{thoughts of a beachy nature}

We're now back from our three weeks in Norwich -- three lovely weeks of seeing my family, wearing lots of scarves, and weekly trips to the sea. Partly because it's one of my favourite places, partly because this was one of the only days I brought my camera with me, here's a little taste of what goes on at the British seaside.

Yes, that's hot chocolate and sheepskin-lined shoes for a day at the beach.

 

And here we have a bit of a family tradition -- collecting a few favourite stones, and then lugging them all the way across the world in our suitcases. (Yes, baggage-handlers, you can thank us for those almost-but-not-quite-unliftable bags. Sorry.)

I took a lot more photos on the trip, but mostly on my phone, the best of which ended up on Instagram (@redredastrid). 

{international studies for beginners}

People often ask us what sort of accent Tilly has -- British or American. So far, it's a complete mixture -- trash has beaten rubbish, but jumper has won out over sweater. Here's a taste of our daily cultural chaos.


TILLY (holding a Beanie Baby): Anteater!
JUSTIN: Hey! You've made her say it the British way!
ME: What do Americans call anteaters?
JUSTIN: Anteater.
ME: That's what I say.
JUSTIN: No. You say antea-ta!

-     -     -

JUSTIN (going in to get Tilly out of bed): Guten morgen, Til-Bear.
TILLY: Goo-goo mo-ney, Daddy.

-     -     -

JUSTIN (pointing to a herb): What do I call this again? Oleander?
ME: Do you mean coriander?
JUSTIN: Oh, yeah. What do I call coriander?
ME: I can't remember. But this is parsley.

-     -     -

TILLY, JUSTIN and ME (in three-part harmony): A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y...
JUSTIN: Zee!
ME: Zed!
TILLY: Dzzzzzz!