Jo & Paul get hitched!

On a stunningly beautiful summers day in August our friends Paul & Jo got married. In the beautiful Cotswold's, Gloucestershire. It had been a long time since I was last in this part of the world and boy had I forgotten just how lovely it is. Must make a mental note to re-visit one day.

Everything was perfect.


Congratulations Mr & Mrs Hibbert!

Adam & Claire xxx

PS Sorry for lack of photos....Blogger is playing games with me and I'm too tired too argue....

Alaska Honeymoon

In July/August we spent 17 wonderful days on honeymoon in Alaska. In such a stunning part of the United States with many oohs and aahs where do we start....

Our trip began in Anchorage where we got our bearings, bought maps, explored and relaxed before the real fun began. After a few days we collected an RV which was our home for the next 2 weeks.

From Anchorage we headed north to Denali National Park, somewhere we had both long wanted to visit. Exploring the true wilderness of this stunning National Park was bliss and we enjoyed fantastic hiking. Denali is know for its wildlife and we were lucky enough to see our first bear in the wild....well from the safety of the Denali bus. Plenty close enough for us! As well as caribou and moose. Many visitors to Denali do not get to see the mythical mountain, Denali (or Mt McKinley) from which the National Park takes it name. We were in the lucky few! Wow!

We were sad to leave the beautiful mountain scenery but on we headed to Valdez, driving east on the breathtaking Glenn Highway. More mountains and lots more glaciers. Yeah!

Valdez is a small town on the edge of Prince William Sound, one place in Alaska many of you will have heard of because of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Nature being such an amazing force and 20 years later we were told that more than 2/3 of species have recoverd from the tragic accident. Valdez gave us the opportunity to enjoy more fabulous walks in amazing scenery. The highlight of our time here was Sea-Kayaking by the Columbia Glacier. Blessed with beautiful sunshine and blue skies we had the most fantastic time paddling through icebergs, watching sea otters and sea lions. It was not just the sights but also the sounds that were so impressive. Glaciers and icebergs are dynamic environments and hence the accompanying sounds reflected this. Awesome!

We left Valdez by sea and took the ferry west across Prince William Sound to Whittier which was a great opportunity to see the stunning coastline as well as wildlife including Sea Otters and Orca Whales.

Arriving in Whittier we drove onto the Kenai Peninsular and stayed in Seaward. Camping (practically) on the beach - s0 close we could hear the waves lapping as we went to sleep - in a official campsite doesn't get much better! Aside from the lcampsite we had great times walking and exploring Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield and Homer.

Time was running out and it was almost time to return our RV so north we headed back to Anchorage. By now we had lost count of the number of beautiful mountains and countless other breathtaking sights but all was such fun.

We ended our trip with a day or so in Anchorage, enjoying the scenery, reminiscing and relaxing before heading home.

A simply AMAZING trip!

Adam & Claire xxx

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Finally, after being married for a month we opened our wedding presents (only due to the logistics of us not both being home in Houston.

What an amazingly lucky couple we are to be given such wonderful gifts.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Adam & Claire xxx

Claire's Birthday

Claire was very lucky to have extended birthday celebrations in both the UK and US. In the week before she returned home to Houston her Godmother took her to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot...

We even saw the Queen....

Simply FABULOUS fun...

Returning to Houston we went to watch Swan Lake, had dinner with friends and on Claire's actual birthday enjoyed a beach picnic and sunset walk at Galveston State Park. Bliss! Claire felt thoroughly spoiled to have so many birthday celebrations. Thank you!

Adam & Claire xxx

Sarah & Matt's Wedding

In June we were invited to the wedding of our dear friends Sarah & Matt. Unfortunately Adam was unable to attend as he had to return to the US.

It was a beautiful warm, sunny and "typically English" summer's day. Gorgeous! Just like the bride and groom......

After a lovely service there was a wonderful reception in a stunning venue.....

A fantastically fun day.....

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Cork!

Adam & Claire xxx

Lake District Mini-Hoon

Following our amazingly fantastic wedding we headed off into the sunset....

....for a few days "Mini-Hoon" in the Lake District. We stayed at the AMAZING Drunken Duck, a fabulous gastro-pub complete with its own brewery. Perfect!

(The next photo is the view we had from where we were sitting in the photo above)

We were very lucky with the weather, enjoying lots of warm sunny days, so did plenty of walking on our beloved lakeland mountains.

It was not all mountain fun though...we had a day trip to Belfast. Belfast? we hear you say. Yes, Belfast. And why? Because we had to go to get Claire's US Visa and the quickest way to do this was to go to Belfast so hence the daytrip!

Back in the Lakes we enjoyed more time and more walks, in one of our favourite places, before heading home. Bliss!

Adam & Claire xxx

And then we were Wed!

April and May were busy months in the lead up to our wedding, all very exciting and we were so incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such supportive friends and family.

And finally, after months of planning and anticipation, on Saturday 30 May we were married in a beautiful ceremony followed by a wonderful reception. Everything was simply amazing thanks to all our wonderful family and friends. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Adam & Claire xxx