Ok, we're on twitter and Facebook now. I found this "Cities I've visited" site that seems custom built for us.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Back in 1 piece
Well we all made it back to NC in one piece. The doggies arrived fine, though I know it was a struggle for Diana to stay up long enough to pick them up.
We're all still pretty jetlagged, have been in bed by about 8:00 every night and getting up really early. That'll last another day or two.
Darkstar and Elijah are trying to figure out if this is just a weekend trip. They don't remember the house and it's all so different from the UK to them. Darkstar hasn't asked about the pub yet, but he will.
It became obvious to us that we've got a lot of work to do on the house. We bought it and moved just before we went to the UK, and it's pretty clear we just sort of dropped everything in and left. Now we've actually got to live there.
To all of our friends in the UK: Vicky and Cosmo, Paul and Jo (and the whole group from the Crown), Fara and Jools, Chris and Sadie. We'll miss you guys and hope to see you again soon.
To all of our friends in the US, we'll be reaching out to catch up with you over the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to seeing you and spending some time together again.
We'll try to continue to keep the blog going. It's been a great way to document what we've done and share our experiences.
We're all still pretty jetlagged, have been in bed by about 8:00 every night and getting up really early. That'll last another day or two.
Darkstar and Elijah are trying to figure out if this is just a weekend trip. They don't remember the house and it's all so different from the UK to them. Darkstar hasn't asked about the pub yet, but he will.
It became obvious to us that we've got a lot of work to do on the house. We bought it and moved just before we went to the UK, and it's pretty clear we just sort of dropped everything in and left. Now we've actually got to live there.
To all of our friends in the UK: Vicky and Cosmo, Paul and Jo (and the whole group from the Crown), Fara and Jools, Chris and Sadie. We'll miss you guys and hope to see you again soon.
To all of our friends in the US, we'll be reaching out to catch up with you over the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to seeing you and spending some time together again.
We'll try to continue to keep the blog going. It's been a great way to document what we've done and share our experiences.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Into Single Digits
Our days have been numbered here for a while, and now the number is in single digits. The movers come today, so the computer goes. We'll go the Wales for the July 4th weekend, then Diana and the boys fly out Monday, and I follow Tuesday.
We'll be offline more than online during the next several days.
It's sure been a great experience, both professionally and personally. We'll miss the culture and lifestyle here, but it's always nice to go home.
Hope to see you all and catch up soon.
We'll be offline more than online during the next several days.
It's sure been a great experience, both professionally and personally. We'll miss the culture and lifestyle here, but it's always nice to go home.
Hope to see you all and catch up soon.
Guinness Premiereship Finals May 16th, 2009
We finally got to go to a Rugby Match. We live in an area that is big into rugby. I was able to get cheap tickets to a Finals game via an Internet promotion. The two teams playing were the London Irish and the Leicester Tigers. The game was sold out with as many as 81,601 supporters at the match. James and I walked to the stadium which is the next town across the river called Twickenham.
We're still are not quite up on the rules of rugby, but we had help by the fans seated next to us. We found out that they don't have play by play in the stadium only if you have brought a radio to hear the commentary. James and I supported the London team and we bought London Irish rugby shirts.
Our luck they lost by one point. We found a new way to sell beer, walking through the crowd with small kegs attached to their backs. The English like their beer just barely
cold.
After the game we walked back to Richmond with the 81,000 supporters walking through town and stopping at the local pubs and restaurant's. We found a good Italian restaurant who had one man band playing American songs and diners in the restaurant all sung along with him. It was a good day out and ticked the box of going to a rugby match.
We're still are not quite up on the rules of rugby, but we had help by the fans seated next to us. We found out that they don't have play by play in the stadium only if you have brought a radio to hear the commentary. James and I supported the London team and we bought London Irish rugby shirts.
Our luck they lost by one point. We found a new way to sell beer, walking through the crowd with small kegs attached to their backs. The English like their beer just barely
cold.
After the game we walked back to Richmond with the 81,000 supporters walking through town and stopping at the local pubs and restaurant's. We found a good Italian restaurant who had one man band playing American songs and diners in the restaurant all sung along with him. It was a good day out and ticked the box of going to a rugby match.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Salisbury and Stonehenge May 29-31, 2009
I finally got James to Stonehenge. We spent a weekend in Salisbury at a B&B that was a old coach house on the River Avon called the Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel, a 13Th century coaching Inn. The B&B was dog friendly and had a great open lawn on the River Avon.
The weather was great warm and sunny. We traveled by train to Salisbury which was a 2 hour trip. After getting off the train we walked from the station through a series of meadows to the old mill which dates back to 1135. The old mill is now a hotel and a dog friendly pub and beer garden.
