Gina, Selena and Sarah recently came down from London to spend a day in the countryside of West Sussex.  Sarah and Selena captured some beautiful pictures, so be sure to give them a visit.

I had visions of a beautiful day, tromping through fields, driving through quaint country roads and sipping on afternoon tea.  

I just didn't envision this much rain!  Oh, the rain!!  You'd think I'd be prepared, being England and all, but it has been the most rain England has had in about 250 years!  We determined not to let it get us down and had a good time even if we did get drenched!

We started our day at the Ouse Valley Viaduct.

Built in 1841, this viaduct was constructed with 11 million bricks on the London-Brighton railway line.  Over 100 trains pass over every day.


It's an amazing structure.  What drew me to this place was the beautiful arches underneath.


I think the kids would enjoy climbing through the archways.  Maybe when it's warmer!

Next up, Nymans Gardens.

I had visited Nymans previously and the weather was much better on that day, so I'm sharing photos mostly from my first visit.




I can't wait to see the wisteria (below) full of blooms!







Such beautiful grounds!  I can't wait to visit in the Spring!

We finished up our day in the quaint town of Steyning, sipping tea at The Cobblestone Tea House.





We finally got a break from the rain and took a short walk through town!



Something so fascinating about a thatched roof cottage!


The day went by way too fast, but we had such a great time!

Come to West Sussex and I'll show you around!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's time again for Travel Tuesday!

Each week, Bonnie, Melanie and I will spotlight a different post that caught our eye in the previous Travel Tuesday link up.  This week I'm featuring Mackenzie from Bell Bliss and her class at the Baan Thai Cookery School.  We love Thai and what better way to learn how to make it than at a cooking school in Thailand!!  How fun!


I love seeing all the major sites of a travel destination, but there is something to be said for getting off the beaten path.  You get a better feel of the country, it's locals and their culture.

I was so excited to be moving to Prague!!  So much history, such beautiful architecture, a castle on a hill, narrow cobblestone streets, Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock (pictured above, by the way), Charles Bridge over the Vltava River, Mala Strana......the list is endless!

Unspoiled by war it is easy to understand why so many movies are filmed in this city.

Our first days in Prague, in July 2001, standing on Old Town Square, I remember telling myself to never get tired of the view, to never take advantage of where I was living.  I reminded myself to always take time to look at my surrounds, enjoy the atmosphere, appreciate the beauty!  I knew how easy it was to become complacent that you forget to look up.

For the first several years it was easy to follow my own words of advice.  I explored, I took in my surroundings, I learned about customs, foods, culture and I could navigate downtown like any local!



As time went on and we settled into our lives in Prague I found I'd sometimes be distracted by the task at hand, get involved in a conversation while walking those cobblestone streets or be so set on getting from point A to point B that I would forget to look up.


It can also be so easy to allow things going on in our lives, the difficulties of expat life, homesickness, a death in the family to distract us that the beauty of it all can begin to fade.  Then I'd realize what I was doing and remind myself to look up!

I think there is a beautiful Biblical message in there too.  How easy it is to allow the difficulties of life to affect us, to try and do things on our own that we forget to rely on the One who loves us so and wants us to just look up to Him for our every need.

Have you ever become complacent, so focused on the daily grind that you forget to look up and enjoy the beauty around you?

Linking up with others sharing their Expat Diaries.

For the next few months, I have the pleasure of joining Bonnie, along with Melanie, to co-host Travel Tuesday.  I just love this link up!  Sharing travels, gaining tips and ideas and living vicariously through others.  Come and join us!

Last week we saw some amazing places and my list of "must go there" is getting very long.  One of my favorite posts from last week's Travel Tuesday was Amanda's from Rhyme & Ribbons.
Amanda shared her beautiful photos on the Emirates Airline gondola in London.  Something I've been hoping to do since moving to England.  Makes me want to go even more!

Now to share some aerial travel photos of my own.  Well, I didn't actually get to take this journey.  I just have the pictures!  My husband, Jerry had a rare treat when we were living in Prague to go flying over Czech Republic with a friend who has his pilot's license.  To say I was jealous is an understatement!

He got some great aerial photos on a foggy, sunny autumn morning!









The sun is starting to peek out.











I don't know exactly where they flew, but this last picture is Kokořín Castle, located north of Prague.



What a treat!  Maybe our friend will take me next time!!

Have you taken an aerial tour on one of your travels (other than your commercial fight, of course)?

Emma, and Kelly, my fellow England bloggers invited me to participate in their link up about our most memorable night's sleep.  It's difficult to narrow it down to one, so I'll share a few.

Being a family of 5 and finding places to stay while traveling can be a lengthy process.  Surprisingly though, I enjoy the challenge of finding that perfect place that's nice, inexpensive and convenient.