleet St in eastern Baltimore (center white door). Regardless of whether the correct day of Pat’s arrival in NY from Italy was May 13, Sep 22, Oct 7, or Oct 11—Margaret was carrying Mildred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/08f1ae58-7958-49b6-9a3e-420cfca5587f/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+19.00.09.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Nov 26, 1913—Twenty-three days after Pat turned eight, around the time he arrived in the US, Conrad & Margaret welcomed Mildred May Husted into the world in Baltimore—some 200 miles south of Pat’s new life in Brooklyn. About fifteen years later, Pat would move again, this time to Baltimore, where he would meet and marry Mildred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac7fba42-569b-4e94-b3a0-cc93cacb8a00/Screenshot+2026-05-31+at+11.38.33.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Ruth never knew of 2412 Fleet St; her only memories were of her maternal grandparents living at 518 Oldham St. It is not known why or when the Husteds moved 1.6 miles east to the area known as Greektown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ad2e1f81-90ea-4428-8a67-f55b84b5270a/maryland+003.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out When the Husteds settled into 518 Oldham St in Greektown, Pat Verdone was living only a couple of blocks away at 710 Ponca St. Ruth took this photo during her Sep 2012 visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/455591f7-7a37-4b27-806d-514c06c99d8c/maryland+004.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out The rear of the Husted’s home at 518 Oldham St from Ruth’s Sep 2012 visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4b292af-b159-439a-955a-984b1186f02e/2026-07-28-20-54-0003.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Aug 1930—Molto bello! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1041dae5-caa1-4bd6-abee-fd773aefe5a2/2026-07-28-20-54-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Aug 1930—This is the earliest known photo of Mildred (16-1/2) & Pat (24-1/2). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1ae8b209-5777-4886-bb3b-a26fea7ad650/2025-07-31-07-33-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Apr 10, 1932—We do know that Mildred & Pat were married at nearby Luther Memorial Church. We also know Mildred was a month pregnant at the time. Named after his father, Pat was born on Dec 6 in NY. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c7de0c1f-a795-4c34-91dc-58103e33db49/maryland+047.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Luther Memorial Church, 5401 Eastern Ave (now Destiny Christian Church), where Pat & Mildred were married on Apr 10, 1932, as seen in this photo from Ruth’s Sep 2012 visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f757e234-e508-4543-aeca-7f14485f6b64/Screenshot+2026-05-28+at+19.32.25.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out ≈1936—Interestingly, the brith certificate for Ruth’s brother Paul (middle name Patrick because he was born on St Patrick’s Day 1936) says he was born inside this house (right) at 828 S Ponca St. We don’t know where Pat & Mildred first lived together and we don’t known when they moved into this house, only that they were there in Mar 1936. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa3988a7-abb8-4cf0-a2b0-f13949e8a3a2/Screenshot+2026-05-31+at+11.38.22.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out This map shows the relationship of all the properties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1ada9d1-80b5-46d9-8c87-e0c20aa7ae06/IMG_7318.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out ≈1940—From 828 S Ponca St, Pat & Mildred purchased this house at 4108 Southern Ave. Ruth was born inside the home on Jan 19, 1942. Ruth on the front steps during her trip with Dave in Mar 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3cf5542-004f-4759-89c6-7122564bf179/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+13.20.00.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Blocks from the Southern Ave house was Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, where the Verdones were longtime members. Ruth was baptized, confirmed, attended youth group, and married here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/063e798e-bbae-4713-99ca-14b47f739a06/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+21.00.44.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out 1957-58—Following severe market share losses in the mid-1950s, CC&S was on the brink of bankruptcy. A massive turnaround began in 1957. A new president implemented immediate emergency cost-cutting measures, including firing many staff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2920c83-ef68-48c5-ba6f-f2cbc0aea948/98f34c22025ab53869220efef1219c80.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out 1958—The company relocated its corporate headquarters to Philadelphia. Ruth was in Grade 11 when her father was offered a change in position with less pay, which he refused. After nearly 30 years with the company, he was fired. When corporate learned Pat had been let go, he was quickly offered a new job, but it was over 100 miles away in Philadelphia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0b7149e2-37e2-4107-8136-370e29d38864/Screenshot+2026-05-07+at+14.43.59.png Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out 1958—The Highlandtown plant continued to operate until 1987, but Pat had little choice than to work in Philadelphia. For at least another decade, he commuted to Philly and then W Virginia, living in hotels and washing clothes in the sink until he could return to Baltimore on the weekends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0dfebb7d-c3fb-4c80-ae57-789f735df01b/IMG_7339.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out 1959—After nearly 20 years living on Southern Ave, Pat & Mildred purchased this home at 12122 Jerusalem Rd in Kingsville in late spring or early summer 1959. Ruth had just graduated from Eastern High School in Jan 1959. Pat was about a year into his new position in Philly at the time of the move. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/11ce7dce-52cc-439f-8dd5-ee5130d84110/unorge.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out ≈1961-62—With her husband away at work and her daughter away at college, Ruth’s mother had to finally learn to drive. She also got a job working weekday evenings at Norge Laundry & Dry Cleaning in Towson. On Wednesday evenings she met a young Jim Neumann and eventually introduced him to her daughter at the laundromat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/279b8656-6c10-45bb-9f30-3f3bdcaf246e/2026-07-28-20-54-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out A stylish Mildred at the Kingsville house. We have Mildred to thank for having so lovingly documented the life of her daughter in photographs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a682440-627a-4914-9d54-9577871b9bd5/2025-07-10-20-47-0010.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Nov 21, 1970—A portrait of Pat and Mildred, photographed by their son, Pat, in Winchester, Virginia, during Pat’s retirement celebration honoring his 42-year career with Crown Cork & Seal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b975cc57-9e6f-4895-afe8-dd0e0ed0b172/IMG_20211109_0021.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Pat with his nieces Marie & Vera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5b51f15-324e-489a-9937-3f67e78f5001/Scan103021-10_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Kingsville—Back: Pat Jr, Joyce, Paul, David. Front: Julia on Aunt Betty’s lap, Lynne, Pat Sr, Danny & Uncle Alvin (Mildred’s younger brother). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75a626fa-8532-4268-81ae-364c780be496/2025-07-10-20-17-0007.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Paul, Lynne, Pat, Mildred, Ruth & Jim in Tustin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aeb34afc-1136-4eeb-bc7e-15133f97116e/2025-07-10-20-39-0010.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Pat in Hawaii https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ca4df8f-f792-4493-b975-2e775bef6abb/Scan103021-7_20211030_0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Mildred & Pat visiting the cabin owned by their neighbors the Kolbs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/23667841-aba9-4bc2-ad02-d205d378da18/2025-07-10-20-11-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Oct 1980—Ruth & brother Pat with their father as he recovers from open-heart surgery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13bf92ab-6eec-4fd4-975a-b902e6994d68/2025-07-10-20-11-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Oct 1980—Debbie, who was 2-1/2 at the time, traveled with Ruth and “charmed the pants off” the family. Here she is with her older cousins Joyce & Julia and their grandpa Pat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9fa411f-bb63-4872-9e29-58a1f9c16399/2024-07-28-14-54-0022.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Apr 10, 1982—Pat & Mildred celebrate their 50th anniversary at Pat & Mary’s house at 7806 Temple St, Adelphi, MD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b869380-c0b5-4186-abce-bba11c5f5c67/2024-08-04-21-34-0006.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Apr 10, 1982—Pat & Mildred’s 50th anniversary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0bbef826-a0b1-433f-a787-ba12cbe7d984/2025-07-10-20-39-0009.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Apr 10, 1982—Mildred & Pat are joined by their eldest son Pat Jr, his wife Mary & children David, Joyce, Julia & Donald. In Jun 1982, Pat, Mildred, & Joyce joined family at Paul & Lynne’s house at 640 Whitehall Way, Sacramento for a West Coast celebration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef00c8fa-5c9d-4adb-bc14-292598041787/2025-07-10-20-30-0004.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Feb 1983—Ruth & Debbie took advantage of low airfares to fly to MD to enjoy a record snowfall with her parents and brother Pat’s family. Pictured here in front of Pat & Mary’s Adelphi house are Joyce, David, Julie, Ruth & Debbie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f804deb-54db-4c0b-95e1-40abf381cc63/2025-07-09-21-51-0006.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out 1984?—Ruth’s oldest brother Pat’s family: Mary, David, Julia, Joyce, Pat & Donald at Julia’s high school graduation. Julie died on Dec 24, 1993, at the age of 27, of complications from juvenile diabetes. Despite her sufferings, she graduated from UMD, earned her teaching credentials, and taught third grade. She was sweet, loving, courageous & inspirational. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a6ddf75-e1a4-46f4-84b1-95cf00d18110/2025-07-10-20-39-0003.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Pat Jr, Mildred, Pat Sr & Paul in the front yard of Pat’s Adelphi house for an unknown occasion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f5d9f48c-cb2a-44b3-8011-d214341b1733/2025-07-10-20-39-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Pat Jr, Pat Sr & Paul in the front yard of Pat’s Adelphi house for an unknown occasion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce498f35-2d4e-4a73-baa3-92cae1b061cf/2026-05-28-10-56-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Jan 16, 1994—Ruth’s father Patrick Verdone was born on Nov 3, 1905, in San Vittore del Lazio, Italy, and died in Maryland on Jan 16, 1994, at age 88. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b5e8b822-bf57-497c-a0f2-9454d4ce767c/maryland+051.jpeg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Winter 1993-94 was one of the harshest and iciest Maryland experienced in the late 20th century, delaying Pat’s interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Baltimore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f07eabe8-aa56-46d1-91ff-b4d75b49e1ca/2025-05-03-08-35-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out May 27, 1997—Mildred at Jeanne & Joe Yurman’s wedding at Duke University in North Carolina. Jeanne is the daughter of Ruth’s brother Paul. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/95baa5ee-b675-4f38-80d4-45ecea661166/2026-05-28-13-27-0003.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Jun 1998—Mildred in Camarillo around the time of Debbie’s wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c068544b-b951-4dd5-82ba-fa2b0868ad7e/2026-05-28-08-01-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Thanksgiving 1999—Ruth & her mother celebrate the holiday at Oak Crest Senior Living Community in Parkville, Maryland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/041f365a-33ec-43ed-9834-cdcc12a9b440/2026-05-28-10-56-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Sep 27, 2000—Ruth’s beloved mother, Mildred May Verdone née Husted, was born in Baltimore MD on Nov 26, 1913, and died on Sep 27, 2000, at age 87. Services were held at Lassahn Funeral Home on Sat, Oct 7, 2000. She was laid to rest beside her beloved Patrick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c16736d-cc5b-4250-b374-1dc68492ee9f/2026-05-16-20-33-0002.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Oct 7, 2000—Steve & Debbie’s families attended Mildred’s service (Dave & Tim’s were unable as Anna was a newborn & Bre was 8 months pregnant with Mackenzie). Afterward the family went to dinner: Joyce, her son Robert, Nathan, Debbie, Jacob & Anthony (down low), Steve, Jeff, Amanda, Donald, Jeanne, David & Joe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8e5ef83a-9bf5-4668-91d9-2dfd1b979e73/2025-07-10-20-47-0008.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out Jan-May 2003—Ruth’s oldest brother Pat suffered a heart attack in Jan, underwent surgery and seemed to improve, but died in Mar. Her brother Paul also spent two months in the hospital before dying in May. The sudden deaths of both her siblings weighed heavily on Ruth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce634a8a-b86e-4371-90a5-c319759384e2/2026-05-18-21-18-0001.jpg Blog - Pat & Mildred - Make it stand out A lovely couple for nearly 61 years! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/pasquale-verdone monthly 0.5 2026-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bbbfeaae-2df5-49e6-a78b-365ddf84e454/2025-07-09-21-11-0001.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e82b4fcb-9529-4375-af3a-e24abcc41c6c/Screenshot+2026-05-03+at+12.04.09.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 1. Every story has a beginning, and—as far back as we can trace—Ruth’s begins in the rural countryside of what is now southern Italy, where her paternal great-grandfather Pasquale Verdone was born around 1855. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5a35aa8b-4737-470f-bb82-6f21df371096/Screenshot+2026-05-03+at+11.23.23.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 2. Pasquale married Mary A. Yennillia (sp?) around the time Italy was united on March 17, 1861. Mary gave birth to Ruth’s paternal grandfather Angelo Verdone on February 15, 1877. Based on Ellis Island records for Angelo’s 1910 voyage to America, Pasquale, Mary, and Angelo may have lived in Castelliri, a village about 35 miles northwest of San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98d401d9-619f-4271-89ec-60c6c3705687/Screenshot+2026-05-03+at+11.59.27.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 3. Ruth’s paternal grandmother Elvira Bonaventura was born on September 18, 1873, in San Vittore del Lazio to father Gaetano and mother Diodata Bonaventura née Malizia. Elvira and Angelo met and they began married life together in San Vittore. Their first-born child was a son and they named him after Angelo’s father. Ruth’s father Pasquale Verdone was born November 3, 1905. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9c2d751f-948a-46ec-a2a5-104250e96749/01+Pasquale+Birth+Cert.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 4. Italian birth certificate for Pasquale Verdone, born to Angelo and Elvira Verdone, née Bonaventura, on November 3, 1905, in San Vittore del Lazio. Pasquale later Anglicized his name to Patrick (Pat). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7067455f-aaa7-4726-881c-d960d0b4b014/Regions.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 5. Italy is divided into five geographical areas: Northwest, Northeast, Central, South, & Islands. Italy is further divided into 20 regions, with the Lazio Region being in Central Italy. San Vittore del Lazio translates as Saint Victor of the Lazio Region. Southern Italians venerated St Victor of Marseilles, an early Christian Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to worship pagan gods and destroying an idol of Jupiter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1629875-f045-41da-acf7-d9591f35eb8e/Latium_Provinces.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 6. Pat’s birth certificate from 1905 says Province of Caserta, which no longer exists. When Mussolini consolidated the provinces, San Vittore del Lazio was placed into Province of Frosinone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1cfd9224-566f-4f90-9241-ac197caadfbb/tempImageKoSVI8.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 7. San Vittore del Lazio perched on a hill overlooking the last stretch of the Liri Valley and the confluence of the Liri and Gari Rivers. The village is surrounding by the Mainarde and Aurunci Mountains. The tall white belfry (center) is St Mary of the Rose Church; the other (right) is Church of St Nicolas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/127b1eda-a219-4655-b017-d4ada02ada8b/Screenshot+2026-01-31+at+19.44.31.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 8. The slopes of Mount Sammucro include pre-Roman ruins, notably a formidable defensive system of massive boulders encircling the mountain’s first two ridges on the first peak northeast of the village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99e7287a-f146-4d4f-a14f-23e7390b0fc7/Screenshot+2026-04-27+at+12.51.30.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 9. The pre-Roman remains are the walls of a Samnite settlement on the slopes of Mount Sammucro, likely the city of Aquilonia. The Samnites, rivals of the Romans, were defeated by the Roman legionaries in 293 BCE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b3596c26-4918-4234-abb6-e678eb72c21d/Via_Latina_map.svg.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 10. Situated near the Via Latina—a major Roman road linking Rome with Campania, including cities such as Pompeii and Naples—the Romans used San Vittore del Lazio as a strategic stronghold to control the surrounding plains and as a defensive position during the Samnite Wars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f199d06b-4541-426a-b879-1df03b13778d/tempImage1yPPaa.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 11. Pilgrims bound for Rome following the Via Francigena depart Canterbury Cathedral from the Christ Church Gate (above). After the Crusades began, Via Francigena nel Sud (Via Francigena in the South) was added from Rome to the Apulian ports of embarkation for Jerusalem. This Via passes through San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b6024ce9-9361-44d1-9ec8-73b09cd68565/tempImageqsnean.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 12. The Aquilonian ruins are on the hilltop to right. Later, in the early medieval period, a monastic cell dedicated to San Vittore (St Victor) was established on this lower hilltop. By the tenth century, repeated Saracen raids promoted the cell’s fortification, and it gradually evolved into a defensive stronghold—shaping the medieval street plan that remains. San Vittore defenses were first documented in a 1057 charter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/00caac41-e9d7-4763-9ebc-94bd67a6b243/2008.321.018_1.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 13. San Vittore del Lazio was once again of strategic importance during WWII. This is the town before suffering near-total destruction due to its position on the Gustav Line, a key German defensive front near Cassino. From late 1943, the area endured intense fighting as part of the broader, brutal Battle for Cassino, with San Vittore serving as a critical, heavily damaged outpost before the main abbey battle in February. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae79962b-720c-48b3-b05e-7e818632811c/Screenshot+2026-04-26+at+18.45.50.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 14. Allied forces advanced toward the town in early January 1944. Heavy Allied bombings and fierce house-to-house combat to dislodge German forces, led to high civilian casualties. Here a child plays in the rubble of San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/50a1b20a-4cd7-44aa-bf47-da1037a35c43/2002.337.380_1.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 15. Roughly 91% of the town’s buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, including St Mary of the Rose Church, which features the prominent church belfry seen in most images of the village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d8f07ae-5bb3-4f9b-8357-7c5d63039055/2002.337.384_1.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 16. San Vittore del Lazio was liberated on January 6, 1944. Here, on January 9, weary American infantrymen enter the village, now quiet with desolation and death after three nightmarish days of ceaseless shelling and bombing preceding its capture. The two-tone spire of Chiesa di San Nicola (Church of St Nicolas) is visible in the distance. For its wartime ordeal San Vittore received the Silver Medal for Civil Valor in 2004. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99fd9dff-0f7e-40db-845d-faa9a5172900/tempImageCN6pFx.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 17. San Vittore’s town hall that Steve and Dave visited on January 7, 2026. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db823d19-2d5b-4f35-8bbb-56f8cf6cdc42/tempImageOLSxaC.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 18. Elvira’s passport listing her parents Gaetano and Diodata Bonaventura née Malizla. From her passport we know her correct DOB to be Sep 18, 1873. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7b9f533-66fc-4957-9b5c-f4e1ae2a7d8b/tempImageoMw4sB.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 19. From the town hall they learned Verdone was not a surname directly connected with San Vittore, but the surnames Bonaventura and Malizia were. The red dot shows San Vittore with surrounding clusters of the surname Verdone. From this it seems likely Angelo Verdone was a neighbor to Elvira Bonaventura, who lived in San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/92ebd05c-82c8-48db-9e18-76afce3b60de/tempImageajOiUc.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 20. A map inside the town hall showed the outline of the once formidable medieval town walls and towers, some of which are still discernible—in particular “A” is St Mary of the Rose Church. San Vittorie del Lazio was once known locally as the “castle with twenty-three towers.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b49e6a4a-8aad-46ef-a8bc-72d03a6b6388/tempImageu2g8FU.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 21. The red arrow on the map of the medieval city walls marks this, the fortification’s only remaining gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce360bb7-7b9c-41f3-8967-8362948e0efe/tempImages87V4i.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 22. The "San Vittore del L" exit from the traffic circle on the A1—the main highway between Rome and Naples. The ruined walls of Aquilonia still crown the hilltop to the right, overlooking the village of San Vittore del Lazio on its promontory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40861aaa-7c6c-4025-bf98-3e11eca88e35/tempImage4n6vKw.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 23. The hilltop position of San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e0dfcce-7113-422e-b75f-77d010424fe9/tempImagem9J1le.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 24. The two-tone spire of Chiesa di San Nicola (Church of St Nicolas), one possible church where Pasquale may have been baptized. Chiesa di San Croce (Holy Cross) once existed but no longer remains, making it an unlikely option. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db25e8db-c94c-47f6-a56b-ccbfb8849f0a/tempImage9jVB8c.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 25. San Nicola began in the 10th century in the place formally known as the “Greek Village,” which was outside the eastern edge of the medieval walls. It was probably built to support a large colony of Greeks who chose to settle near the Abbey of Montecasino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e31bb16-6c20-473e-ad69-913e81256187/4KMACEDONIAN.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 26. The Greeks colonized southern Italy long before the expansion of the Roman Empire and ultimately the Byzantine empire shown here. Though Italian Greeks in the 10th century lived under Roman rule, they remained unmistakably Greek, and thus the “Greek Village” in San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cbfdf63f-ee12-4d11-9db7-26ba12598274/Screenshot+2026-04-27+at+13.12.59.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 27. San Nicola’s original structure consisted of a single nave, with this aisle added to the north in the 13th century. There was once a cemetery, presumably reached through a south aisle and a door—neither of which remain. A major restoration project was completed in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce45d381-aff9-49b6-bada-85ce5dcf9ec1/tempImagez1qMsO.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 28. St. Nicholas was a 4th-century Christian bishop born in the Greek world of Asia Minor and buried in what is now modern-day Türkiye. Centuries later, merchants from Bari carried away the major bones of his skeleton to their hometown in Italy, where they remain enshrined in the Basilica di San Nicola (above). In that light, the Church of St. Nicholas in the “Greek Village” of San Vittore del Lazio is entirely consistent with his enduring ties to both the Greek and Italian worlds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a66abb7-9c53-4280-a7f1-8105e829fe01/tempImagezNyOMQ.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 29. San Nicola is filled with colorful frescos dating from the year 1000 in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (14th-17th centuries). They include 16 fourteenth-century panels portraying the merciful acts and martyrdom of St Margaret of Antioch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4fe9edab-f93d-4402-b662-4b8e392eb2a2/tempImage3MjOMz.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 30. Several times rebuilt, Chiesa Collegiata di Santa Maria della Rosa (St Mary of the Rose Church) was once again under repair during Steve and Dave’s 2026 visit and could not be toured. The belfry is the town’s most distinguishable feature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4689cd01-b566-4e03-9fa0-11428e54b309/tempImageF6LhaX.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 31. St. Mary was built in the 15th century, the belfry and eastern walls forming part of the medieval city walls—noted as “A” on the town hall map. This was likely San Vittore’s principal church and a strong contender for where Pat may have been baptized. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d40cf668-bf76-4128-9df3-ec34300a0e36/tempImagegBGGyK.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 32. Looking southeast from St Mary of the Rose Church. The buildings and the view must remain much the same as when Pat and his family lived here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/543ad6b9-06a7-466f-bc54-50afa3529b4e/tempImageTzMqdc.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 33. The stone setts of Via Castello and this narrow passage trace the circular route of San Vittore del Lazio’s fortified medieval core. The buildings may be largely rebuilt after the war, but the route is likely the same Angelo, Elvira, young Pat, and his siblings followed before emigrating. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae46ba6a-a2e3-4159-8dc3-c3201891e909/tempImagerUOeHI.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 34. Born in November 1905 and transported to America in September 1913, Pasquale spent the first eight years of his life wandering the winding paths of San Vittore del Lazio—surely, more than once, his footsteps traced this very stradina along Via Castello. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/abe27e69-8a09-40c1-ada3-35282e04f8b8/tempImageZH0oBy.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 35. San Vittore del Lazio’s municipal water fountain in the Piazza Principio, just outside and east of the old walled city’s only extant gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e5af24d-f708-49c7-8bda-7b4ce717c9fb/tempImagetolnav.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 36. Lying directly west of town center are Church of Our Lady of Grace and the adjacent Campo Santo San Vittore del Lazio (Cemetery of St Victor). The original church and cemetery were destroyed during WWII. According to a plaque on the church, they were restored by “the people of San Vittore and fellow townspeople residing in Detroit and Canada, AD 1975.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d193916d-af69-4302-aa7e-aed4084603df/tempImagegf8LbC.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 37. Dave on the unnamed dirt path and ravine crossing that connect the church and cemetery with the town center. We were looking for graves from family born in the mid-nineteenth century; however, due to the graveyard’s destruction during WWII, we only found those buried since the war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed685e64-0cd7-4813-8a45-4c9b75334038/Screenshot+2026-05-01+at+20.25.30.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 38. Line 18 of this Ellis Island record could be Angelo’s first journey to America, arriving on July 12, 1906, aboard SS Sannio. This Angelo was from “Castellini,” probably a misspelling of Castelliri, a village near San Vittore, which matches the 1910/1911 journey below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40558d7b-f79a-4799-8728-217c328f09a6/Screenshot+2026-05-01+at+20.30.09.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 39. Line 24 of this Ellis Island record indicates Angelo of San Vittore del Lazio traveled to America from Naples aboard the SS Cedric, arriving on March 18, 1907. This may be a first or possible second journey. In March 1907, Ruth’s father was not quite 1-1/2 and her Aunt Victoria would be born 4 days after Angelo’s arrival in New York! Presumably, she lived with her parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/69a9f0d0-a0b5-49a1-9a29-5a7add0a00df/Screenshot+2026-05-01+at+19.54.39.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 40. Angelo must have remained in America for about a year, because he was back in Italy in October 1908 for the conception of their third child Eugenio. Baby Eugenio was only 11 months old when Angelo departed Naples again on June 8, 1910, arriving in New York 13 days later on June 21, 1910. Elvira, Pat (4 yr/7 mo), & Victoria (3 yr/3 mo) would not see Angelo for 3 years and 1 month, when the family reunited in New York on July 13, 1913. This was likely Angelo’s permanent move to American. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/15dbc5de-d0f5-4321-9a91-594c6e695b90/Screenshot+2026-05-01+at+19.54.39.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 41. The previous record was from Ancestry. Line 30 of this Ellis Island record offers an alternative travel itinerary for Angelo with an arrival in NY on June 20, 1911, aboard SS Europa. If so, Pat was 5 yr/7 mo, Victoria 4 yr/3 mo, & Eugene 1 yr/11 mo, and the family was reunited in just over 2 yrs. This record says Angelo was from “Castellisi,” probably a misspelling of Castelliri, the village near San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4a4f79b2-d31f-4067-b707-6a572c70bd04/Vitoria.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 42. Passport issued to Pat’s mother Elvira Verdone née Bonaventura born September 18, 1873. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fca32b67-63dd-435c-b96c-0874498f7700/02+Elvira+Passport+03+Pages+4-5-1.png Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 43. The three children occupying an entry on Elvira’s passport, their places of birth all listed as San Vittore del Lazio. Pasquale 11/3/1905, Vittoria 3/22/1907, and Eugenio 7/10/1909. Frank was born in the US on 1/1/1916. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3333d04f-f796-43dd-b08f-db40b366f00a/Manifest+Depart.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 44. Manifest for the SS Europa, which set sail from Naples, Italy, with passengers Elvira (40, married, housewife), Pasquale (8), Vittorio (6), and Eugenio (4). While the form is date stamped September 22, 1913, Ellis Island records indicate they arrived on July 13, 1913—almost exactly one year before the outbreak of WWI. Pat would later write on two applications for citizenship that he arrived on October 7 & 11, 1913, respectively. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f53cfd44-0910-4c61-a9b1-2e4caf743cd9/Port+of+Arrival.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 45. The record documenting the arrival of Elvira and the children at Ellis Island. The record reflects they are meeting Angelo Verdone who resides possibly on 22nd Street. He listed 155 21st St., Brooklyn on his Declaration of Intention (below). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a2abf7d9-c135-400b-9a88-ef7326a0ea8c/2025-07-09-21-11-0001.jpg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 46. Unfortunately for the young family, nearly 10 years after arriving in America, Elvira died on May 15, 1923, at age 49. Given her absence & their dress, this photo was likely taken at her funeral. If so, then Pasquale (Pat) is 17-1/2, Vittorio (Victoria) 16, Eugenio (Eugene) is nearly 14, and (Franco?) Frank is nearly 7-1/2. Pat is dressed as a “man” while his brothers are clothed as “boys.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7673f80-921d-4f52-8d50-9b3d7aa5fe72/1928+Dec+of+Intention.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 47. Pat’s Declaration of Intention (or “first papers”)—dated March 28, 1928—was his initial document filed as an immigrant to announce his intent to become a US citizen and renounce foreign allegiances. While a Declaration was often filed shortly after arrival, Pat was only 8 at the time. Pat filed his Declaration at 22, nearly 15 years after arrival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/94cdfa16-3829-4b05-9838-527f82edafac/1928+Petition+for+Cit.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 48. Pat’s Petition for Citizenship (or “final papers”)—dated March 10, 1932—was his formal application submitted after meeting residency requirements. This is the form that usually resulted in actual citizenship. Pat completed this four years after submitting his Declaration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3242a6cf-18ad-4649-aad3-9a3dabe2659b/Cert+of+Cit.jpeg Blog - Pasquale Verdone - Make it stand out 49. Pat’s Certificate of Citizenship is dated November 14, 1932. He had married Mildred on April 10 of that same year, but because his petition was submitted a month before the wedding, the certificate—issued afterward—still lists him as single. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/lecce monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0ef7241c-e358-45cc-828b-b18574fc929b/tempImageqjbson.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61fbb126-cc45-47ae-820a-bf21f46c9172/Screenshot+2026-01-23+at+14.45.43.png Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out We spent our final full day in Italy deep in the heel of Italy’s boot, touring Lecce. After a 1.5 hour train ride, we enjoyed pastries and cappuccinos at Pinti Patisserie (umbrellas to the right) overlooking the impressive Porta San Biagio, a historic city gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10a7ab50-0e7d-4de1-b1f1-3ec9055f7633/tempImagezZfGIv.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out This was a food tour and our first stop was on the other side of the piazza at Bar Astoria where we were served Friselle, a type of twice-baked bread from Puglia. The smallish ring shaped dough is baked until almost done. It’s then taken out, split in half, and baked again until rock hard. The friselle are briefly soaked in water, drained, and then served with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, and salt. Deliziosa!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6c6f9943-fe7f-4682-aac9-d58ca0905892/tempImagepOdv58.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Inside the city walls, along Via dei Perroni, we passed homes of the wealthy. While the homes were immodest, the owners tried to show their piety, such as this house that includes an angel descending from heaven with a roll of bread. In the Catholic tradition, St Francis was hungry and knocked on doors for food. When no one answered, the angel fed him bread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/34b9c939-41e8-464f-9784-28251a491575/tempImageSnBqKW.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out The partially excavated Roman Amphitheater of Lecce from the 2nd century CE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/708103d0-5f5f-4ec0-bcb3-5d4707f21040/tempImageCAFlox.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out The Church of Saint Irene, built between 1591 and 1639, is heavily influenced by Spanish Baroque. The columns are "Solomonic," a style featuring twisted, helical shafts similar to those traditionally thought to have been in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4aea0074-77af-49c9-911d-7cbe0ee7fc11/tempImageUTfQ5m.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out A reclining baby Jesus is sleeping and the angel on the left is reminding us to not disturb his rest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1f65bb1-4ccb-4163-b61e-2db3569b13ac/tempImageder7YG.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out The internet says the main altar in the apse is generally considered to be in the Baroque style; however, our tour guide claimed it was Rococo—not sure which is correct. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9b5d3124-216f-4441-b1a1-2124e011fc4a/tempImage0ludr5.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Always look up in old cities; you never know what you’ll see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/566a828f-771a-4a72-81ff-971b82ed83f3/tempImager4KMnn.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Our next food stop was in a pasta shop. This maritati pasta translates to "married" in Italian, symbolizing the union of two distinct pasta shapes—orecchiette and maccheroni—the orecchiette symbolizing the "female" shape and the maccheroni symbolizing the "male" shape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b56d74dc-73e1-4514-8059-ba9f6737949e/tempImageGfbaub.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Sagne 'ncannulate is a traditional, hand-twisted pasta from the Salento region of Puglia, Italy. It is a quintessential dish of southern Italian cucina povera (peasant cooking), typically made without eggs using only durum wheat semolina and water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2450bd6a-a916-453d-8810-b325c28ea6d5/tempImagelRJgif.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Finally, Tria is the name for a local ribbon-shaped pasta, much less known than orecchiette or cavatelli but equally treasured by the Pugliesi. Made from semolina flour and water, tria is often translated as “tagliatelle,” but they are actually quite different. You make them without eggs and cut them into ribbons rather thicker, wider, and shorter than tagliatelle. In a word, tria is more “rustic”, with a chewier and more substantial mouthfeel and a pleasantly nutty flavor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4ca758c-7f09-4fd1-b57e-abcd8e9e9f9f/tempImagenk68QG.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Ciceri e tria (Pasta and Chickpeas) is a pasta dish unique to Salento, Puglia, and one I wish I could have tried. The tria pasta is split. The first portion is fried in oil until crisp, tan, and crunchy. The remaining half is simmered in a pot, along with the starchy liquid from the can of chickpeas, some water, and a little salt and pepper to create the sauce. Then the chickpeas are added along with a couple of bay leaves. Once the second portion is softened, the crispy pasta returns to the pot, and everything simmers together until the sauce lightly clings. Looks and sounds amazing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5360c7ef-684f-43bd-8093-6ec5c851f65a/tempImageZrs73r.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Next stop was Lecce Food Market to try rustici leccesi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c8def46-fc6c-4d20-b7ce-18a0c4536379/tempImageUeOgjb.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Rustici leccesi are savory Apulian puff pastry discs filled with creamy béchamel, tomato purée, mozzarella, and white pepper. Not a very vegan-proud moment, but “when in Lecce…” and you don’t want to offend your host. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1bceeac-feab-4f4e-807e-ca5d4832085d/tempImageSBWdHZ.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out The façade of Basilica di Santa Croce (Church of the Holy Cross) is considered a triumph of Lecce Baroque. The original church was built in the 14th century to house the relics of the True Cross, near the Castle of Lecce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3943f1c-cceb-4a39-bf88-abf22c542c38/tempImageq0hc9d.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Our final food stop was thankfully vegan-friendly—a single origin dark chocolate from Ecuador gelato from the artisan Galateria la Romana dal 1947. Best gelato ever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9cd31e0-61c8-46ee-ab69-5cfa3b8367b1/tempImagezj3dmx.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out After the tour, we returned to the Piazza del Duomo, surrounded by the cathedral, Bishop's Palace, Seminary Palace, and the campanile del duomo (bell tower). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca3988fc-8357-4825-8023-9ad0fd8dd833/tempImageNmkbBX.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out An elevator took us near the top of the tower (the final bit of stairway was closed) for a rather uninspiring view of Lecce. As it was such a clear day, we should have been able to see Albania across the Adriatic Sea. We may have, but we couldn’t really be sure if it was land or dark clouds we were seeing. Oh well! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/862706ab-8417-42c8-be77-9ec6355e1ede/tempImageU9FR2n.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out A quintessentially Italian mode of transportation on a quintessentially Italian street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/515a855f-1598-4f76-85cd-de83517fe80c/tempImageZYokk5.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out With our train not departing for over an hour, we were drawn into Caffè della Lupa by their promise of Aperol Spritz and cicchetti. Cicchetti (chi-KET-tee) are small, savory snacks to balance the cocktail's bittersweet flavor. These included olives, savory corn crackers, and taralli crackers—traditional, ring-shaped snacks from Puglia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/623c0b94-ca57-44fc-948d-2f3c320a8b0a/tempImagebzFD68.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out Somehow Dave had booked Business Class tickets on a Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) 1000 high-speed train back to Bari, which shortened our travel time nicely and we did so in style. We shared a final pizza at Pizzeria de Cosimo, then packed our bags for an early-morning departure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/29148a16-8c67-4425-8f25-90833bca573e/tempImage0LVP7T.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out The taxi ordered by our Airbnb host was on Italian Time, so we ordered an Uber to Bari Airport instead, where we caught our 6:20 am ITA Airways flight to Rome. This is the view of the sun rising over a layer of billowy clouds as we begin our descent into Rome. Perhaps that is Croatia on the distant horizon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1c217a79-2094-4b8d-9dd5-d6c0514cba55/tempImage7gYNLx.jpg Blog - Lecce & Home - Make it stand out One last time standing at a cappuccino bar in Rome’s international terminal. Our 9:10 am ITA Airways flight left an hour late but still managed to arrive at LAX 30 minutes early—go figure! Thanks for inviting me Dave—it was a wonderful trip that has filled us with many great memories! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/bari-vecchia monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/74f2ab7b-651d-4532-9f3d-25b8fefdac84/tempImageP98E4g.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dbb9915d-bca5-489f-95ec-107e4a28b233/tempImagehPNof2.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out On Monday morning we returned to Il Caffettaio for our morning pastries and cappuccinos (we also stopped in before our bus left for Alberobello and Matera on Saturday morning). The shop name translates roughly to The Little Coffee Maker or The Coffee Guy. That guy happened to be quite friendly, and he and Dave agreed that Dave could practice his Italian, so long as the owner could practice his English. In a rather surprising coincidence, there was a Talisker distillery poster in the shop’s bathroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca7b26ee-429a-4143-84e6-11ea7c9a7de2/tempImageUWyiA2.