Sunday Strolling

Sundays in the UK are very low-key.  Most businesses are closed and the ones that are open have very limited hours. I'm looking at you, "Grocery Store Open from 11 to 4!"

We took a walk to the Pantiles, an area of town near our new home.  It's about a mile from the flat we are renting and we took a Sunday stroll to get there.  

You know, I'm beginning to understand the secret to why walking everywhere is doable -- enjoyable, even-- in Europe.

It was July 1st and in the high 60's at midday.  The milder weather, though it can lead to periodic light rain, is a welcome respite from 35 summers of high heat and humidity in the South.

The flowers benefit from it immensely!

Don't get me wrong, the South has a lot to offer.  But I doubt Brits would enjoy hours sipping coffees and brunching if it was 93 degrees with mosquitos buzzing around.

Even with the sun high, trees and shade abound to keep it comfortable.  

Every other weekend there is a market in the Pantiles, but the big day is Saturday and we came on Sunday.  See the striped awning below?  

I didn't take many photos because I didn't want to let go of a little hand and stop walking.  Besides, I'm still taking it all in for myself.  I can document it later. :)

We found a place that catered more to families for lunch and settled in at a table outside.

There is a chain in the UK called "Pizza Express."  It's not the most romantic name but the food is reliably good.  They also provide crayons, stickers, and coloring pages for kids.

The building is pretty even if the name isn't.

Side note: Pizza Express does its part trying to teach children how to "properly" order in a restaurant. A standard kids meal comes with choice of starter: usually a salad or bread item; then choice of entree; then choice of included dessert.  Often there is a healthier dessert option of berries and cream or "ice lollies" which are frozen real juice pops.

I asked twice what the name of the small sweet-yet-spicy peppers on our pizza were called, but the server spoke real Italian and I couldn't even pretend to understand what she was trying to say.

After asking twice, I usually give up.  Often they can't fully understand me with my accent, either!

It was so nice to sit outside and enjoy the breeze and people-watching.  Jon and both commented on how surreal it felt that all of this was less than a quarter mile from our future home.  We can see why Tunbridge Wells is considered a local tourist destination.

I turned around and snapped a pic of Grace's view over my shoulder.
More people just enjoying their day.

There is a lot about this move that is not relaxing and beautiful, but we are striving to notice and remember those moments that are.