Last Day in England

Last day in England has been a relaxing day. Jenni and I hung out in Weybridge. We slept in late, walked into town to grab a bite to eat for lunch then ran to the grocery store one last time. We waited for Katie to come home and went to The Slug and Lettuce for supper. It was a nice and relaxing time with good food to eat. We even had a pear cider to drink. It was really good. We have had a great time in England and great life experiences that we will cherish forever. It has been such a blessing to come and visit with Katie. Thanks to all that stayed at home to pick up our slack so we could come over.

Bidding London Audieu

Today, Sunday, July 27, the three of us trotted off to London for what will probably be our last visit this holiday. We were a bit later leaving than we originally planned due to blisters, aching muscles, and a bruised knee.
We caught the London-Waterloo and were off. We were all determined that this was to be a low key day after hustling so very much yesterday.
First stop was for a caffeine drink. Not having any yesterday taught us that we are all addicted to the early morning push.
The London Eye, what appears at first look to be a humongous Ferris wheel, was built temporarily as a turning of the millennium attraction. It was so popular that it was kept permanently and still is a gigantic attraction. I think the Eye may have appeared in some posts last week. The picture today shows the three of us in a pod. This wheel takes the pods 450 feet high. What a view we got from there.
We walked down the river way through a park with street performers. These people really act their part. The lady with me is a silver statue. She barely blinks and is quite talented. I could not be that quiet and motionless. It was the hottest day since we have been here, but these performers did not let us see them sweat.
Next was a stroll across the River Thames. This is pronounced tems. We crossed the Millennium Bridge, then on to Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square hosts the National Gallery among other items of interest such as statues, and fountains.
The National Gallery is home to many extremely valuable and famous paintings. I could recognize some by Van Gogh and Monet. I had read about these almost all my life and to actually see them was something. This could have been an all day experience all it's own, but we didn't doddle; there was more to see.
The Tube was next. The Tube is the subway system. This was something we had been putting off. Jenni and I were both a bit leery. Going down seemed like we were going two or three floors under ground. It was hot and loud! We were in out of the subway system five or six more times today. It certainly is not my favorite way to travel, but it surely beats walking...
Katie took us to the Lloyd's of London building where she works. [She leaves her flat a bit past seven, walks about half a mile to the train station, rides about thirty minutes on the train, takes the Tube about thirty minutes, walks about twelve blocks to the Lloyd's building, takes the lift (elevator) to the seventh floor. Works till 5:30 - 6:00 and travels in the reverse all the way back home arriving after 7:00.] The building is built so that all the pipes, air shafts and etc are on the outside. The inside is all open, no walls. The Lloyd's building is shown in one of the photos. The round things on the corners are the fire escapes.
The next section of the trip was back to the Tube and to London Tower area. We are lunch at a Gourmet Kitchen Burgers. The food was delicious. If ever get the chance to eat at one do so. It is a chain, but uncommonly fresh and good. Speaking of food, the food here is almost all grown in England. They take pride in produce being grown and eaten here, not imported from strange locations.
After a visit to Baker's Street known for Sherlock Holmes, we headed out of the city by way of Wimbledon. Therein was a snafu. A link of the tube was shut down for engineers to do repairs. Then traffic backed up, then some signals malfunctioned. The line we were on was shut down for a bit. We all had to get off and wait. It was an ordeal, but we made it to the flat. We were all hot and tired, but after a shower and a Pepsi we are all feelin' fine. What a day.

Saturday

Wow! Wow! I am having trouble finding the words for our mini-soiree to France.

We left Weybridge about 8:00 am. We took the train to Clapham Junction; changed to a train to Victoria Station, London; changed to a train to Dover, England; changed to a bus to go from train station to the docks; changed to a ship to cross the English Channel; walked endlessly, [one of us with blisters on her feet]; back to a bus; back to the ship; back to the train to transfer, transfer,transfer, to a taxi, to stagger into the flat a bit after midnight totally knackered. We had to scamper to make some connections as the trains were delayed due to an accident. We were in new territory for Katie also so we truly were scouting out the adventure.