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out When Dave and Christa visited with Amanda and me in Scotland, we purchased this bottle of whisky to celebrate my retirement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f24737d-1fa5-45de-9853-77c19ea13a26/tempImageyJuUKw.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Here we are at Talisker Distillery on Isle of Skye on July 24, 2023—such a crazy coincidence! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff7c3957-c590-4f5a-971a-c52f172ca3a5/tempImageq0fSBz.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Though we had been living in Bari for three days, we booked a formal walking tour of Bari Vecchia (old Bari) for Monday morning. The tour stared at Castello Svevo di Bari (Bari Swabian Castle). Roger the Norman originally built this castle in the 12th century over the ruins of a Byzantine structure. Later, Frederick Il of Swabia (Germany) built over the existing castle—the castle’s name owing to its most recent builder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c335a55a-2ce0-489b-9fdd-b18521d45578/tempImageE80Fyr.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out The tour then entered the old city traveling down what is sometimes informally referred to as “Orecchiette Street” because of its high concentration of pasta grannies literally rolling out fresh orecchiette for sale each day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35206238-fa76-4579-a595-c5b3dbbd9338/tempImageiaTl7W.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Black street stones (or pavers) in Bari Vecchia, known locally as chianche, are historically significant for guiding visitors and merchants unfamiliar with the often confusing, maze-like layout of the old town toward the exit. While the main paving stones are white or cream-colored, these black, contrasting stones once served as a navigation tool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cc734d58-8d18-45af-a94d-17c676b604b8/tempImagewTmvEj.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Our tour guide showing the restoration of the 13th century Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Sabinus (Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale San Sabino). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f84f7817-efb7-496a-a863-3e2e9a3c3b37/tempImageE0Hoek.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out According to legend, when the Church of St Nicholas (adjacent our apartment) was being built to house St Nicholas’s relics after they were brought to Bari in 1087, the construction lacked one final column. The legend tells that on the night between September 30 and October 1, 1089, St Nicholas himself appeared, escorted by two angels, and placed this reddish column into the crypt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df086eea-e4c0-4782-94a7-5cace2a79458/tempImagefGHIFs.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out For centuries, the pillar has been considered miraculous. Traditionally, young unmarried women (nubili) would walk around the pillar three times, touching or praying to it, and would quickly find a husband.. The column was originally part of the colonnade surrounding the tomb but was moved to this corner in the 19th century. Because of its popularity and the damage caused by pilgrims touching it—as well as some small pieces breaking off—the pillar is now protected by a grate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a66bef0f-dd46-4f48-b19e-6e017718060a/tempImagePCfpPx.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out This beautiful paved walkway on top of the old city wall was valuable ocean-front property. However, all the doors and windows are small and simple because of the constant exposure to the sea. Interestingly, the servants lived on this side while the wealthy owners lived opposite, on the protected side of the building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd3a4db4-def5-41f6-9e51-4f952b1a3e1a/tempImagegUTQOK.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out The Colonnadella Giustizia (Column of Justice), also known as the Colonna Infame (Column of Shame), located in the bustling Piazza Mercantile, was erected in the 16th century so that debtors and minor offenders could be publicly humiliated. The white marble column features a crouching stone lion at its base. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/964571bf-59d3-45ab-8b8b-d923950c1130/tempImageMEcfKm.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out This beautiful, small Romanesque basilica of Chiesa della Vallisa was built in the 11th century. It sits in Piazza Del Ferrarese⁩ next to an exposed section of Via Appia Traiana, completed around 109 CE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a86cd883-afb3-4518-8aa2-7ec26720a5ba/tempImagenmGxmw.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Dave purchasing freshly-handmade orecchiette from pasta granny Angela in Bari Vecchia. Angela is just out of view in the doorway here, but we watched her earlier roll out dough, cut off small bits, and then roll the knife blade over the cut bits to produce the orecchiette, which are then dried on these racks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2a8dd84d-811b-446d-9e72-dc0c396b849e/tempImage9LXpyh.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out We learned on our tour that Peroni beer is bottled in Rome, Padua, and right here in Bari. That was enough inspiration to return to our rental and enjoy the Peroni beers the owner had placed in the refrigerator for us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eef9e3d3-aed1-42ab-b317-a192c029292f/tempImageCXlWgI.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Meanwhile, Dave made a lunch booking at the popular Urban Assassineria restaurant in Bari. Instead of traditional boiling, spaghetti all'assassina (assassin's spaghetti) or spaghetti bruciati (burnt spaghetti) is cooked directly in the pan—traditionally cast iron. A broth typically made of tomato sauce diluted with water is gradually added to the pan and the pasta absorbs it, similar to a risotto. As the spaghetti absorbs the sauce, it cooks directly on the pan surface, developing significant browning and a distinctive and uniquely crispy texture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/191dea34-314f-42fa-bd27-780cdb65ceb4/tempImagea7tmkd.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Dave had the La Crusca version—Spaghetti Assassina, garlic, chili pepper with creamy broccoli rabe, smoked red pepper sauce, hard canestrato cheese fondue, and peperone crusco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35862f61-47e3-4d33-bb8b-0d9515e15a5b/tempImageXMSzDN.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out I had the Classici—Granoro spaghettone Urban-approved, tomato puree, garlic, & chilli pepper. It was so exceptional, my mouth is watering again just writing about it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e9201580-8a13-46a3-a5d8-b29cc6872afe/tempImageXcryxq.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out As the sunset, we walked over to the Episcopio and the Museo Diocesano di Bari to view the Exultet parchment scrolls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd30f714-0fda-449a-b55c-bed5b8c2a855/tempImageP5AMuv.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out The Golden Hour settles on Bari as we make our way to the museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/edb564c7-28f7-419c-a21e-63a20bcb8b9d/tempImagelIXB0K.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Parchment is the untanned skins of sheep, calves, or goats. The longest Exultet scroll in Bari came from the Monastery of San Benedetto and measures about 17 feet in length. You can see the stitching where the eight rectangular sheepskin folios were sewn together. It is thought that just 28 Exultet still exist today, and 3 of these are preserved in Bari. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86ea7c0f-ffab-4feb-bb3a-7df2bc17dfa4/tempImageKPmspK.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out The scrolls are referred to as “illuminated” because they are decorated with hand-drawn embellishments. These images are inverted to allow the congregation to view them as the deacon reads the music and intones the liturgical chant during the Easter Vigil. Each liturgical scroll is an exquisitely detailed work of Southern Italian Medieval art, made between the 10th and 12th century CE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7b1af7ff-10d2-4564-8407-9cd98e83e3c7/tempImageurJfMR.jpg Blog - Bari Vecchia - Make it stand out Under the museum is an archeological stroll through history that includes remains from a 5th- to 6th-century paleo-Christian basilica (which includes this impressive "Timoteo's mosaic"), a 9th-century church, tombs from different periods, and a section of Roman road surface. That night we made our fresh orecchiette for dinner in our apartment. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/polignano-a-mare monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ebaa7320-768d-4831-b46c-4ae557930633/tempImageAR3MiH.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2f79f56-55cb-4bae-9171-ab7f7d38c67c/tempImageD4QyVj.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out On Sunday, we made a 35-minute train ride south along the coast to the town of Polignano a Mare. Perched on the Adriatic, it’s famed for its white-pebble beaches—though they shine a lot more on a warm summer day than they did today, with a chilly wind whipping in off the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ecf581b3-b919-4f50-8cab-5b2a5a368312/tempImagewXvRPj.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Polignano is also well known for its many sea caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ab3d4a4-5e77-430e-b5c7-f8235609dd99/tempImageK0VFON.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Polignano a Mare's iconic "Roman bridge" is actually the Ponte Borbonico (Bourbon Bridge). While it looks ancient, this bridge was built in the 1800s, but it stands directly over the original Roman bridge that was part of the Via Traiana, an ancient Roman road built by Emperor Trajan (109 CE). We ate lunch in the low, covered patio near the top right of the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f07e47d-d7dc-492c-b32c-f8f33056cc80/tempImaged7lNkN.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Standing on the bridge with the famous Lama Monachile (aka Cala Porto) beach below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0978b76c-f258-43dd-9e8a-2e5c38368485/tempImageXTaOFJ.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out The deeply romantic old town buildings rise high above the cove. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/301bb270-2146-48b6-a8e6-d4142ebf963c/tempImageQsLI0f.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out As mentioned above, we ate lunch at Via Terrazzo. Their pizza was delicious, but… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d9258e1-2866-4e77-934c-4c62437caeb7/tempImage2VksB7.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out …I must say, the roasted potatoes stole the show! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac24e2f6-ec2d-48f5-a9d1-fbab394bece1/tempImagegNVbGj.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Pendma Chiatt, also known as Pietra Piatta (flat stone), offers stunning panoramic views of the old town perched on limestone cliffs and Cala Porto (beach). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e0c97624-1f0a-4c41-906e-16cab72194b9/tempImagexd5jhR.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out The wind whipped up some big waves and I managed to capture a pretty dramatic one crashing into the cliffside while taking Dave’s picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9387045f-e240-40b7-8bd7-11d9c004e972/tempImagezR82Ok.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Quite the atmospheric spot! I can only imagine it at sunset! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2bba6089-7d61-479e-a194-fc0c5031ae32/tempImagekjeX1w.jpg Blog - Polignano a Mare - Make it stand out Monument to Domenico Modugno who was an Italian singer, actor, and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)," for which he received the first Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Modugno was born in Polignano a Mare on January 9, 1928. Turns out we were two days late for his 98th birthday anniversary. Time to escape the wind and head back to Bari. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/alberobello-amp-matera monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/660ee235-d9ca-403e-8b03-cc635c97a0e9/tempImagecLVJLB.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4dd07e6b-474f-4513-af66-e54dc829c383/tempImageKAI7Wn.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Dave booked us a bus tour that took us from Bari to Alberobello and then Matera. These distinctive whitewashed stone huts featuring conical, dry-stack stone roofs are a hallmark of rural Puglia (Apulia), in southern Italy, particularly in the countryside between Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a27f1a7c-ef0f-4688-b260-549368ad5f20/tempImageNHxn3V.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The name “trullo” (plural “trulli”) comes from a mix of Latin and local dialect roots, most commonly traced to the Latin word turris, meaning “tower.” The name essentially refers to their tower-like form, even though trulli are small rural dwellings rather than actual towers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68b6d98e-6c78-4e9a-abaf-c414f6fb229a/tempImageaV19j0.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Alberobello is the most famous trulli town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d41aaa8-5beb-4fd1-8924-a97bd1a03800/tempImagenkGxvD.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/153d8f2c-ca3d-4b81-a488-762fccf2c811/tempImagedIOrmI.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out A trullo mailbox. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1ddd73f-e776-41fb-b879-6e26c4c71812/tempImagedEklR7.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The Trulli Brothers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1cd24efe-49f0-4327-a49f-46de2ae94542/tempImage4wzyFy.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out A ladder provides access to an upper level of most trulli, where supplies may be kept and children often slept. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aff793df-60d2-4d39-b3e0-a967ca2a54e2/tempImageSnShHM.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The view up into a trullo loft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6fd4972d-bc12-4867-9451-8affb1731504/tempImageSPwbtq.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out I absolutely loved this all-stone mailbox! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f2cec86-42a2-469f-9c63-012828cc26de/tempImageU8heTC.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out A bedroom inside a trullo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0bb86ba5-2c89-466a-969d-37076f95b49a/tempImageTmn5eE.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Our tour focused on the more residential northern side of town. Afterward, we wandered over to the more touristy southern side, seen here in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca7e7d6e-1d1c-4352-b84a-afdb57551155/tempImageRhFUG7.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out A trullo-inspired Catholic church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c88ff625-90eb-42f5-bcca-9ef8c007ccdd/tempImagePf9j3r.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Dave having just purchased a trullo-inspired creche for Christa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7c66490-1248-453c-9a74-06dcb3e3576e/tempImageCisETW.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out On Via Monte Pertica, the main tourist street. Now, back to the bus and on to Matera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f357a628-c0bf-4bba-afde-25b8e1776b81/Screenshot+2026-01-21+at+16.00.24.png Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Matera was the spectacular backdrop for the opening pre-credit sequence of the 2021 James Bond movie, No Time to Die. Unlike Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, driving into Matera for us was like entering any other modern Italian city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/218093a2-c475-4219-a786-124884f7c9de/tempImagePuaEBG.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out From our bus parked in the modern center of town, a half mile walk took us to the eastern edge and the historic medieval district. Stairs led below street level where we entered the remains of Chiesa rupestre dello Spirito Santo (Cave Church of the Holy Spirit). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0c01bb6-8272-4195-b265-55c994d2468e/tempImage5qEXBQ.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The church remains included this Byzantine-style, medieval fresco of St Sofia—the legendary early Christian mother of three daughters named Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d4d0792-0826-449b-b3ac-5c5643b97317/tempImageHlvJYT.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Walking through the back of the church ruins, we caught our first sight of the Sasso Barisano district where medieval façades hide deep prehistoric caves, and modern life hums inside ancient rock. Sasso means stone and Barisano describes how the canyon opens in the direction of the old trade routes to the important coastal town of Bari. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7db6d134-ebed-4024-92bf-8d42a5d55347/tempImage8GaX79.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97e74f9b-5a33-4638-82e2-a35858b6c361/tempImagexPvTra.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Homes, churches, cisterns, and streets were carved directly into the soft tufa rock, creating a dense, vertical city that developed continuously from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2d849a9-4f01-437f-b795-c3173d16d50a/tempImageoRJZQC.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Matera’s Sasso Barisano is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements with cave habitation going back to approximately 7000 BCE! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99fee46e-8b57-4d33-a19c-c0fabd8d0db2/tempImage6Vz91j.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Some of the many naturally-occurring caves are visible in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b3ddb10-f840-4572-a557-9ff79ce9b838/tempImageSctFpV.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ac281e2-d910-4ec8-b97b-6bfc8a5b77d3/tempImagefaj4Eu.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Cathedral of Maria Santissima of the Bruna & Sant'Eustachio, built in the 1200s, includes a beautiful rose window and a skyline-dominating bell tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/59462413-9775-4d74-8b43-cb9d8857f2f2/tempImagey5j9KQ.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out In the movie, James Bond rode a motorcycle up the cobbled street below and jumped this wall in spectacular fashion, landing in the courtyard of the church behind Dave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd1316a8-393f-44af-84a0-6a21ce55564b/tempImage6b8PWb.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Also facing the church courtyard is this hotel, where Bond and girlfriend Dr. Madeleine Swann spent the night https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b618ccdc-aad8-4482-b968-eb0a75a91945/tempImage4DONMu.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso (St Peter & St Paul Church) perched atop the rocky outcrop, high above the ravine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b9b0fed-10e9-4f61-b565-31273a77abf8/tempImageCqLMEr.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Perched on Monterrone, the cliff that rises from within the middle of Sassi, is one of the most scenic rock churches: Church of Saint Mary of Idris. Spectacular! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88c7729d-c486-4aa2-bad5-2cf009f2d048/tempImageCi1VG2.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The hilltop on the other side of the ravine was used as Golgotha (the hill outside Roman Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified, also known as Calvary) in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42cc9a18-8cd7-4083-bb2d-4f676e49b510/tempImage2pKeSo.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The older buildings behind Dave were used as “Jerusalem” for the filming of The Passion of the Christ. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5deee27-8e0c-47e5-b18a-f543191a18aa/tempImageJ9zvB0.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8b7ccc08-8510-4e68-824a-d89f94852d39/tempImageXTuDrJ.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out The Matera cistern, primarily known as Palombaro Lungo, is a vast, cathedral-like underground reservoir beneath Piazza Vittorio Bento, showcasing Matera’s ancient ingenuity for water management. Only the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) in Istanbul, Turkey, is larger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/46f0425c-1e5a-41f5-b981-d9623dcadada/tempImagebSpFFX.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Carved into the rock, this colossal structure collected spring and rainwater, holding millions of liters and serving the city until modern aqueducts arrived. Today, walkways allow visitors to explore its cool, vaulted chambers, a key part of Matera's UNESCO World Heritage site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36b2514a-5930-4061-b0d9-6ba7b47a4693/tempImageFbGTRa.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out That evening, back in Bari, we had a great dinner at La Cantina dello Zio (Uncle’s Wine Cellar). This is our amazing bruschetta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9f4ec876-7321-4bf0-b4e2-27283f9452a6/tempImage8JEXYD.jpg Blog - Alberobello & Matera - Make it stand out Given that orecchiette ("little ears" in Italian) is deeply associated with Bari and the Puglia region, what choice did I have but to order it for dinner. While the exact origin is debated, Bari and Puglia are recognized as the heartland of this pasta. In Bari Vecchia (Old Bari), women known as pasta grannies still make orecchiette by hand on the streets, a tradition passed down through generations. It was delicious! Good night Bari! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/en-route-bari monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed554134-2133-4e7b-a621-a32cc0bf4a72/tempImageRn65vU.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33181ef6-de64-4729-8161-f1b560b7f6e2/tempImageSYq4lp.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out We had only one night in Caserta, but our train to Bari did not depart until 2:24 pm, so we left our bags at the hotel and wandered the streets and shops of Caserta. On our way to mail postcards at the Poste Italiane, we encountered a funeral at Duomo di San Michele Arcangelo. We found the name of the funeral transportation company quite humorous. Not sure why there were two vehicles, but the other vehicle was a hurst and it was a Maserati! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e89ca7b3-c6da-4814-8d98-c149f2b8462e/Screenshot+2026-01-20+at+19.18.22.png Blog - Bari - Make it stand out After ten days of exploring southern Italy and savoring nearly two dozen cappuccinos, the one at Pasticceria Benefico in Caserta was easily the best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d59e2ec2-984c-4ce3-96d6-478ef6790e01/tempImagePpxypS.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out The largest train operator in Italy is Trenitalia, which is a division of the Italian government. The company has been in existence since 1905—the year my grandfather was born in San Vittore del Lazio! The fastest trains operated by Trenitalia are the Alta Velocità (AV) series, named in descending order of speed: Frecciarossa (“Red Arrow”), Frecciargento (“Silver Arrow”), and Frecciabianca (“White Arrow”). This was the “Silver Arrow” train that took us to Bari in a little less than four hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7f97b078-9f5f-4799-817c-dc0eb9b5c2d3/tempImage4Xs9Gw.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Dave walking through Giardini di Piazza Umberto I (The Gardens of Umberto I Square) after departing the Bari Centrale train station. Umberto I was King of Italy from 1878 to 1900. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/902bd9d2-d938-419b-98ca-0ed63fcd6384/tempImagemHZzDW.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out The garden square gave way to Via Sparano da Bari, a lengthy, decorated pedestrian walkway lined with every imaginable shop. It reminded me of wealthy beach towns in California, like Del Mar or Encinitas—only chillier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/96fa4de4-a521-4190-a8d0-8bc8f8d5ede5/tempImageuqkIxv.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8d565ef4-2052-402b-859c-c96fa762ce9a/tempImagezRRy9a.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out On this map you can see the Bari Centrale train station, the park, and then the developed urban areas in yellow. Much like Lower Manhattan, the original portions of Bari—Bari Vecchia (old Bari)—are quite noticeable because the street grid disappears and becomes irregular and winding. Our Airbnb is marked with a red heart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d57e7011-d710-4f3e-ab68-6ce6e03ac1ee/Screenshot+2026-01-20+at+16.17.28.png Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Our Airbnb—Dimora Riccardi San Nicola (Riccardi St Nicholas Residence)—was part of a larger building that began as an ancient monastery in the 1500s. The bas relief over the entryway depicts the Madonna and Child and includes the Latin inscription Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix, meaning “Under your protection we take refuge, Holy Mother of God,” which is the opening line of an ancient Christian prayer to the Virgin Mary. Oral tradition hold that Pope Sixtus V stayed here during a pilgrimage to venerate the relics of St Nicola. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91087d7c-e0c7-40e1-9c28-f4722711d01b/Screenshot+2026-01-20+at+16.33.08.png Blog - Bari - Make it stand out The convent was eventually abandoned until it was acquired by the noble Nitti-Valentini family who, in 1785, transformed it into an elegant aristocratic residential palace. With the construction of the Murat district in the 19th century, many noble families left Bari Vecchia. The palace, too, was gradually converted into a popular apartment building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/751068cf-1acb-4b3b-a23c-03186c476ad9/Screenshot+2026-01-20+at+16.32.38.png Blog - Bari - Make it stand out The building still retains valuable architectural elements: a rusticated stone portal, Doric columns, a courtyard with rings for tying horses (two are seen on the right wall in the previous image), a stone staircase, and a loggia with Tuscan columns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3a6112cd-275b-400a-9aa8-5c6fafb91b5e/tempImageIaogHi.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Our apartment was immediately adjacent to and had exceptional views of the Basilica San Nicola (Church of St Nicholas). The church is said to house the relics of St Nicholas of Myra—the 4th-century bishop who inspired the figure of Santa Claus. These were brought from Myra (in present-day Turkey) to Bari in 1087 by sailors, to protect them from Muslim invasion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5845d1ba-d1bc-4ac8-bcca-4a30a68e1f60/Tomb-Saint-Nicholas-Basilica-di-San-Nicola-Italy.jpg.webp Blog - Bari - Make it stand out The relics are kept in this marble tomb in the crypt beneath the main altar. Every May 9—the day the relics arrived in Bari in 1087—clergy open the saint’s marble tomb and a priest lowers a small container and collects a clear, fragrant liquid that has seeped from the relics. This “manna” (often described as myrrh-like) is mixed with holy water, increasing the quantity so it can be shared with the faithful. The solemn, ceremonial moment is attended by both Catholic and Orthodox clergy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b0b513c-de7c-4779-9367-3afbb36c46e4/tempImageJbLjt1.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Our apartment (the 6 arched windows and the first Juliette balcony) as seen from the Basilica. Because of St Nicholas’s relics, the basilica is an important pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics, as well as for Eastern Orthodox Christians. The statue of St Nicholas seen here is controversial because it was personally gifted to the church by Vladimir Putin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e3e779d-239d-4867-b5fa-e80ec43beca5/tempImagesre7xv.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out After dropping off bags in our amazing rental, was ate dinner in this striking piazza in Bari Vecchia known as Lovers’ Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/793058e0-c386-4b5a-8b9d-a3f3d9c64568/tempImageRflnYa.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out Dave preparing to order our pizzas at Pizzeria dei Cosimo (Cosimo is a traditional Italian male given name). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a9f32fa1-a6c5-48a7-86e3-ad704bd8db8b/tempImage9Vz6iL.jpg Blog - Bari - Make it stand out With an amazing pizza oven made by Pavesi Ovens of Rimini (Rimini is a region of Italy near San Marino), your pizza just has to be good! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/caserta monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0cfd7c97-7c28-4564-946c-36311afecb8c/tempImageJwLnfl.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc1f8b05-03fc-40f5-a632-7d444aed896d/tempImageWvN5mH.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out After two overcast and rainy days, we awoke to a clear, crisp, and cold morning in Cassino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8b438703-8855-4ca8-9cba-7a7aa61542ef/tempImage5rk5Kb.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out From our (unused) balcony, we could now see a dusting of snow on the mountains to the northeast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7791858a-6aee-43c4-b9cf-64e9f009218a/tempImage3pqJNx.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out As the sun peaked over the hills south toward San Vittore del Lazio, we swung our backpacks over our shoulders and walked into Cassino’s downtown, quietly grateful for the simple ritual of pastries and cappuccinos that now grounded our mornings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1e06ba03-f042-483f-9809-402b4567ad01/tempImagePSSobA.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Enlivened by another visit to Naples Coffee Bar, we walked to the train station with time to spare before our 10:05 train to Caserta. The Abbey of Montecassino perched high on the hilltop never failed to impress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/502b6df1-d2ce-44f0-b884-d18c85e711f8/tempImagedTNBqs.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Ready for our train to Caserta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19a07df2-a255-4d50-a8fd-812e734a982a/tempImagetDMMEO.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out As our train rolled south, we caught a final, distant glimpse of San Vittore del Lazio, the hills behind it graced with an overnight fresh powdering of snow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bf0d75f8-afe0-49ca-b684-8d5a233e8806/tempImagerd3hr5.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out The trip to Caserta was a quick 1:15. A short walk later we found ourselves checking in at Hotel dei Cavalieri Caserta—La Reggie (Knights of the Royal Palace Hotel). Afterward we crossed Piazza Luigi Vanvitelli and walked into Caffè Italia for this rather uninspired focaccia pizza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f4c01844-54a4-49fe-a5f5-d70d414471aa/tempImageRGEiyl.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out At least they offered these pudding-like chocolate desserts. I had Extra Fondente (extra dark chocolate) and Dave had Nocciola (hazelnut). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1cf4df7-4549-4b01-b979-3ab8b925b1f5/tempImageKJELki.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Next it was off to tour of Reggia di Caserta (Royal Palace of Caserta). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/03d783d3-a937-4344-b822-508b7d320c8b/tempImageEbMynR.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out The Palace of Versailles near Paris, France, was built first, and the Bourbon kings of Naples explicitly desired to rival it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04dbf7d2-e29d-4583-a0a3-76707f5b15cc/tempImagesDrzff.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Caserta feels like it should be Versailles’ equal, but when you actually walk it, it comes off underwhelming by comparison. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b0e55bfb-fd6e-4693-a8ab-0abaf341a3c8/tempImageFhz5sa.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Luigi Vanvitelli was the architect of Royal Palace of Caserta. This statue was in the Piazza Luigi Vanvitelli outside our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4a4e7b69-1dd8-41d0-8bf2-14d057afd2aa/tempImageEAVJYS.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Then it was out to the grounds of the 18th century landscaped park and water gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc2faeb5-b012-471e-902a-cce4a190e13d/tempImageKhcGq5.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/00bf8acc-c95f-449b-b339-a0d599fd5700/tempImageoDBH16.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out At the far end of the water gardens with the palace along the horizon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5668e11f-3331-4900-934b-7d01d5b530aa/tempImage0z3zi9.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Heading back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd303d5d-eac6-4834-9812-57db7fe1347a/tempImageMYxsPb.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out Nearly back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c9b150f-51fe-438f-b51d-51507448a8c4/tempImagea5pFxh.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out After 23,600+ steps and 11 miles, we deserved a great dinner at Osteria Nunziatina. For our antipasti we had "half a mozzarella and eggplant pizza" - bread crust with fennel seeds, with mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and fried eggplant. A real treat! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae077516-81c7-4164-b638-681f26f70dec/tempImageGEaEFK.jpg Blog - Caserta - Make it stand out For dinner I had Linguine Di Martino, Salina capers, Gaeta black olives, oregano, and cherry tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius. Deliziosa! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/san-vittore-del-lazio monthly 0.5 2026-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a63c32b-a25a-4c7c-9849-b4898c9e80cc/tempImagem7E50E.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/770d438d-7d64-49b9-a166-af92f9ce7e11/tempImageIpNCGh.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Today, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, was the big day—time to visit the birthplace of our maternal grandfather Patrick Verdone (b. 11/3/1905; d. 1/16/1994). But first things first! We walked down the hill from La Residenza di Carolina to Naples Coffee Bar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed23392f-8583-48a4-8fcf-6700f47078de/tempImageL08Xf4.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Pastries and cappuccinos—the absolute essential morning ritual. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cbcdd6e4-019a-4320-980b-cb16470fdc33/tempImageh9vwsh.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Unable to figure out a satisfactory bus route, Carolina decided to drive us the 20-minutes to San Vittore del Lazio. This is looking out of the traffic circle—with the proper direction arrow—looking toward the town perched on the hill in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e137104-43a0-48ae-ad7c-9d66c2f6c432/tempImagez4GLj8.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out At our request, Carolina dropped us off at the town’s only church with an existing graveyard, which was labeled Church of Our Lady of Grace and the attached Cemetery of Saint Victor. Both are seen here from town. They are just outside town and connected by car over a winding road, or by an old footpath that was once likely the only link between the two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/38331991-db17-4c86-9234-486b2ee8d01d/tempImage5WNqmP.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The view of San Vittore from the church and cemetery. From here it’s easy to imagine its historical hilltop position as a medieval walled city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8d91fb16-47d9-4f40-af26-829b816d8d99/tempImagez9RuIx.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Caught between Nazis forces repelling Allied forces advancing from the south, parts of San Vittore, including the previous church and cemetery here, were destroyed during WWII. The plaque on the left says, “The restoration of the exterior façade of the church was carried out with the contribution of the people of San Vittore and fellow townspeople residing in Detroit and Canada. A.D. 1975.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5acb693a-de99-4dc2-82d1-c48c9f96ebd1/tempImagewEkJ7x.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out What became obvious rather quickly touring the graveyard was that all the dates on the graves were too recent. Relatives like Pat’s maternal grandmother Diodato Maliza were born around 1855; however, the oldest birth dates we found were from the turn of the century. A brochure for Chiesa di San Nicola (below) said there was once a graveyard at that church, but it no longer exists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4242343-e784-456a-ad3f-665a1165b21c/01+Pasquale+Birth+Cert.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out It was not until we discovered our grandfather’s given name at birth was Pasquale—not his adopted Anglicized name of Patrick—that we found his birth certificate. It was from this that we learned he was born in San Vittore del Lazio on November 3, 1905. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19d7080f-cacf-4644-9172-19137015eafb/Regions.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Italy is divided into five geographical areas: North-West, North-East, Centre, South, and Islands. Italy is further divided into 20 regions, with the Lazio Region being in Central Italy—thus San Vittore del Lazio. roughly translates as “Saint Victor of the Lazio Region.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae1623ff-475c-49d9-913a-cc793c1df792/Screenshot+2026-01-18+at+08.24.58.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The Lazio Region currently has five provinces: Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, Viterbo, and the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. However, the top of Pat’s birth certificate says Province of Caserta and the District of Sora. This is because in 1927 the town was transferred from the province of Caserta to the newly formed province of Frosinone under Fascist reforms, reflecting Italy's centralization efforts. This explains the change in province following Pat’s birth in 1905.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1201540-c1d4-4bd3-a74d-e81a714c572e/2025-07-09-21-11-0001.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out From the birth certificate we learned that Pat’s parents were Angelo Verdone and Elvira nee Bonaventura. Elvira died in America aged 49 in roughly 1922, and this may be a photo memorializing that sober occasion. If so, then Pat (Pasqule) is about 17 years old and Victoria (Vittoria) is about 15 years old. Pat is dressed as a “man,” while his younger brothers Eugene (Eugenio) (13) and Frank (Franco?) (6-7) are dressed as “boys.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e319b1d7-7d40-46b2-bf2a-989acc1bd7ec/02+Elvira+Passport+03+Pages+4-5-1.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out As was often the case, Angelo moved to America first to establish financial security. Elvira followed with the three oldest children in tow, each occupying an entry on Elvira’s passport, their places of birth all listed as San Vittore del Lazio. The arrival date stamped upon entry is September 20, 1913. Frank was born in the US on January 1, 1916. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bf6bc6c7-ec19-47f8-b3ab-cce55cff2566/tempImagetQPdVY.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out We did find one grave for an Elvira Bonaventura. While Pat’s mother died in America, it may have been a relative. This photo is on the footpath back to the city (looking back toward the graveyard). The stone enclosure was built to house a Madonna. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/566189df-0540-4d17-848f-f9e60368ddbd/tempImageIHqvAE.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Dave on a clearly more modern bridge that crosses the ravine before climbing up into San Vittore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/444ba427-1fa7-47c5-ba89-75208b14a2c1/tempImageN33Slc.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out This was the town hall where we apparently had missed the record keeper who had left earlier in the morning. Dave continues to work with them online attempting to secure familial records. Although we were not able to gather the records we had hoped, we did learn that the name Verdone was definitely not from San Vittore, but Bonaventura (Pat’s mother’s maiden name) most decidedly was! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99a4b316-a70a-48c1-977f-b50b43f8399b/tempImage3DXPTo.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The blue clouds show clusters of the name Verdone in relation to the town of San Vittore del Lazio, shown as a red dot. From this it seems likely Angelo Verdone was a neighbor to Elvira Bonaventura, who lived in San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d147e56-5609-4d2e-a168-ff7ac0f9da7f/i-sanniti-e-larcheologia-foto-di-comunesanvittoredellazio.fr_.it-2.jpg.webp Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out On a historical note: an important fortified city preceded San Vittore. High on the first peak northeast of town are the remains of a mighty defensive system formed by gigantic boulders surrounding the first two ridges of the mountain. This is believed to be ancient Aquilonia, a Samnite city destroyed by the Romans in 293 BCE. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71f535d8-0831-47df-822f-b7e97f85641a/Screenshot+2026-01-31+at+19.44.31.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The red arrow marks the hilltop position of the ancient city of Aquilonia above San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/192e809c-c97a-4b28-abe2-07173eba0312/tempImagexhI5Sn.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The ruined walls of the ancient city of Aquilonia still crown the hilltop above San Vittore (right). After Aquilonia’s destruction, in the early medieval period, a monastic cell dedicated to San Vittore (St Victor) was established on this lower hilltop. By the tenth century, repeated Saracen raids prompted the cell’s fortification, and it gradually evolved into a defensive stronghold—shaping the medieval street plan that remains visible in parts of San Vittore today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7bf403e3-b404-4b39-a180-e0bb606b09cc/tempImagem41rX2.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Situated near the Via Latina—a major Roman consular road linking Rome with Campania (including Pompeii and Naples)—the existing fortifications were subsequently consolidated into the “castle” of San Vittore del Lazio, known locally as the “castle with twenty-three towers.” The formal fortification was first documented in a 1057 charter. Remnants of its once formidable walls and towers remain visible throughout the village and are illustrated on this map displayed inside the town hall. Notes on the church (“A”) and gate (red arrow) follow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/861310d8-9dcf-4f1c-aad7-5ef8cb9565d8/tempImageOQjaWu.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Two of the original churches in town are still extant. This is Chiesa di San Nicola (Church of St Nicholas) and one option of where Pasquale may have been baptized. The distinctive two-tone belfry is seen in later photos. Allegedly there was once a Church of San Croce (Holy Cross), but I can find no evidence of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eb0ded95-7927-4998-95dc-0a18a543331a/tempImageayju7s.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The 10th-century church stands in the place formally known as the “Greek Village,” which was outside the walls of the castrum (fortified Roman fortress). It was probably built to support a large colony of Greeks who settled near the Abbey of Montecasino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3eac211f-1f13-4c65-a3ec-d3e7a728daee/4KMACEDONIAN.png Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out I found it helpful to understand that Rome may have conquered Greece in the 2nd century BCE, but when Emperor Constantine moved the capital east to Constantinople in 330 CE, he placed Roman political power in a Greek-speaking world. Thus, the Byzantines were the medieval continuation of Greek civilization, living under the name and political framework of Rome. In fact, Byzantine is a relatively modern term. At the time the church was built, the people would have called themselves Romans—though in daily life, religion, education, and art, they were unmistakably Greek. