marco POLO marco POLO

At the Cartier International Polo match we had our first royal sighting!!! There were ropes to keep up commoners away from his divot stomping section haha :o)

They had a mini fox hunt before the match....they forgot to bring the fox though whoops

The New Zealand Tribal Dancers performed a Haka (loud chat said before going into battle)...it scared the horses a bit.

John wanted a picture with the topiary to remind him of his ambitions and aspirations in the field of decorative hedging :o)

OCEAN Breezes..I wish... it was sooooo HOT

Third time to La Sagrada Familia and loved it even more than the previous visits if possible :o) Since my first visit like five years ago I can see marked progress, like a roof over the nave haha. Really hope this gets done in my lifetime so I can go back :o)

Congratulations Girls.... not only did Jen and Annie get engaged over our trip but they found some time to get their engagement photos taken with a huge mammoth in the park :o)

Finding some much needed shade in Park Guell.

The Rain in SPAIN Stays Mainly in the Plain :o)

We arrived in Spain the day after they won the World Cup and Madrid was going crazy!!!! They had a huge party the night before and everyone was waiting hours in the street to see the team and trophy make their way through the streets...followed again by more parties til 4am haha. Really exciting atmosphere with flags and signs everywhere.

I decided I need to get myself a twin so that someone is always there to help get that tough shot... (at the World Cup Parade, after Karen had already been doused with water from the apartments above haha..poor Karen)

Loved our bike tour in Madrid and the combo of the basket on my bike and my green dress made it even more spectacular :o) Plus we got to enjoy drinks in the park with Geza (sp?) haha.

Plaza Major Photo Opp

Girls Take London by STORM!!!!

The entire group in St James Park with the eye in the background :o)

We were all dazzled by Chicago. And the irony was lost on no one that we all traveled to London from Chicago to go and see Chicago :o)

Twins in a Black Cab!!!

Changing of the Guards.....very very hot. We had a great spot and front row seats for the band marching into the palace.

Henley Royal Regatta

So as part of the social season we went to the Henley Royal Regatta along the Thames River(about an 1.5 hour train ride outside London). They sectioned off the river to make way for the crew boats and then smaller private boats pulled up along the edges and grandstands were set up on bank for everyone to watch the races.

Many of the spectators were reliving their glory days and had on their old crew blazers all adorn with colorful strips and patches. Some even had funny beanies like the guy above. And then there were a few in wife beaters.....

Like in the USA there has been a dramatic drop in the bee population over the last few years and they are doing huge public awareness campaigns throughout the UK to educate the public.....like this girl in a short dress and giant bee hive on her head :o)