First Spring Picnic

We're back to rain today (Monday), but the weekend was incredible and sunny with fake looking clouds and green, green grass. It was idyllic and about as good as it gets in London, weather-wise, so we decided to go on a family picnic in Hampstead Heath.

Evie was suited up in her Sunday best with her "Dimanche" Babar bib (courtesy of Linda Hall) on and her fabulous sun hat (courtesy of Nana and Papa), of which she is not a huge fan. She was good sport, though, and really seemed to enjoy her first picnic.


After a lot of winding around and bumping Evie's stroller through various fields punctuated with muskrat or rabbit holes, Jim finally found us the perfect picnic spot under a big tree.


It wasn't long before we were joined by this greyhound doggy friend, who was wearing...a Gucci collar. I took that opportunity to explain to Evie that if she wants something Gucci at some point in her life, she is going to have to save her pennies and that we would NEVER be buying our pets designer collar wear! The dog was pretty cute, though, and went off at lightning speed when his owners called him.


Evie experienced her first grass yesterday, as well. We have a patio with trees and ivy and leaves, but no grass, so she was tickled (literally) to spend some time in the grass.



Trees are also a great thrill, so Jim took Evie over to gaze up into the branches of the big tree that we were sitting under.


Future Photographer. She takes after her Dad!


Idyllic weather!


The excitement that is grass (she got a little TOO excited and toppled into the grass on her face, which she didn't like too much):


Flying with Daddy!


Playing with Mom.


Eventually the novelty of the picnic wore off and we moved on. Hampstead Heath has several swimming ponds: the co-ed pond, which gets really crowded and full of people who obviously have checked their modesty at the door and don't mind changing into their bathing suits in full view of everyone at the pond or are wearing far too little; the all woman pond, which is secluded and shaded; and the all man pond, which has a reputation for being a gay pick up area and is, in my opinion, the nicest pond area. I would swim there if I were a man...but NOT at this time of year. That splash in the distance of this picture is a man swimming. Apparently some guys swim year round. Impressive. Or insane?


Duck Butt:


Post-picnic status:


Meandering along a shady trail:


A man and his girl among bluebells and green leaves. Yay for spring!