three ladies and a baby in paris

Three ladies and a baby!  My dear dear girls Sarah and Lauren made their second trip across the pond for a visit.  They were our first friends to come from America to meet Simone.  Since they both had already done the tour of the midlands and London, we decided to go spend five days in Paris.

This trip feels like ages ago (it was...) so recalling it will be a challenge.  I look back on it as one of those trips that 20 years down the road from now we'll be sitting around, "... Remember that one trip to Paris?  We were in our early 30's and Simone was a wee babe? We stayed in an Airbnb apartment in the Marais and ate at all the best joints!"

I lobbied hard for Marco to join us in Parieeee as "the manny" but he refused. #Threeladiedandababy was born.

After the girls' arrival, they settled in with a few days in the countryside - long walks, pub lunches, too much bubbly consumption in the cottage.

We took the chunnel to Paris, about 2 hours door to door from London.  We checked into our airbnb apartment in the Marais - owned by handsome Dani and his cute girlfriend Valentine.

Simone was at the perfect stage - she would sleep the day (or late nights) away in the Baby Bjorn carrier.  We kept it to bustling restaurants at night, in case she kicked off we wouldn't disturb anyone. We went to the fancier spots (Le Comptior!) for lunches.

We brunched al fresco in our neighborhood - where I would have been content to sit and people watch for the rest of my days.  We wandered parks like Jardin du Luxenburg and Place des Vosges. We had a picnic and took selfie stick photos on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower.  And duh, we shopped.

I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked.  Most of these are borrowed from Lauren. (Thanks, Lo.  Love ya, mean it.)

Forgive me if I've said this on a previous Paris post - this city never gets old to me.  It is vast and can be overwhelming when you list the museums and sights that you want to hit in a short trip.  But if you slow it down, narrow your list, and take some time to enjoy the residential arrondissments, it's a much better experience.

We ended their trip with a day in London - The Victoria and Albert museum for the Alexander McQueen exhibit and a champagne high tea at The Dorchester in London.  (As one does.)

Lauren and Sarah thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to see us again and letting "your baby" tag along when she was still so little!

american visitors - adam, kelly, and katie in england

Soon after we arrived back in England from our trip to The States, we had our final group of visitors for the year. 

Seriously guys, we feel so lucky to have hosted many of our friends this first year of living in England.  We hope the Marco-and-Rebecca-live-in-England-lets-go-visit allure doesn't wear off anytime soon.

This group was one of Marco's JMU bff's Adam, his fiancé Kelly, and Kelly's sister Katie.  These three city kids (Denver and New York respectively) started their holiday in Portugal and then flew to London.

London was spent doing the fun touristy stuff - The London Eye, Abbey Road (so small?!), Camden Market for some authentic international fare, browsing Primrose Hill and pubs, pubs, and pubs. 

One morning we took the footpaths to our neighboring village pub for pub lunch and then headed to Cambridge for a punt.  It was the most peaceful Cambridge I have experienced and the fall foliage was peak. 

The final day of their visit we headed back down to London to attend a football match.  QPR vs. Derby.  We started the morning with breakfast in Notting Hill at 202.  After breakfast (and a good game of neighborhood envy) we made it over to QPR territory to pregame in a packed QPR supporters pub where we brushed shoulders with the QPR owner who made an appearance to have a pint and shake some hands.

What I have learned about attending football matches: 1) always try to purchase home team tickets as many stadiums deny beer sales to visiting team fans (right?!) and 2) while the excitement on the pitch is the main attraction, my favorite part of the experience is hearing the chants.  One (drunk) guy seated next to us was trying to drum up noise in our section.  As chants were ending he would prolong them with this gem: "Derrrrrrrby ...... yooooooooou alllllllllllll have single muthahssssssssss ......  I'm sorry, that's mean ...... BUT IT'S TRUE!"

After the match Kelly made it her mission to find us a quality Indian sit down dinner, which ended up being the best idea anyone has ever had, ever.

Adam, Kelly, and Katie - it was so great hosting you guys.  Katie, hope you got those Manhattan bed bugs sorted!