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a77a128-cdaf-4bbb-afbd-041054f8cae9/tempImageco8oBt.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Dave and I standing outside Chiesa di St Nicola (Church of St Nicholas). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ce11baa-1fc8-4eba-8a97-9ab5e3e91593/tempImageA3FQc9.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Dave surveying the exterior of the north side of the church. Nicholas of Myra (c. 270–343 CE), also called Nicholas of Bari after his relics were buried there in 1089, was Bishop of Myra, a city in Lycia (modern-day Demre, Turkey). He operated fully within Greek Christian culture, further evidence of the church’s Greek origins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7fa08055-e068-430a-8055-910c13e3246a/tempImageMuuDDn.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The original entrance had an atrium that has now disappeared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7561e323-3aa2-4345-8938-7249d14531d5/Chiesa-san-Nicola-a-San-Vittorw-del-Lazio-foto-%40cdsconlus.it_-1.jpg.webp Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The original structure consisted of a single nave, with the right (north) aisle added in the 13th century. Adjacent to the church was once a cemetery, presumably to the left (south). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/138581eb-9877-4d46-8424-bedb90d3c1d7/tempImageLs8Jqd.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The right (north) aisle remains and contains many beautiful frescoes. Evidence suggests there was once a left (south) aisle that must have been reached by a door; however, neither the aisle nor the door are traceable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d29095d-8355-42d5-8efa-628bf8243b79/tempImageK6LBNl.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The left (south) wall of the nave included the figures of St Peter and St Nicholas. An Orsini family crest dated 1360 means these frescos likely predate the application of the crest, speaking to the rich history of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f0c22b62-3989-4af7-8628-175daf37442f/tempImagezvKMTf.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The church contains frescos from the Middle Ages (5th to the late 15th centuries) and the Renaissance (14th-17th centuries). This is looking into the expanded right side aisle that contains the 16-panel paintings of St Margaret (left). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71cbf105-5b0b-4e48-846f-f5968a86e4eb/tempImageXBjF4e.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The full 16 panels depicting the life and martyrdom of St Margaret of Antioch, attributed to the disciples of the Roman painter Pietro Cavallini (c. 1240-1330). Margaret was a young Christian woman who refused to renounce her faith or marry the Roman official Olybrius (Ollario). Enraged by her refusal, he had her imprisoned and tortured. She was then swallowed by a dragon‍, but emerged alive when the sign of the cross caused the dragon to burst. When she still would not submit, Olybrius ordered her execution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7352ed14-476c-4ffe-ad20-2c747f8aedac/2008.321.018_1.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out WWII profoundly impacted San Vittore del Lazio due to its position on the Gustav Line, a key German defensive front near Cassino. From late 1943, the area endured intense fighting as part of the broader, brutal Battle for Cassino, with San Vittore serving as a critical, heavily damaged outpost before the main abbey battle in February. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eef02687-8476-461e-b109-6a7283ef407c/2002.337.075_1.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Allied forces, including the US 135th Infantry Regiment, advanced toward the town in early January 1944. Heavy Allied bombings and fierce house-to-house combat to dislodge German forces lead to high civilian casualties and the town’s near-total ruin—roughly 91% of buildings were destroyed. Here a child plays with debris on a San Vittore street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0dc1f689-d4db-47c0-8ce1-885843609cc4/2002.337.384_1.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out San Vittore was liberated on January 6. Here, on January 9, weary American infantrymen enter San Vittore, now quiet with desolation and death after three nightmarish days of ceaseless shelling and bombing preceding its capture. The two-tone spire of Chiesa di San Nicola is visible in the distance. For its wartime ordeal, San Vittore received the Silver Medal for Civil Valor in 2004. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d430f167-6ac5-497a-807f-707259490e78/tempImageFGe80n.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Dave and the two town hall personnel who accompanied us to Chiesa di San Nicola, walking back toward the center of town. The St Mary of the Rose Church belfry is in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/336c80b9-f4b9-42b4-8340-589165b539d0/tempImageOoUsho.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out We grabbed some snacks at an unnamed bar through the white doors located on the small Court of the Saints piazza adjacent to St Mary of the Rose Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b1b6f79-fb6a-4006-95ca-661d931f8587/tempImageATrSYU.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Enjoying our snacks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bdf71b03-2e05-497c-ac75-94875b4de980/tempImageawlS21.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Looking southeast from the Court of the Saints piazza between the bar and St Mary of the Rose Church. I can’t help but imagine these buildings remain very much the same as when Pat and his family lived here (albeit probably repaired following WWII). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c8cea80b-052b-4e62-8428-b2f58ad0d216/tempImageBldAtQ.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The town’s second church, St Mary of the Rose Church. If you scroll back to the top and find the map of the town, this church was marked as “A” and the belfry end once formed the wall of the Castle of San Vittore del Lazio during its medieval period. It was also possible that Pat was baptized in this church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/48b51a6d-73fa-44ac-a603-e06a8e679622/2002.337.380_1.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out WWII damage to St Mary of the Rose Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/851c1e9e-d3cf-413e-9333-61b3d1537361/tempImagecEkt3g.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Following the cobbled streets that were once inside the medieval walled portion of San Vittore del Lazio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e09d1d70-1058-4f99-aa41-79bf3e5e3ca4/tempImage6k83fM.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Likely a prominent family in the town’s history. I can’t quite decipher the inscriptions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40ca56df-dd66-49c7-9c94-6f35eab8f83e/tempImagey0Ngiz.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The streets inside what was once the walled city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04f7b78f-2d16-4b9c-973a-75d268789af0/tempImageJpkQpk.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Walking the old town streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cf25cf44-9c71-4176-a325-1a3a21c97f25/tempImagebXQ679.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out The only remaining gateway from the old walled city (the red arrow from the map above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fbb679dc-89ab-4a3c-8f86-c6aa47f58c23/tempImagepgQ6s0.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out In front of the municipal water fountain in Town Hall Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49132c9d-7fb0-42dc-ae6a-e0a785266445/tempImageU2eSgY.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out As we depart town on foot, looking back at the belfry on St Mary of the Rose Church and a second unnamed square belfry near Town Hall Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ceb70e3a-2e4c-4753-92bd-354cc37f6139/tempImageOtk18r.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Looking back on San Vittore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/43420ce2-0b51-4aef-8994-2a5165a2f008/tempImageartprT.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out It was a tremendous privilege to visit this significant place of family history; farewell San Vittore del Lazio! We hope to learn more once we access the town records. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/626562d6-f539-4843-b685-f492f1ade9ba/tempImageL4pLRN.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out We successfully boarded a Cotral (Compagnia Trasporti Lazio) bus from the traffic circle below San Vittore del Lazio and rode it back into Cassino, where we ate an early dinner at Trattoria Locanda D’amore del 2011 (Inn/Restaurant of Love, Since 2011). We started with red wine (Dave), an Abbey of Montecassino golden ale (alba) beer (Steve), acqua frizzante (fizzy water), and fresh olives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/89717e33-5ca8-4d17-ab23-2fbbf4179d2d/tempImageg3WOqb.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out For dinner I had cime di rape (turnip greens), hummus, bread with olive oil, bruschetta, and grilled zucchini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4394113-9447-4895-bb57-0453f129ef2d/tempImage3xIlmi.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out After dinner we had an espresso, which—at 3:20 pm—was a regrettable choice for me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c24a4536-eeb8-4a4c-86e5-4dfb3e9ef42c/tempImageVkqag9.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out Walking back through downtown Cassino we caught a glimpse of the Abbey of Montecassio on the hilltop and Carolina’s peach condominium complex just visible on the hillside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5ffdf49e-837a-4cd7-8b9e-29823783befb/tempImage48N12F.jpg Blog - San Vittore del Lazio - Make it stand out A closer look at the Abbey of Montecassio and Carolina’s home. What an absolutely amazing day and one we shall cherish forever! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/montecasino monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/be4a5a28-eccd-4a42-9dfd-c48a78e8048d/tempImagezsXRO5.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5bdcd91a-8663-4790-890d-e2f572375ac1/tempImageuEvt63.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out On Tuesday morning we checked out of our hotel and walked back to the Roma Termini train station. As would become our pattern, we began our day at the cappuccino bar, normale for Dave and soia for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff27a6d5-fb94-4f12-acdd-0aee20e18c9c/tempImagedLh4U8.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Dave walking toward our Trenitalia regional train to Cassino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1e02a6c1-a751-43d2-acd1-940e390dc72c/tempImagegNSJiD.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out I contemplate the meaning of life as our train rolls south toward Cassino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bdb2cd55-f763-4f62-b410-d345749a430a/tempImagefb2QNv.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out An hour and a half later, we arrived in Cassino, where we were met by our Airbnb host Carolina who most graciously offered to pick us up and drive us to her house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/796e17d1-eca4-4543-8945-6dbba91585fe/tempImageAsWK8l.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Dave had been studying Italian for some time and did an exceptional job communicating with Carolina. She inquired if we needed food for dinner and drove us to a local Conad, the largest supermarket chain in Italy. Dave made me carry out the groceries! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9197a9a-3379-415d-a178-f2e28bd0d087/tempImagewKfcQ1.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out After the grocery store, Carolina started toward the house and then inquired about lunch. We had to admit we had failed to purchase food for lunch. She immediately changed course and drove us to Forno Lanni where we purchased slices of pizza (pictured). A Lanni oven (forno Lanni) is a traditional wood-fired brick oven for pizza and bread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b152c5c6-404e-46ea-ab11-e59be0fb5450/tempImagecN7UyH.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out As if she had not been helpful enough, Carolina told us to eat our lunch and then she would drive us up the zig-zag road to the Abbey of Montecassino, high on the hilltop above her house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/70c559d2-01d0-4192-b1cf-5c31e892a93a/tempImageLKNCoQ.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Located on the site of the ancient Roman town of Casinum, the abbey is the first house of the Benedictine Order, having been established by Benedict of Nursia himself around 529 CE. It was for the community of Monte Cassino that the Rule of Saint Benedict was composed. Under this alter are the sacred relics of its founder St Benedict and his sister St Scholastica. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9e7f7ed-8cf2-464e-b8e5-1ec787fcaef8/tempImageYulIyy.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out The monastery was sacked, abandoned, and then rebuilt in 570 and 883, before entering its golden age in the 11th and 12th centuries. The buildings were later destroyed by an earthquake in 1349, rebuilt in 1454, and sacked by the French in 1799. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e500661-acbf-4e9b-9e21-50bbf414f732/tempImageKxwmsj.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out On February 15, 1944, it was nearly destroyed in a series of heavy, American-led air raids during the Battle of Monte Cassino, under the mistaken believe that Nazis were occupying the monastery and its high ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/948cc40e-ae8d-4b75-9ea9-4f8f3e615d62/1-montecassino-visita-guidata-qm9rgh4ny7f2dgam71fizj3s304gj5z3mp1qllv1xk.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out What we see today was largely rebuilt in the 1950s and 60s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67f0f62e-00e8-4f6d-abba-51fe18648d3c/tempImageVDqIqF.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Lovely detailed mosaic tiles line the ceiling as we depart the crypt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ddc5994-9d90-43c6-a656-1519dbce39db/tempImageP4HlQF.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out “Mawage. Mawage is what brings us togethah today. Mawage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/50d9cd54-0f01-4958-8cfb-f3c0ce3f89d5/tempImageKCYYnV.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out Desperate not put out Carolina further, we walked from the abbey back to her Airbnb. Our path occasionally followed the Cammino di Sa Benedetto (St. Benedict’s Way), a long-distance pilgrimage route in central Italy. Despite the long walk, it was overall a light day with only 14,500 steps and 6.8 miles recorded. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a62c28dc-2bcb-4155-a03a-419b710f0339/tempImageuzxTB8.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out After a solid first day, here we are back in our kitchen with gnocchi in pesto, minestrone soup, fresh bread, and a bottle of red. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d272360-c4f0-440d-a4a7-8a978573b8d3/tempImagemtiCLH.jpg Blog - Montecassino - Make it stand out For dessert, Dave picked up this little bottle of Amaro—a popular Italian liqueur—from the Abbey gift shop (those saucy monks). Amaro is Italian for “bitter” (Amaretto means "a little bitter") and refers to the sweet but subtly bitter, nutty flavor from apricot kernels or almonds steeped in alcohol. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/rome monthly 0.5 2026-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/474bc5f6-9c63-4a56-887b-892412ae9987/IMG_5599.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/efd31224-5388-4f61-8add-c82e39f130d9/IMG_5546.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Boarding ITA Airways flight AZ621 at LAX on Sunday, January 4. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d9ac93d-d955-4d46-a1ff-bed25f3ec446/IMG_5549.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Riding the Leonardo Express from Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport to the Roma Termini train station. Domus Aurea by Exe Hotels was a three-block walk from there. Domus Aurea is Latin for Golden Home and a reference to Emperor Nero's lavish residence in ancient Rome. Our hotel was decidedly not lavish, but very pleasant all the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e153fcc9-d8b9-472c-ba95-44d7058dac3f/IMG_5552.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Across the street we ate at Rifugio Romano. We were both surprised to learn it was a popular all-vegan restaurant. My cacio e pepe was creamy deliciousness! Because we were in Italy, after dinner we were obliged to have an espresso to power us through the remainder of the long day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/594f5eef-4494-4a21-a678-b39f291a19c1/IMG_5555.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out A city bus dropped us near Trevi Fountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/78327dfa-2d46-42ef-acd0-fc18eaf4d6f0/IMG_5560.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out We then walked to the Spanish Steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1257a0e-86ff-4a96-896d-841177ebabb6/IMG_5564.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out On the portico of Trinità dei Monti (Church of the Most Holy Trinity on the Hill) looking down the Spanish Steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7de9d366-1678-4505-861d-3c988c36a430/IMG_5565.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out As this was Twelfth Night, it was the final day for Christmas Decorations on the Steps and down Via delle Carrozze (carriage street). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/115856a2-8519-4691-b391-8f8bebd52682/IMG_5566.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out The dome of Famiglia Valtellinese Di Roma (Family from Valtellina in Rome) in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/374fac1b-c6e7-452f-ae65-b6f49a698cac/IMG_5569.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Dave booked us a great nighttime walking tour that began here at the Largo de Torre Argentina sunken square, which includes the ruins of the Curia of Pompey, marked by the tall columns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a92487e1-907d-43b4-af06-80b3bc49cc7c/IMG_5570.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Beware the Ides of March - The Curia of Pompey, which served as the temporary Senate house, was a large hall within the Theatre of Pompey. It was here on March 15, 44 BCE, that Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of senators. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6042a697-91ea-4218-927e-d1a775ef7603/IMG_5571.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out The tour guide pointed out that SPQR is a famous Latin initialism for Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, meaning The Senate and the People of Rome, emphasizing the dual authority of the aristocratic Senate and the Roman citizens in the government of their Republic. It still appears today on public buildings, official emblems, and even this utility cover—a sign of continuity in Roman identity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/496e73e7-26a1-49a1-80e7-08a94cd96c08/IMG_5577.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out The rain coming down as the group surveys the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (left) and Santa Maria in Aracoeli Basilica (right). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e94de4a3-8e53-4162-bbfe-88d5eab22729/IMG_5581.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Overlooking the Roman Forum, a vast field of ancient temples and civic buildings, and the Palatine Hill, once the site of imperial palaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36e70a2a-974b-46e9-aac6-b9a1ea925f5f/IMG_5593.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Statue of Julius Caesar with the bell tower of the Senatorial Palace in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/65b53233-6ec6-4d32-885d-7c2e75679f13/IMG_5594.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out The tour ended at the Colosseum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f27a367d-7a51-47a0-9a7d-ed8042f989bb/IMG_5598.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Illuminated after dark, the Colosseum takes on a dramatic presence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5a3878e5-97c6-483d-bf81-154e7715edbe/IMG_5601.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/62800cd2-7cba-4067-93e8-63b943a0430f/IMG_5602.jpeg Blog - Rome - Make it stand out We took a short ride on the Metro back to Roma Termini and our hotel for some well-earned rest. This red metro sign shows up at the end of the Rome sequence of the 2023 film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/our-last-day monthly 0.5 2025-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cd74e7f2-39a4-4e5b-8d66-5e0e969dfef4/IMG_5405.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out After breakfast at the Union Square Tompkins Square Bagels shop, the subway delivered us inside The Oculus at the World Trade Center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4fde421a-4c24-432b-8e75-86e41fb9dfb3/IMG_5406.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out Outside The Oculus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d64f28c7-807d-4640-b8e8-7ca320627fc7/IMG_5408.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out In front of the North Tower Pool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/51db299a-b3bd-49f4-bce7-86deb3e9623f/IMG_5409.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out Pointing out Dora Marie Menchaca on the South Tower Pool, a victim of Flight 77 and friend of Elizabeth Brockett (the pool was undergoing maintenance). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8dd0f09-fd4b-425e-b2fd-bc5d4b304637/IMG_5413.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out After touring the 9/11 Museum, we returned to our hotel for our bags, took the LIRR from Penn Station back to Jamaica Station, and the JFK AirTrain to Terminal 4 for our 8:20 p.m. flight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/efe00b12-ba99-4529-b749-226b1207dd94/IMG_5416.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out Will was picking up his bag from the TSA conveyor belt when he found a dime on the floor. This was Will’s third dime and our fifth for the trip. Amanda and Will each also found quarters from Grandma Nini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/329671e4-d5d9-4785-aefd-5715d39185dc/IMG_5417.jpeg Blog - Final Day - Make it stand out 70K steps and 32 miles of walking later, on board Delta 685 bound for San Diego. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/ice-skating monthly 0.5 2025-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a151a14e-88d6-4238-b57c-3796752bbf8a/IMG_5296.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out On Thursday morning we returned to the friendly staff at the Upper East Side Tompkins Square Bagels. This time Steve had the Beyond Delight—Just egg, Beyond meat, Stockeld cheddar & drizzled Sriracha on an everything bagel. This became Steve and Karina’s absolute favorite! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5a560696-0844-4ee8-a851-26671ac75869/IMG_5298.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Descending back into the subway on our way to the East 90th St ferry terminal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/44f81e02-89ed-4236-b2fa-90fa6fb08c51/IMG_5300.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The ferry is a true bargain at only $4.50 to ride from 90th to Lower Manhattan. Here is Karina nearing the south end of Roosevelt Island and the Queensboro Bridge, inspiring me to sing the opening theme to The King of Queens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e43e8627-d5a9-4860-8684-b16783ed68f3/IMG_5302.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The Eagle + West apartments in Brooklyn look like stacks of moving boxes, haphazardly jumbled in two big piles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8564b16b-d224-4f88-8631-b3a94845cb6b/IMG_5304.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The Empire State Building from East River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9fc3180b-1b4e-47c5-a2c5-295369227cf2/IMG_5308.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Unfazed by the freezing wind, Karina was the only person on the boat’s deck who was not bundled under layers of clothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/008b59e0-8048-44f5-b5fb-e0963bf347b4/IMG_5313.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out After passing under the famous Brooklyn Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72195109-b315-40cc-a2a6-c6650603a38a/IMG_5314.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Amanda and the Brooklyn Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/319326ec-0b11-41e8-96e5-ab0899f605f6/IMG_5317.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Steve and the Brooklyn Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b997ec9f-e1ba-47fa-b309-33fc485a3ce1/IMG_5319.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Nearing the end of our journey at Pier 11/Wall St. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2718307e-a697-46b0-a20c-4f0082bcdfd3/IMG_5323.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The waterside promenade was closed for construction, so views of the Statue of Liberty were limited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5ebd1a5f-14d3-4c38-86e8-4a44f77f2436/IMG_5327.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Lady Liberty in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/779e7ca0-13b8-41a9-a445-6333f9471e50/IMG_8987.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out From the southern tip of the island, we took the subway north to 66 Perry St in the West Village, better known as Carrie Bradshaw's Upper East Side apartment in Sex and the City. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d0801bed-27cb-4336-847b-064449802598/IMG_5331.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Carrie wasn’t home, so we walked to Washington Square Park in nearby Greenwich Village—a favorite filming location from Karina’s favorite Law & Order: SVU. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d62c3ac4-f409-455a-83f8-e7a46d5133ea/IMG_5336.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out City workers were busy putting up a Christmas tree in front of Washington Arch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/17e9bb3f-caa3-4ceb-8142-3c4e40c2bf49/IMG_5338.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Will watching skateboarders inside the empty Washington Square Fountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eea97558-a9f9-43e3-8d4f-9968e1c17b01/IMG_5342.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out From the park we walked two blocks to Third Rail Coffee for a yummy afternoon pick-me-up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac15948c-d7f1-4bea-a010-053962c6a3c5/IMG_5343.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out An evening view of World Trade Center (aka Freedom Tower)—the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. We happened to pass REI on Lafayette St, so we had to pop in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d133e7a9-de2e-4f9f-90a0-f263d71b0ad1/IMG_5344.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Instagram influencer Remy from Veggiekins and owner of Frauth Matcha recommended Matchaful on Mulberry St, so this was high on Amanda’s list of places to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d51cc58a-da7b-4652-ac2c-12d5747c46b3/IMG_5348.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Our two iced matcha lattes were delicious, but Karina tried the Winter Special Mindful Mint and that ended up being the real hit. (4g Hikari Ceremonial Matcha, peppermint extract, coconut butter, Madagascar vanilla bean, housemade oat milk, & maple syrup) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/399a808a-239e-48f2-b1a0-ced32bc0b489/IMG_3080.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Amanda was craving her own warm Winter Special Mindful Mint matcha. Here she is inside the Spring St subway station on our way to dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eeb2d972-c793-4ccd-b678-85abfcdfb4ff/IMG_5361.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out John Pucciatti, an immigrant from Umbria, Italy, opened John’s of 12th Street. in 1908, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in the East Village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4c7a304e-e675-4d48-8c52-3adb89e5914d/IMG_5350.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out These famous candles were used to alert customers of police presence when the restaurant served as a prohibition-era speakeasy. Those candles are still lit every night at John’s and have burned up almost a century’s worth of wax—a metaphor for the long history of John’s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5db2f4eb-5197-4bb9-b20d-757be209fbdb/IMG_5352.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Ready to tuck in! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/435221d5-36a1-4417-b927-0281c358d71a/IMG_5359.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Will had homemade lasagna. Karina had this vegan ravioli with fire-roasted tomatoes, spinach & tofu in a vegan alfredo sauce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/065a2507-a3d4-4d29-9561-3b2d7fde8078/IMG_5358.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Amanda had seitan parmigiana with vegan cheese. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d1917f2-23b2-4e4e-8512-6d37ac53c015/IMG_5357.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Steve had John’s Vegan Ragu over housemade vegan pappardelle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6fe7fb0c-e6ca-4d6b-bb58-ef6de480583c/IMG_5360.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The vegan tiramisu!, served in the traditional non-baked style, was phenomenal! After dinner we took the 6 Train north to Bryant Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90cf03a5-636c-4aea-a54b-a41cb9ee8276/IMG_5365.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The blue-lit spire of One Bryant Park—better known as the Bank of America Tower—soars above the entrance to Bryant Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ca1e5c6c-7344-441d-9437-fd87930251c0/IMG_5370.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Will enjoying a hot chocolate with Baileys at the Winter Village at Bryant Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afb8d0e1-6724-497c-9e22-0da9e3eb9fd7/IMG_8995.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out With almost an hour to spare before our ice-skating reservation, escaping the cold at Connolly’s Irish Pub (121 W 45th St) was irresistible. Here’s Will showing off his new Yankees cap and a Christmas present for Lauren. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b264528-36cc-481e-ac24-4eb18855fce6/IMG_5377.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Nearing 11 p.m., we arrived at Rockefeller Center and the astonishing Christmas tree. Amanda found a Loft just outside a subway station and bought a sparkly sweater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/53ea45f3-ee01-4ead-9a4e-4f33d623dccc/IMG_5382.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Half way around The Rink At Rockefeller Center in front of Prometheus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f682cb9-96a2-4ee0-8d05-1ed96ae56e05/IMG_5386.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out On the ice under the gorgeous Christmas tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a19c40c-a29c-45c3-80b0-ed1008461d2d/IMG_5395.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Looking up from The Rink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b093a23-8a1d-43ba-8edc-5583e5e1d351/IMG_5393.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Bucket List ✅ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b643fd31-70da-4c39-856b-a2fef2bbe565/IMG_5391.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/101dadd3-e5aa-4ab4-a9b5-f1b088b30fd5/IMG_5397.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/299d1d5d-c89c-46f4-9707-6849244f53c8/IMG_5399.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out The wide-angle lens distorts things a bit, but the perspective is fantastic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4b5f430e-0548-486f-b58f-082e3da71d7c/IMG_5401.jpeg Blog - Ice Skating - Make it stand out Walking past Macy’s on 34th St on our way back to our hotel after a wonderful day filled with delicious bagels, beautiful sites, & lovely matcha and an evening filled with tasty food, warming drinks, and an amazing night of ice skating under the world’s most magnificent Christmas tree! ❤️ U NYC! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/hp-night monthly 0.5 2025-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/787cb875-fb02-44fb-901b-497023aabf18/IMG_5184.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out We started Wednesday by taking the subway to the Upper East Side store of the famous bagel shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e55b7b3-479d-448f-a106-fc38e8b4e466/IMG_5177.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/32a5c6ad-e09b-4a14-8839-66ec235345a9/IMG_5182.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Steve had The Salino—Beyond meat, avocado, tofu scallion spread & sprouts on an everything bagel. Amazing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8584ae64-4433-4a56-a1b6-492111fd4449/IMG_5183.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will had the Chuck D—Sirloin, egg & American cheese on a plain bagel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/822261dc-4363-480f-a3ac-ff0e929aa062/IMG_5179.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Amen! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/153eed43-8066-4055-be52-bafa0a576ad8/IMG_5185.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will being Will as we walk from Tompkins toward Central Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ccbc5d76-3881-4ebc-bac1-2fc940015674/IMG_5191.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out In Central Park standing on Bethesda Terrace with the Bethesda Fountain behind us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6c13b92c-e71d-495a-add1-38efdb252567/IMG_5194.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Squinting in front of the angel sculpture at the Bethesda Fountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a3cc4293-141f-40bd-9bf3-74259f0efa71/IMG_5203.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Standing on Bow Bridge in Central Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b75161b2-c608-426b-9799-2aed01554809/IMG_5208.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will standing on Cherry Hill in Central Park with The San Remo apartment building as a backdrop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2db095cb-65ba-4318-8033-fca2692b81dd/IMG_5210.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Lovely autumn colors in Central Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/830df559-83a4-4cc5-b685-000a18d36a94/IMG_3046.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out More autumn color https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/259e7391-c0a4-4976-a837-cb6fbe444a95/IMG_8957.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2097a3fb-1e1e-4cbd-84d8-185117142240/IMG_8970.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Autumn gold in Central Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/43604fb6-b157-406d-a5e5-a85118f25b27/IMG_5217.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Overlooking Wollman Rink in Central Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d6845ef1-0c48-4b24-816d-682ddebda408/IMG_5218.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Overlooking Wollman Rink in Central Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cd1b2af2-40d7-4e4d-aa9c-dfddc6401592/IMG_5221.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Standing on Pinebank Arch, the bridge from which Michael and Buddy the Elf were pelted with snowballs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b381e4a-a54b-4c3a-a3d5-e263c44cf8b1/IMG_8967.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out In front of Pinebank Arch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e033f7a9-33d0-45b9-886a-7e77126e89ce/IMG_8963.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out In front of Pinebank Arch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f985b3f0-145d-45fb-a409-74a363a7800b/IMG_5225.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out From Central Park, we rode the subway for Will to visit the Yankees Clubhouse at 745 7th Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2d8032f-2c14-42be-9a57-6dbf59f72b2e/IMG_5227.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Christmas lights outside Grand Central Terminal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4d3a53b8-e71c-4cf2-8157-670c46b9ee77/IMG_5231.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out On the south landing overlooking the iconic Main Concourse inside Grand Central Terminal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/92337cfa-21dd-4a62-868d-bc684c02c3ef/IMG_0703.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Downstairs we found some phenomenal vegan options at the famous Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/03e51dfa-3571-4469-b466-95f9cd93fd9e/IMG_8978.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out A gorgeous Christmas tree outside Grand Central Terminal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c67c9e04-bfa0-428b-9ec8-e94053771e91/IMG_5241.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out From Grand Central Terminal, we walked to The North Face store to get Steve a NYC shirt. On display was the same jacket Amanda had purchased earlier in the year for our trip to Netherlands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e5a509d-428f-4f9c-87b4-72f540d08eb6/IMG_5251.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out In front of Radio City Music Hall while Will shops inside the MLB Flagship Store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d37d3a7-2c9a-4296-862d-330df3e15f5c/IMG_5243.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out An American architectural icon, 30 Rockefeller Center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0668d513-5008-4bb4-b02a-93a8a687a673/IMG_5257.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out We had an amazing dinner at Valla Table, 641 10th Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db5cc2c9-0551-4cc1-a40a-b5958a2e538e/IMG_5435.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Our fashionista outside Valla Table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1a1bf99-8d06-4378-9500-adb029388ec6/IMG_5259.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Karina had curry with charred cauliflower, crispy tofu & peanuts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c99798d4-fc74-4c30-8fb9-d7cbc9bd3e31/IMG_5261.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will had beef noodle soup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5ecfb599-5f44-4ccb-bfe5-84b5af9f039f/IMG_5258.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Amanda had Pad See Ew with mock duck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/692d907c-6779-43e1-a09d-cb4f5117823f/IMG_5262.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Steve had mock duck, green curry & Thai eggplant. We were all incredibly pleased with our dinners—10 out of 10! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a6f357b-a6de-4f4d-9865-163e844c86bf/IMG_5264.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Approaching the Lyric Theatre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ffa612e-d8bf-4e80-9d02-d5f5d6be3663/IMG_5263.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Outside Lyric Theatre https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0913702a-300f-431a-b07b-5d4b1e8fb07e/IMG_5267.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Next to our amazing seats at the front, center of the Dress Circle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/89a5cc7c-48be-4961-806d-12deddd28235/Screenshot+2025-12-11+at+21.06.55.png Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The idea for this trip began when we learned Tom Felton would be reprising his role as Draco Malfoy on Broadway. Thanks for the wonderful Christmas inspiration Tom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/278c7e41-36d8-484b-82d9-95ec452342ac/IMG_5269.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The opening stage set as Platform 9¾ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe784cb3-f0bd-45f8-8c9c-ef4ace311137/IMG_5270.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will after purchasing a Scorpius Malfoy wand and finding a dime (#2) on the bespoke Harry Potter carpet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aac81413-043b-4abd-b6f3-f5cf29c8278d/IMG_5278.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The Lyric Theatre underwent a massive renovation for the play including bespoke carpets, wallpaper, ceiling, etc. The carpets feature a H motif for Hogwarts, surrounded by a Gryffindor sword, Ravenclaw quill, Syltherin venom or pure blood, and Hufflepuff leaf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1854f5dd-8182-4b37-b750-82991ae0f759/IMG_8982.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Ready for the show to begin! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/30567407-521d-4d1e-bd6e-1be9d8dd8ace/IMG_5272.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The stage following the very dramatic end of Act 1. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5ce8d56e-5544-4aff-b104-f97d2f5edb2f/IMG_5274.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The Voldemort Day banner hung in the lobby during the intermission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99f22d0f-1790-4bf9-8c31-bbb734fb5675/IMG_5276.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The stage set for Voldemort Day, ready for the beginning of Act 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c416c73-5b90-4e23-bd59-f6795d2a6558/IMG_5280.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Lyric Theatre is two blocks from Times Square. After the amazing show, we enjoyed the neon lights! (Or are they LED now?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5f193bc-5bc0-4874-a9db-08d194d0034d/IMG_5282+%281%29.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out Will found a dime #3 here on the Times Square Red Stairs and Amanda found #4 at the Grandslam store just off camera to the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1eab38a3-c1d6-43b1-ba9f-23087fb98ee5/IMG_5283.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out One night before the December full moon known as the Cold Moon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4916a160-f53d-41da-a16f-c809a0efdbb1/IMG_5289.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out The Times Square Ball above the Kia sign behind us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97dc5a51-4e1e-4535-9af8-cb7dd58405d7/IMG_5294.jpeg Blog - HP Night - Make it stand out We had so much fun the night before, we decided to take the subway from Times Square back to Mustang Harry’s to enjoy the music and festive atmosphere before calling it a night. The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon was live on TV with guest Noah Schnapp (Will from Stranger Things). https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/nyc-bound monthly 0.5 2025-12-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1bc26e1-00c9-47d7-a84f-e3fbca3c9639/IMG_5137.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Steve found his first ever dime while charging the car in Irvine. After Karina got off work, we drove to San Diego and spent the night with the Sianis. We rolled out of bed early on Tuesday to catch our 7:10 a.m. flight to JFK, arriving at 3:40 p.m. ET. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/755776e3-3a8a-45cf-b251-10a4b4ace54f/IMG_5140.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out We took the JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station and then the LIRR to Penn Station. This is our first proper view of NYC, after exiting Penn Station with the Empire State Building just visible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6092c68a-392c-4c89-81e0-1911036360b6/IMG_5141.