Such a lovely and mellow day. We rolled out of the house late in the morning, in no particular hurry. It was a little cooler than yesterday which was nice, and we were only headed about 25 minutes away to a town called Cheltenham which is more of a town, not a village (about 150k live there), to have lunch and stroll around. I really wanted to see Bristol, but we knew the kids weren't going to be down with the drive that was over an hour long. They've reached their car limit for sure. I'm adding Bristol to places I want to see when we come back.
Cheltenham is really a city, with newer buildings and it doesn't feel touristy at all. It's on the edge of the Cotswolds, and while I don't think it is a "destination" unto itself necessarily (not a lot there), we had fun walking around, looking for birthday gifts for friends and family (why is everyone's birthday in August??) We had Mexican for lunch at this little place that was like what Chipotle would be if it wasn't a chain. Delicious food, and it was SO good that the kids all decided they wanted to get take out before we left and literally eat the same thing for dinner. Totally fine by me because it was one of the few meals that we've had where everyone cleaned their plates entirely, and it was less than 30 pounds. That just doesn't ever happen.
I found one birthday gift, so I felt like that was a solid win, and John (who only recently has found a real appreciation for clothes) found some great pieces (Ted Baker is super affordable here)!
Our short drive home is where it took a 180 degree turn and went temporarily south. There was no less than a 15 minute argument/ yelling match over the air conditioning system and whether it would be faster to use the foot cooling system, a combo, or exclusively the upper system. No joke. It sounds like it could have almost been a real scientific debate on the flow of air and temps, but it wasn't that. "You are so stupid, I can't believe how stupid you are." "I'm going to kill you when I get home, get ready to get your face scratched." "Turn it on NOWWWWW." "You should just leave this family you are so stupid, I wish you'd never been born." "I'm dying of the heat and it's all your fault." "Why aren't you guys doing anything, you are terrible parents." Yeah, it was fun. Gia ended up losing her iPad for the rest of the day and any t.v. time. She's been quick to fly out of control lately, and moody. She use to let things roll off her back with her sister's taunting, but now she just gets fighting mad.
Big sigh. It can't all be smooth, that's asking too much.
Later in evening, due to boredom, lack of iPad, and the call of a beanbag and lovely warm evening, Gia read to Romeo outside. See, they sometimes DO get along well too.
Packing up is so sad. I will say it again, I love it here. LOVE. The English are SO friendly too, and genuinely friendly, not fake we just want your tourist dollars. I think the friendliest of all the places we've been. They must like their life here too.
Signed, ME {lv}
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