On the train ride, I saw apple orchards, and what I thought might have been figs or some other kind of fruit. I enjoyed watching the English countryside. I am always appreciative of the country life.

We met a man, Kevin Anderson, who is from San Diego, Ca. He and his family were on the way to Dover, England. He is going to attempt to swim the English Channel the week of Aug. 8. It was quite interesting listening to what he had done for training, and what he needs to do to complete the feat.

Arriving in Calais, France, we walked to a light house, the town center, some historic buildings, some damage done during WWII, and the church Charles de Gaulle attended. Calais had a lot of damage as did that part of England during WWII. Some of it has been repaired, but some is still visible. Katie wore four blisters on her feet. Two of them were very bad.

We hobbled back to the ship, one blistered, two weary of walking. We ate dinner on the ship, and watched the horizon for the white cliffs of Dover. Many works of literature, art and songs talk of the white cliffs of Dover. Due to some issue with cruise line we were too late to catch our regularly scheduled train so we had to wing the arrangements coming back.

It was a day that will always be a thrill to me. We were exhausted, and I still have the ship rocking sensation in my ears and head because my equilibrium is whacked, but I would not change any of that for the experience.

I have seen and done so much the past ten days that I never thought I would actually get to do. I am amazed, overwhelmed and very grateful. [I appreciate Katie hosting and treating us, Carol for staying with Mom, and Alan/Linda, Ron/Melinda, Lana/Steve, and Lonnie/Sandy for watching out for Wes, and Kit's generous gift for taxi service. I will forever remember and cherish this holiday. (that what the English call a vacation)

Windsor Castle Adventure

This morning Jenni and I decided if we were going to get to Windsor Castle, this was the day. We went through a couple of calamities before we arrived. As we were leaving the flat, suddenly the burglar alarm went off. It was amazingly loud. I finally found the box to cancel the alarm and shut it off.
We walked to the train station only to arrive there and find the ticket windows closed. After waiting for some time, a guy with a portable ticket printer came out. He was having a difficult time and had to run to the coffee vendor three times to get change for the people in front of us. Some people were getting irate, but the guy was keeping his cool. When he was printing Jenni's ticket he said 9000 pounds for this machine and it doesn't even work dependably, that's about $20000 in US dollars.
Jenni went on to the platform we needed and a guy asked us for directions. He was probably the only person in the country to ask us, a couple of cheeky Americans for directions. I told him that I had no idea. Jenni tried to help, but finally an English lady came to his rescue.
We went on to Staines to change trains, and both tripped going up the stairs. We did have a pleasant ride once we got on the train to Windsor and Eaton Riverside. We saw more raspberries, Katie's friend, Michelle told us that she sometimes picks them for jam. We saw a farmer bailing straw, it looked nice and clean, the bales were the big square type. We even saw sheep for the first time. Steve, I do not think I have seen a transport semi since being here.
When we first got off the train, the experience began. I could not believe everywhere I looked was another sight of architecture, and amazing sights. We walked up a curved cobblestone walkway toward the Castle. Even the fronts of the buildings were curved going up the walkway.
Inside the gates of the castle, wow, I can't begin to describe. We walked the moat path. We could see the t shape in the wall where soldiers in long ago shot arrows and later guns at intruders. Jenni got a nice shot of one of the openings. We also saw Princess Ann's doll house, that is something to behold. We walked through the rooms where the Queen currently entertains heads of state from around the world. My favorite room was the one with armor and guns. No one is allowed to take pictures inside. I wish I could have found a postcard of it because it was so impressive.
After the castle, Jenni and I ate lunch. I had a hunk of multi grain crusty bread and a fruit smoothie. Jenni chose a drink and sandwich from Ye Old McDonalds. Then it was off for some tourist shopping.
Jenni found a shirt she had been watching for, and I bought a key chain of the White Family Crest.
We meandered on to the train, we got aboard to wait for 8 minutes to leave. Jenni realized she had lost a bag with a couple of postcards. She and I jumped off the train and she ran back to look for it while I waited at the station. She ran to search, but did not find them. She came flying back into the train station we scampered onto the train with absolutely no time to spare as the whistle was blowing.
We got back to Stains to change trains and Yet again I tripped on the steps. Also we did make back to the flat in time to make a good ole American supper of hamburgers, fried potatoes and onions, and tomatoes. Some Bannoffee pie still awaits in the fridge.
It was a nice ride and a very pleasant day. Right now I am knackered, bushed, wiped out, exhausted and just plain ole pooped. . . . . Tomorrow is a new day, and we are going to FRANCE!

