Hi there!

I am just recently back from a few weeks visiting friends and family in the US. One of our stops was in Southern California, where my daughter has not been since we left for the UK nearly 5 years ago!

While in California, I was catching up with a friend who told me she was jealous of my "quiet life" in England. We don't chat very regularly, so a lot of what she's seen of my life is through the blog or an Instagram highlight reel.

It really stuck with me and made me reflect on the ways life is quieter since we moved to the UK, though that's not the whole story.

Some of the lifestyle perks I've enjoyed here include:

• Way less driving. We only own one car and opt for walking or the train as much as possible.
• Flexible leave. In 5 years, my husband has never had a vacation request denied or been asked to work on holiday. I haven't either, though for transparency I've worked for myself about half the time we've been here.
• Access to nature. We live outside London, but even city-dwellers are never far from public access walks through gorgeous scenery. Me and the dog love exploring nature here.

At the same time, there are some challenges we wouldn't face if we hadn't moved:

• Visa insecurity and bureaucracy. It's hard to feel stable when you don't have a permanent right to live in your home. We are due to achieve ILR status (permanent residency) this year, but it has been a long and sometimes stressful wait.
• Loneliness. Making new friends in a new place is hard. Even after a few years, I sometimes miss the easy friendships I had back in the US.

So, yes, my life is a bit quieter. However, that doesn't mean I left all stress behind when I left the US. If I had the choice to make again, I'd probably still move simply because this life fits better.

Have questions about day-to-day life in the UK? Feel free to ask! Just hit reply on this message.

New British Celebrities 🦩

For the first time, the resident pelicans in St. James' Park in London have successfully hatched chicks!

Pelicans have lived in the park since the 1800s. If you come for a visit, it's fun to take a stroll away from Buckingham Palace and keep an eye out for them. The babies are in a private area for now, but will join the park's adult pelicans in the next few weeks.

Check out the full story over on the BBC.

Worth The Detour: Bushy Park 🦌

I'm feeling extra nature-focused today, so here's one more recommendation for you.

My top day trip recommendation for London visitors is most often Hampton Court Palace. It has something to interest everyone and is only a short train ride from central London.

But, if you plan a day out to Hampton Court, consider also venturing beyond the palace for a walk in Bushy Park.

The park is scenic and serene, but the real highlight is the herds of deer that call the park home. Keep a respectful distance, but they are pretty used to humans wandering through so you can get close enough for some excellent photos.

That's all for now, but I'll see you next week!

Victoria

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