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out After walking to Fairfield by Marriott, 338 W 36th St and dropping off our bags, we walked to NY Pizza Supreme at 413 8th Ave for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2461bb0d-389f-4ccf-abd1-5ae08c2c29a9/IMG_8946.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out After dinner, with time to kill before our 8:45 p.m. entrance slot at the Empire State Building, we dropped in for drinks at Mustang Harry’s, 352 7th Ave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c3fdfaf6-39fc-430e-ae2b-768ad7785c54/IMG_8950.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Such a great find! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/572f32b3-0b4e-4a45-b13f-c3ae9212245e/IMG_5146.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out The atmosphere was vibrant and festive, making for a truly enjoyable time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bce94c0b-fdc0-4b30-a896-2d4de660e664/IMG_5150.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Walking toward the Empire State Building, the top rising into the clouds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61b94476-ac65-47eb-987c-c2603e385655/IMG_5155.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out A very Instagram moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5037ef5c-da04-46c0-9457-9e648fcdaf18/IMG_8952.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/be32033a-7c8d-4ab0-a90e-9ed569d58299/IMG_3005.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Sadly, the summit was shrouded in clouds with bitterly cold winds whipping around the viewing platform, not a very Sleepless in Seattle moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2600f492-d473-475b-9369-85c2eb5ec684/IMG_5157.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out This is the view we could have had, if the summit hadn’t been socked in clouds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/032142f6-934d-474a-bb35-8ad92dbcaefa/IMG_5162.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out The good thing was the building was empty, so we were able to take photos In front of the iconic relief in the lobby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9b7f5ffe-d0e4-4dc5-9df8-5a8e85f8215d/IMG_5173.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Christmas—such a magical time to visit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e6951b1-347d-4201-8a47-1abc97cba1d9/IMG_3008.jpeg Blog - NYC Bound - Make it stand out Of course, after leaving the building, we looked back and the summit was mostly clear! Good night New York! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/au-revoir-paris monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b16435c-a4cb-4a2c-a181-719de61383fc/tempImageLWmcor.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out After lugging our bags down the stairs, we took the Métro to Gard du Nord and dropped off our bags at a Radical Storage drop-off business. We then made our way to our favorite breakfast spot: Cloud Cakes on the lovely Place St. George. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f241dfb-9330-4f28-a366-a4dacf801b6c/tempImage3QUefo.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Breakfast was amazing as always and we will sorely miss their flaky croissants and pain au chocolat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afbb001a-80a1-4c0b-83ac-7fe8e8475ff9/tempImageWvAdRi.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out One final hot chocolate for Amanda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1014989-c11a-40b5-8551-246bfcc224ec/tempImagehBNL6a.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Amanda bought a mug so we can always remember our go-to breakfast place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7ba7a7e-c0b9-4b44-b2f5-6159e562629c/tempImagewIrK1g.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out After breakfast we went to the hilltop views of Montmartre and the gorgeous Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart) de Montmartre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe335937-185f-4cbd-8c1f-93e589cd81d3/tempImageAPXpBJ.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out I made my way up the stairs while Amanda took the funicular service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/242a21a6-65c3-4926-8b39-eb7c4f196407/tempImagecCtnB7.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out As mentioned in the last previous post, people have found plenty of other places to secure their Parisian love locks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ec96d9f9-1d51-4a77-b29c-b0337306c103/tempImageY9jvDe.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Reunited at the top of the steps. The Eiffel Tower is just out of view to the right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ee25724-dc6a-4a0f-977a-754c3a3dd376/tempImageRdUbnq.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Montmartre was positively teaming with people. The line to enter the beautiful basilica wrapped around two sides of the building, so we quickly abandoned the idea of going inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b396896-0d8b-4ba8-8510-0e581312eafd/tempImagefnOuOU.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Le Consulat is an iconic French restaurant located in the heart of Montmartre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3a34eb9-7adc-445c-82a9-d04211ebf526/tempImageSKoMzR.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Once frequented by famous artists like Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Monet, Toulouse Lautrec, and Utrillo, the restaurant exudes history and charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/06f2c8ca-430d-45ab-be0f-d050af5b60cc/tempImagepM1AFr.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out We sat inside and made a toast to the ghosts of artists gone but not forgotten. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/193f034e-1807-4cdf-8ee2-c6b2acbde8ee/tempImageuzZGPc.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out The name of this restaurant translates as “Feeling Peckish.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/93c61cc6-9f35-480a-b4de-70a96b9b1164/tempImageuXBfy6.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Street artist in Montmartre’s famous Place de Tertre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86dd6f87-f5f3-47d9-a711-5a78b1bcff0a/tempImageFROV8W.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out It is believed that La Maison Rose became famous because of Utrillo paintings. But Élisée Maclet (sadly forgotten) painted La Maison Rose and Montmartre long before Utrillo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f8bd9bc2-f17c-4432-9864-c6059eaa5231/tempImage1gRGvr.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out This iconic spot was frequented by a multitude of artists, including singers who performed in Pigalle and Montmartre cabarets. In the 60s and 70s, film artists, writers, and singers such as Albert Camus, Alain Delon, and Dalida, were clients. Mindy and Emily enjoy a drink and dinner here in S1:E5 of Emily in Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9ec6e40-2b77-490b-83ac-ac20c57018b6/tempImage9bQtJK.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Our final stop in Montmartre was Le mur des je t'aime (Wall of I Love You). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d932bb4c-e947-49ba-ac73-158e788b20f2/tempImageDKbxju.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out I love you in English above our heads. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e5aa8b6-fea1-47f1-8a3f-00acd693928b/tempImageWakfGL.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out The phrase “I love you” is featured 311 times in 250 languages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d10fef5c-7fd4-41bb-b0d3-914b20aed6f0/tempImageOM2zHG.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Amanda noticed Parisians who had their Métro Navigo cards in their purse and simply touched their bags to the sensor. It was a very proud moment when she successfully mimicked this small Parisian life hack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/51a6de20-8910-4f00-9374-b98dccc7dbd6/tempImagegTKU3K.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Raspberry and dark chocolate sorbet at Berthillon, the iconic tea shop on the quaint Île Saint-Louis, the smaller of the two islands in the middle of the Seine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef1566dd-7b86-4cc4-b27a-03845a8ce388/tempImageluAvfH.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out La Chaumière and Le Flore en l'Île are two iconic restaurants on the west end of Île Saint-Louis. Luc chats with Emily about Paris life while seated at Le Flore en l'Île in S1:E1 of Emily in Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/be760717-b6c2-49dd-b667-25903da737b6/tempImageATYVWf.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Standing on Pont Saint-Louis, the bridge that connects the two islands in the Seine—our parting shot of the incomparable Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7ce697c8-9fe3-4af1-be47-efe0a3bcb8b6/tempImageQh19ki.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out At Gare du Nord on the travelator down to the Eurostar train that will take us from Paris to London at speeds up to 186 mph and will make the journey in a little over two hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d2d4b840-d44b-4268-a471-e81e2d7d4881/tempImageGFqjgW.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Even when you make great use of the Paris Métro, which we did, it is still an enormous city and getting around requires a lot of walking. For our five days in Paris we walked just shy of 36 miles (80K+ steps) for an average of 7+ miles a day (16K+ steps). This is why we are traveling internationally now. Keeping up this pace is a younger-person’s game! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1f7b662e-00f7-4165-8659-39ece3ae8b07/tempImagexrCpSq.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out All aboard and headed back to London. In London Eurostar arrives at King’s Cross Station, though sadly not at Platform 9¾. We took our luggage to another Radical Storage so we could enjoy a final dinner at Dishoom, the same place we ate when we arrived in London nearly a month ago. As always, it was a glorious dinner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5c6e168f-3f16-4cf0-8caa-e14f49a1ec66/tempImageLHzaCk.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out After dinner, we retrieved our bags and took a final ride on the London Underground from King’s Cross to Paddington Station. From there, we took the Heathrow Express to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3. There was no shuttle to our hotel, so we took a famous London black cab. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e3fa54e-1026-4861-8e83-136ed08b4471/tempImage3wSIFH.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out In our many trips to London, this was our first time in a black cab. It was actually pretty fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b88911a8-651c-4d12-a6e0-391806049db6/tempImagekHZlKY.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out Our driver may not have been a great photographer, but he delivered us safe and sound to our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fb6f4c8d-aab6-41cc-808b-98aa4dcacf38/tempImageGcOCiN.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Paris - Make it stand out On Friday morning British Airways Flight 265 departed promptly at 11:35 a.m. The Boeing 777-300 landed in San Diego just before 3 p.m. We spent the night with Matt and Erica and the Sianis, and then flew Alaska Airlines to SLO on Saturday morning. It was wonderful to be home, our hearts and minds filled with so many great memories of our adventures in England, Belgium, Netherlands, and Paris! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/une-dame-et-un-homme monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61287956-6367-4414-b1ad-d9ba6326faaa/tempImageyAUcT6.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out After the day of mourning messed up our plans to visit Notre-Dame on Tuesday, Wednesday was our final shot at getting inside. It was a bit like the Walking in Memphis song as we made our way there “in the middle of a pouring rain.” Gratefully, between being earlier in the morning and the rain, there was no queue. However, they still had us run through the full maze of back-and-forth queuing barriers like lab rats, just to ensure we were good and soaked through by the time we made it inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc731b2b-7a39-4e44-a470-f04856a3a914/tempImageYsjnKG.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Notre-Dame is a French phrase meaning Our Lady. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3984969b-ce51-40ad-9997-366d9a95739f/tempImagekX4bpX.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out It will come as no surprise that Catholics place tremendous importance on Mary, a fact that is reflected throughout the cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fbb0fbe4-f329-45ad-b38c-7efdec720957/tempImage4UZBf5.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The large memorial for Pope Francis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/323fe4fa-d131-446b-960a-8f298e054f89/tempImageiOyBph.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f7f80279-97fb-4e78-be62-a9841679c077/tempImagePhbwga.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Notre-Dame Cathedral boasts three magnificent rose windows over its main portals. This is the South Window, also known as the “south rose” or the “midday rose.” It was given to Notre-Dame Cathedral by the King of France Saint Louis IX in 1260. Its theme is the Last Judgment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33419081-b37a-416a-9e7c-86e3a9994a07/tempImageOlYeFp.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The North Rose Window was crafted around 1250. It is the only rose window to retain its original glass, with most of the 13th century glasswork still intact. It depicts Mary enthroned holding the Christ Child. Surrounding them are images of kings and prophets of the Old Testament, with 16 prophets in the inner circle of medallions and 32 kings and judges in the outer circle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1ebeb7e9-74d8-4b40-93a1-70dd79e6bfd6/tempImagekccKeF.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The reverse of both sides of the choir are covered in detailed screens of various Bible stories. The partial relief on the left is the wedding in Cana, followed by the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the Last Supper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d391be34-562d-4f53-908c-56b19dabf2a4/tempImageodHXtk.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visiting her cousin Elizabeth, herself pregnant with John the Baptist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/84d07020-5e88-4bcf-84ca-5eb6e7ae0f52/tempImageTNPD0M.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The risen Christ (holding a shovel?) appears to Mary Magdalene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5610cfab-882c-4865-a9d4-6fc173cbd676/tempImage3ysN7Z.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The high alter features a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding her crucified son with angels attending. A gold cross, which does not have the figure of Christ hanging on it, stands above. Out of devotion to the Virgin Mary, King Louis XIII wished to have a new high altar constructed for Notre-Dame. This vow was realized by Louis XIV in the 18th century. To honor both kings, the statue on the right is of Louis XIII, kneeling, offering his royal crown to the Virgin. Just barely visible on the left is Louis XIV in coronation attire imploring the Virgin, with his right hand on his chest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7200019-a41f-4c3c-b627-78a0db506247/000_1fp2s4.jpg.png Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Though blacked with soot, miraculously the high alter survived the ravages of the massive 2019 fire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/254f30bd-0251-4a41-b523-1501fc87ae66/tempImageyk6Tqi.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Notre-Dame Cathedral claims to hold relics that include Jesus’ crown of thorns, a nail from the True Cross, and a sliver of the True Cross. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d09a1ad9-eb77-454c-8608-718c25f96e61/tempImage4OKNgp.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The relics are held inside this reliquary, an altarpiece of marble and cedar wood. The radiant halo symbolizes Notre-Dame’s rebirth as a cathedral of light. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3bafcbf6-f278-49a3-8e05-a73559014490/190418071542-01-notre-dame-relics-rescue-intl.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out On December 13, 2024, the crown of thorns was returned to Notre-Dame, marking a deeply moving moment for Parisians and pilgrims alike. The relic, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, had been stored at the Louvre since the blaze. The return procession, attended by over 400 members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, saw the crown—held by a knight in full regalia—walk from the Louvre to Notre-Dame, drawing crowds of onlookers. Surrounding the crown are intricately designed gilded bronze thorns, evoking the crown’s Byzantine roots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/652b8e12-82e5-4eb8-84c0-908727811127/90.png Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The crown, acquired by King Louis IX in 1239, was originally housed at Sainte-Chapelle before being moved to Notre-Dame in 1806. Beginning on January 10 of this year, the crown is displayed every Friday (as shown above). We were not in Paris on a Friday, and so could not have seen it on display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2dd505af-f1e9-4c5b-86a4-b530cd288391/tempImagefDaurj.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out I found The Count and Countess of Harcourt sculpture strangely captivating. Henri-Claude d’Harcourt was the sixth son of Henri, Duke of Harcourt, Marshal of France, who passed away in 1718. A count and lieutenant-general of the king’s armies. Upon his death in 1769, his widow, Marie-Magdeleine Thibert des Martrais, Countess of Chiverny, wished to honor him. Her wealth allowed her to commission a renowned artist: the sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df9223c2-7bf0-4651-9b5f-07bb274a6495/Notre-Dame_mausolee-comte-harcourt_vue-ensemble.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Her instructions to Pigalle: “At one end of the sarcophagus will be the guardian angel of the said Lord Count of Harcourt who, seeing the said Lady Countess of Harcourt approaching, will lift the stone of the tomb with one hand and hold the torch of Hymen [wedding torch] with the other; Mr. the Count, who, after appearing to come back to life for a moment by the warmth of his torch, will free himself from his shroud and extend his languishing arms to his wife… Behind Mr. the Count will be Death holding a hourglass to show Mrs. the Countess that her time has come. Mrs. the Countess, at the foot of the sarcophagus, will express through her posture the impatience she has to reunite with her husband; at the sight of this reunion, the guardian angel will extinguish the torch of Hymen [wedding torch].” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/abd870ad-36c3-4157-b332-d0b70f7fca5a/tempImage40BSgN.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1dd61512-5199-489e-ab30-91291a5666a2/tempImagee4EWGy.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The cathedral has been beautifully restored following the fire and I’m so glad we were able to visit. I’m sure many will be upset by my next comment, but my overall impression was ho-hum. Of the many cathedrals we have visited, this was one of the least interesting, I’m sorry to say. Perhaps on such a drab and dreary day there was no light streaming in through the many stained-glass windows. Whatever the cause, my overall impression was underwhelm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7239b777-938a-417d-a589-3b4b48e650de/tempImager8NmeH.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Just outside of Notre-Dame Cathedral embedded in the concrete of the public square is a small geographic marker known as Kilometer Zero. It is the starting point from which distances are measured to other cities in France. The marker reads, “Point zero for the roads of Paris.” This point was established by King Louis XV in 1769. The brass plaque from the center was likely removed while heavy construction was underway on the cathedral and replaced with this metal plate. Presumably, the brass plaque will be returned soon, as construction is winding down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef81dff5-5de0-4e17-8d33-42ae2f89dd4c/tempImage2jXoaF.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out About 1/10 of a kilometer from Kilometer Zero on the Left Bank of the Seine is the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, which routinely advertises its location within the radius of Kilometer Zero Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae31f4c9-b7c4-4627-a356-5c54e4780cee/tempImagerLKJwe.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out After the locks were removed from Pont des Arts (bridge), people have found many other places to leave their Parisian love locks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/66357b31-b2f0-46e6-acd3-03614806be7a/tempImageyFHIa4.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out One more thing on our list: see Monet’s Water Lilies. We were less fortunate when queuing to get inside the Musée de l'Orangerie. After an hour standing in the rain, we finally made it inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d622c2ae-5089-473d-91be-c798c1657aad/tempImageHRLtMi.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Though while standing in line we questioned several times whether it was worth it or not, we were very glad we stuck it out. To see the murals in person is an exceptional experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/09949d4c-85cd-449a-8356-938f4379e75a/tempImagejOkjly.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out From the very beginnings of his great project, Monet imagined a panoramic arrangement "enveloping the whole interior in its unity.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e926835c-f104-4f5f-b8da-ff646ff95032/tempImageCYQKtk.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out The Musée de l'Orangerie houses eight of the great Nymphéas (Water Lilies) compositions, created from panels assembled side by side. These compositions are all the same height (6.5 feet) and are hung across the curved walls of the two elliptical rooms, enhanced by the east-west alignment of the museum and natural light filtering in through the ceiling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d261d3b4-aa22-434a-9949-58363f0effe2/tempImageO1piGd.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out In the end, by drawing up successive plans for the space that would accommodate the Water Lilies, he was able to clarify and refine his ideas, moving "from a circle to an oval, and finally to a double ellipse [two adjoining rooms] forming the symbol for infinity.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55e3fae7-bd97-4af1-89e9-bfa959135a07/tempImagej462H5.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out We particularly enjoyed the panels with trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a07b49d7-681e-47df-a445-7e5db31b5738/tempImagen0RFJ4.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0da39599-775a-4ebb-a825-2a2d2ae88f98/tempImagehKTvdo.jpg Blog - Notre-Dame & l’Orangerie - Make it stand out After the museum we finally had breakfast, and then returned to our apartment to pack and get ready for our Thursday departure from Paris and return to London. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/triomphe-amp-tribulation monthly 0.5 2025-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa931440-3afd-45eb-bc49-569ba51f8f58/tempImageKX6Sb9.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Tuesday was dedicated to the simple purpose of waiting in the long line to get inside the newly reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral. As you probably know, Pope Francis died on Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday is a public holiday in France. So what do you suppose the country’s most significant Catholic Church did all day Tuesday? Yep! We got up early and made the journey down to the cathedral only to find a person with a bullhorn telling everyone the cathedral was closed for a day of mourning and mass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f04311e5-c33f-4b32-97ac-9332ab230354/tempImageNLBBDx.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out We quickly switched over to our Wednesday agenda and headed for the Arc de Triomphe. Amanda agreed to go up only if there was a lift. The website said there was, so she agreed. Here are some of the 284 steps up to the terrace. Turns out the lift was reserved for people with limited mobility only. As you can see, my lovely bride was less than thrilled with the climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86ded9a5-4f91-4461-9703-e6d125ba2d20/tempImage7B0HuM.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Once on top, Amanda had to reluctantly agree that this is probably the best viewpoint in all of Paris. This is looking down Avenue des Champs-Élysées. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/de3fabf7-6a8e-4a0b-a713-94d880326c11/tempImageIWPI6K.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out The Eiffel Tower is much higher, but there is something about the Arc’s central position with all the grand boulevards like radiating spokes that really makes the view extra special. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b3389eb-14ee-48c2-87b0-1025ff9a0d5e/tempImage9DGD0E.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out With rain forecasted for Wednesday, the cathedral being closed was a blessing in disguise, as we had gorgeous weather today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b5719a93-2944-47d9-82a2-f64c34e00974/tempImageTHM36c.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f140f6d7-0099-4274-a038-fe5174bafe0d/tempImageXEJ29F.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Montmartre and Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on the hill in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/736750c0-4a7e-416c-8edf-ffa5bf37e5e0/tempImagejUzDCD.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Beneath the Arc de Triomphe, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds an unidentified member of the French armed forces killed during the First World War to symbolically commemorate all soldiers who have died for France throughout history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/619053e7-c611-42ab-9abd-e255e5d4d7f3/tempImageudQltG.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Afterward we strolled down Champs-Élysées. Here we saw they were doing a complete make over on the Yves Saint Laurent store. Checkout how they covered the façade while they work! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bcce8ff6-c9f3-44cc-883c-b898cd8c604b/tempImageuYiX6V.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out From the triumph of the Arc to the sadness of the Place de la Concorde. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/af5487e6-844a-48dd-8bd0-4094920eb1b3/tempImagep9f2WT.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out These days the country and city prefer to emphasize the artistic obelisk and twin fountains, but this was the square was one of three spaces where people were executed by the guillotine during the French Revolution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/189a403b-e682-4c72-ab8c-66760feaa4be/tempImagedPrYyA.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out The Luxor Obelisks are a pair of ancient Egyptian obelisks over 3,000 years old carved to stand either side of the portal of the Luxor Temple in the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1250 BC). We were shocked to learn that the right-hand (western) stone was moved in 1836 to the Place de la Concorde in Paris, while the left-hand (eastern) obelisk remains in its original location in Egypt. So this obelisk, covered with hieroglyphs celebrating the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, is the genuine article! The bronze plaques on the base illustrate the techniques used for its transport from Egypt to Paris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e521b09a-179f-4e81-a9e0-d36859edbdad/tempImage5DUM4h.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Of the 2,498 persons guillotined in Paris during the Revolution, 1,119 were executed on the Place de la Concorde. This is the plaque commemorating where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0dff2648-e348-482e-ae55-2d69ddc894cf/tempImagemmCstp.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Cool halo around the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aab348dc-24df-49b9-9862-98ccb7c67bb2/tempImage04uHEm.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in front of the Louvre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7445d787-8ced-4ea4-9a11-ce882c11eeb4/tempImageUnDJJt.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0da43409-5cd7-4c77-83cf-ab23028706f0/tempImageRoaucx.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out On the Pont des Artes—the bridge that once had thousands of padlocks attached to it. In 2015, the city removed the locks from the bridge's railings due to safety concerns and structural damage caused by their weight. The locks were replaced with glass panels to (mostly but not entirely) prevent them from being reattached. Behind us is Île de la Cité and Pont Neuf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/116f7688-d9ca-421b-9539-3a81c8ef3d4c/tempImage43xRP5.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Some of the many Bouquinistes of Paris (booksellers of Paris) along the banks of the Seine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85b83e22-e629-4904-9198-4ce60a99f6b1/tempImageAuSkJP.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out One more quick stop in Shakespeare and Company. I love all the things that are not allowed inside and the one thing that is! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/64f4809f-5513-4ba8-afa1-a54acd1957aa/tempImageGjARXD.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out The great western towers of Notre-Dame as seen from Square René Viviani across the Left Bank. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/372a7b6e-827c-4901-84c2-b5d2d114ee57/tempImageZiK3nj.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out A little afternoon snack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/76f4fa66-45ba-437f-9024-8a6a95cd6a67/tempImagemKpJ66.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out We had dinner at MESA de HOY restaurant, which was conveniently close to our apartment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/52410982-bcca-4032-9e8e-8b7d164c33f2/tempImageyEJcTP.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out The front is half café, half flower shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d083c44c-470b-4abc-993a-fe59c24d4354/tempImageEP5cAh.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Broccolini tempura with "Romesco" sauce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e94c3386-9cd8-484c-aaa7-10d85753b49c/tempImageGEmYV4.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Pasta "cacio e pepe" shiitake. Amanda liked it, but thought it was a bit on the bland side (and that’s coming from Amanda!). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3ae98970-f25a-4bf6-b6e0-bf02d28b5dc1/tempImageSTktCZ.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Oyster mushroom tacos with "salsa macha.” Oh man, were these good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5d5b1395-af0a-46a3-b827-e6640b90ef3a/tempImage0rdiDY.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Chocolate cake, vanilla sauce, and whipped cream—phenomenal! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/11c758b9-39b8-4469-b195-1e62fb160c26/tempImageQkFfdc.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out It occurred to us that one of you may want to visit us and not know how to get to our apartment. When you exit the Pigalle Métro station, look for the bright orange Pharmacie with the Trigra Man pills advertised in the front window, with the caution broken bed warning sign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7e61067-14f3-4599-a1a7-91ed56f727db/tempImagepd1zLF.jpg Blog - Triomphe & Tribulation - Make it stand out Continue passed the pharmacie until you see the large red and yellow flashing Sex Shop sign. Turn right, and we’re halfway up the block on the right. We love and miss you all and will see you soon! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/claude-monets-house monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4d32538-06e3-472a-972e-69d698b178ac/tempImagevqGOaD.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Monday was dedicated to visiting Claude Monet’s house in Giverny. However, our bus did not leave until the afternoon. So, our first stop was Cloud Cakes for breakfast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8c5c6118-cdf6-4f04-8b12-87b8630f1b2d/tempImage6NNYCZ.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Only one Métro stop away from our apartment, this became our favorite breakfast spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9130976f-5ffd-4c43-b5c9-cbc3ca574fc2/tempImageiWUYLq.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out When I first read Tofu Scramble Pancakes on the menu I was skeptical. I decided to go for it anyway and ended up enjoying it so much, I ordered it again on Wednesday. Like my mother always asked, “How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t even tried it?” Thanks for the nudge mom! ❤️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4250c294-13c1-4874-acaa-40d70e743757/tempImagea9uktr.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Amanda had their Cloud Breakfast, which came with a hot chocolate, freshly squeezed OJ, fresh baguettes served with butter and jam, and a croissant. I don’t know how they make their croissants, but they have perfected the art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b35fb75b-2bc8-4bf1-9ebf-fdb273923d85/tempImagebl0Vpg.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out After breakfast, we visited the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann to see its famous dome. Along the way we found Will’s idea of Paris fashion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a91b26e6-564f-4c0a-879d-32f14fc679c7/tempImage0RDCt4.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The steel-frame art nouveau glass dome ringed by loggias (archways) makes this mall popular in movies and TV series (of course it was featured in Emily in Paris). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0f129cb2-c13b-4858-a1bd-fe7aca9e0637/tempImageU37w0I.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f1460ea-85c7-49f8-b0dd-df5b0774b48e/tempImageg4gd6X.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out By accident, we took one too many escalators up, which was how we discovered the mall also has a terrace viewpoint we somehow had never heard about. (Apparently my mom had told me about it, but I wasn’t listening. Sorry mom!) The building behind us is the Palais Garnier, the Italian-style opera house. Enjoy this view, because the stunning façade was completely covered up while they do construction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f0f4d21f-0f0a-4fbf-8242-cf6c5131c102/tempImagefXd9rJ.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out There is also an all-vegetarian rooftop restaurant here called Créatures, but it does not open each year until May. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ebf00260-fd0f-4340-8563-d84f12434f34/tempImageraDNPA.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out We think it was in London that I lost my North Face Paris T-shirt. It just so happened that we were in Paris, so we were able to get a new one. (Footnote: I had never taken the shirt in the first place; now I have two!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c45275c-4e3b-4983-b325-6b6fc7722492/tempImagehTu119.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The Champ de Mars is the large park on the opposite (east) side of the Eiffel Tower, and this was where we took all our night photos during our last visit—the ones with all the massive rats! On this trip, we wanted to view it across the way from the Jardins du Trocadéro. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5afa834d-7ce5-4d30-b66a-f6a737e67793/tempImageSVZDMm.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out While you do have a nice elevated viewpoint, it looks pretty much the same from the west side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13561074-e24a-40d8-a1e2-0edebceb7005/tempImageXlfRFK.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1106dca5-b902-45f7-b9df-739e80ff6de5/tempImageLFgqqz.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19e612e4-1ed1-48f2-add3-070e91dcae44/tempImagel7emCW.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0df37eb9-b7a3-4bae-8fe3-ae52a1ff8bf9/tempImage9ZOvPC.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Our double-decker bus left right on time at 2:30 p.m. for the hour-plus ride to Giverny. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e26513a4-117d-4c97-b359-5c6d98e21262/tempImageG36PLb.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out “I must have flowers, always, and always.” —Claude Monet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6d605d58-482f-46d3-bae3-4b5e03809f69/tempImageIfFfiR.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out For thirty years, from 1895 until his death in 1926, Claude Monet (the most famous of the Impressionist painters), found inspiration in the "water garden" of his Giverny estate in Normandy, in his famous water lily pond, and the white water lily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d51f76d-bb38-4af2-af7b-bd00c0fd6c0a/tempImageeUnsxV.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Monet was always fascinated by the light interplays and cloud reflections on water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cdbb06f7-a953-487d-8fa2-50997dae7f9d/tempImageXc4GEp.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out In 1893, he acquired land at the bottom of Clos Normand, on the other side of the train tracks, and diverted the Ru, a small branch of the River Epte. The pond created by this diversion would become the water garden that features on the picture rails of the world’s greatest museums. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cfb2b912-b64b-4e1f-85b1-c3076faf3776/tempImageff2Wpg.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Toward the end of April, the water lilies remained dormant at the bottom of the pond and will sprout again once the temperature of the water rises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/006a5ba0-e65a-428a-b556-56310574ab56/tempImageEIcNyQ.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out In S2:E4 "Love Is on the Run" of Emily in Paris, Emily joins Camille in a boat from the dock across the pond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f240f487-85f8-44c1-8aed-7f272e1c32f7/tempImageJIzjLZ.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Monet planted water lilies at the bottom of the pond: “I love water but I also love flowers. That’s why, once the pond was filled, I thought about adorning it with plants. I got a catalogue and simply chose at random.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f9090a29-e2ec-49f1-970a-03f742e1f1d2/tempImageWZUu2g.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The famous bridge in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/31132d20-1804-46ea-a993-7fa18a2ecc19/tempImageuPHrkV.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Oh, the vibrancy of spring! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/648b4f3c-11eb-44f3-b4b5-8b304fa017bd/tempImagePk9rva.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out “A flower blossoms for its own joy.” ―Oscar Wilde https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75b7df01-05d2-4ac1-869c-f8c10bc6b0b7/tempImage2aJO1K.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Monet produced more than 250 paintings, over 40 of which were large format. Designed entirely by Monet, starting in 1893, the Japanese-style water garden on his Giverny estate was a constantly evolving creation, changing in appearance according to the time of day and the season, and offering new perspectives to visitors as they move around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b138df3-2b21-45e0-b9f2-534b66b62ad7/tempImageVWArL2.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Amanda standing on the bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/15c6e708-4ed3-424e-b23d-7a1cec2716ba/tempImage84PfEQ.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The artist's main themes are to be found here: his love of the infinite, the passage of time, the interplay of reflections on water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/459ff055-368e-411c-9d43-bae7b336eddd/tempImageWtdxfw.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out “The earth laughs in flowers.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a53e8fed-96b7-4ac8-af01-524f2d5625e7/tempImageSXpVna.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The Monet family home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a87ab61-3c33-46c1-a18a-ec237913893f/tempImagenaGf3d.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/40f0155e-c595-460b-9cb7-41f2893765f0/tempImage69aTFT.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the mind.” ―Luther Burbank https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55faab53-07d0-4d17-879b-1ca302b9450a/tempImagesG17Up.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8aac954b-dcbb-4563-aaec-0862a289ef04/tempImageY5CqUY.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out A portrait of Monet in the huge studio that he had specially built at the Giverny house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e374eb96-88cc-44ca-8ab4-ed40e01481e9/tempImageHZsGzX.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Me in that same studio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1296be1d-e1ac-4e42-9764-73d43a9245f6/tempImageB8NAOt.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Looking out Claude and his wife’s 2nd floor bedroom window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/73a7b6cd-38d5-4bdc-8a19-b27c3b05a536/tempImagenmL4cP.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out The lovely blue tiled kitchen also appears in the same Emily in Paris episode. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e1fd4621-dc9c-41c3-8559-d0e3c331e831/tempImageheh2zh.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out There may not have been any water lilies on the pond yet, but the front garden was bursting with gorgeous color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e27396d6-474b-406b-977e-3d1f4e821707/tempImageVSwKJd.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/45802610-1c65-40f4-b7e1-fceaf386f558/tempImagekhYeyw.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c3c68814-f4e2-49e9-bbbb-6604199bcffa/tempImageKcm8el.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bdd91871-5c9d-46f9-93e6-6ab8ce3916e7/tempImage6uy32o.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aaf8c1fd-cca4-49e4-9b65-3033383cb947/tempImagezMIF7i.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eefbce19-d873-4734-ac09-beffb975cfbf/tempImageAxwj4q.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d91574e-849e-4ff7-ae83-b7ee3628e2b1/tempImageqluDIY.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e991bf10-b1c5-434d-b276-8bd37cd32441/tempImageoAbhkx.jpg Blog - Claude Monet’s House - Make it stand out This seems like as good a picture as any to end on. Amanda said Claude Monet’s house was the most beautiful place she had ever been. It’s hard to disagree. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/trianon monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35438989-6f4f-45a5-9b5f-0f07d76660ae/tempImagejh1287.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out By the morning the rain had passed. This is the Pigalle Métro station near our apartment. Between 1900 and 1913, Hector Guimard was responsible for the first generation of entrances to the underground stations of the Paris Métro. His Art Nouveau designs in cast iron and glass dating mostly to 1900, and the associated lettering that he also designed, created what became known as the Métro style (style Métro) and popularized Art Nouveau. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f54377c-e897-412a-9228-d26231df28ee/tempImagef49pYA.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out It was Easter morning and a service in French and Latin at Nortre-Dame was out of the question. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/710624b2-155f-4e2b-9191-b3cec7f5ecb1/tempImageTCeRgi.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Seeing as our primary goal for today was to visit the Estate of Trianon at the Palace of Versailles, and this did not open until noon, there was plenty of time to travel over to the 11th Arrondissement and try a vegan pâtisserie (pastry shop). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/37ec2e7b-4a88-4a7f-a4b7-fe79f53b285d/tempImagedN2LgJ.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out We had wanted to visit VG Pâtisserie on our last trip but ran out of time. It’s easy to understand why there was always a line and why they were just given an award in 2025. Such a great start to the day, with some snacks for the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fb9fd311-5dc5-49c8-8dec-634b7a1fb873/tempImagelGrse9.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The RER is the regional train service that takes you outside the metropolitan area. When we exited the Métro station to walk to the RER station, this was our path—the view somehow never gets old! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fa9d4783-8b7e-4ba3-a098-fb8f2175fcee/tempImage58WkZN.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out At the entrance to Château de Versailles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c4279132-0779-40d4-81d1-d79a1b303ce4/tempImageAH32ib.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The Grand Trianon (in the background above) was first built at the request of Louis XIV as a retreat for himself and his official mistress. The mistress later requested the Petit Trianon be built as a charming setting that could “amuse the king.” A get-a-way from your get-a-way, so to speak. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/100d67a5-9c7d-4cb6-bade-a78439274435/tempImage2yzlJ1.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out After Louis XIV died, and after his son Louis XV died, the new King Louis XVI presented the Petit Trianon as a gift to his wife Marie Antoinette. The young queen (married at 14 years old) renovated the space, notably having an English-style garden planted to replace the old greenhouses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3ce6b5f-506a-4ccf-b2f6-94ebf681b5e8/tempImagelmopG0.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Marie often took refuge at the Petit Trianon to escape the pomp and etiquette of the Court of Versailles, which sometimes weighed on her. She surrounded herself with close friends and organized intimate soirées, without always taking the prerogatives of her time and rank into account. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d8cf8d7f-8dee-4ef3-a73c-2113f0a971de/tempImagegmzmG9.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out A visit to the Petit Trianon is a moving immersion in the everyday life of Marie Antoinette, a deeply human queen. Inside the Petite Trianon, a portrait of Marie when she was still eating cake and had her head. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61bcbac6-6a4a-4212-b9a9-14649ab8b6d9/tempImageCCIyDM.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1f8f14f9-3832-460f-8382-487194d512bc/tempImage8dmZZB.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/759c8092-8165-4943-809c-685cd80ebb9e/tempImagevLjkyN.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The real treasures at the Estate of Trianon were in the gardens behind the Petit Trianon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d627a0ea-981b-4e55-92f6-03d541e46168/tempImage1Mepki.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out This is the bridge to the Temple of Love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1d91c6b4-72bc-4354-a838-685a3664193b/tempImage9KbOXc.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Marie-Antoinette could see the Temple of Love and Cupid from her room in the Petit Trianon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4bcc474c-4e42-4da5-8385-4f451d4704c2/tempImage3o4B7B.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out When you live in one of the world’s grandest palaces, sometimes you just need a little space for relaxing walks, or to host small gatherings away from the hustle and bustle of palace life. Which is why Marie Antoinette had the Queen’s Hamlet constructed between 1777 and 1783. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1834c586-74ca-4db6-acf0-9cbbf26dcbfc/tempImageQ1pv6p.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out This place was next-level cool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef0ba902-18d8-4c0c-b618-03a8d5f604bd/tempImagenK1xcp.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1e1a47ea-e7ba-42b2-afad-041bc4536f84/tempImagetOiGAG.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The model village was built around an artificial lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1a9c3a80-fa62-454b-a9f7-b2c51bd3ee3e/tempImageqnhEce.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The rustic exteriors concealed interiors which were carefully-decorated and often richly furnished, where the queen could host small parties for invited guests. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/23d3d46b-b346-40b6-989b-7483deb5d541/tempImage4wodR3.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24dc6032-17e1-4394-8183-94a6cb0f3fb1/tempImageeBFcf9.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2cfd1828-b211-4ab5-bc6f-c950f58a2b7f/tempImagekUrcJm.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4163a220-67d2-47a6-aa12-3a5f66c439fd/tempImagefEg96H.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/072990ac-d91b-47d6-9c06-b3731f22fa15/tempImageRpTV2P.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The Hamlet also included a functioning farm, as the queen insisted it be included to serve an educational role for the royal children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/41e23c4f-9ba1-4f85-86a9-ad417f69f4ca/tempImagevJzjBm.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a58647d6-8b2a-4daa-b0e0-0c3f948923dc/tempImagezFb3Si.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2d2647ed-31a0-492a-adfe-9f0a11c497c0/tempImageMXIoOJ.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The Queen’s Hamlet was built at great expense while many in her country where poor and starving. She was accused of emptying the royal coffers. With all the hype, it’s difficult to make an informed assessment of her. In the end, every attempt to win back public opinion failed, and when the Revolution broke out, the Queen was a truly hated figure—for which she paid the ultimate price. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/064eb1f0-2be9-48b2-bec1-bae4f5bc1821/tempImageoPrjKM.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c32da445-d985-431f-8ee9-7c1573e91ec5/tempImagey28hxQ.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d660d59-56bd-49f3-bb9b-23c459cc35ad/tempImages2cVz0.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ffa9934-f12d-440e-9297-7716a3aa305a/tempImageIAmeXj.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fa508193-43ca-4678-b060-4485aaa67bcc/tempImageb7UzB4.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out To enter the Versailles Palace Gardens, you must purchase a “Passport” ticket for €32 per person. However, it is possible to do what we did and walk to Trianon and only pay €12 to visit the Estate of Trianon. We then payed €5 each for a tram ticket that took us inside the Palace Gardens. It was a total life hack that got us inside the Palace Gardens for only €15 rather than €32. Right as we jumped on the tram, it started raining. We made it just in the nick of time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2430660c-a1f3-40f2-961b-6f9c238d882d/tempImagenlOdvP.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out During our last visit, we were simply too exhausted to visit the gardens and groves. On this trip we made it a point to wander the many garden spaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1632f9b6-cf6f-4b44-8344-7372e2760d85/tempImageJifnDn.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out This garden and fountain were inspired by the legend of the fall of the Giants in Greek and Roman mythology. Punished for trying to climb Mount Olympus to dethrone the gods, the giants were buried under a heap of rocks, as illustrated here by the figure of Enceladus, whose suffering is conveyed by the powerful water jet gushing out of his mouth like a cry of pain (the fountain was off for this photo). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff5e5023-5ad1-4d6c-a83c-2f9209b6d770/tempImageKiEtxs.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4b8f4a33-b74f-405b-a30e-ee34b2729dec/tempImageO849ih.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out As you can see, the rain not only didn’t last long, it all but vanished. Here we are in front of Apollo’s Fountain looking toward the Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1fd172ef-97eb-4bdd-ae7f-28643b6275a5/tempImageANLC4B.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out This statue is of the Greek god Apollo rising from the sea in a four-horse chariot inspired by the legend of the Sun god. King Louis XIV gave himself the nickname of the “Sun King” because he believed he was like the sun to France. He believed he was chosen by God to rule and that everything revolved around him. He made the sun his royal symbol. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8b4caab5-ce86-4a31-a361-5afcd4d43436/tempImageHBdtPt.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out The Great Lawn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/21484f93-e17c-40aa-bdc9-1368351e23d2/tempImage1EQovL.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Latona’s Fountain. The Lycian peasants is a short tale from Greek mythology centered around Leto (known to the Romans as Latona), the mother of the Olympian twin gods Artemis and Apollo. The mother goddess Latona attempted to bath her children in and drink from a spring she found in Lycian. But the local people tried to stop her, stirring the bottom of the spring so that the mud would come up. Enraged over their lack of hospitality, Latona turned them all into frogs, forever doomed to swim and hop in the murky waters of the spring (notice all the frogs around the fountain). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0dbc9f5e-e25a-4177-94e3-fd095480a309/tempImagepNEp9s.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Near the Palace looking toward Latona’s Fountain, the Great Lawn and Gardens, and the Grand Canal in the distance. It was so great to finally make it through the vast garden spaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9753986c-c157-461f-a332-8f5c26b4c0da/tempImageZg8Fgd.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out South Partere. (From the French word meaning on the ground, a parterre is a formal garden laid out on a level area and made up of enclosed beds, separated by gravel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6969a474-cb3d-4f9a-a990-56b0b10ab5fe/tempImage4DGOAe.jpg Blog - Trianon - Make it stand out Some 22,000+ steps and 10 miles of walking later, we were finally back in our apartment. For the second night in a row, the lovely sounds of a steady rain lulled us to sleep. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/bonjour-paris monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6a30a3d7-cdef-45b3-bee5-c99ffc689348/tempImage1i4QUu.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out Early Saturday morning we bid farewell to the Haarlem studio that had been our home for just over a week. In this photos, our apartment was right around the corner, behind the white building on the left. This bus stop could not have been more conveniently located. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79c9479a-44a2-4f4f-a3d2-c5c263b478eb/tempImageHaIfOI.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out You just use your phone to tap-on and tap-off the bus. The R-NET 300 bus saved us a lot of walking between our apartment and the Haarlem train station. At some point we figured out that this bus also goes to the airport. Instead of taking a bus to the Haarlem train station, a train to Amsterdam, and then another train to the airport, we just hopped on this bus and arrived at the airport about 30 minutes later—easy peasy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d3a22e25-c363-4418-abe9-0bad947469f3/tempImageCwbywl.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out We had plenty of time to relax in the airport waiting for our departure. Unfortunately, our Air France flight was delayed by an hour, so we didn’t push back until about 12:40 p.m. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6627d387-f5a7-4cc2-8fa2-2fff93580726/tempImageMKZ0Ui.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out Looking through the window of our Airbus A220-300 at a large and colorful tulip field toward the center of the image. Farewell Holland! We certainly had a wonderful time! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/faeed05a-b45b-49ae-86cd-c761eb04e450/tempImageabdk8p.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out Amanda says “stairs are number one”! Seventy-five steps climbed, only 15 left to go! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d32c214c-931a-4886-9a3b-2dc8e60f28a3/tempImagei0C9GL.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out It took us nearly eleven—sometimes death-defying—hours to get here, but our reward was the Eiffel Tower through our apartment window! Oh Paris, your bus drivers may be complete dog shit, your RER line in need of repair, and your Métro turnstile system positively prehistoric—but you do get a pass—because you are Paris! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1631e4e-2327-4596-81c2-2c778c06f25b/tempImageGWlVwL.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out This is our building from the street. We are the top two dorrner windows on the left, directly above the green door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/53f5e6a4-2237-4187-a9bd-e469e1b07a8c/tempImageb0dfzM.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out We had hardly eaten all day, so we were thrilled that Green Farmer’s was a short walk down the street. My bacon cheeseburger with its amazing “pink” sauce and Amanda’s crispy chic’n Caesar salad were both super delicious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c3b16648-f775-4316-a8ea-4251cbf923dd/tempImagemZs2eC.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out The Moulin Rouge was really close, so we popped by for a quick photo after dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8657d41c-2361-46be-918f-1ab8c1863c5c/tempImage6Zhjul.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out As it turns out, the Moulin Rouge is the most tame thing along Boulevard de Clichy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5b4d7ae9-91f0-49c0-b896-50cc2f471cc5/tempImageAbv1nh.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out This place is more red light district than Amsterdam’s Red Light District. I suppose Paris is the City of Lust—I mean Love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/621f8c11-b1d7-4ab3-8810-8dceb3d323d7/tempImagefakdlT.jpg Blog - Bonjour Paris - Make it stand out Anyway, we are finally back in our apartment and the sound of falling rain is lulling us to sleep. Bonne nuit from Paris! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/vaarwel-amsterdam monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9b8492d-1771-454a-b5fa-24f3dd13c542/tempImageX4YpRM.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Zaanse Schans is a collection of historic windmills and wooden houses that were relocated for preservation from across the north of Amsterdam. In leaving the train and walking toward the village, we passed the large deZaan Cocoa plant. It could have been Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory we were passing given the luxurious aroma of melted chocolate filling the air. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9381e3f6-c1b5-4159-934b-9bac3bf27b0d/tempImageTfAdOz.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Love the shoe rack filled with Dutch wooden clogs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/29078b96-f9ff-410b-bb05-8eae9d0e79c6/tempImageoQ0WN3.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Just some of Zaanse Schans’ collection of windmills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ae0322d-e206-401d-984e-8873f0854ad3/tempImagesDc0cL.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Amazingly, the De Kat mill was built in 1664. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/befdd041-8b40-47f8-810a-beec4fc42e48/tempImagegNmPKt.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out The De Kat mineral mill continues to produce high quality paints and pigments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61fe5206-d597-4236-833e-5ffe44a55803/tempImageWjM1Ff.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out The enclosed room keeps the various pigments separated while being ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2481c5c1-1116-450b-9710-5c653b281bc3/tempImagepmNlSk.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Heading up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/854c4ce7-217a-4af4-8911-f61ca708c29d/tempImageud4McU.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Everything made of wood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b77e5c12-2a1b-435f-86b8-300ad4a306dd/tempImagezCG8QN.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Love the thatched roof and the cloth sails. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/593ddd7b-474c-446a-8a5f-3b308a6be9a0/tempImageAWM3CR.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/65124330-6ef7-4493-820d-bde753053359/tempImage4HjTYb.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f482f1b-338c-4e26-8cd6-544a947f57cc/tempImageZ2UIHa.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out At the end of the day, we give Zaanse Schans a C. It tops most lists of places you must visit while in Holland, but if someone is pressed for time, you could skip this place without much heartburn. It was overrun with tourists and going inside the working windmill was the only real highlight (for us anyway). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c006deb2-35ab-43e3-8277-1e722e37dc57/tempImage6ZUTDF.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Since we were already out, we decided to return to Amsterdam for a third and final time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/efb22425-f9cd-4008-a1ba-31019d6ce69f/tempImage4Q7cPV.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out On Saturday I enjoyed the bitterballen at Vegan Temple Bar so much so that I wanted to have them again. Amanda found that Vegan Junk Food Bar (VJFB) also made them, so we decided to give the bitterballen at VJFB a try. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b10128e5-76e4-42e4-bbe9-27c48e649711/tempImageWaMbgt.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out VJFB offered traditional, Thai, and mac ‘n’ cheese. I liked the traditional and Thai, but I’m surprised to report that the mac ‘n’ cheese version was the clear winner. Just writing this makes me want to place an order of all mac ‘n’ cheese bitterballen! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9f50610f-32f6-4371-a57c-76f4de614ff3/tempImagea5uMHf.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Check out how you enter this underground parking garage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8fa28354-a76b-4f3d-9e1f-3ec2f4a561a3/tempImageBZtA1p.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Wild! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6504780f-2db8-48c8-bab6-10d9b82be8b5/tempImagemOlhZM.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Next we walked through the Bloemenmarkt (flower market). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e8f6e1c-fbd2-41b9-af65-b7bfc8a776c0/tempImageeJVijz.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out There were plenty of packaged vegan stroopwafels, but this was the only place where they made them fresh to-order. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d87bb747-83e7-4c99-bd0e-8332e9dc6685/tempImageZC00PP.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Amanda had Oreo sprinkles on her chocolate and I had hazelnuts—delicious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a77424d-e73b-4585-a530-d80872fc0581/tempImageeFSUXl.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Having already visited The American Book Center (ABC) and Waterstones (a UK chair) in Spui Square on Wednesday, we, of course, had to visit The English Bookshop today. Most bookstores in Netherlands largely offer books in Dutch. These three shops were notable exceptions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99848ded-dddd-44d6-b5e9-f12bcc59c4e4/tempImage12GW0r.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out We had dinner at Sukhothai Thanee Thai food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b971c7c-49b8-444f-b7c6-e5c960d2d899/tempImage2uANl4.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out This was an upscale place so we didn’t want to take a bunch of photos. When we were at our hotel in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand with John and Sabrina in March, John introduced us to the Thai papaya salad and it was amazing. We tried it again here and it was as wonderful as it was in Thailand. Thanks for the recommendation John! The middle dish is red curry with pumpkin. Our favorite was the far dish: stir-fried tofu, vegetables, and cashew nuts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b91fde8-86b3-4132-9659-3ad03dd4814a/tempImaget91FHw.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out Dessert was sweet mango, sticky rice topped with coconut cream and crispy mung beans, and coconut ice cream with crispy mung beans. Everything was exceptional. (And yes, we ate entirely too much food today! But, hey, when in Amsterdam…) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9c39dd69-b4bb-4e20-abb0-1aaf11856cb2/tempImageciYxXr.jpg Blog - Vaarwel Amsterdam - Make it stand out We hadn’t realized it until Thursday evening, but in addition to all the buses and trams above ground, the city also operates the Amsterdam Metro. There was a station nearby, so we rode Metrolijn 52 back the train station—pretty futuristic. From there it was back to Haarlem. We used Saturday to do laundry and get ready for an early departure on Sunday morning for Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. We will remain eternally grateful for our amazing adventures in Holland! Next stop—Paris! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/haarlem monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19f6bfec-6710-4d21-9124-5e23e86df4d9/tempImagePiiMps.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Though less well-known than Amsterdam, Haarlem is also a city of canals, church spires, cobbled streets, and gorgeous architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0a9f1d09-ab0d-4ab0-993d-da91d27bcd58/tempImageFTW9yW.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The one thing that’s conspicuously missing in Haarlem is the crowds—except the night the Dutch Flower Parade arrives in town, of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/feb352b0-93e1-4195-b628-b6945ff7a584/tempImage4uVD3z.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg comprise the region known as the Low Countries. Netherlands means low-lying country, and with an average elevation of only 98 feet above mean sea level and 26% of the country below mean sea level, water is everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/12f05732-8078-408f-b256-981348f0e1dd/tempImagepk8Lnx.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Haarlem feels like you’re living in a cozy Dutch town rather than an international metropolis like Amsterdam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90541a3a-0886-46ec-b20a-c9f3a5e94380/tempImageB5SGsS.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Such a cool cantilevered drawbridge. The country is Netherlands, not Holland. That is because Holland is only a region within Netherlands. Holland means wood land, and there are two Holland provinces: North and South Holland. Amsterdam and Haarlem are in North Holland, while Keukenhof and the tulip fields are in South Holland—along with the famous cities of The Hague, Delft, and Gouda. However, the word Dutch is still used to refer to its people, language, and culture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/290e4dfa-ee2e-4705-a5c6-65aa41f5e249/tempImagevOMh3f.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The sign reads “Bicycle Shed” and inside is a massive bicycle parking garage—only in Netherlands! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0ec70d40-bbd9-4c0a-84ef-6d9aba0c5a90/tempImagepzVQzO.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Amazing old architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e09d193-171d-4794-aca0-cda0c052b5d9/tempImage3rTudc.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6e3defe2-d7de-4c3a-83c0-92b005fd8bcb/tempImagegkKo13.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Shorto’s book inside The American Book Company (ABC) in Amsterdam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9005ccf-bc4c-43ae-8487-ccb1c8cb994f/tempImagezA2W19.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out We found this great store in Haarlem, which incidentally sold traditional Dutch baby toys. We may or may not have bought one or two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/955e68c0-d8b9-43e3-8ea9-99374becaec8/tempImagehYHUlA.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The Netherlands just landed #5 on the 2025 list of “happiest” places to live. No doubt all-weather 4-seater e-bikes like this are part of the reason. We saw very few cars in Netherlands. In fact, at any given time we were more likely to be run over by a speeding bicycle than a car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5db97133-d33b-4d5c-af47-0f831121a7bc/tempImagebWBito.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Since being here, we’ve seen hundreds of kids out riding bikes (when was the last time you saw that?). Every day we’ve seen moms and dads walking their kids to school or on bikes together. We’ve seen a lot of people well in to their 70s and possibly their 80s riding bikes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d77271ff-1cb4-440c-a410-3c6833ed4152/tempImagepxaLyQ.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out It seems clear that a major emphasis on family time and frequently moving about in the out of doors go a long way in explaining why the Dutch feel so content and fulfilled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a8563dbf-b48a-443b-8eda-7bfd716a7969/tempImageFhzTyX.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out We were thrilled when we found Bagels & Beans in Haarlem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99471ed6-d578-478e-ab0a-efa8740f0ed7/tempImage3JXb4T.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Their motto is, “We are anti-herd, contra masses, & 100% against stress.” Translation: “We are not Starbucks.” Which means come in, sit down, and enjoy the place. Amanda ordered tea which was loose leaf and served in a clever steeper. My cappuccino was velvety smooth and delicious, with zero sugar needed to enjoy (sorry, stirred it before the photo). Each came with a little packet of chocolate nibs for pairing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/801a6c23-79c7-44bc-b9ac-d02ad53e8fa4/tempImageu5Vt3B.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out And then there was the bagel! First you select your sandwich. No one will be surprised that I selected the Avocado. Next you choose your bagel type (an Everything…perfectly toasted). Finally, you pick a style of their homemade flavored vegan cream cheese (sun-dried tomato please). All put together it was a taste experience! Their avocados are from Spain and, I must say, it was avocado perfection. It was breakfast heaven! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d7dd6c3d-8c5f-4fbb-ae6f-66cde2a4d2ea/tempImage48pHd4.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out In Amsterdam we walked to the largest of the Red Light Districts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d6a0a04b-7ccf-4a84-aed3-47a985acd154/tempImagedSXFOd.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The area seems to be an older part of Amsterdam with amazing Venice-like canals and architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4d6f9fa6-e3bf-430b-a894-f165d6d3d483/tempImagekzXCSJ.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Some of these buildings look like they might topple over at any minute, though they will probably outlast most modern homes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eacee5cc-41c1-486e-acff-ed983ba24ba8/tempImageWFDBjH.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Signs everywhere indicated at €240 fine for taking photos of the sex workers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ad9e6d5e-4363-4669-92dc-02014586a4b7/tempImage6LD9dh.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Since it’s around noon and all the windows have their red curtains drawn, I don’t think I’m at risk of being fined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/db7b1b0c-06d4-4a15-acd0-1a706675521b/tempImage1oPsjl.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out So as not to disappoint, here’s your chance to see something lurid in the windows—Renaissance style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c0fefe13-5040-453c-9627-97478a1bea9a/tempImagehSVtUo.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Dirty old sailors! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6cbc2d33-2816-495a-be7e-371c9d6e45a4/tempImageg3SMGy.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out No where else in the city did we see this except in the Red Light District: signs for AEDs—hilarious! (Sorry to disappoint, we didn’t visit the museum.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bbeb3af9-d7b8-496f-9cf2-399ec22432e6/tempImageFtt0rP.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Equally apropos was the cash machine right outside the peep show shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c496657e-3443-4822-94d9-8d368fffd3aa/tempImagefybMD7.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out I loved this sign, especially the way he’s arching back and bracing himself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2bf7a13a-154a-4227-8258-6f772188a8f3/tempImageb7JYTQ.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out But even more interesting were the streetside public urinals. Where does the drain flow I wonder? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b747896-8e4f-4720-bc18-a0e13a2b243c/tempImagePPrbJW.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out One thing you quickly recognize being inside Dutch buildings is that very little can be carried up and down the stairs. Which is why they have ingenious devices like these to move larger household items in through the windows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2114a22c-c859-4d29-8a81-31ffc8e7d102/tempImageQWZlZg.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Wooden shoes anyone? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68b84f6a-a26c-46b0-93fd-4689b1f00425/tempImageImPra2.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Amsterdam was founded around the year 1275 and got its name from the combination of “Amstel” (the river where the city originated) and “dam” (the structure built to regulate the Amstel). Dam Square marks where the dam, and the historic city center, once stood. The National Monument behind us stands in Dam Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ab31d05-4c12-47a1-995e-da453c39edbf/tempImageQ99SPN.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The National Monument is for the remembrance of WWII, which had particularly poignancy being in Netherlands. The relief entitled De Vrede ("Peace"), consists of four chained male figures, representing the suffering endured during the war. The figures on the two sides represent the Dutch resistance. Weeping dogs are at their feet, represent suffering and loyalty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/137dbfea-6925-4cb4-bcfd-7cf014d550e2/tempImage7MfKk9.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out How cool are these buildings? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54e06e32-c4cf-47b6-af6c-cefb4f2e96d7/tempImageLyVF1Z.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0afd4b6-3ea4-4bbd-a6dd-464a8744e182/tempImageFTQgV7.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/16dc4626-413c-40ce-9f79-132ff27bc7c8/tempImageNWdeFE.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out You can see the gap between the houses growing wider as you move upward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e3f20c9-db52-4681-82d0-3e3267c2fa43/tempImagegK8PHh.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out A river of bicycles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5259b6b0-163c-4822-9f78-e1a0345bff27/tempImageNfoZ73.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out A delectable vegan dark chocolate croissant, courtesy of Madame Croissant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cb186c7e-72c4-4228-ab02-431291037205/tempImage73EcKA.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The Anne Frank Monument outside Westertoren church, near the Secret Annex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/18bc19fe-9e9d-44af-b6c2-c41a65dcb2be/tempImagegVT26w.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Looking down the canal toward the front house and Westertoren church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/89bde3f4-d383-4cf2-9a91-28366383d4cb/tempImageCNKDiu.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8f45ccad-0e3b-4a94-a847-d9fb51ca6e75/tempImageJFjWjU.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Delivery service Dutch style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/597b112e-adfe-4a4b-b4ab-d5a4d7aa588b/IMG_3309.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Our visit to the Secret Annex did not begin until 6: 45 p.m., so we headed to dinner nearby.(Tours are sold-out every day and run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/46e06695-481d-4865-ba21-0fcc182541b0/tempImageIIWKKP.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67496f4a-2c55-41f2-9582-50dcf05e27d9/tempImageDOLhIN.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The moment I saw my aloo gobhi (potatoes & cauliflower), I knew it was going to be amazing. The spice blend was out of this world! Amanda loved her chana masala, but said Dishoom remained in top position. Well, this one landed solidly in second place then. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87e555d1-f038-4c98-b01b-d6f24b726704/tempImage0Pemmk.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out After dinner, another lovely canal view on our way to the Anne Frank House. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fc01e1f9-e4ff-47d5-b976-4b4c781de458/tempImageTxKulm.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91498d63-c387-4f97-b658-d147d425c0a3/tempImageaXahMh.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The house and annex highlighted in red. The chestnut tree in the courtyard behind the Annex. Westertoren church and its belfry in the foreground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2e24a14-bfdb-4aa0-834b-a858e755b450/tempImagenHGWsB.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out Original bottle of Opekta produced by Otto Frank’s company in the factory below and in front of the Annex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d7bca6e-f7e9-4a7a-b1cb-689e7c26e92f/tempImageqTuItC.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out It’s difficult to comprehend that Otto Frank was an artillery officer in the German Army in WWI, only to later be vilified by his country. Against all odds he survived the Somme and the Holocaust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79cdf9ed-1b83-4b5e-8538-0889c78b83d5/tempImagej1iiMo.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out After the orientation program held in the adjacent building, no photographs were allowed in the house or annex. In this case I have to respect the rationale: it is a memorial space and hordes of people standing around taking selfies would cheapen the experience. The tour started in the ground floor of the warehouse, which was a single, connected space. The cobbled floor was original and it felt like standing on hallowed ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8eb6e58e-375d-4d23-91e6-ef3778fa190c/5a1bx55vlsa71.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out After viewing the upstairs offices, we climbed the stairs to the landing where the original bookcase stands open (Otto Frank entering ☝️). To say it was a deeply emotional moment to walk past the bookcase and step through into the Secret Annex would be an understatement. The audio tour paused while inside the Secret Annex and everyone slowly made their way through the rarified space in near silence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ae3f680d-ee00-4933-a401-97059bb35d62/kamer_anne-overzicht_alle_wanden.jpg__2160x1296_q85_ALIAS-5_3_big_crop_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out The Nazis cleared the Secret Annex after it was discovered. When it was made into a museum, Otto asked that it be left as it was. This was the room where Anne slept. Many of her original pin-ups remain on the walls. Through the doorway to the room Otto, Edith, and Margot shared (back right), you can see glass covering where the girls’ heights were marked on the wall—heartbreaking! It was sobering to learn that the family was sent off to the concentration camps from the Amsterdam Centraal train station, the same one we took a selfie in front of when we first arrived. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b5d60ec4-fba8-4135-8cfb-04db1af8c424/tempImages1sDZ6.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out We always knew this would be an emotional experience, so it was lovely to walk outside and find the sky warmed by the glow of a beautiful sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a0cdb18c-0ff1-4acb-8bc0-23778f1ca641/tempImageMyZ6sO.jpg Blog - Haarlem & Anne Frank - Make it stand out “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." —Anne Frank https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/tulips-tulips-tulips monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4a12e31-165d-404d-a509-7136f66b2d3f/tempImagedF3djj.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out It all came down to Monday. This was the day that sparked the idea for our entire trip to Europe. Absolutely no pressure, but everything before and after this were just icing on the cake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55f518ee-b091-4e4e-9622-dc66fb5ec8e5/tempImagegKw0uq.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Countess Jacoba van Beieren (Jacqueline of Bavaria) (1401-1436) used Keukenduyn (kitchen dunes) as hunting grounds for the kitchen of Teylingen Castle. Keukenhof Castle replaced Teylingen in 1641 and the estate grew to encompass an area of over 200 hectares. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75b70a90-b9a0-4cec-b598-a188437a2346/tempImagec32EAX.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out In 1949 a group of 20 leading flower bulb growers and exporters came up with the plan to use the estate to exhibit spring-flowering bulbs, signaling the birth of Keukenhof as a spring park. The park opened its gates to the public in 1950 and was an instant success. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72b8913a-ca59-4088-b5ef-6951de7af05f/tempImage30UtR6.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Last year was the 75th “edition” (as they call it) of Keukenhof. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/345c0225-f53a-44e3-b0c2-b5c429aaf2fc/tempImageI1ffUh.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Keukenhof is now one of the world’s largest flower gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7263f7a0-eb62-4308-8906-d1dff68f2304/tempImageGYDpDc.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out With some 7 million flower bulbs planted in the garden annually, it’s one jaw-dropping view after another as you wander around the magnificent 80-acre wonder-scape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/17a22377-713e-4175-a4be-3bb2b6b0f62a/tempImageuEyYfj.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Between us we took nearly 400 images, so we’ll do our darnedest to only show the best of the best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c0da0b10-bfcc-41e5-a54a-e89ee575ca99/tempImageacBUnz.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out It’s not only the flowers: the lawns, bushes, and trees were beautifully planted and meticulously maintained. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bfbb50d1-4a40-4290-9a00-8b5532fe4735/tempImagebCFGGn.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86f69db3-7331-4bf3-8b1f-678244045970/tempImageLyCLbS.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5739815f-4ef1-439e-96ba-e20c3ef1aa5a/tempImagehBWfDz.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out The large pond is well over 150 years old and is the oldest extant part of Keukenhof. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e598937a-f304-4136-b051-c0920203161b/tempImagez3VQno.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out What you can’t appreciate from the photos are the birds singing in the treetops—they really lend a celestial air to the experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9006b44a-05a7-41bf-8849-4efc88572549/tempImageqGWTtu.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/00bc0352-9050-4c8c-bb48-8447d884176e/tempImage5HXMto.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/177ae312-be10-4624-9755-f166ed2b3969/tempImagezguNgF.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/decb953e-31cc-4ca7-a8a5-82010e778608/tempImageJ4YZar.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b34208d6-f805-41c6-929d-7fcea1602878/tempImageD2Nmni.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ccd52770-9626-4839-9290-05c6780eb619/tempImagep6D2iZ.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8900cce-6cd0-4bac-ad1f-70ea6ddcf431/tempImage3hn8HU.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/77d95225-0036-4752-810f-6d41ff77cfbd/tempImageU4RRGQ.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3997a756-4dd0-42b6-8603-a818234192c5/tempImageOVrm7C.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d0d6da2-8f59-4dfe-bd31-0bc829f8ee84/tempImagezAISW8.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/501b3a4d-f9c5-416d-9d62-47fd30219ea9/tempImageQxhLri.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Maybe not tulips, but Amanda couldn’t resist getting a picture with her favorite: hydrangeas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/38f3983e-437c-428f-9286-1442e7da2e8c/tempImage3nBcTS.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04f114cc-cd66-4524-ad9d-b4f30d0432b9/tempImage7UVBzZ.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Just outside the gates of Keukenhof, we rented bikes to visit two other sites in the Bollenstreek—Holland’s Bulb Region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/813101fd-4437-4eba-830e-42b23889f963/tempImageealc26.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out We first rode 2.6 miles to The Tulip Barn. Once Holland became a destination for tourists wanting to see endless fields filled with tulips, the farmers began finding their flowers trampled by careless visitors looking for photographs amongst the flowers. Several spots such as this now offer tourists the opportunity to walk through fields of tulips while protecting farmers’ crops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d89492f4-0afa-4d0c-8a4a-9cd6f84898fc/tempImaged0DFd3.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Our sentiments exactly! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f03c805b-1af8-4bec-be14-343bebbe5b20/tempImageaNzvEH.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out We finally got our chance to “tip toe through the tulips.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9c32ebe7-80f6-4b38-ad9a-2a248285396b/tempImage2rMQ7y.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9330d92c-05f1-49c1-9fb2-ad5c576318da/tempImageI9w7Oy.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e6317cd6-313c-4f0b-a3f6-aed5e3336c45/tempImageEclJiV.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f39c1063-2fe3-4881-903e-6c266bc6be23/tempImagesO5k1j.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/233886b2-e3a9-4163-ad77-1556c833502a/tempImageV7lMcB.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ad2d9aa-9502-4195-a04d-df3e515e767e/tempImageJuWfRq.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/915d32f5-e57d-459c-9588-0186bde6c981/tempImageM6edkn.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7fdb7768-2877-49f8-a232-03eaa45acda4/tempImagedKvvoD.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/84f46a1d-6c52-4820-ab88-71380a991cb6/tempImageyPpWLs.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out We barely made it out the gate from The Tulip Barn when we rode past a field filled with hyacinths and Amanda just had to stop—such a fragrant flower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b59694f3-0eef-40b5-b1ed-941379de6149/tempImageMfue44.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out We next rode 3.1 miles to Tulip Experience Amsterdam. After walking all morning and biking nearly 6 miles, it was time for some sustenance at their café called de witte zwaan (the white swan)—not a bad view, eh? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6214a8cf-e639-4adc-a915-0397f75c7910/tempImagedAFDTR.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Never seen this before. I thought I might not appreciate the culinary blend on my sandwich, but I wound up really enjoying the curry ketchup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6436b82c-d86f-493b-8ceb-ce96a1f93105/tempImageaSQMDE.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0566a986-40bd-491f-a1fc-1e466b36863f/tempImagebfixi9.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Enough learning… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b1d2f94-95cb-4d39-b947-ed37cc85235b/tempImagem3zLDG.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Roll that beautiful tulip footage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7052c1d9-5040-4869-ad62-b75b3218d74d/tempImageSHspRn.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/557a50f5-087e-4ab7-975c-d3b1ff4c23ea/tempImage8c6KJD.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bdcc7084-becb-493e-86d1-e294905c4599/tempImageRdWjq4.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c42a3424-ed1a-43f3-8a73-44e52c7fc1b1/tempImage2PrPps.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out You know it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/93b3e931-ef9d-4b29-adf7-8091a432f957/tempImageccW7AU.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out From Tulip Experience Amsterdam we rode to S. Pennings & zn. This ended up being a mistake, but the uptick was that the route back to Keukenhof then took us along the Steengracht Canal. As Amanda will tell you, this was her favorite part of our 9.5 mile loop—and that’s saying something given how beautiful parts of our earlier journey were. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f1fb2941-cca0-46ad-af7f-715199b66fa4/tempImagesjUCJi.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out To ensure we could rent bicycles before the afternoon rush, we left Keukenhof around 10:30. After visiting The Tulip Barn and Tulip Experience Amsterdam, we turned in our bikes and returned to the park to see a few sections we had missed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49001a3b-0281-4597-ba18-86fd6a8600fb/tempImageYKLfGo.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out What a difference a few hours makes. Our peaceful oasis from the morning had been fully overrun with people in the afternoon. The crowds mostly seemed to swarm near the entrance, so it was less congested further inside the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9468eac-24cf-4d7b-9f79-0abf15969a24/tempImageTF5B2L.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/66fdba2d-3775-4a4c-b7f3-c9cf8d2c0936/tempImagevY7Bfi.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d5372dc4-99cc-4550-87c6-3962a9186679/tempImageIUsYKG.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e52bb71-ee9e-4272-adf0-3411822dce52/tempImageDXgIay.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3560516b-2ad5-43bf-be41-a1278e20730d/tempImageJdusBx.jpg Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out In the end, we saw it all. This was truly the experience we had hoped for—expectations exceeded! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ae6b7cc-03b0-4f0b-8d2e-1f34c910d956/IMG_7698.PNG Blog - Tulips, Tulips, Tulips - Make it stand out After walking nearly 7 miles and biking nearly 10, we were finally all tuliped out and ready for the bus back to Haarlem. During the ride, Amanda played her game Strands. The spanogram was Spring Flowers and included tulip, hyacinth, and daffodil. Now, how is that for a wonderful coincidence?! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/tulips monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6891e5b3-e02c-4ca7-9bf9-ecd756070a90/tempImage6kaGNS.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out Our apartment is steps from the street named Gedempte Oude Gracht. The street’s name comes from the Oude Gracht canal that the street covered over In 1859 after its waters became fetid. Now a popular thoroughfare, on Saturday evening it was the termination point of the annual Bloemencorso Flower Parade. The parade begins in the morning 26 miles to the south. Throughout the day, it slowly winds its way north, with stops along the way, until it finally reaches Haarlem at night. I stepped out of our apartment a bit past 10:30 p.m. and the parade was still making its way down the street, the nearly full moon highlighting rain clouds blowing in from France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8200c6ae-0ba3-49e5-a936-6b1dd3e85825/tempImager3cWYq.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out It seems the whole of Haarlem turned out for the event, the lateness of the hour given little consideration. I suppose I’m a cynical old man now, but the parade was the same as any other: flowered floats, cars adorned with flowers, marching bands—all the usual suspects. Sadly, being in Holland did little to impress upon me a need to stay and watch much more than a small portion of the event. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1a87cc73-d3d4-42f6-b5dc-50e06c81f5ce/tempImageQrSTvF.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out One reason we were not overly motivated to watch the parade at night was that, once the parade stops in Haarlem, the floats are left in place and you can check them out throughout the day on Sunday. Little did we know, they simply park the floats all down Gedempte Oude Gracht, so they are right out our front door! The rain fell overnight, clearing by the late morning. Given such a magnificent day, everyone was drawn outside to admire the floats up close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ec74cd2d-31f7-4cfb-8415-55ed34db74c2/tempImagetuF4tg.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out This photo was taken from the middle of Gedempte Oude Gracht, between two floats. Our apartment is in the all white building down the street (our door is under the small red triangle sign). When we picked this spot, we had no idea we had positioned ourselves so well for the festivities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/58d6d3c2-d88c-424b-b6ae-568dce7febfa/tempImagefSh6Je.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out More floats https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8dc15c0-660d-4973-b894-a7918b33962a/tempImage6e5slJ.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b4904dc9-0b4e-403f-bc35-7e471fc745c6/tempImagexIR9s2.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out It seemed like all of Holland rolled into Haarlem to enjoy this idyllic Sunday. This is Haarlem’s Grote Markt, its central square. You almost can’t make out Grote Kerk (Great Church)/St. Bavokerk ("Church of St. Bavo") amidst all the carnival rides covering the old cobbled square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/26d4905f-5c5f-487f-bf2c-4df0425fa230/tempImageTPTACw.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out Modernity blends with the ancient. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4508fa24-c012-4200-bd93-95e54d4a316f/tempImageA6Tz3k.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out The festival encouraged us to walk about the city more, which gave us an increased appreciation for what a beautiful city we were privileged to call home this week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/773dde43-28af-4db1-b404-e7b207b73c85/tempImageRz1lDw.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out Though briming with people, the charm of the quaint old streets was undeniable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fa88d854-fff7-4a14-87c2-f507e5ad4338/tempImageQtnWo9.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out It all changes on Sunday evening though. The floats will move on, as will the masses of people. For the time being, however, the clear skies and festive energy were infectious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d6cfa4c0-2a27-40d1-8489-e5966bda445c/tempImagexCdkfp.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out Another museum that was unexpectedly sold out when we went to purchase tickets was the Corrie ten Boom House Museum here in Haarlem, very near the Grote Markt square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/710be12f-5069-4edc-a4f9-f747377d34ac/tempImagelnw9pW.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out This was the watch shop and residence of the ten Boom family, where they provided a hiding place for Jews and others who were persecuted and hunted by the Nazi regime. The family became part of the Dutch underground resistance and oversaw a network that smuggled Jews to safe places. A secret room was built in Cornelia’s (Corrie) bedroom behind a false wall. The room could hold six people and had a ventilation system installed. A buzzer could be heard in the house to warn refugees to get into the room as quickly as possible during security sweeps through the neighborhood. It is estimated that around 800 Jews were saved by the ten Booms’ efforts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49e5ddfc-7836-41f7-8982-64eee2747d34/tempImageabs0D6.jpg Blog - Dutch Flower Parade - Make it stand out As with the Frank family, the ten Booms were eventually betrayed by a Dutch informant. They were arrested by the Gestapo here on February 28, 1944. The group of six people hidden by the ten Booms at the time remained undiscovered. The ten Booms received a letter one day in prison stating, "All the watches in your cabinet are safe," meaning that the refugees had managed to escape and were safe. Corrie ten Boom survived Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. However, Casper (father) died due to imprisonment in Scheveningen, Betsie (sister) from Ravensbrück, Wilhelm (brother) from Hilversum, and Christiaan “Kirk” (Wilhem’s son) from onbekend. Corrie passed away in 1983 at 91-years of age in her home in Placentia, California. Their Christian faith compelled them to action, regardless of consequence. I was more than a little shocked to read in Russell Shorto’s book Amsterdam, that Netherlanders remain largely embarrassed by how many of their people took advantage of the Jews and others who were targeted by the Nazis. Tragically, those that helped hide the Frank family and the work of the ten Boom family were not the norm, a fact that gave me great personal pause—would (will) I have the courage and conviction to do what these brave and heroic people did? https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/amsterdam monthly 0.5 2025-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0defed74-41e1-4191-9ef7-51bf5f220079/tempImageHQIbzQ.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out The Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place was such an ideal location. On Friday morning we walked out the hotel’s front door and were steps from the escalator down to the tram system. The tram took us to South Station (Gare du Midi), where we boarded this Eurostar train. This photo is us having just arrived in Amsterdam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1178d438-d7ff-4115-a5a5-e51ee3bc6ebe/tempImageTCD150.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out We decided to stay in Haarlem, which is about 11 miles due west of Amsterdam. We had to take another train from Amsterdam to Haarlem. While on board the train, we figured out that the R-NET 300 bus delivered us from the train station nearly to the front door of our rental—which beat the heck out of 15 minutes of lugging suitcases down uneven sidewalks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7eccd801-5da8-4d0a-b8fb-38ccc9011c5a/tempImage3C1bMs.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out We were early for check-in, so we stopped by Mama’s Soup for some, well, you guessed it, soup. My broccoli soup was served in the green tureen and you might be able to guess the flavor of Amanda’s soup. Both were excellent homemade soups. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d5e405c-5dce-4005-9ad2-3ba5433a1cec/tempImagepwdmpK.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out The owner graciously allowed us to check in a bit early. We popped in a load of laundry and then headed out for groceries. As expected, the steps were steep and narrow—very Dutch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd5e6300-e97e-4e57-98bd-d55df7648931/tempImageESOVwI.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Here we are in Will’s favorite part of AH Grote Houtstraat (Translation: Albert Heijn, the largest grocery chain in the Netherlands, located on Grote Houtstraat street. Grote Houtstraat means Big Wood Street. Yikes! The kids are going to have fun with that one.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67efaa13-9d75-4af2-acee-fd41aeb765ab/tempImageTTIar7.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Look Pam: broccoli! Nearly everything was labeled in Dutch, and we don’t speak “freaky deaky Dutch” (Austin Powers Goldmember), so you better believe we were using Google Translate on the regular. Now this will blow your mind: How do you say father in Dutch? It’s vader. I guess we shouldn’t have been so surprised when we heard the line, “Luke, I am your father.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b29b1cc-472d-4a53-9382-cb626307d4d8/tempImageup9jxD.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out When you’re finished at the self-check register, a tiny stub of paper like this one pops out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f83565a7-ecb4-49a1-94c6-2a4456d25f22/tempImagepQspVg.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out As you try to exit, you must scan the barcode so the security bars swing open and allow you to leave the store. One final stop at Boulangerie Oscar (Oscar’s Bakery) for fresh bread and we were all set, Dutch style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f767d1d7-1b0b-4216-b0c7-7d7b115efe9e/tempImageJTfvnI.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Amanda and I wear retainers to keep our teeth straight, and we need tabs to soak the retainers in to keep them clean. We bought more tabs from Etos in Haarlem. Etos is Netherland’s version of Boots from the UK, their store names are even written in the same script. Somehow the single massive word Gebitsbruistabletten translates as Dental Effervescent Tablets. Extra Sterk means Extra Strong and the tube contains 30 stuks (pieces). I just got a kick out of this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f594e261-4a70-4799-afab-b38fe0cff434/IMG_2895.PNG Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Back in our apartment I captured this image on Find My after Dave had just landed in Rio de Janeiro—wild! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/56611659-d5d7-4b51-aa43-e77a260b89a9/tempImageaIRW6x.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out On Saturday we took a train back into Amsterdam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d3f1bc5-4cc4-4375-8673-601445c09e65/tempImageoJaYWM.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out The original idea for this trip was to visit Amsterdam, so it was great to finally be in the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f299565a-74b7-4dfd-82f2-ceb045324990/tempImageLuS8Ew.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Tulips in front of our coffee shop. Across the street is the neo-Gothic Magna Plaza shopping center, which faces Dam Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3e85f8e-f6f3-4749-a02d-1f1ff4a3132d/tempImageIuYBMH.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out We wandered along the streets and the canals until we arrived at probably the best-known building in Amsterdam—Otto Frank’s business premises at Prinsengracht 263. This was a private home built in 1635 between two warehouses. Recall for later that the front of the building contains three doors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/19e0fdac-7373-4654-a3ae-06ce9aa65ffe/tempImagejuqttF.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out In October 1938, Otto Frank took over Pectacon—a German pectin and spice company—from its founders. In 1940, Otto rented this building for his company. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f8a9cdd9-9e4d-4a61-8d96-97c8cbc292cd/navigatiemodel_-_voorgevelaan.jpg__2160x1296_q85_ALIAS-5_3_big_crop_subsampling-2_upscale.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out The building Otto rented included the main house (which you see in our photos) and its annex. The land along the Amsterdam canals was in high demand, which is why many of the properties are narrow and long. In order to create more living, working, and storage space, so-called “annexes” were built in the backyards of existing houses. As with many such houses, the first and second floors are connected by internal stairs; however, the third floor and attic are often separate residences reached through a different front door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/810e2a89-d0ae-4247-80b1-379fae1a2b38/IMG_20190106_162751_dev_2.web.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out To allow daylight into both houses, the main houses and the annexes were separated by a courtyard. Here the courtyard is covered by a peaked, white roof (below the yellow oval). Along the far side, a narrow corridor connected the house and annex. However, only the first and second floors were connected. To reach the third floor and above, you had to go outside (the door at the far left is shown open) and use a separate staircase to reach the upper floors. At the landing (yellow oval), a door led to the house, but a bookcase was placed in front of the entrance to the upper two floors and attic of the annex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f45ad1d0-3f6a-4f4e-85d3-ac358838a06a/tempImageV90Fga.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Less than a block away is Westerkerk, the church whose bells Anne Frank mentions in her diary. Rembrandt is also buried inside. Surveying the swarms of people outside the museum, it’s startling to realize the impact of Anne’s young life. The Secret Annex, the chestnut tree, the church bells—all known the world over because of one ordinary person who wrote a journal. We will be visiting the Anne Frank House on Wednesday. “In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.” —Anne Frank https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98af4810-95bc-4793-b02b-acf2eeca5d14/tempImage8h4rgF.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out It would be hard to pick a favorite canal view, they are all so captivating in their own way. This is the view to the front of the Anne Frank House (as it is now known). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b86a6a01-aae7-415a-9803-4095642eb84d/tempImageZ6JW0d.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out On Reestraat bridge over Prinsengracht canal, looking back on Anne Frank’s Westerkerk (church). The Anne Frank House is just beyond the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4878bb68-52a2-466b-aa9b-4b57583adf23/tempImageMHBCxf.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out The same bridge as above with Amanda standing near the red sign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dac6653a-48de-4f50-a5b5-920aa57f672f/tempImageLlubb2.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Houseboats were once the poor person’s way to live in Amsterdam. They are now prime real estate and quite expensive. This owner really chose to spruce up the place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aca91676-6116-49af-91b4-c1cc4a077f62/tempImageSyjDSW.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out These guys have got the right idea on a warm and sunny day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f7cac3e-1b11-4eca-a3f6-f4b118a7c827/tempImagenmj1nb.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Everywhere you look, it’s just so beautiful. We did a canal cruise, but our boat was bigger and did not go on inner canals like this. We recommend looking tours on smaller boats so you can cruise the interior waterways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/58dbc90b-fc73-482b-b1dc-94be5aec503c/tempImageLHds6S.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Much like the famous Dancing Houses nearby on Amstel (and so many others throughout the city) this place on Spiegelgracht is quite crooked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aae6ae3a-6729-44d3-9433-2c817942bd17/tempImagersEU9W.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Wild! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/45a940cd-ebda-44ae-a6df-c698817d0bd6/tempImagesLwMwF.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/48373fcc-da20-40ce-9bd0-4d5a561355da/tempImagevV94Lv.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Much as we prepared well in advance, many of the museums filled up before we could book. This is the Rijksmuseum, which houses many Dutch masterpieces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c9e758c2-1805-47f8-be35-7a9e046352f0/tempImageYHK7dq.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out It’s too nice a day to be indoors anyway. Here we are in the gorgeous little Rijksmuseum garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79fd8d0d-f101-42b2-a619-9e86838bf6eb/tempImagexIe5Fj.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aa1a596f-e450-4325-a8a4-92f63abd527e/tempImageOh4UBn.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Mercury and Psyche https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/553af3df-461c-4fda-8910-d0cff01be702/tempImageBmKzKP.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out We feel like the tiredness is showing on our faces here. After a lot of walking and being in the sun all day, we were thrilled to find Vegan Temple Bar for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5582adde-5854-4dfd-8711-5003a2bc5f35/tempImage1NhItd.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out Amanda had pesto pasta and I had the Smoky Temple Burger. The balls are a vegan take on bitterballen—a Dutch snack consisting of a very thick meat stew that is refrigerated until it firms, rolled into balls, breaded, and fried. Poor quality bitterballen is made with horse meat—yummy! As with our haggis, we’ll stick with the vegan bitterballen, which turned out to be super crispy and delicious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7609707d-fadf-4bea-b4d7-3a5e57fb8901/tempImagev99qrE.jpg Blog - Amsterdam - Make it stand out A lovely German beer to go with my burger. We’ll be back on Wednesday for more Amsterdam. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/au-revoir-bruxelles monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88adf79b-6b44-4323-9c79-ed136acde0a6/tempImageVafhQQ.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out We returned to Buddy Buddy for brunch. This time we knew better—deux pains au chocolat s‘il vous plaît. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0ca7a80f-6aa5-41cb-92f4-b3e4483db569/tempImageW3MYZz.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out We then took the metro to the very northern part of Brussels to see the Atomium. Zoom in to see the guy hanging off the very left particle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0442b5bd-8456-4fce-95a0-c712ee24748a/tempImage1z9Mt7.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out Each of the particles within the giant stainless steel atom are connected by escalators. I’m sure it was all quite interesting, but paying $55 for us both to visit Atomium and the neighboring Mini-Europe exhibit just didn’t seem worth the cost. We settled for the external views and being able to say “we’ve been there.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2dcb0597-43fe-40fe-8c70-1042e148a430/tempImageVgVEfe.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out I love funny signs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6fd44471-9148-4680-9eaf-4be417f4ba67/tempImageU6JA9W.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out These are two related favorites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c16b7590-b8d7-4574-bf97-567872f066fb/tempImagem8q4fY.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out Back in central Brussels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a807e0aa-586b-42ce-8c61-81e0195940fe/tempImage8szfG6.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out It was our final day in Belgium—the official birthplace of French fries—so we made one last pilgrimage to Frites Atelier for their magnificent, triple-cooked, extra-crispy frites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/adb549ad-fb80-4827-a862-27b844f4d26c/tempImagexnVUBL.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out I wondered why there is an apple on their napkin. Pomme means apple in French, so is it “apple fries”? Turns out many languages use the word “apple” to refer to the potato as an “apple from the ground,” and “apple” is often used generically to refer to a fruit. So, the Garden of Eden’s “apple” may not necessarily be an apple as we Americans think of it today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e5b55e00-c874-4046-9c7e-7fc6bb079695/tempImageYvyqof.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out From fries to chocolates. Mary Delluc first opened a shop on this location on rue Royale in 1919. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/972d35e8-2ff5-49a5-96b7-6cdbce4b68c2/tempImageH7mGbP.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out Today, Mary Chocolatier is considered one of the most refined artisanal chocolate makers in the world. Can’t wait to savor our selections! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/89169823-fcac-4e64-8fae-4dc7c77ea6a5/tempImageweJNgu.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out We also added a few chocolates from Neuhaus, chocolatiers since 1857. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0fb3031b-be63-42aa-b762-b0f55e082452/tempImageJuF68I.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out I’d like to say these will make it home to share, but it’s unlikely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9211ac7-2359-4cdc-a10e-c542565bc871/tempImageFdTq22.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out We just learned on this trip that The Smurfs were created by Belgian comics artist Peyo. We learn something new every day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7541a428-b134-48f6-a89b-ac01cad4e044/tempImagejfORda.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out As we were next door to Manneken Pis, we peeked around the corner to see if he had a costume change…and he did. Today he was a chef. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/feb92cb5-d3ef-49ac-a8fe-1002f11a5e15/IMG_2859.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out If you go online you’ll see that his entire wardrobe for the month is picked out for him. Today was the 10th, so his wardrobe is listed as “cook.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed89349a-440a-4b6d-bbef-a15ad1259a64/tempImageSxUgBl.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out We tried to soak in the ambiance during one final walk through the Grand-Place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ed39cdd-8028-42a1-8e10-285c26bbe2ff/tempImageO2XEsH.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out The detail work is so intricate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71bcd039-9467-467f-a6cc-654f9916ec82/tempImageuhbJMd.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72687bc0-52a2-44eb-950b-7a771fd204e3/tempImagew8wnod.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out One last waffle! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f7e4a2d-87fc-4f74-9be1-a01c33733fd2/tempImagePXk4XB.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out And we know the perfect place to enjoy it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/134eea17-db00-45b4-9c97-07491d12c81d/tempImagehpnJqP.jpg Blog - Au Revoir Bruxelles - Make it stand out Yummy! We finished off our stay with a Belgian Beer Tasting Experience from 7:45 to 9. Our host was a student here from Texas and our fellow tasters were from San Ramon, CA; Ireland; and Russia. We finally learned that lambic beers don’t add yeast but allow natural, wild yeast present in the air to enter the wort, producing a “spontaneous fermentation” process. We tried Oude Gauze Boon and a Kriek—very interesting! It’s off to Amsterdam tomorrow morning. Until then… https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/bruges monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/781eda12-434d-42f3-b8e1-8979257e2e6f/02784000-a309-436e-a0e8-3484e50d3f5f_screenshot.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out “Here’s the chocolate. It’s from Bruges. That’s in Belgium.” —Dr. Evil to Mini Me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f7ca2bd-f4c1-4cdf-8b03-d990a69eead5/tempImageNmJQNH.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out We woke early so we could catch the 8 a.m. train in Brussels and make it to Bruges by 9. The walk from our hotel to the Central train station was a quick 10-minute walk, so we arrived calm, cool, and collected. Panic quickly set in because the signs indicating which of the six platforms our train would depart from were quite confusing. We asked a worker and ran to that platform, only to find out he was wrong. We finally made it to the correct platform with about five minutes to spare. Phew! ‍ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/839776d1-b7bd-4edd-9824-4ead8c9d0bc0/tempImage09DNzG.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out In Bruges, we got on the correct bus, but headed in the opposite direction we intended. Once we finally figured out the bus system, Amanda found the perfect salve for nerves frayed so early in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4f95368-2c39-45e1-865c-ffe661a1fe31/tempImagecldQpN.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out We began our tour of Bruges with a canal tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/247f7a62-1693-46e6-8a5a-83bdc94603a8/tempImageAZdnkI.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Forget mind the gap, in Bruges it’s mind your head. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2915c0d3-b1ad-4a3f-810b-a7e29ac65fa2/tempImagef6T9wo.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/82748d15-f5e4-4fc7-b170-300fc507e0ac/tempImageKgln4n.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out This city is next-level beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/65c41ff6-06fb-4f4d-b926-ead60371cec3/tempImageCfi9Lu.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/27f8ab88-66df-4d01-832b-84ba916bbb3b/tempImagen9O69Y.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a5fbe5c5-265f-4dc1-b293-71449445c322/tempImageFXVbAD.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d8044cda-895c-4df6-a160-8f96a98de210/tempImageHZI8J8.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f61e13f-1707-4045-8fe7-16460f426cf2/tempImageryfmaT.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Fresh Belgium chocolates on a canal boat—bonus! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ecb64d02-0609-4ef3-af9d-a3f873cba9f2/tempImage2YMrNX.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The house used in the 1959 movie The Nun’s Story staring Audrey Hepburn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/24750943-4207-436d-8bea-e7c0230bcf4b/tempImageTiLVrx.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out A pair of beautiful swans share their canal with us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f984eb9e-44ec-4a23-a674-6a3770d17faa/tempImageK1Z3jI.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Every stretch of the city is filled with architectural perfection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/475b7ab9-f1ae-4be8-8682-7f560c0618e0/tempImagebXKxsK.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The place on the left is a B&B. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/102189b9-ec5e-4f19-9698-2ca9b8152b3f/tempImagenwMEnE.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out St. Bonifacius Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6dad2def-b63d-4161-bc6b-a62b11c9faac/tempImageLuVLjg.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Church of our Lady behind St. Bonifacius Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ef984d20-90f2-4d00-ace0-bcae7c01c224/tempImage8T6al4.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Another tour boat making its way down the canal. I shudder to think how busy this place must be during the summer months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/51164117-d193-42a0-9946-417c28548c4a/tempImageQXOZb9.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The Burg (Middle Dutch for Fortress) is a former fortress and one of the main squares and one of the oldest parts of the city. The Burg was originally surrounded by walls and had entrance gates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f920cb8c-2012-4185-8af1-03d71b2f9a5e/tempImageaNmpz6.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Deep in the corner of the Burg is Basilica of the Holy Blood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/26a484c5-702b-43f6-ab0d-c1802a8b0882/tempImage0ZcJ6R.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87b603e6-59af-4fef-9fb4-2b894ddfbcae/tempImageiyYDt5.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Surprisingly, the elaborate artwork is not the Basillica’s primary draw. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b130880b-5a4b-4e98-b470-02f8e6952a1d/tempImagenYwaAE.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The priest in the distance is sitting in front of a wooden case allegedly containing a relic holding the actual blood of Christ. We walked passed and saw the relic, but photos were not permitted. Joseph of Arimathea owned the garden where the body of Jesus was placed. He washed Jesus’ bloody body with cloths and then wrapped his body in a shroud. Allegedly, the cloths soaked in Jesus' blood were kept in Jerusalem like the other Passion relics. Current theory is that the Bruges relic was taken during the fall and looting of Constantinople in 1204 and brought by crusaders to Western Europe and eventually to the Basilica. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b16dc19-07bc-48ee-a829-0df47c5a3ed8/tempImageNBfD9v.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out A charming passageway that was once a gateway to the Burg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/37c7f442-3acf-4fd9-9c8a-89db0b373672/tempImage2ZlXll.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7e3f0380-8b3a-47ef-8817-0c16c3121a22/tempImageBV7O7E.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Meringues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85a2e0e6-161b-4620-86ee-3b402df7ac1a/tempImage5w8qVp.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Springtime in Bruges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f29f2d4c-1be2-43d1-917b-46811c4420b0/tempImageAmf2EZ.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4089637f-f41d-48f3-9c73-d379a46eb4f9/tempImageNuN0VV.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The Provincial Court overlooking Bruges’ Grand-Place/Grote Markt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e7b9c279-7b9e-42ff-947b-ec1ec87be44e/tempImage41ekM1.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out One of the most photographed views in the city: Rozenhoedkaai or Rosary Quay (pronounced “Key”) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71c066bf-f680-461b-ab73-2544de526085/tempImageF81UYI.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out We ended our day in Bruges with a beer on the “beer wall” behind Amanda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3e1844da-a9c5-48c8-ab78-6c295c079483/tempImageAt4PpR.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Rosary Quay and the “beer wall.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4a83d46-4f13-4f64-90cd-379cbcad0e5a/tempImagemtzz0n.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The classic “stepped façade“ common in Bruges architecture . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bb4f34bc-0253-4341-a898-e0d9bce5e1c5/tempImagev37oLq.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b924962e-b32f-46bf-a8e4-82c37673f66d/tempImagekbvP21.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out The four food groups of Belgium. I love the ribbon: “Look Out Below”! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fca5670d-3179-4b96-8a6e-891367071329/tempImageZroQ4F.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Medieval charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a463ae02-d9ca-4b8f-901b-943546f34bfe/tempImagezT2oME.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88d8c9e5-d073-4d14-ac60-64e9898f742f/tempImageZZSo0K.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out We had chocolates this morning, must be time for a waffle at Chocolate Bar Bruges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e531f63-7c9d-4252-bcdd-2375e09c6ded/tempImageAgIuMx.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out We’ve been averaging about 6 miles a day and 13K+ steps, so hopefully we’re working off all the goodies we’re consuming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1b7c6f7a-66b8-46b1-b113-a5d300bedee8/tempImageiachYA.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Ending our day in Bruges at the “beer wall.” Two local brews: Amanda has a Blanche de Bruges and I have a Fourchette. Santé! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6afa64e4-0a30-4a63-9d31-311a121cbfc4/tempImageIdlGua.jpg Blog - Bruges - Make it stand out Bruges was such a delightful city to visit. You simply could not walk without stopping to gawk at some new and beautiful site. Now, add to that image walking down ancient cobbled streets and continually smelling fresh waffles baking. Bruges was like a dream! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/brussels-part-deux monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/46dd689f-f3e6-4881-bf5e-0798177098ac/tempImagev71TXr.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out We started Tuesday morning with breakfast at Buddy Buddy coffee shop. The shop crafts organic nut butters from peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts and uses them as the basis for their drinks and pastries. Amanda had a praline hot chocolate and a chocolate, peanut butter, & sea salt cookie (right). I had a praline mocha and pain au chocolat. The cookie was great, the drinks were velvety and delicious, but it was the pain au chocolat that stole the show. It was the perfect mix of flaky and dense richness that easily rivaled the traditional version. The perfect way to start the day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1bcc443-0efe-4b3b-aba6-cdc414384cb8/tempImage0r5uDH.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out We hoped back on the metro and then walked to the European Parliament. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/688ce564-a9e7-4612-b775-2365eac1a742/tempImageXy4opK.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/213c53c3-6425-46d7-8ae0-1563713aa07c/tempImageUJflp2.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4538431-77bf-4a96-8898-0db89822a268/tempImagesV35p6.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3b27466-3702-489a-a3d8-ec9612266c66/tempImageMzdbjS.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out The metro then delivered us to the Monument du Cinquantenaire which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Belgian Revolution, when the independent Kingdom of Belgium seceded from the Netherlands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/72842401-1ad3-4907-9f3e-99a69bc6369b/tempImagekxDydG.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/156fc360-798e-404d-9024-875104e70174/tempImagecWGbC4.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out On average it rains 200 days a year in Belgium, which calculates out to 55% of the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afe76f31-2964-4e29-aa9e-d0e27fcb3059/tempImageoYM04A.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Apparently, we managed to defy all odds by having four consecutive warm and sunny days to explore the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/aaa66e68-f95a-4e9b-869e-6c3101419bb3/tempImagesEMzQK.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out This Golden Retriever was loving life chasing a stick his owners threw into the fountain in Parc de Bruxelles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1342b63e-5712-49cc-a7b3-43dc27be22bf/tempImageXYaDaa.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c180a525-5117-4c08-8a0f-103e25fcba60/tempImagedfTOsK.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2a8f082c-312e-4b55-8150-cc8e93f6ddff/tempImagefMnwFH.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e6259fd-0602-405b-aab7-33fda36e4df3/tempImagenF3ZPt.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Belgium Chocolates—the perfect afternoon snack. Item #4 ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0c0df95c-4dc6-4677-beef-49e72b277756/tempImagenOwQQn.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out The Royal Palace of Brussels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/16341d98-3c6f-4ca1-9279-da2a2282dee2/tempImagemhTIjo.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out The Brussels-Capital Region is governed by the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, which includes a Minister-President and four ministers, two of whom are French-speaking and two Dutch-speaking, along with three State Secretaries, at least one of whom must be Dutch-speaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e3f336c2-2fa1-498d-b403-0455548a9fee/tempImagedWNFVZ.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Such beautiful buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e02cd2f3-75c7-4b0b-ba15-7d3dca343990/tempImageIVeeI0.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Mont des Arts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/69a1b346-e4d0-4f02-809d-25fdcd7ad509/tempImageAHRCJ6.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Then it was finally time to visit Manneken Pis (Dutch for Little Pissing Man). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1b14e58-29af-404b-a2c4-de54a4f0a48b/tempImageQ6VT7v.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out The little guy is continually changing his costumes. Today he was dressed in an outfit representing Actiris, the regional employment office in Brussels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6f293d1c-fca6-4cc8-8288-e771d816cffc/tempImageszV3YF.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out He has had so many outfits over the years that there is an entire museum nearby dedicated solely to his many outfits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/237aa247-06db-4320-bc5d-0e6c6fe79692/tempImageEwfU0i.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/38378f3d-1a79-43ef-b270-ef1e24579982/tempImageu8gsgU.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/abf197c2-01c1-454b-9e2c-fbfb4b43af22/tempImageV6hJOI.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out On the side of the museum is a mural celebrating 30 years of Pis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0cc13faa-6ac9-4a13-9a42-52c4674ae015/tempImageZZghcY.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out The side of this restaurant reads: Drink. Eat. Pee—which pretty much sums up life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5616ebd7-2b1f-4876-bb53-d1519845c03b/tempImageMF9Fn1.jpg Blog - Brussels Part Deux - Make it stand out We ended the day with dinner at Liu Lin. Amanda had the Crispy Chicky Bowl (right) and I had Liu’s Coconut Curry (left), with a side of veggie prawn crackers. It was a delicious way to end the day. In case you’re wondering, we had chocolates for lunch, a waffle as an afternoon snack, fries and beer for dessert—all four Belgium food groups were enjoyed on day deux! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/brussels monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a137ad5-4ddf-4826-85ae-c3c19dd03bc7/tempImageDEL8Ii.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out All aboard the 9:01 a.m. Eurostar at St. Pancras International in London. Soon we were under the English Channel for 20 minutes, through France, and on to Brussels, Belgium. We managed to get on the tram from the train station and make our way to our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8330b4b0-fb4f-499a-9a6b-6f1a16966031/tempImageAQpd8P.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out We dropped our bags at the hotel and made our way to the Grand-Place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f015a4c4-f45e-4d88-aeeb-2c1ed3c77068/tempImageHMKIMX.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out The Grand-Place (French for Grand Square) is also known as Grote Markt (Dutch for Big Market). With so many mesmerizingly beautiful buildings on all four sides, it’s difficult to know where to focus your attention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cdb49354-b552-4087-b749-5eae917edb71/tempImageY3P6mA.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Belgium is famous for four things: waffles, beer, French fries, and chocolate. We wasted no time checking #1 off the list… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a4ad0fd8-2760-4d13-9bb5-6c68eca07e52/tempImage3ckGAi.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Erica, surprisingly these are also GF! AND…you would have no idea if someone didn’t tell you. Très délicieux!! ✅ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/99401164-e696-491a-a39b-5e42f71d2a29/tempImage1iyFNo.