Hello Family & Friends! How is it already August and we are just updating you on our summer travels! Our plans to SEE Europe began with a visit to Rome and Herculaneum, Italy . (see the movie Roman Holiday to see how we could have scootered around Rome if we weren't terrified of the driving there.) For more photos, click here.

	ITALY We just got back from Italy. Italy is so cool; we went to the Colosseum and we went to St. Peter's (the biggest church in the world). We also visited a place like Pompeii, but smaller. And of course, we went to Rome. The only problem about Italy is everyone speaks Italian. My sister had a waterproof cast, so we got to go swimming in the lakes and ocean. But we didn't find any pools. My Mom said it would be a good idea to write a survival list for Italy, so here it is: food, cards, book, water, money, swimming suits, gum. Sincerely, Dillon (read An Italian Education , by Tim Parks to understand Italians).
	SCANDINAVIA During our trip to Scandinavia, we visited the Archipelago, but before we went there, my family and the Danish family spent a day in Stockholm. First off, I just have to say that Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I have been to. Since it is right on the coastline, you get to see a lot of ships pass by. And if you're lucky, sometimes you can see the big cruise ships that dock here and then move on to Helsinki –the place we went after the Archipelago - and we got to take one. You must visit the old town with the narrow cobblestone streets and the secret stairways that cut up to other streets. There are many tourist shops, but just know that the prices aren't always the best. The newer part of Stockholm is also very pretty. You could stop by a café, pick up some lunch or just a snack and people watch for a while. Or you could walk around and explore the town. Sweden is known for modern decor and home appliances. If you get a chance I suggest window shopping around stores like this. The modern stuff is very expensive but it is very cool to look at. And if you have a chance to go to one city in Sweden, Stockholm would be my first choice. –Brianna (visit the website: www.albytravel.com/sweden-kayak.htm to see more of the Archipelago and www.zazza.nu to see our Swedish clown friends)
Send notes to the family to: williamshickey@aol.com . Places we've visited to find on your atlas: London, England; Rome, Italy; Herculaneum, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark, Stockholm, Sweden, Archipelago, Helsinki, Finland, Tallinn, Estonia. Upcoming plans include: Oxford, England; Normandy, France; Adare, Ireland.

Previous Update -

Next Chapter: World Travelers

I made a visit to London last month to get a reality check about our move to England for 2 years! Flying over takes a long time. London is a BIG city. And the dollar is way too weak to the pound. That's a lot of reality. Our neighborhood is lovely and the people I met were very friendly. Grant and Brianna each receive high marks for locating a lovely flat and interesting neighborhood schools. Of course the students were on spring break, so all I saw was the buildings, but hey, they look smart! Grant also took me to his favorite local spot. The Old Packing Horse is owned by Irish girls and houses a Thai restaurant along with good draught beer and a nice fireplace. He found a 'Sears catalogue-like' place where the cost was almost reasonable for basic household goods in a very 'interesting' and 'lively' part of town. We found time to visit Westminister Abbey and The Globe Theater.

I traveled very easily to many parts by tube and bus, includ! ing beautiful Kew Gardens. After several lessons from Brianna, I can handle the digital camera pretty well and was able to take a few photos. In just over 2 months, we'll be moving over! (Click here for Mary's Trip to London Photo Album.)

Big Story in Webster-Kirkwood Times

Mary and the kids made the front page of the Webster-Kirkwood Times. The story ran as a special St. Patrick's Day headline focusing on families who hold dual citizenship. As Irish citizens, the family can live and work in England without any visa problems. Mary and Grant plan to tour Europe while Brianna and Dillon go to work in the coal mines. (Click on image to read full story.)

See the New Flat & the New School

Brianna and Grant found a flat in Chiswick.and visited some of the local schools. See the new photos - New Flat & New School