The Salisbury cathedral is famous for it's tallest spire in England of 404 feet and a original copy of the Magna carta is in it's library. The city it self was a very small and friendly. Salisbury is a medieval town with many historic buildings with olde world atmosphere.
I was able to arrange for all of us, including the boys, to take a bus tour to Stonehenge and Old Sarum. Since I have already seen Stonehenge I stayed outside with the boys. We later visited Old Sarum, a castle ruin from the 11th century built by William the Conqueror. The boys had a hard time because there was no shade and it was a very warm sunny day.
We walked back to Salisbury which was about a 2 mile walk via the River Avon. Along the way back we passed a few thatched homes and walls. It was a perfect week-end at a wonderful place that was very relaxing and we could have the boy's with us.
The weather was great warm and sunny. We traveled by train to Salisbury which was a 2 hour trip. After getting off the train we walked from the station through a series of meadows to the old mill which dates back to 1135. The old mill is now a hotel and a dog friendly pub and beer garden.
The Salisbury cathedral is famous for it's tallest spire in England of 404 feet and a original copy of the Magna carta is in it's library. The city it self was a very small and friendly. Salisbury is a medieval town with many historic buildings with olde world atmosphere.
I was able to arrange for all of us, including the boys, to take a bus tour to Stonehenge and Old Sarum. Since I have already seen Stonehenge I stayed outside with the boys. We later visited Old Sarum, a castle ruin from the 11th century built by William the Conqueror. The boys had a hard time because there was no shade and it was a very warm sunny day.
We walked back to Salisbury which was about a 2 mile walk via the River Avon. Along the way back we passed a few thatched homes and walls. It was a perfect week-end at a wonderful place that was very relaxing and we could have the boy's with us.
Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo May 13, 2009
The Tattoo is a charity show for the Royal British Legion. It's a military band and music event. They support millions who served and currently serve in the armed forces. The show is held at night so the show had a great effect.
This year the line up acts included the Royal Navy Field Gun Race,Royal life Guards of Denmark. The Danish soldiers looked like toy tin soldiers! There was also the military band from Trinidad and Tobago, all steel drums with a limbo dancer! A massed band and fifes and drums and the Kings troop Royal Horse Artillery,and a musical ride of the household Cavalry.
And a modern military re enactment with modern equipment.
*** lots of uniforms*****lots of uniforms*** and men wearing skirts ******
James had to keep a hold on to me all evening, he knows I love a man in uniform and especially if he is on horse back.It was a great night out. He loved the artillery demonstrations too.
Pictures were hard to take as it was night time and you didn't want to use a flash. Night time settings on the camera are ok, but movement usually blurs them.
This year the line up acts included the Royal Navy Field Gun Race,Royal life Guards of Denmark. The Danish soldiers looked like toy tin soldiers! There was also the military band from Trinidad and Tobago, all steel drums with a limbo dancer! A massed band and fifes and drums and the Kings troop Royal Horse Artillery,and a musical ride of the household Cavalry.
And a modern military re enactment with modern equipment.
*** lots of uniforms*****lots of uniforms*** and men wearing skirts ******
James had to keep a hold on to me all evening, he knows I love a man in uniform and especially if he is on horse back.It was a great night out. He loved the artillery demonstrations too.
Pictures were hard to take as it was night time and you didn't want to use a flash. Night time settings on the camera are ok, but movement usually blurs them.
Chelsea Flower show May 22nd, 2009
For 5 days in May a world-famous flower show happens in London in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The show starts off the summer season. Since moving to London I wanted to go to the flower show. I was able to go this year. But James could not make it. He had to go back to the States for a dear friends funeral. We planned to go with some friends from Sweden, Lars and Petra, who came for a weekend visit.
Again we chose the busiest day to go to the flower show. The flower exhibits were incredible and the smells of the flowers was overwhelming.
This year the main attraction was a large rose pedal perfume maker that made perfume with the same ingredients that were used for Queen Elizabeth I perfume. The whole area smelled of roses.
The Great Pavilion was where the displays of the best of the best were showcased. I could have stayed all day just in the pavilion. It was a great experience and wonderful to have shared it with friends like Petra and Lars.
Again we chose the busiest day to go to the flower show. The flower exhibits were incredible and the smells of the flowers was overwhelming.
This year the main attraction was a large rose pedal perfume maker that made perfume with the same ingredients that were used for Queen Elizabeth I perfume. The whole area smelled of roses.
The Great Pavilion was where the displays of the best of the best were showcased. I could have stayed all day just in the pavilion. It was a great experience and wonderful to have shared it with friends like Petra and Lars.