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out The streets are brimming with olde world charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3dba16e5-2057-41d3-9303-204547cc6f71/tempImagegVmrGz.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/175917a9-e1fe-4547-838a-3ea2e5669942/tempImage0AQ3eB.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Belgium may be famous for four things, but Brussels is also famous for three slightly naughty peeing statues. We saw the two lessor-known ones today. This is Jeanneke Pis, Dutch for Little Pissing Joan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d08b1616-c1a6-4a0a-bc03-7d3e39836321/tempImage4EewMe.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Joan is rather realistic in her depiction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0f68c82b-c7e0-4ab1-b366-fd28d3335678/tempImageX4s36F.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out And then there’s this little scamp, Het Zinneke (Dutch for the mutt), who is sometimes called Zinneke Pis to match the more well-known two-legged Manneken and Jeanneke. We’ll visit the famous Manneken Pis tomorrow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd4fd740-0008-4b32-93ed-35d7575bd2df/tempImagewiiKOS.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out This guy is a bit more conservative than his human counterparts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f53412d0-4140-4f9e-b74b-63edd422b7a7/tempImagejwgfe0.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out We stopped in Delirium Taphouse to checkout the second thing Belgium’s is famous for—bière. Amanda had a Campus Premium lager/pilsner from Huyghe Brewery based in Melle, East Flanders, Belgium. I had a Bersalis blonde ale from Oud Beersel, an artisanal lambic brewery based in Beersel, Belgium. ✅ ✅ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/625a322f-aa4b-452a-829f-1e19533d0c5a/tempImageHxk8Ku.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Finally, it was time for some of the famous Belgium frites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c1b62be4-ce8e-4bda-9beb-331e518fce3c/tempImagevbR7w5.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out “French fries” actually come from Belgium, not France. During WWI, American soldiers stationed in Belgium, where French is spoken, encountered the dish and mistakenly attributed it to France, even though frites are a Belgian specialty. The Hoegaarden Wit (white) bier was refreshing and especially tasty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e6d02d5e-54c5-4125-8e68-1fd23728c2ad/tempImagew4IDsS.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Frites Atelier uses Zeeland clay potatoes, known for their slightly earthier and richer profile. They first boil them in hot water to fluff them up, then they fry them in vegetable oil, and then fry them a second time to make them extra crispy. Sooo delicious! ✅ ✅ ✅ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/abc10e83-2a2e-4fd1-83e6-3ae3fa6722ec/tempImageLea2sh.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out Frites Atelier is also famous for their variety of homemade sauces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1b6a1cc-b3ad-49ce-9367-19ce3fa66bb5/tempImageiJFXoJ.jpg Blog - Bienvenue à Bruxelles - Make it stand out For the love of all that is holy…WHY?! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/three-more-days monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/916adcdf-d628-48a7-85dc-e368cc4b40a2/tempImageH3OL9a.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out We did laundry on Friday morning and then headed out to visit the Charles Dickens Museum in the afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e50a943e-7a3c-4c19-bb33-9fcfced6407b/tempImageZEYFyw.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Charles Dickens lived in several homes in London, but the most notable and the only remaining one is 48 Doughty Street. (The museum purchased Number 49 to run reception, a café, restrooms, and meeting spaces in the adjacent property, so I guess we should have taken our photo one door over.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc3510da-d41f-4283-bcce-e2d1cc81aed9/tempImageth9dED.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out He lived in this Georgian terraced house in Bloomsbury, London from 1837 to 1839. The museum is arranged over five floors reflecting the domestic layout Dickens would have known. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1e778638-e0f8-42ea-9a71-932f4dae5c4d/tempImageSDYgHN.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Charles, his wife Catherine (above), and their first child moved into Doughty Street in 1837, the year Queen Victoria began her reign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/421f7d42-7a22-4dd7-b6f7-f4b6cc8652d3/tempImageWP7iIC.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out He arrived a little-known young writer. When he and his growing family left almost three years later, he was an international superstar, having written The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby. This is the desk and chair at which Dickens wrote many of his later works, including A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. It stood in the bay window of the study at his home, Gad's Hill Place, overlooking the front lawn with its sweeping drive (below). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a55f9805-131c-477b-ba33-4739f159be7e/81973699_dickensdeskpainting.2.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The desk and chair were honored in this haunting engraving entitled The Empty Chair by artist Luke Fildes. Lamenting Dicken’s death, it shows his writing desk and chair abandoned in his study. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7bd5bec9-a580-4741-98a0-3543a9d21abc/tempImageBTJlrz.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out This unfinished painting by Robert W. Buss, featuring the desk and chair, came to be known as Dickens's Dream and was painted after Dickens's death to celebrate the author's vivid imagination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f4560f7d-fd5e-467f-8842-85cdd2d6c255/tempImage0l6Q2n.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out His brother-in-law, Henry Burnett, recalls observing Dickens sitting in this chair in this corner of this room one evening, writing Oliver Twist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8ac0ad00-7ccb-4acb-abd8-5e3032a1e8d6/tempImageWL1DYn.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The building block behind us is the south stretch of Claremont Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e329b4e-b270-4a10-bcfe-58f4eaddc0b4/tempImagew2cZjC.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Claremont Square is a muggle neighborhood in Islington, London. However, to the wizarding world in the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, this is Grimmauld Place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bb2b3b5a-045a-4cf6-8ca0-1ad541458943/tempImage6rekeY.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The scene opens with a bin lorry slowly moving down the street before Mad Eye Moody, Harry, Tonks, Shaklebolt, and two other wizards emerge through this gate. Moody taps his stave on the ground thrice and then the buildings magically begin expanding, completely unnoticed by the muggles watching telly within. The doorway exposed is 12 Grimmauld Place, the Black family's ancestral home and Order of the Phoenix headquarters. (See Number 23, the middle black door above.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eeceb92d-7d8d-45ef-8c14-6fbb98aeaec3/tempImagewX3Nbo.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out We popped in King’s Cross Station for a spot of tea and were reminded of a funny story from our 2015 visit. A young boy ran out of the toilets behind Amanda, followed by his mother and older sister. Amanda heard the sister ask her mother, “Did he really just do a poo? He was only in there for like five seconds!” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e37f67b4-4022-4137-92eb-98ed372711db/tempImageoBc5z3.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out On our way to dinner in the East End we passed this “chippy” (fish and chips shop). This is the neighborhood where the serial killer Jack the Ripper committed his crimes in 1888, and the name is a wonderful pun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2dee42a1-cf30-4961-95fc-defa4c806e43/tempImageFa5CVx.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out After becoming a monk, Renshōbō (originally Kumagai Jirō) vowed to always face West, and he famously rode his horse backward to achieve this, as he traveled from Kyoto to the Kantō region of Japan. The act of riding backward is symbolic of his commitment to his monastic path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d500105c-7980-4bc6-b003-d0abbe16d4ac/tempImageCY0Do1.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out We were in San Diego when Amanda got an Instagram notification that Unity Diner was reopening in London. Their opening day was today, Friday, April 4, 2025. We immediately made a booking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1bfb420c-92ec-483c-a515-3f11691a981e/tempImagemlOnNG.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out I ordered a Forest Road POSH Lager. Once Amanda tasted it, she ordered one too. Delicious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ea25113-0a7a-4c38-b990-ddf9d7a3e00e/tempImagesq7V1r.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Amanda ordered the Classic Caesar Salad. They used shredded, seasoned mushrooms as the chick’n. The flavor was good, but she did not care for the chewy texture. My Double Bacon Cheeseburger, on the other hand, was hands down the best vegan burger I have had since making the switch five years ago. I would go back just to order this again! We also had an amazing Chocolate Torte for dessert. Unity Diner is a non-profit restaurant whose proceeds support Surge Sanctuary in England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e87b73b-1839-41c4-9c73-d6010ea241e8/tempImageF9pAXo.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out You know you are living in a place that is often cloudy, cold, and rainy when a glorious Saturday comes along, because the entire population heads outdoors. We walked from our apartment on the north, through Kensington Gardens, to the Albert Memorial on the south. We found ourselves among hundreds of pedestrians, large groups of runners, bicyclist, parents pushing prams, and dogs, dogs, dogs that filled the paths and green spaces under clear skies and the warm sun. The premature death of Prince Albert at 42 years of age was a shock that sparked a wave of mourning across Britain. His wife, Queen Victoria (1819-1901), commissioned this magnificent memorial to her beloved husband. At the bottom of the Albert Memorial, the “Parnassus Frieze” depicts 169 figures of genius like Shakespeare and Beethoven. The only woman is the Pharaoh, Nitocris. Dogs keep artists Hogarth and Veronese company. The four marble sculptures above the frieze represents agriculture, manufacture, commerce, and engineering—linking Prince Albert to industrialized Britain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff238009-2151-44c7-92b6-ed519272a7b5/tempImagez2ylV8.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Each corner is marked by representations of continents that contributed to the Great Exhibition of 1851, which Albert helped to organize. This plinth represents the continent of Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1fbabda9-0f4b-4b67-9594-a6386ee4fbaf/tempImageZXfyjd.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Asia plinth. Prince Albert was the driving force behind the Great Exhibition of 1851. The event was held at Hyde Park, inside a huge glass palace built for the occasion. This ambitious event showcased cultural and industrial objects from around the world, attracting six million visitors. It was Albert's idea to use the profits from the exhibition to create a neighborhood of educational, cultural, and scientific institutions. Nicknamed “Albertopolis,” this area includes world-famous sites like the Natural History Museum, Royal College of Art, and Royal Albert Hall. The Albert Memorial sits on the exact spot where the central axis of the Great Exhibition meets the central axis of Albertopolis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/923b1d59-d9f8-4943-bab5-1292f8fbdd0b/tempImageem7MUe.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Europe plinth. Following their wedding in 1840, Prince Albert won favor in his new country through sheer hard work. Albert believed in modernization and was a generous patron of the arts, as well as science and innovation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c937743f-5ac7-4ae4-9add-5b2c85eaccee/tempImageNizoSr.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The Americas plinth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bc628968-7bb7-45ea-981a-bb9dc3c3f37f/tempImageM6zjUQ.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The idea of their marriage was initially encouraged by family members, but the couple fell deeply in love. It’s all it bit creepy though considering they were first cousins—exactly like if Rachel and Matt married. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1128c1f0-35c5-4922-8250-5ad8132b8b39/tempImages6GM26.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The cross at the top indicated Albert was a Christian prince. The cross stands above two tiers of angles, representing heavenward aspiration. Below the angles, the four figures on the corners represent the “moral virtues” of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice. The four figures in between depict the “Christian virtues” of faith, hope, charity, and humility. The triangular mosaics represent the arts of poetry, painting, architecture, and sculpture. Below are eight sculptures (only two can be seen), in two tiers that represent the sciences. The four at the bottom symbolise astronomy, chemistry, geometry, and geology. Rhetoric, medicine, philosophy, and physiology are just above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ad42c5a-9328-4f2e-86ce-cbd534f0f022/tempImageMl4qWr.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The elaborate V&A Café inside the Victoria and Albert Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/16307b1b-3334-40f7-99b3-279c214d5d62/tempImageiSuAw7.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Time for a mocha and a spot of tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/309f0cc0-9714-4258-9ee4-b0364c682148/tempImagex8h6sj.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Back in the garden in front of our apartment (basement below the green door) to enjoy the afternoon sun, more tea, and our books. A most pleasant London Saturday indeed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4ec592ab-2d78-40ff-b723-51ac4cc767b4/IMG_3197.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Our last full day in London was Sunday—the entire reason we planned our flight through Heathrow in the first place—to see a performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London’s famous West End. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fd1c5986-63a3-4f92-8383-f2dc4e4d06c9/tempImageigC9er.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Outside the Palace Theatre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d9663c65-aa5b-4bf0-8cfe-a1ad9674e273/tempImageLibwvK.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out When the Palace Theatre was opened in 1891, it was the most ornate entertainment venue in London and described as “the handsomest music hall in Europe.” The Phantom of the Opera, one of the most successful musicals of all time, was written while its composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, lived in his flat at the top of the theatre. Les Misérables played here for 19 years before Harry Potter and the Cursed Child opened in 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/069f867f-1780-439b-b457-a1d6c5f4b088/tempImagefukGEC.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out We purchased great seats at the front of the Dress Circle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8af576c9-e860-4fed-b4b7-c8ce8639e97a/tempImageYsjPDf.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The play opens where the final movie ends, at King’s Cross Station Platform 9¾ with Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Draco, & Astoria seeing their children off to Hogwarts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3445cd2a-f810-428d-982b-133b2cf79d92/tempImageYENo5m.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/81c0a0e4-8fae-4e4a-b39c-93cad677dc8d/tempImageY4OguO.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The Palace is apparently home to the ghosts of Charles Morton (1904), Anna Pavlova (1931), & Ivor Novello (1951). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1485dcf0-610e-45e0-892e-83f386911406/tempImageQZL6HL.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The play is in two parts. Part I began at 1 p.m., and with the intermission, ended at about 3:45 p.m. with this scene of Voldemort Day! Just before the first half ended, two huge dementors appeared on the stage…and then a third one came out from the box seat to our right and flew right up to us before slowly making it’s way to the two upper balconies. It was some seriously impressive theatrics to say the least! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3fba8a54-ebbb-4d86-947d-67cb06c951fa/tempImageb6s1Dz.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out On the recommendation of my good friend Tina Bayles, we made a 4:15 booking for dinner at Circolo Popolare (Italian for the “popular circle”). This restaurant is not to be confused with Circulo Populare, which apparently is the traffic circle in front of Trafalgar Square and the complete opposite direction from the theatre as the restaurant! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9ac875b8-4dc0-4404-b1c2-fd2fe3d45bc4/tempImagexXjO6y.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out I cannot believe we had never heard of this place. Even at 4:15 in the afternoon, it was packed with people—popular indeed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/62c97df2-85cd-4ebb-9eda-e18fd15eacff/tempImage9dm5sP.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out The interior is filled with a mind-bottling collection of empties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f76803dd-a538-49f1-8249-663340457f3d/tempImageZR1kc7.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Amanda had a glass of Grappa Il Prosecco Nonino that put to shame any other Prosecco we may have had in the past. We started with some focaccia—Bella!. Amanda had pasta with a plant-based ricotta—Bellissino! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/12fcdc37-fa08-4907-85f5-abb2532e5bca/tempImage5E2CN2.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out I had a lovely, breaded and lightly fried eggplant (aubergine) with tomato sauce. Suffice it to say, neither of us had had pasta or sauce like this before—Delizioso! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b38f721c-edcc-4238-ab11-2d4531d6f9fc/tempImage9wb6vH.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Saluti Tina! Prego! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/912e7afb-b104-4426-b0a9-3470623b1c46/IMG_3198.jpg Blog - Charles, Albert & Harry - Make it stand out Dinner was amazing! As was the second half of the play. We laughed, we cried—it truly was an experience we will remember and treasure. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/downton-amp-binsey monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c5e5810d-a5e3-4712-ab80-bd3e1e57c27e/tempImageOrcmUk.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out On our walk to pick up our rental car we passed The Wild Table of Love sculpture just outside Paddington Station. The plaque reads, “The Wild Table of Love by internationally renowned artists, Gillie and Marc, features a banquet table full of delicious food, hosted by internationally beloved hybrid characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman. Sharing their table with ten of the most endangered animals in the world, they are opening their hearts to the wild world, promising to protect them from the threat of extinction. When we sit and share a meal, we share friendship and support. With two empty seats at the table, you can join the family of love, becoming a protector of wildlife and saving many species from the threat of extinction. This is part of the broader 'Love The Last' project, a social movement driven by public art to raise awareness, funds, and support for endangered animals across the world, encouraging people to take action before we lose these animals forever.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42826c4f-0000-4de0-bf74-61d9b119cd7e/tempImageXGhdKW.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Our rental was a Nissan Qashqai, the name under which the compact SUV is known in all countries except in the United States. The Qashqai are Turkic people who live in mountainous Central and Southwestern Iran. In the U.S., the car was rebadged the Rogue Sport. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/378e1589-a25c-475b-8b6f-6e4f0f47ed0f/tempImage7uU9Ya.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Foul King John https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f3b35a96-a008-4bd5-891e-524903a45fa1/prince-john-872x600.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2077f58c-5048-4b47-97c2-d1f79f8372e8/tempImagebpG4f3.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Our first stop was at Runnymede. In this meadow met King John and his supporters, the rebel barons, and Archbishop of England on June 15, 1215. The first jury originated from Clause 39 of Magna Carta, which states: “No free man shall be arrested or imprisoned or disseised [property taken] or outlawed or exiled or in any way victimized, neither will we attack him or send anyone to attack him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers [men of equal status] or by the law of the land.” From 1215, all trials were held in front of a jury of 12 local men, who decided the verdict. It wasn't until the twentieth century in Britain that women were called as jurors. The Jurors sculpture above was created in 2015 by British sculptor Hew Locke. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b88b81e3-e2a3-4d83-91f5-16d3ad961490/tempImageph0VdN.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Also at Runnymede is the Kennedy Memorial. The memorial is entered by passing through this gate. The quote on the front is from his inauguration as president in 1961 and the quote on the back is from his address to the American University in Washington D.C. in 1963. These were carefully chosen to reflect Kennedy's exceptional ability as a speechmaker and the enduring impact of his words, inspiring future generations to strive to make a better world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/860a2c23-f9b8-4637-8dec-eedc957961ce/tempImageHkAoXA.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Amanda is standing on American soil inside the U.K. The memorial, and the land it is on, was given to the people of the United States after President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963. The memorial was funded by public donations and the U.K. government, while the land was donated by Queen Elizabeth Il who dedicated the memorial to Kennedy in 1965. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/856b5c49-6fbd-452a-8ba6-222dfe3b88b1/tempImageYLOfMY.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Architect Geoffrey Jellicoe designed the steep, 50-step path, reflecting the number of American states. The 60,000 granite setts that make up the path represent the trials of the individual pilgrim on their personal journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/421b60a9-2d10-4549-b648-83a0d0c110b1/tempImageH9wrB9.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out At the top is this seven-ton rectangular memorial made of Portland stone. Here the steps level off to encourage visitors to pause and reflect on Kennedy's life and tragic death. To the right of the memorial is a stone path that leads to two Seats of Reflection overlooking the Thames, representing the President and First Lady. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0b98c488-7b83-4088-b892-c5acfa030312/tempImageGt6Mqd.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out On the hilltop overlooking the meadow of Runnymede and the River Thames just beyond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7137ee3e-46b9-4544-b0c8-477c80bfadb7/tempImage971bEm.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The first meeting of the American Bar Association (ABA) after the Second World War took place at Runnymede in 1957. Over 5,000 guests from America and Britain celebrated their shared legal traditions by unveiling the first large scale memorial to Magna Carta at Runnymede. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/116effb9-6537-490b-9814-3d584707ea7a/tempImagev3UsWh.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out After America freed itself from British rule, the ideals of Magna Carta inspired the American Bill of Rights and Constitution. Unlike Britain, where the monarch is the ultimate lawgiver, in America it is the collective will of the people as represented by the Constitution—Freedom Under Law. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/af2c2191-9f23-46e1-a099-13cdea2970ed/tempImagerjRmZW.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out On March 16, 1994, the Prime Minster of India, Parnaparthi Narasimha Rao, planted an English oak tree here alongside a memorial stone that reads, “As a tribute to the historic Magna Carta: a source of inspiration throughout the world and as an affirmation of the values of Freedom, Democracy, and the Rule of Law which the People of India cherish and have enshrined in their Constitution.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d339923-7cc6-47aa-a90a-e150e42b7dab/tempImagesjDvSY.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f141f8f8-e341-4b7d-8392-e0eb4ab9732b/tempImage0XXb84.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Our second stop was to Picket Post Close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/64ef6b1b-155a-4e1a-af4b-15461df8d30f/tempImagemevKP8.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out 12 Picket Post Close was the original exterior for Number Four Privet Drive, Harry Potter’s childhood home, which he shared with Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley “Dinky Duddydums” Dursley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/03eab8ea-fc25-4151-935d-4b8627b0d2a2/resize.png Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Rather than being in Little Whinging, Surrey, the home is situated in the predominantly muggle town of Bracknell, Berkshire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0aee77b6-22cd-4c81-a1b6-594965928fa1/tempImageunHYfJ.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out This home was only used as Number Four Privet Drive in the first Harry Potter film. Most wizards who have been on the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio tour will know that Privet Drive was replicated in a studio for the subsequent seven wizarding movies. (Looking at this photo and the one above, it seems the neighbors to the left did a bit of remodeling over the garage. Looks like they added CG chimneys too.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fcbd155f-4a56-4f77-9f87-61112f3a7845/tempImageEgDKxY.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Stop 3 was to the incomparable Highclere Castle, better known the world over as Downton Abbey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1e7fc48b-5d09-46a5-b3e9-18df45350947/tempImageaDWDMZ.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out This incredible green man was carved into a large tree stump on the drive up to the house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e8362dc-213a-4aae-8cbf-a6ba8b93ae77/tempImageNpUrWB.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The house is rarely open, so we were quite pleased to see there were openings during our short stay in London. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/400c3117-b773-4e63-b5c5-1999eca74e3c/tempImagexxEXWn.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out In the secret garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8de8a375-9559-4ab1-b48c-576db9b3bfbb/tempImage29kY1z.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6b35d1d4-df28-4fbc-865d-6dd9476997cb/tempImagerajwGF.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out At the famous front door. Sadly, there are no photographs allowed inside. We can only report that standing in the famous towering salon, next to the green silk walls of the drawing room, below the many portraits in the dining room, and touching the books and red couches in the library were nothing short of thrilling! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e73314a-1fc3-46c3-a19c-913d3929ce72/tempImageYD6uOW.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The greatest moment of all, of course, was walking down the grand staircase! We couldn’t take any pictures, so we just had to walk down slowly, sliding our hands over the handrail and savoring every moment! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/378da41b-34d2-41fa-a353-fa404d2aeb6a/61964751.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out One of Amanda’s many YouTube influencers recommended this book. She read it, loved it, and recommended it to me. I too really enjoyed the story, which is largely set in the small village of Binsey, just outside Oxford. Binsey became our fourth and final stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2ae344b-ea68-4816-a5ed-108fbc2f7612/tempImageem8RGN.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The story includes other real-life locations including the charming pub known as The Perch and the tiny parish church of St. Margaret’s, aka The Church and The Perch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1f2eef6-2193-401b-9115-9a23a770bbc1/tempImagetP6qkH.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The church farmhouse mentioned in the book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/73eff09d-b95f-42a1-a2bc-56e89c8ae46b/tempImageYcagy1.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Approaching St. Margaret’s, where legend says St. Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford, built an oratory (small chapel) in Saxon times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e658910d-e20d-47e2-923e-44957162c343/tempImage2DQMeI.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Born about 680, the daughter of a Christian nobleman, Frideswide was pursued by the Mercian prince Algar, who wished to marry her. She escaped to Binsey, where she worked for three years as a swineherd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/38b4cbc7-7fdd-48fb-ad46-e1c8ac943e83/tempImagefvtGjV.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Meanwhile, Algar, in search of her, was blinded by lightning. Frideswide cured his blindness with water from St. Margaret’s Well, which she caused to appear close to the west end of the church by praying to St. Margaret of Antioch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d3fb232-1e37-4e39-8d39-77abc27f88c9/tempImagesppjOI.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The well is incorporated into The Secret Book of Flora Lea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f2e48ecd-ae4e-4304-9d6e-788921b403af/tempImageqKxGdX.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out In medieval times, “treacle” meant “a healing liquid.” In Chapter 7, “A Mad Tea-Party,” of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the dormouse tells Alice a story about three sisters, Elsie, Lacey, and Tillie, who lived at the bottom of a well and "lived on treacle.” Carroll attended university at Christ Church college in nearby Oxford and based the well on his visits to St. Margaret’s Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c5bbcba0-a0b5-4a39-a04c-4f3391a1af92/tempImageZvBgIM.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The church entrance and aging belfry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d44b44d3-c7f4-4bb0-a10e-99fa9bee882f/tempImage7sr6yq.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Such a bucolic setting so close to bustling Oxford. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4f022470-552d-419d-bd15-77e4d66998f4/tempImageQ8j5lx.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The banks of the River Thames from which Flora Lea disappeared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e1c0e13e-9256-46c2-b1e3-9d61b63ce206/tempImageJknoQR.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Swan on The Thames. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/352701f5-eabb-433d-82c8-d035fa77c528/tempImagetWhnGX.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The riverside entrance to The Perch pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/021510dc-dbb6-406e-b10e-b3b7e2206e69/tempImage8O62NV.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Dinnertime! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ccdfd2d3-a546-438b-8d22-046e1e2a1667/tempImage22xqkI.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out This being England, dogs are “very welcome”! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d6d4667-a21f-4af3-8599-0a746e214f15/tempImagedoI6HX.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The pub’s back lawn on a glorious day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d8d0fc9-7f6e-4f22-a8da-e8a3885de0f8/tempImagenjtVOJ.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The willow tress were so beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff265df8-c161-450d-a111-4a81e19cb4ef/tempImageTpBnIG.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Looking toward where we sat for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/32e7d2ea-95fc-4ddc-a6dc-06ead93d5451/tempImageM59VLB.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c3fcf71b-13a0-47f6-9b88-e29ced5f91bc/tempImagewRMeTa.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out A bottle of fizzy water from nearby Blenheim Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7fb69c40-d065-4b8b-949b-1a8cfa0286f4/tempImagepPwNRd.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Our sentiments precisely! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/60de0455-6cdb-4c9e-8297-c24f1b687bf0/tempImageXoZLmc.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Amanda had the Spring Vegetable & Wild Garlic Pearl Barley Risotto, while I had the Perch Vegan Cheeseburger with house ketchup & triple-cooked chips. We both enjoyed a pint of local ale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/937f9cae-6b8d-4f68-9b62-cc8231001ba7/tempImagejynl13.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Dark Chocolate Tart for dessert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/584595c9-2ccf-4fef-92dc-6267de7606e4/tempImagejuUzti.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out It was too nice out to sit indoors, but, as you can see, the interior is pretty darn charming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2a5dab97-61b6-4340-bfc0-241e48feb9c7/tempImageM9SpXL.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Back in “watch-your-head” land. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3414bc34-92bd-4d89-b26e-404e0eecba6a/tempImageI9D9Gk.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out A drawing of Alice in Wonderland on the mantel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed5e77cd-e226-41a4-ac87-08957ef088bf/tempImagexj8f3n.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The thatched roof is topped with a perch finial. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab4b1f00-dfd5-4201-83f7-f563ab463479/tempImageghvodg.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out The front entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9f93d73a-9386-4aee-9a3e-a152a283a68b/tempImagebp047S.jpg Blog - Downton & Binsey - Make it stand out Pubs—the crowing jewels of England! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/feels-like-home monthly 0.5 2025-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b7a9f5c9-e8ee-4efc-b593-aa349c220e9e/tempImages0xJYG.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Will and Karina dropping us off at San Luis Obispo Airport on March 30. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2de8637e-2bdf-4e3b-a1f3-7e8ee956170d/tempImagezEeHOO.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out At San Diego Airport on March 31, Amanda found a dime from her dad and a quarter from Grandma Nini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1ec9be4c-9134-41d1-a2fd-35f8458f8c06/tempImagewERTtL.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out An Alaska Embraer like the one we took from SLO the day before. Behind it, our British Airways Boeing 777, by far the largest airplane at the airport. The plane had a delayed departure from Heathrow, so our flight back to Heathrow was delayed by about two hours from the start. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/61db498e-2e5e-4e3c-ba85-86f5c077705b/tempImageVgZmrA.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Champagne in hand, the plane pushed back from the gate. After sitting still for a few minutes, the pilot came on and said the generator for the right engine would not kick in. We had to go back to the gate (back “on stand” as the British pilot put it) and get the generator replaced. We left just shy of 9 p.m., over four hours behind schedule. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/300fd81a-67c9-449a-87bc-569fe72cf209/tempImageQ5kP0p.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Heathrow Express platform at Heathrow Airport—oh how we’ve missed hearing “mind the gap”! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b9d79a88-6129-48c7-b8b0-145be7a84d90/tempImageesX3mc.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out For you Will, the famous exterior of St. Pancras Station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/298dae69-2cf7-4eba-ad9b-126d580b07d7/tempImageZROJal.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out After checking in to our rental at 38 St. Petersburgh Place, we took the Tube to Dishoom King’s Cross near Granary Square. The food was bursting with flavor as always and the perfect comfort food after two long days of traveling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3aced237-a860-4e6b-aa12-bfaaf9572910/tempImagetEquUx.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Wednesday morning and we were back in hog heaven: Warburton’s crumpets and Billington’s sugar for our tea—exceptional as always! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3dc20871-32fb-4a82-8f22-5247d4129f8a/tempImageoFNzaT.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Through the gate at the very left and down some stairs is our cozy basement apartment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/34b638be-81b1-4d1b-9ae0-8af784a5f47c/tempImagehVYpOG.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out St. Matthew’s Bayswater just outside our door. The bells chime every 15 minutes, but go silent after 10:30 p.m.—a bit late for our taste, but they do add charm and character to the peaceful neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d744d4e4-ce84-4175-af64-cb608ad07d49/tempImageDkZKMm.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out In the Bayswater Central Line Tube station, the train time chart marked the death of Val Kilmer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bd64f45f-9464-4e9e-b17e-0237e44f833d/tempImage2SXfdP.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Foyles bookstore in Soho—book lovers’ nirvana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/afdde65c-936a-4eeb-bfc2-213847956ef5/tempImage8cWXwc.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Time for a morning cup of Joe in the upstairs café. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36c8b04b-3e78-4a14-b9b5-179c5080f709/tempImagebMVE69.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out “Harry, it's you that has to go on, I know it. Not me, not Hermione, you." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0d377d8f-555b-4046-9015-767cc8530a0f/tempImagehvWXSr.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out “What exactly is the function of a rubber duck”? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ce36d48-9f7d-4efd-9d1a-ee776cd22a08/tempImageaCj2AT.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Goodwin’s Court, a notably Diagon Alley-esque street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9a530992-7486-409d-90ae-de32305555de/tempImagea83JuB.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out On the door: “Wizards Welcome; Muggles Tolerated” and a Gryffindor plaque. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/da7859ff-0e27-42e9-afbd-0cd151407459/tempImagewbbefk.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Will: the store where we bought you your London beanie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/74968274-0124-4f26-a09b-f9d94a55c510/tempImageAuTHIZ.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out American William Waldorf Astor owned the mansion at 2 Temple Place on the Victoria Embankment. He was among the first to own a telephone, so he had this bronze lamppost with two cherubs placed at the entrance to remind everyone of his prized possession. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/609764a5-6f8b-4e98-a40f-5b778ede628e/tempImagey1XyOo.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out On the roof he had this weathervane of the caravel Santa Maria in which Columbus sailed to the Americas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7d019038-6e53-472a-b18c-22b32ceebf25/tempImagePYvKO7.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Tulips even before we get to Holland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3aa6ff3e-08de-44fe-ab30-4dd50ac7e114/tempImagelnB7Md.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The English sure do know how to make beautiful gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/033899f8-e9d7-40fc-bf91-20ba45249eef/tempImageIWu5uE.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/07227e10-2a1e-4391-b867-81f70e7d4556/tempImaget4Wfj9.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10e3903e-b897-4bce-88ba-88ed17fc1559/tempImagebFIOhE.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar and made famous by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. The church was hosting an Easter performance and was closed for practice, but we could hear the dramatic music booming from inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f84558c-389e-4f17-8104-0b27f2d907be/tempImageSUIN8j.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out A Knight Templar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8d98fae3-9b67-4406-be4d-e2166b888f22/tempImage0Kiq93.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The church has deep connections to the ideals and principles of the Rule of Law and Magna Carta from the early 13th century. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4b67eafd-fb70-4299-8fa4-221cb822a465/tempImageUrn3mH.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Black Friar pub was built in 1875 on the site of a former Medieval priory. Dominican friars wore long black mantles that earned them the nickname the Black Friars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7084b4f9-3659-42e4-8fd8-7d620383b1a7/tempImageV0fxCc.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out 20 Fenchurch Street, aka the Walkie Talkie, with the famous Sky Garden on the top floor. When the building first neared completion, a man parked his Jaguar underneath, and when he returned two hours later, parts of his car had melted. The concave design of the Walkie Talkie had reflected the sun's rays down onto the streets below. A sunshade had to be fitted to ensure this would not happen again before it opened in 2014. The press dubbed it the “walkie-scorchie” and the “fry-scraper.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a5128f9b-f463-454d-8945-092169224052/tempImagehdcXEa.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Considered London’s smallest sculpture: two mice eating a piece of cheese (on Philpot Lane, just outside the Walkie Talkie). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d3411968-8e88-48f9-a1c0-4d0b291ac798/tempImageegAW6M.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Sky Garden entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/26aba2d9-b978-49ea-a330-d7968ca7e286/tempImage6OwXgD.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Inside the Sky Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/479fbe09-1d88-4e2f-b1f9-447fb3560bce/tempImagehlhAGi.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out On the Sky Garden balcony overlooking the Shard, the Thames, and London Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ed087504-7d72-4394-9c4a-ac0bd73dac5c/tempImage2MTHXA.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Classic Aperol Spritz cocktails before dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ec00a426-5987-4e9b-a7e5-fda6bf47c22b/tempImagejEvaeX.