It came out of nowhere. Alex just looked at me and said, almost casually, that he likes playing with me more than anything. No big buildup, just a simple fact. It hit me harder than I expected. As parents, it is so easy to fall into the trap of ...
Proximity
I used to think that moving to the countryside meant giving up convenience. You know the cliché: living in the middle of nowhere, driving an hour for a loaf of bread, and dealing with internet speeds from the dial-up era. But after settling into The Cots ...
Pause on parenting
This half-term, Florence’s parents asked if they could come over and help us with Alex. Of course, we said yes. They stayed for ten days. It was a bit crowded in our tiny flat but, believe me, it was totally worth it. With them around, we could sudden ...
Halloween
I’ve never been a fan of made-up celebrations. For years, I’ve seen things like Halloween or Christmas as just engines for consumerism, days on the calendar designed to make us buy things we don’t need. I honestly paid them close to zero attention. Bu ...
So much to explore, still
Of all the addictions in the world, I’m glad I have the one that involves just stamps in a passport. I was just looking at my travel map, and it hit me. This isn't just a collection of flags on a digital map; it’s the story of my life. It's where all my ...
Our European Summer
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I know I’ve been quiet on here, but this summer has been a whirlwind of adventure, a collection of moments that have left me breathless and with a heart full of memories. From an epic family road trip through Europe to a tr ...
Two Countries, One World
A few months ago, Mum said something that will likely stay with me for my entire life. She confessed her fear that she and I were drifting into two entirely different worlds. For context: in Romania, the far-right, pro-Russian parties were gaining alarmi ...
Ksamil
Albania. That was the new country for this year's birthday celebration. I'd never set foot here before, which is a bit mad when you think how remarkably close it is to Romania, my home country. And it wasn't just the geographical proximity that struck me ...
Cotswold Way: Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill
What a nice day we've had! You know those days when you step outside, and the sky is just so blue, without a cloud in sight? Well, today was one of those. We spent it wandering through the gorgeous Cotswolds countryside. It’s days like these I feel so ...
Zanzibar
After a wait that stretched over twelve long years, the dream of Zanzibar finally became a reality. And believe me, the legendary Spice Island didn't just deliver; it absolutely enchanted. We’d gone with visions of pristine white sand beaches and crys ...