Stage four of the Rivetti family traveling circus begins today with another trek across country, this time without motor vehicle and the spacious trunk for increasing amounts of luggage. The Italian husband departed for California a couple of days ago, leaving me rental carless 'on the road' with two youngest and third strapping son about to return from his debut backpacking experience through Belgium Germany and northern France.
Stuffing the last of Nonna's Italian treats into side pockets of bulging case and an extra borrowed from my Mum,today's adventure entails traversing London with luggage via train, whilst meeting an old friend for lunch and taking in a West End show with the boys tonight.
En route to Twickenham for interim stay with my sister, stage five of the European adventure commences Saturday with a short-haul to Mallorca.
It has been an exercise in organizational skills, nostalgia and practicality, mixed with intense emotional reunions and farewells. Heady stuff. "Why don't you just stay here" has been a familiar question posed by multiple family members. Why not, indeed. I sometimes wonder. How long would it take me to miss the vineyard views and California clime, friends and community back in Petaluma?
Electric lightening, thunder and hail reminded me of what a true British summer is really all about, although I've quite enjoyed the quirky unpredictability of the weather after so many long, dry summer seasons in Northern Cal.
Read in today's paper that the Queen's garden party was hailed-out yesterday, as she was evacuated during 100 year record rain. Harry Potter premier for the sixth movie was also deluged with precipitation as the young stars took a drenching on the red carpet in Leicester Square.
Will check in again from Twickenham, if I manage to move the family circus according to plan!
Comments