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Shard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f037d53f-3f5f-4847-8735-0265efdf9659/tempImageF1T33k.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out A church was first built on the site of this garden in Saxon times. It was restored by St. Dunstan in 950 AD and then rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire in 1697. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6ab19869-ff29-4552-bb9c-b7b3e6f50f16/tempImageq4y5bU.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Only the tower of the Wren church survives. The garden was laid out following severe damage to the church in the Blitz, and opened as a public space in 1967. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d8d7510-1563-4a51-b194-46c7b6ec7bd6/tempImageeHmHIh.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Back down to the Tube. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5fc5e790-1e64-4b72-8ef3-f9d28d05ae01/tempImage1rLqRh.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Reflection Garden near St. Paul’s Cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7da26079-9ae7-4d16-8c8f-1c382f70c58c/tempImage7P97rM.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0579fd14-2f66-4903-8290-4138c146ca95/tempImageE8q1Wp.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Amanda’s photo of a photoshoot at the Reflection Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/41a502c5-4cb0-4e36-be5c-185a4419b454/tempImageAnlT30.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out The Three Graces near Piccadilly Circus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/eb6c484a-6c8b-45d6-af21-5ed1fcf1dd0e/tempImageKJ1aOZ.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Dinner at Waxy O’Connor’s. The inside of Waxy’s London is very cool, but the interior of the original Waxy’s Glasgow was more impressive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/457b9989-2778-4b38-8f21-c92fc60c14ca/tempImageMqjHEa.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Bang Bang Cauliflower Katsu curry and a Birra Moretti lager. Yummy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/36858f65-e3a6-4e84-be93-a5e5e3a8cd96/tempImage7NKwhh.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Caesar salad with bac’n. Delicious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e316259-96bf-4cc2-af86-db7ff5dd5b82/tempImage6WP2Hm.jpg Blog - Feels Like Home - Make it stand out Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream was the perfect end to another perfect day in our favorite city! Heaven! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/final-days monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/87130e39-a581-4401-8a8f-3449c904f894/tempImageTCZRwP.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/88f2d979-efff-4cae-a1db-417f1b441e71/tempImageMXSdwH.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out Before the trip, the girls had decided to spend Tuesday with just the two of them together. Sabrina arranged for Karina and her to attend a ring-making class, where they made matching rings. Afterward, Sabrina’s engraved a “K” inside her ring and Karina engraved a “S.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a02651b-7b25-4664-859b-dfc1db1f54ea/tempImageBd6Uhu.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out The two then spent the remainder of the day hanging out at the Maya Beach Club, talking for hours and hours…so much to catch up on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df717a4e-9862-4b98-95d1-86eaa2804ee6/tempImagemYwVyr.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out They hung around long enough that the bar staff had custom drinks brought to them. That night, the eight of us met back at our rental house, had dinner, and swam in the pool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5f867547-2a89-4d90-87b9-8b76e4f7e5da/tempImageuL5SvC.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out Wednesday, March 12, was our final day together. Our flight from Phuket to Singapore did not depart until 8:10 p.m., so we packed our bags, loaded up the van, checked out of our rental, and headed down to the Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort where Melissa and Derek stayed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3d52ba8d-d58c-48e2-85b5-3611a73ee92c/tempImagetGoili.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out Melissa, Derek, Karina, and I snorkeled in Kamala Bay, and then all eight of us spent hours at the pool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/678ffe0d-fdf5-4c65-820d-f3e3d44303b8/tempImage21W9CK.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out After relaxing in the pool, we drove to near by Kamala Beach where we got mango coconut smoothies and then visited the 2004 Tsunami Memorial—the area of Kamala Beach was one area particularly devastated by the gigantic wall of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ad395555-e9dc-4937-9674-f00da2439aca/IMG_9824.JPG Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out There was just enough time to get one final foot massage at our favorite place in Kamala Beach: Anara Massage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac084714-c83b-4199-ba42-9352963917ec/tempImagegkeoHo.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out It was so bittersweet saying goodbye to Sabrina and John at Phuket Airport. On the one hand, it had been a dream for over twenty years to meet Sabrina, and we were deeply grateful to have spent ten amazing days getting to know one another better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/86e906bf-62d8-4eae-a712-aecdf55c70dc/tempImageNdzBvS.jpg Blog - Final Two Days - Make it stand out On the other hand, it was ever so painful to leave Sabrina and John behind in Thailand. Although they had already been family in so many ways, we were about to reinstate a 9,000-mile separation. What a tremendous privilege it was to meet and be together! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/khao-sok-national-park monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91261ed9-2c62-4aa8-94c6-46b1ef32e682/tempImageoLv9Gs.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e954f8f0-a3f7-472f-b0af-e33625ea3cd2/tempImageGUZYFR.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out On Sunday morning we packed our bags and headed north, leaving the island of Phuket over the Sarasin Bridge. Our first stop was Wat Suwan Khana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/55c3549f-cf40-4c82-b5c4-d159a17bfd8a/tempImagerLTIJq.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out A wat is a Buddhist temple complex and this one happens to rest inside a huge cave. Here we are standing in front of the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c14b6662-cd17-4da4-90ba-75414df42f04/tempImageIx03xw.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Guardian at the gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cd808893-bb72-4b45-b40f-0a179c47f851/tempImagejwzzpR.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out A 50-foot reclining Buddha dominates the temple space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2a747f0-cc92-4b5e-baa4-e4eae6091b7a/tempImageifbtha.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Other figures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/900e604f-4185-434d-a320-036d5ff7cf89/tempImage8m79fy.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ac898d7-0f1c-4f6d-8602-63d1acfc93dc/tempImageZgwMzD.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/91700773-8571-40b4-8001-a1c75c004140/tempImagerniAFK.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Inside the back of the Dark Cave is a long and steep stairway that leads to absolutely nowhere. Here we are at nowhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df39d731-13fd-438a-9a79-f61c197f9131/tempImageYWXMx9.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out The name of the cave translates to Monkey Cave, as the monkeys climbing around the outside of the cave suggest. Despite massive signs asking people to not feed the wildlife, humans are not always the brightest of beings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b60cfe9d-7db9-4828-a9b2-33381e048199/tempImageLJN53I.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/54c57221-79b6-4364-86d5-e05751c38a20/tempImagew3ZKLm.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out A separate temple just outside the cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1a26fc12-a302-457c-961e-320b950b3887/tempImagenv5qwN.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out The sky was dark and foreboding as we arrived in the park, so hiking seemed ill-advised. The unique shapes in the distance are some of the many peaks within the national park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/35adc4a8-6661-430f-82ef-ce6638b6225e/tempImageH5OoAV.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out We opted for swimming in the hotel pool. Then it was off to the local 7-11 for snacks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1741655485780-K2JV8FJX16V32N2WQ3HQ/IMG_1982.jpeg Blog - Khao Sok National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1741655478343-LOJD2F37418SOYSKN6RV/IMG_1983.jpeg Blog - Khao Sok National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/748e5e3a-b9d2-47cd-aaca-facb945a49e0/tempImage1Pv2Pp.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out We had a light dinner at the Belong Jin The Dam Resort hotel. The hotel’s name is similar to our last name Johnson, which means “son of John.” In this case the name is “son of Jin.” Check out the bug bites on Will’s legs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6bfaa7e-0c4a-4253-b953-a017edf3a80e/tempImageaJaAkZ.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out The glass for Will’s Sex on the Beach drink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97e6cac0-3127-48a5-b71f-0ffc43b50386/IMG_1609.JPG Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Dinner was surprisingly good. Afterward, John broke out an Uno deck and we played several spirited rounds. Congratulations to the winners: John, Will, Amanda, and Will. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/536767f1-0280-476c-b485-c2f9ca59940d/tempImages8AQC0.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Our hotel room was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. On Monday morning we drove to Cheow Lan Lake, the premier place to visit inside Khao Sok National Park. Will feed the fish at the pier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/037e8e98-0673-471b-a8b2-9e8bd261e426/tempImage8emBXM.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Aboard our boat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/85b534a9-fb98-41dd-972b-43ffeb630bb1/tempImage6DSoLe.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Finally getting to see up close some of the formations we saw from our hotel last night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/82d9ab3a-9158-42df-84de-17ac7f5f361e/tempImagekiP9yi.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out The water takes its color from high concentrations of limestone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/adf59db5-89b3-4b6f-8a1a-179065c307a4/tempImage8NA7qb.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out I’ve yet to visit the impressive limestone formations in Halong Bay, Vietnam, but I imagine they are quite similar to here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04b9e861-bcb9-4793-9785-b5bfe00c812f/tempImagewA3GnJ.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a8879905-270a-42c5-a959-e5d4332f5911/tempImageJK2KFw.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Limestone karsts are formations of rock that have been shaped by erosion, often creating unique and picturesque landscapes. These three rocks are known as Khao Sam Kloe, meaning “three mountain friends.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/178f2a57-4c46-4737-af3b-e620dd3f471e/tempImagean3rO6.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Two sisters in front of the three friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dc2e27a8-52f3-4b46-b271-9c00125f5a5a/tempImageCDurQ9.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Four family members in front of the three friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6df02ba3-41a7-47fb-a110-fd4af8d92c13/tempImageripHzJ.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out One Captain Jack Sparrow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/56619843-4989-48f6-8bab-6225083d778c/tempImageHp4Gav.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Yo ho ho and some cans of beer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cbc95057-c8d5-4f88-8592-ad85e83d2dde/tempImagej4AM21.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Such a good looking sun hat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f6a15196-f515-499b-a938-f99e63f4b57f/tempImage0RzHTu.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Getting off the boat to visit Pra Kai Petch Cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b61d8eec-f005-4de9-9d6c-2c8994f67f68/tempImage3dM5wP.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/450a0e85-203c-42f7-870f-4d3cd190be91/tempImageKNmi7K.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e2ab5835-e123-44a2-ac06-29f60c6a6382/tempImagetMxXEg.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c0ce167a-5b72-434c-b4c6-4aa5ee52020d/tempImage786UbZ.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Limestone formations inside the cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9dbabac0-7b79-4a78-b68c-2a3e00594a43/tempImagewazO2y.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Other cave dwellers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a25462ba-892f-4232-aa56-d345a45e75a1/tempImagejkXxgW.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out No cave is complete without bats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ce34e203-9bd7-4c7b-b114-36c7b434a869/tempImageX9sjtw.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Made it out alive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/56a10401-839f-40ce-9d16-073f087b4cef/tempImage7y8Nsl.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Always looking for those perfect Instagram moments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7c18b299-8207-45c4-82b2-e2246b9196df/tempImageNRUu60.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e1e1b3b-9022-4da4-94fd-c049231db227/tempImagepGLDxX.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out A final pit stop at one of the many floating hotels found along the lake. This is Klong Ka Raft Houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ac8d6fdd-3497-4ca5-b57c-66768589dae2/tempImagemUCQ7l.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out John is a card carrying Instagram Husband. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/75c084a8-8823-48d8-baf5-eb0cb0240247/tempImageOcSWOh.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/654861b9-82c5-4331-876a-56f86de0d117/tempImageUgLU6y.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out A traditional long-tail boat arriving at the dock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5de0e70f-7f7c-425d-9e8c-f9b071637120/tempImagevZM5f4.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Quite the view! Sabrina and John said they stayed in one of these places, but the constant movement of the water left Sabrina with motion sickness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/705fb97a-a5fa-4bdd-8bba-126160c31192/tempImage0etN8t.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out More pics for Karina’s socials. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/efffec44-3c60-4454-bbe8-ccf2fe97e545/tempImageSneIbF.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Headed back to the marina. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/58b5f620-d872-4925-811b-04e61499952b/tempImage5O46gx.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out At the main marina, Will found a fourth dime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a1106266-1f28-48a4-bfee-2d7df2beaad6/tempImageINf437.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Although Thailand has never been colonialized by the Europeans or any other country, the British have had an influence in Thailand since the mid-1800s. The first car in Thailand was a gift from the British Royal Family and Thailand's road infrastructure was modeled after British standards. Surprisingly, I found some of Thailand’s roads to be in better overall condition than in the UK. Driving in Phuket was deeply chaotic to say the least, but driving on the left added to the challenge. This trusty Toyota Veloz minivan, with its tiny 16” wheels, safely carried us all over southern Thailand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0799212b-56e4-420a-89ca-d451901ab175/tempImageBCXncE.jpg Blog - Khao Sok National Park - Make it stand out Nearly back home, we stopped at the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/phuket-elephant-sanctuary monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cb87e5f5-392a-49d0-8fcd-992b9360bb61/tempImagePH1iEO.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a76bda5f-48e7-4241-b6cb-d24cd041d416/tempImagekUH0xK.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Here we are on the truck ride from the main office where we checked in to the sanctuary. About 50 people were divided into smaller groups and each group had a colored sticker like the ones we’re wearing. The roof was covered in the stickers from previous visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/37039712-85a8-4e15-8f91-a15120b09bf6/tempImagemkmWRf.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out After donning rubber boots to keep the germs on our shoes out of the elephants’ home, we were offered a light breakfast while we waited for the tour to begin. After our tour, we were served lunch here. When the trip was over, we agreed we probably ate the best “Thai” food of our journey here at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/381b2b33-affa-4a3b-8c0e-6271e8482423/tempImageyZNPqD.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Our group went straight to feeding an elephant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b1b552b3-ff83-49f8-9d0c-66c1cdd734f0/tempImagenUWupA.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Some of the elephants were raised in captivity so they never learned to forage. Continuing to feed them sweet foods like watermelon and bananas keeps them content during their senior years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b8375d09-1f90-4e34-9d11-40bcd8f20a5a/IMG_2109.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/974f191f-e192-4f68-b2b2-c2ed2dd7cfab/IMG_2111.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6040bdf7-773d-4fa2-af22-439b1ddbfae1/IMG_2108.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/90a21455-ab16-479b-80c1-271800109d31/IMG_2110.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/675b54d9-ed84-4296-bd18-babee1008cae/tempImage5oBhUd.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out We then walked through the sanctuary where the elephants are finally free to roam and do as they please. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a3e65fa-395a-43f7-a900-72706b223ba3/tempImageCYSgHV.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0e5e901e-dad7-4e04-9598-ecb4a986c9e6/IMG_2113.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out This old girl was very agreeable and took a bath while we were near their swimming pool. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8aa10f85-fd3d-4978-8e0e-01001109c8be/tempImageKwrU0S.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out This elephant was one of the few that spent her years in the logging industry, so she learned to forage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d775a2fc-f6f5-408b-8f98-7a2b27474025/tempImage9bgHr6.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Our guide K'Palm was exceptional. Here he explained how the sanctuary collects sap from the rubber trees to make a little extra money for the elephants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ad40a42e-b0fc-4f85-b442-a69741946777/tempImagexbJ4MO.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out The queen of this jungle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7018a0b3-40f5-4d34-9d2e-130071aad519/tempImageXj10WD.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5bb97066-7d64-49bf-93e2-a0e02249a82f/IMG_9482.JPG Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/08b2db1f-64e1-4aac-80e6-20341140965e/tempImageyZWiRF.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f0da80bb-a0aa-4ccb-bd5b-4516673a2b41/tempImageSPs49L.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out View from the elevated walkway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/71809ce1-f00d-4771-aa5b-dbe43e29d5bf/tempImageAd2QD6.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f67d2a12-7b39-490a-b021-896dfe299840/tempImage0GM0OD.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out The dining area where we were served breakfast and lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dd1b249a-338b-42c1-8180-368694b5898f/tempImagegNFOIy.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Our group included Andrew and Kerri from Anaheim Hills, CA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/689a04fe-a72b-4bb3-999d-b93330cdeffc/tempImage9xnPKy.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Thank you Phuket Elephant Sanctuary for creating a safe haven for these poor tortured friends and an ethical way for us to get to meet them up close and personal—such a great organization and we all had an amazing visit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fe677c5e-0dad-487b-83df-2242c3374383/tempImageLAhAIp.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out Following our time with the amazing elephants, John and Sabrina drove us to their new apartment, which was nearly finished with construction. They rent their current apartment and hope to move into this place soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7a2a97a2-5ea8-4dcd-afe8-76b03ad73f60/tempImagehz6HcY.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out We then drove to their current apartment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab000790-6e36-464c-9f39-4416626c83e9/tempImaget7etmq.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out In the apartment we met Ori, their Sphynx cat. He is their second cat so his name is the English equivalent of the Georgian word ორი, which means “two.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/945a10b3-707a-4e18-bf94-7eb840a84475/tempImageFKoC6W.jpg Blog - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Make it stand out That evening, John, Sabrina, Karina, Amanda, and I drove up to Mai Khao beach where we swam, were bitten by plankton, and enjoyed the nearly deserted beach. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/another-day-in-paradise monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d325d4e-1b0d-4642-9bda-9b5d7810b260/tempImagecSYTs5.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dcde5328-36c2-4589-894b-c7f6c0cdb7f0/tempImagergLmOZ.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out John and Sabrina had planned an island tour for Friday, but we were too exhausted. Instead, Amanda, Karina, and I found a great vegan cafe just a minute away from our rental. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1741478845816-06Q9FSJV2863OYMPM7KO/IMG_1777.jpeg Blog - Another Day in Paradise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1741478854041-ZCWN8GDBZCFHBKLUKR3B/IMG_1778.jpeg Blog - Another Day in Paradise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1741478926097-DEIDRIVGKUJTAEGQD6FE/IMG_1776.jpeg Blog - Another Day in Paradise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/951c6be0-0899-41bf-8b7d-86692e844362/tempImagezeKQZw.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Now this is where you type a blog! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8e93c039-5f1b-46a4-aad8-6c5fc2728eb5/tempImage8EbMdl.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out After catching up on some much-needed relaxation, John and Sabrina took us to Laguna Beach to watch the sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ab9ebae7-bc3e-4a87-9f09-73610c9d5b96/tempImagezEu2Rx.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Sunset skimboarder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b802014d-dbd6-4cea-95f0-afe185444b05/tempImageztTrm4.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5c3b1d46-31be-4bcf-af8d-811a0dda8afe/tempImagexnAKqu.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/116df298-4bad-45a0-b300-da66eea7d6cb/tempImageKhGere.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out After watching the sunset we drove to the nearby night market by Bang Tao Beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/84ac41a6-54a2-4925-bec5-a813f445a7b2/tempImageMoTScE.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Karina and I decided it was time to try a durian. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/294aed11-5e55-4339-8e5f-fa13e1909580/tempImagein0Y18.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Karina thought it was similar in texture to an avocado. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6a88da4-0a8f-406e-97ca-4215c1f9e4f8/tempImageMaBk5u.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out I would agree. Interestingly, I don’t think it smelled bad at all. I will add, though, that the taste lingered in my mouth for an hour or so. Very interesting fruit! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6996b691-9980-4ecf-8b00-0038eb23f85a/tempImagedUqaRx.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out The durian was alright, but the Thai Coconut Pancakes were exceptional. The three flavors were the original coconut, taro, and banana. All three were delicious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b15179a-6803-467f-99ff-18e132e5131d/tempImageh0oqq1.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out We eventually all settled in for some street food delicacies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/33616b0f-05b1-41bc-8afd-f182fe505c21/tempImagekKnYuh.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out Will found some local Thai craft beer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2f6588e6-6a97-42e0-bfea-75ea53adc086/tempImagegKdth9.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out We saw these when we were already stuffed, but they looked amazing—slices of potato fried on a stick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/134c6a33-a50c-4c22-94ee-fece73a81462/tempImagelYBN7c.jpg Blog - Another Day in Paradise - Make it stand out John and Sabrina really liked the mai tais at this restaurant, so we ended the night with some libations and fun and lively conversation. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/phi-phi-island monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/42254eac-bb28-4a56-96a4-ed14e864b8a0/tempImageO0jabP.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5569a1ac-514d-44d1-bc92-1a6e489f0b6e/tempImagecYyp4n.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out No time for a break in the action. Our first full day was Wednesday, March 5 and we were off to the Phi Phi Islands. At the ferry terminal parking lot, Will stepped out of the car, and there it was right in front of him! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e8a146a-7efd-4727-9441-a838207659a5/tempImageE8uJWN.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Pop pop promises you no tsunami Will! What looks like our dime is a one Thai baht coin (฿ THB). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9628593e-0488-44ac-a924-6fa98464f2cb/tempImage6HFzXY.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out On the Chao Koh Group ferry for the two-hour trip from Rassada Pier on the main island to Ton Sai Pier on the Phi Phi Islands (pronounced pee pee). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9e20589e-37ef-431e-9b05-ef09d66e211b/tempImageD7LUuM.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Leaving Rassada Harbor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5210f364-3c14-49e5-ae8d-f6d584273dc3/tempImageBJ0vlK.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Crossing the Andaman Sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b7d47762-c07a-4ff4-a896-51785e4b3de4/tempImageZC2uSA.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1527c0b8-f44d-4858-bfa8-dbeb5be91148/tempImages2PcEQ.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Inside Ton Sai Bay on Ko Phi Phi Don, the largest of the islands in the Phi Phi archipelago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fef6184e-6b2b-4b5a-a802-b4e84a649d51/tempImagejeLNnk.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Nearing the pier. Our hotel, the Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort, is at the bottom of the cliff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e923644e-c8d6-4970-9249-8732a852a4ab/tempImageUtwaH1.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Very few dogs but lots of cats. The smart ones—like this guy lounging on the check-in counter at our hotel—find a cool place where they get lots of love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c5367d0c-0a05-4c36-a61f-1a30985cf584/tempImageP3mLHN.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out More anti-durian sentiment on the refrigerator in our hotel room.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1710c813-4302-4c59-a82b-2c5f1a663521/tempImagea6aYiI.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out The view from our hotel room at Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort—Wow! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/df1e3c1c-778b-4f3d-b07f-ef29af384835/tempImageJLOfeB.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out The sign on our slider door. Do they mean this literally or figuratively? (I love the phrase please save note. In the UK they liked to write “PN” for polite notice.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/435df667-223a-4e4e-b381-67f6007ae383/tempImage16IeOA.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Oh, OK then. They mean it quite literally! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e4e497b6-0b62-400a-b556-bcaaa5990793/tempImageZx4p8r.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out That night, Amanda and I were sound asleep in our room at 2 a.m. when we were startled awake by one of these little bandits trying to open the slider. Scared us to death…but can you imagine if our slider had been unlocked and the monkey had come in the room with us in the dark?! Makes me think of the Ten Little Monkeys book we used to read to the kids each night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/13b60e22-118b-40a6-9492-8d360022d0e5/tempImage8OwefQ.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out The beach in front of our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/31bfbb0a-2fd0-425b-a490-9b4cb58051ff/tempImageBARwEU.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ffd3c274-5da3-496d-bef2-90ba156c0976/IMG_9210.JPG Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Coconut water twins! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/e1ed8ad8-b81f-45cd-99a8-6510bac3eceb/tempImagempNhF8.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out At the nearby Shine Ta Lay café. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a4c8f69b-bd54-4de5-ae68-5672619c1584/tempImageRCnOzS.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Hotel pool right outside our slider…and the view! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2e1da691-ff17-4054-b3b3-b06faf14f17a/tempImageQIahJ4.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5251f1fc-3190-4410-bfeb-27371f8caca1/tempImageEBdy7L.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out That evening, John, Sabrina, Karina, and I made the hike up to Viewpoints 1 and 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7be62fc3-d0ed-40fd-b939-87d5875d9378/tempImageGZjQ0b.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out A lot of steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2b93f092-0798-47ba-8a67-467b1a39db1f/tempImagekKUq8u.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Father and daughter at Viewpoint 1. Behind us you can see that most of the village sits on an isthmus (tombolo), a sand bar linking two smaller islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/5e5dc11c-91be-4513-b37f-7be908b4e2af/tempImageBZKwMP.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/bf1f5c05-2f6c-4fef-8abf-5167082a88ac/tempImagegbjn69.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Viewpoint 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6439cd68-78a3-4ca5-89b6-277c9a0415f7/IMG_9249.JPG Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Sitting on the platform at Viewpoint 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fb5da052-d0d5-42c1-abcd-d8b00c03efb1/IMG_9293.JPG Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Belles fleurs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6aa99499-af9c-4a9c-a833-f81b70597d41/tempImageastFug.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out The sun setting 15 hours ahead of everyone back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/49e20649-e432-41d9-aa98-812bc83c6299/tempImageKx3fxe.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out On the north side of the tombolo on Loh Dalum Beach things get a little wild at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8464447b-12c2-4df1-9319-2a3bf5d52d06/Screenshot+2025-03-07+at+12.03.39%E2%80%AFPM.png Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/57e30745-e778-416a-9bc4-e1adaf971c6b/tempImagewslgrX.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9eab638f-950f-4a72-ab36-6265e48b2626/tempImagexXG3zd.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/dee8fe0b-e163-4346-bffd-9f1efb94a6b8/tempImageEE2IVk.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out John, Karina, and Sabrina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ba40e115-d6b5-4b71-b3e4-861af2f4a635/tempImageK1cIGZ.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out John does fire jumprope. Mic drop! Goodnight Phi Phi! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/10b6f962-56ee-4cc5-80c6-e3919e35f9b4/tempImageFTqoEt.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Good morning Phi Phi Islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/4e5bf539-e7db-439a-844f-d7d8d3559d56/tempImages2nAU3.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out What a way to wake up! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d1066934-1cac-46c5-aa6e-d2c9c232de54/tempImagevqCO2t.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out John did a great job haggling for a half-day ride on a classic Southeast Asia long-tail boat for a tour around nearby Ko Phi Phi Lay (island). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d4f74b79-a3ee-4375-a686-615617be6e46/tempImage5KFvl3.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Now you just let your mama put some sunscreen on your face. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b6df65de-de0f-425d-89cc-9d566f8611d1/tempImages6uyxj.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Departing from Ton Sai Bay, our hotel in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/a8320e73-983a-4569-b5c5-33d7d8ea0f1a/tempImage23B5hG.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Halfway to Ko Phi Phi Lay. Hey, that rhymes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/97ae6417-a76c-4e6c-a70e-2c6638d2e3be/tempImageVB7qy4.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Nearly there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/d93f87e2-9cb7-435e-8092-92a8e3f719e5/tempImagecEKf5p.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/464681b1-d53a-4226-b280-461e5da3681f/tempImageUPjFP4.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Rocks shaped by the sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/3cb97c3e-6854-40f4-9663-4fc639a6e129/tempImage1kCquS.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out The whole group in Maya Bay, made famous by The Beach (2000) staring Leonardo DiCaprio (not to be confused with his 2010 movie Shutter Island). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/226c7593-320e-405f-a7af-092bf71db266/tempImagemEIVq6.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2c99a771-6c34-4199-a87c-e5ba07d341cb/tempImaged8s8xG.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14d67a47-9bee-4d38-901f-0cb6f4d8fa37/tempImage27AURc.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/152dd9ab-388a-4890-84d5-1993ed4cf1d6/tempImageZiEvRD.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/04696656-621d-40d2-be81-7f62c4159836/tempImagex8jXE6.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Inside Pi Leh Bay https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ec40a452-4634-4421-b87c-972f3d9603ef/tempImageujDKBi.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/fd0c4118-91a3-4890-b138-a4dd52170de9/tempImagejIbRQj.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Getting ready for snorkeling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/68269e04-c7ec-4dbe-9bf1-727284976585/tempImageKY5NKi.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Group snorkeling near the east side of Viking Cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1a760a70-0ddb-4698-9749-7dc0f56119c5/tempImageTreCz8.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Almost back to the main island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/14a13e10-c210-4a5e-b483-ff6e943539d9/tempImage5s6ChT.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out One final dip in the pool before check-out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/ff4fb4a0-2b54-48d2-8f24-18baf7224de9/tempImagehqV911.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Pad Thai for lunch in Thailand https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/2ed8eaad-dff6-415d-ac0a-d68065e72736/tempImageSBVEsM.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Walking back toward the pier after breakfast and look what Will found. (No, unfortunately not her!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0e10e15d-e080-44bb-82ee-d2d05b81f967/tempImageJGljT9.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Hmm…what to do when you have an hour to kill before the ferry departs? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f8287ade-90a1-45ec-93f2-9b45a2f33388/tempImageuL9Xg5.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Foot massages, of course! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9b501f54-02d7-4be2-8d4d-cf44020f82b0/tempImage7PfIQN.jpg Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out Walking onto the ferry and what does Will spot at his feet—a third dime? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/cd966a10-fac6-42c4-8450-380c1b1cc0e9/IMG_9398.JPG Blog - Phi Phi Islands - Make it stand out On the ferry back to Phuket Island. Thank you Phi Phi Islands for so many great memories! https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/phuket monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/79c13e83-b9d1-4eb1-84ba-ffbd5b21096d/tempImageO0Weo1.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b2e5e824-d8fa-483b-9b1d-683ff174a387/tempImageFjacTD.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/67809ced-0ce0-4f28-8987-f425630300d9/tempImagehBFKvM.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/98a15006-df57-4086-a419-cce01f196054/tempImageInxadm.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out View from the master bedroom as we checked into our rental house. About 30 minutes later, John and Sabrina were at our front door and the moment 22 years in the making had finally arrived! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1742420740472-ADJLRL141J4SXPC6QA5H/IMG_2199.PNG Blog - Meet You in Phuket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1742420742894-XGGT7ZFKMJCKOFQJCJ0F/IMG_2200.PNG Blog - Meet You in Phuket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1742420757433-91MJPPVLRYQRM1I4PWUA/IMG_2201.PNG Blog - Meet You in Phuket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1742420770260-5L1T3FZ24AYVFKSK0JFE/IMG_2202.PNG Blog - Meet You in Phuket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1742420780999-NKGE4XTZR5CMU2FZKX62/IMG_2203.PNG Blog - Meet You in Phuket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1d9232d4-829a-410c-b76c-2bfdfd632c7a/tempImageMX7SzG.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out After a tearful greeting, we drove to Anantara Layan Phuket Resort for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/634c555f-e944-4c65-8eac-22108db8ee71/tempImagetq1cfW.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out On the beach at the restaurant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/b0b24709-df31-4feb-9b91-b30d04c36d8c/tempImageamyXfB.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9fc98b8c-5ab8-4826-94dc-856c149c9d4d/tempImageKvQTAq.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/9d4a0795-883f-488a-9946-5941f6a1a7c3/tempImagevCAGn2.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/582f63aa-5d27-4572-bb19-f50b2940de3f/tempImageBxqDM0.jpg Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1113c07b-0ed1-4ce9-9a06-0620f747f36f/IMG_1114.JPG Blog - Meet You in Phuket - Make it stand out At the rooftop bar after dinner. https://www.overthehillandacrossthepond.com/blog/next-stop-singapore monthly 0.5 2025-03-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/372049fa-6567-428e-9307-4336dec586cc/tempImagehhjdUf.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/7c9abee8-a41e-4235-9d92-f8ef813655b9/tempImagebu55mu.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Melissa and Derek sporting matching loungewear for the epic 17-plus-hours-long flight to Singapore. Our Airbus A350-900 is being serviced behind them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/6a141bf2-4d85-46d6-82a5-9caca5f7c48f/tempImageMMrwQW.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Seat backs and tray tables in their full upright position, seat belts securely fastened, and all carry-on luggage stowed—only 9,000 miles to Singapore! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/858c73d7-0031-40da-92d6-ff44fbd0a137/tempImageKdRr5L.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out How bad could Economy be for nearly 18 hours? By the time we arrived in Singapore, Amanda, Melissa, and Derek were absolutely knackered and checked into a transit hotel inside the airport. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8a06a673-720e-4cbb-8053-3d3d3424d57f/tempImagexxvujG.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out As it was only 7 p.m., Will, Karina, and I hopped on the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train and headed into city center. This sign was on board the MRT. The durian is the edible fruit with an aroma that many find overpowering and unpleasant. The persistence of its strong odor, which may linger for several days, has led some hotels and public transportation services to ban the fruit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/280040ab-713d-43a3-b1e3-19973fd446f4/tempImagez4rbQa.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Outside the famous Lau Pa Sat food market. Once a fish market on the waterfront, the cast iron Victorian building was moved to this location where it now houses a dizzying array of food vendors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c4b82d20-6b25-4e5b-ad8b-cdeff2eae281/tempImageXzwOJf.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Tiger Crystal is a Singaporean brand of beer first launched in 1932 that is currently produced by Heineken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/601ded33-08d8-4573-9d43-a566d60f2034/tempImagedIfpQw.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Singapore’s colorful night skyline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/8b29feaf-8d24-4245-b895-ba2e9947b39f/tempImageZ9bZnC.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c655d540-f65c-4b93-a620-ca41ad40c36d/tempImagekvOQ5q.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out The Marina Bay Sands Singapore dominates the skyline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/c6b5cb12-5be2-4d9f-8d2b-1ed2f6b76d69/tempImageVwZZlv.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out The ArtScience Museum (left) is said to be a form reminiscent of a lotus flower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/0377a622-bc1f-4a98-99ed-f07e6eedca10/tempImagen0tg1j.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/78aed0ec-f859-4538-91a8-f18981489994/tempImage0LejEd.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore. It is depicted as a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/1dd92fd4-8c6d-49aa-bd8f-eed6071ab1c7/tempImagexvOvs7.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out The lovely Jubilee Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/f10d6812-7d91-4987-9a0f-1e59ffa8c49c/tempImage3AeyAk.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Esplanade Concert Hall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6316ac875e466d1a05276f24/961066ce-bdd8-4fac-9f0d-43a16b704c94/tempImage4QqKek.jpg Blog - Next Stop Singapore - Make it stand out Outside the iconic facade of Raffles Hotel. We arrived moments after last call and were not able to get a Singapore Sling. Though we were disappointed, it ended up being a good thing because we caught that last MRT back to the airport and a taxi ride would have been quite expensive. 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