Day in Weybridge and Friends for Dinner

Today we decided to stay in Weybridge. We had a bite to eat at place called The Slug and Lettuce. I had a Reggae Reggae Burger with chips and Jenni had a Toasted Baguette with tuna, cucumbers and yellow pepper. It was very good. They had the wall facing the street open and there was a great cool breeze coming in. It was a very pleasant lunch.

We then ventured to the grocery store to pick up items for dinner. Katie had invited a couple of friends from work to come and eat supper. After we got the groceries for chicken enchiladas, refried beans, mexican rice, stuff for salsa and gucamole we relized that we had to carry all this back to the flat. It was very heavy but we made it.

Dinner was a hit and they enjoyed the mexican food since it is hard to come by around here.

We do not know what venture we will take tomorrow but its a new day and any thing can happen.

Shopped till we dropped.

Today was Wednesday, my birthday, and the day the maid comes, so Jenni and I decided to go out. We took the train to Woking. We decided to have a bit slower day.

We went to a shopping center. It is the only shopping center that I have seen here. Jenni did lots of shopping for the boys and a bit for Derek and herself. As usual I bought lots of drinks. I am thirsty all the time. Drinks do not have ice in them here and iced tea is a totally unheard of thing. I had a jacket potatoe for lunch. Jenni had something from McDonalds. Yes they are here also, but changes in the menu.

After shopping we went to the cinema to see Mamma Mia. It was a terrific movie and just perfect for the day. I want the sound track asap, and the video when it comes out.

Walking home from the train, we saw some men playing Cricket. I had not seen that before. The bat is flat, and the pitcher takes a running start and throws the ball so that it bounces a couple of times before the batter hits it.

Katie got home around seven and we walked to Gianni's. It is a wonderful authentic Italian restaurant here in town. It is a small 6 table family restaurant. The food is made fresh and is really good. I tried the calimari, but I do not think I will do that again. I just don't think that squid stuff belongs in my mouth. They served a lucious chocolate cake served with sweet cream. This was fantastic, but beware the coffee. I told the girls it was so strong that it could have carried me home.

I am really sleepy and it has been a good day. More tomorrow.

Tuesday in London

ello love!

This morning Jenni and I rode the train to London by ourselves. Katie had left about an hour earlier. On the way in, the train stopped in Surbiton. Out the window I saw big clusters of black raspberries. A few were ripe, but most were not.

We rode a double decker bus to take in all of London's sites. We saw St. Paul's Cathedral, the que line for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, a cruise on the River Thames, Pickadilly Circus and etc. We saw where the Blitz during WWII knocked down a big chunk of buildings. We also saw the side of a church where the shelling hit. It has not been repaired as a reminder of people as to what happened. I am a bit knackered as they say here.

Jenni and I came home an hour earlier than Katie. We made all of our connections correctly. We even walked home from the train station; the past two times we took a taxi from the Weybridge train station.

Tonight we had authentic Fish and Chips. They were wrapped in paper to be served. I couldn't finish mine the serving was so huge. It sure was tasty.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I can only imagine what the day holds for me.

Have a wonderful day at home.