Our friends Luke and Shyla took us to see the Guy Fawkes fireworks during our trip to England last weekend. It’s been years since I’ve seen fireworks up close enough to hear the music and enjoy the atmosphere of being surrounded by a crowd of other people enjoying the display. We were also delighted to see how much Hayden also loved watching the explosions. I was a little worried that the sounds would be too loud for him, and he did often jump, but he spent most of the time with his little eyes wide open in amazement. Eventually his dummy fell out of his mouth and he waved his arms around as if to say “this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen”. He was entranced the whole time, sometimes gurgling along with the music, other times simply silent with wonder. I loved watching his smiling little face. I think that this is the first event that we have both enjoyed together at a similar level – the pretty colours and spectacular lights. A super fun night for everyone.

Thanks to Grant for taking the photo.

We spent the weekend in Cambridge with our friends Michelle and Grant. We asked Michelle to be Hayden’s marraine – his secular godmother. We chose Michelle because she has been a great friend to us since we were all researching immunology back in Australia, and we were thrilled when she accepted the role. She is full of fun and wisdom, and is also a brilliant scientist and intrepid traveller.

We were all suffering due to the heatwave – unbearable highs of 28 both days. Hayden did not make the best first impression, and while all three of us turned up at their home sweaty, dehydrated, and cranky, only one of us was screaming. Yet they took us in and fed us delicious and locally sourced meals – quiche with spinach from their allotment, pancakes with home made wild berry jam, pizza with home-grown capsicum, and stewed apples picked the day before.

We spent most of the weekend outdoors, with a barbeque by the Cam one day and a long walk along the river the next. We walked from Cambridge to Fen Ditton, past cows on the commons, dozens of rowers, and families at home on their houseboats. Cambridge is such an idyllic town, with the energy of the university and the tranquility of the countryside synergising into a dynamic yet peaceful place.

After a lovely evening catching up with some old friends, Adrian popped off to Birmingham while I showed Hayden the sights of London Town.

We started the day at the Foundling Museum, built on the site of the old Foundling Hospital. Established in 1741 by sea captain Thomas Coram, it provided a home for children who were deserted under the age of one. For the first five years of their life, they were fostered out to farming families who lived in the region, breastfed by wet nurses and often treated as one of the family. However in their fifth year of life they were abruptly transferred to the Hospital, where they were dressed in uniforms indicative of their future careers – miniature military-style uniforms for the boys and domestic servants’ uniforms for the girls.

Most of these children were illegitimate, given up by their mothers to save their reputation. An unwed woman with a child was seen as morally repugnant, and often would no longer be able to find work. Often these women would continue to write to the hospital for years, inquiring about their child’s health and sending gifts. These letters were rarely passed onto the children until recently, often after the mother had passed away. There were so many women petitioning the hospital that a lottery system was initiated. I put Hayden in the lottery and he was admitted to the Hospital pending a medical review.

After our tour of the museum and an excellent caramel slice in the cafe, Hayden and I took a short walk to the Coram’s Fields Park, also on the site of the Foundling Hospital. As no adults are permitted without children, it was my first time inside. Filled with children running barefoot through the fountains, I took Hayden to see his first goats, chickens, and rabbits at the petting zoo. He wasn’t terribly impressed, but he loved spending the day out and about in the stroller and in my arms. He was in an exceptionally good mood all day, charming strangers with smiles and giggles. One of the best days he and I have had together, a glorious way to enjoy the sunshine.