Sunday, 22 June 2014

First London 10k

Months and months ago we signed up for a 10k race through central London.
This was a fun run and we hoped it would be motivation to get us back in shape.

Well, we didn't do any training and
I was slightly nervous I wouldn't survive the 6+ miles.
And I did... and Ian did awesome for never running that distance and not training.
(annoying)

The run started on The Mall,
past The Eye, St Pauls, Westminster and Big Ben
before ending in front of Buckingham Palace.
Couldn't have asked for a better route
with 18,000 other runners!!! 
(yes, 18,000)

Marcus and Lu are ultra fast,
Ian's fast and well, I always finish running - even if slow. 
It was a perfect Sunday filled with family fun! 


xx
the mcgees

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Kaitlin & Bret - Sunday Roast

We miss family dearly so we love having visitors!
This time, we had Kaitlin and Bret as they were on their
European adventure!

They stopped in with friends for a few days 
and explored London like champs.
They walked and walked and walked.

Sunday was a bit of downtime for them and their sweet friends
so we had them for a traditional Sunday roast.



As always, 
loved the family time.

xx
the mcgees

Sunday, 8 June 2014

Alsace Wine Route

A last minute trip was booked to the Alsace.
And it was well worth it... the wine region is beyond beautiful...
and goes on forever! 

We flew into the Basel-Mulhouse Airport 
and we started our adventure.
You get to the exit - France to the left and Switzerland to the right!

We grabbed our mini Euro car and headed towards the "Route de Vin".
For some reason, we are anti-GPS. 
So, we go off of maps - always starts in stress
but ends in a laugh as we make it there with me as the navigator! 

It was a super charming little area of France
though pretty touristy in some of the villages. 
We stayed in a cute little studio apartment in Riquewihr.
The architecture was very German but with MUCH more colour.
And the wine was better... 
 (remember last year's trip to Germany's wine region?) 

We had the opportunity to have a "trade" visit at Trimbach
which was amazing and then stopped at a number of wineries
for tastings and tours.
The villages are teeny tiny but filled with wineries and vineyards
as far as the eye could see.
It was truly impressive.

Food was not our favourite, though it was good.
Just an interesting mix of stodgy German food and French home cooking.
Our favourite meal was at Wistub du Sommelier.

And then there was the wine...
Tried the big producers and some of the small 
and we were truly impressed. 
We had a tiny winemaker across from our apartment...
yep - we were regulars, picking up a bottle here and there for 8e!
heaven...
You can't even find a crappy bottle in London for that price
took full advantage... to say the least.

We also drove to the top of the mountain
to visit Haut Koenignsbourg Castle.
Super cool and well worth the trip up!

On our last day, we were determined to have 
breakfast in France
lunch in Germany
dinner in Switzerland
...and we did it! 

We stopped at the Vitra Museum in Germany, which is an awesome 
interior design museum.
Super modern... Super cool!  
If Ian had his choice, our house would be straight from this museum.

And then made it to Basel.
Unfortunately, we didn't plan all that well and was there on a Monday.
Monday = Closed Museums
Monday = Sarah being sick. 
It was a rough day roaming the small city for HOURS...
with me fighting a fever.
But, we did see much of the city and enjoyed the energy and feel by the river.

Loved our last minute French, German and Swiss adventure!
A huge perk of living abroad.


















A beautiful trip with the best company. 
Each and everyday, I feel super lucky to live this life with him... 

xx
the mcgees