My first cousin Tristan is like my (other) brother. We grew up together, spending years at prep school, working on his parent's farm in New Jersey and any spare holiday our families could arrange. He's only 2 years my senior but will always be the OLDER brother figure in my life. I've always looked up to him; I still do. There's (nearly) nothing he doesn't know, hasn't read into or written about on his blog History Future Now. He's a quintessential family man--he lives (and would die) for all members of his close family. Tris is full of love, honorable, loyal and fiendishly clever. He needs little sleep and has an innate entrepreneurial scrappiness that's led him to start and run many fascinating businesses.
A trip to England wouldn't be complete without a visit to Camp Fischer or 'The Lodge' as he calls it. Tristan and Kate's house in the Chilterns is surrounded by lush (if not a little flooded), green and rolling hills. The area is referred to as an 'area of outstanding natural beauty'. Kate, a talented architect in her own right, has won awards for her work on their house. Her approach of shaping the architecture around family life lends perfectly for their family with four children. All roads, or rooms, lead to the central hub.
We spent a weekend with Tristan, Kate and their four children: Anna-Kate, Theo, Mathilda, Henny; and all their pets (lizard, bunny, fish and birds). It was extremely fun and full of Fischer-type experiences.
Gorgeous green as far as the eye can see. This is what Tristan sees as he walks to work (when he's not working at home). He often skypes me as he walks roads looking just like this. Lucky bugger.
Gearing up for a Fischer bike ride and walk.
Alfie is tired of walking behind Tristan's house. Charlie is fed up with whining.
Sophia learns how to make a proper daisy chain with Mathilda.
Waiting patiently for the magic show.
Sophia is geared up to join Henny for a day at her school. She's so proud to be wearing an English schoolgirl's uniform. And her hair has been done by Tristan the 'Fischer-way'.
Sophia got to participate (meaning: she sat with the school) in the senior's brass band concert.
I've become a hanger for tired children?!! We're waiting outside to collect Sophia and the rest of the BIG kids at school. I'm talking to Tristan and Kate is in the background.
Tristan prepared us his famous Sunday lunch. The kids and I made a typical apple crumble with the added ingredient...grubby fingers.
I couldn't resist this snap. I was so excited to be eating crispy Peking duck. It was one of our favourite childhood meals.
Alfie's zonked after a day of play with his cousins. But not too tired to let go of the Spiderman costumes.