Royal Ascot June 20th, 2009
Royal Ascot is a week long horse racing event sponsored by the Queen herself. James and I decided to go to the event when we found out that we were coming home this summer. It was something we needed to do and go full-out for. The Queen is in attendance the whole week so the dress attire is very strict, especially in the the royal enclosure. We could not get into that area. But we got the next best area.
The Brits love to dress up for events. This week long event is a huge production. Most men wear top hats and Morning suits and the women in fancy hats and beautiful dress's even when they don't have to. James opted out of the Top hat and morning suit so I got a new outfit for the event. We also ordered picnic box's for lunch. We were able to see the Queen twice, once coming into the race course and again presenting a trophy to the winner of the race the Golden jubilee stakes winner which is named for her.
The attendance that day was 80,000+. We choose to take the train to the race. It took 3 attempts to board the train. The train was packed full with race goers. I now know that the phrase means packed in like sardines. Overall the day was wonderful and a once in a life time event to experience.
We liked it so much we changed the title picture on the blog.
The Brits love to dress up for events. This week long event is a huge production. Most men wear top hats and Morning suits and the women in fancy hats and beautiful dress's even when they don't have to. James opted out of the Top hat and morning suit so I got a new outfit for the event. We also ordered picnic box's for lunch. We were able to see the Queen twice, once coming into the race course and again presenting a trophy to the winner of the race the Golden jubilee stakes winner which is named for her.
The attendance that day was 80,000+. We choose to take the train to the race. It took 3 attempts to board the train. The train was packed full with race goers. I now know that the phrase means packed in like sardines. Overall the day was wonderful and a once in a life time event to experience.
We liked it so much we changed the title picture on the blog.
Dangerous visit to Richmond Park
June 3rd
The boys and I went to the park the morning of June 3rd. It started out great a nice day sunny and warm. Important note "Spring time" in the park means baby animals in the park to include deer and fowl and bunnies. In walking the boys we saw a few baby deer in the open areas. As I crossed the main road with the boys and making my way up to a shady tree line I was soon followed by a deer very closely. She eventually had me trapped around a tree for about a 30 minutes before I could get a jogger's attention.
I yelled for his help. I had tried for 30 minutes throwing sticks at it to go away. With help,finally I got back to the main road. With the deer still following us. I was never so frightened in my life because she could have hurt me or the boys.
I now think twice walking the park with the boys. In hind sight I should have realized why the deer was so aggressive she probably had young in the high grass area in the tree line.
To get my heart beating at a normal rate I found a pond with water fowl with their young I found this beautiful wood duck and his family.
The boys and I went to the park the morning of June 3rd. It started out great a nice day sunny and warm. Important note "Spring time" in the park means baby animals in the park to include deer and fowl and bunnies. In walking the boys we saw a few baby deer in the open areas. As I crossed the main road with the boys and making my way up to a shady tree line I was soon followed by a deer very closely. She eventually had me trapped around a tree for about a 30 minutes before I could get a jogger's attention.
I yelled for his help. I had tried for 30 minutes throwing sticks at it to go away. With help,finally I got back to the main road. With the deer still following us. I was never so frightened in my life because she could have hurt me or the boys.
I now think twice walking the park with the boys. In hind sight I should have realized why the deer was so aggressive she probably had young in the high grass area in the tree line.
To get my heart beating at a normal rate I found a pond with water fowl with their young I found this beautiful wood duck and his family.
Kew Gardens Visit April 22,2009
Spring time in England
James and I are very lucky that we live near a a wonderful garden. When My family came over for visit we spent a day at the gardens. The rhododendrons and azaleas and lilacs were in bloom. Tulips and other bulbs plants were in wonderful show in flower beds all through the park.
The gardens were once the home for the Royal Princess Augusta in 1759. The garden is the world leader in plant science and conservation. We saw exotic Orchids and wildflowers from across the world. Kew botanical garden also has a millennium seed bank. They are able to freeze seeds of plants that will be extinct plants and save them for hundreds of years. They have about 23,000 plant species from every continent. This year is it's 250 anniversary.
James and I are very lucky that we live near a a wonderful garden. When My family came over for visit we spent a day at the gardens. The rhododendrons and azaleas and lilacs were in bloom. Tulips and other bulbs plants were in wonderful show in flower beds all through the park.
The gardens were once the home for the Royal Princess Augusta in 1759. The garden is the world leader in plant science and conservation. We saw exotic Orchids and wildflowers from across the world. Kew botanical garden also has a millennium seed bank. They are able to freeze seeds of plants that will be extinct plants and save them for hundreds of years. They have about 23,000 plant species from every continent. This year is it's 250 anniversary.
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