Wasn't the Chattanooga Choo-Choo!!

After a brief rest yesterday, we headed out for dinner. Did a modest pub crawl first. The Wire Mill, another old restored mill made over into a restaurant and bar was lovely. Not as old as the Haxted Mill where we celebrated Karina's birthday, but nonetheless, impressive. I am absolutely knocked out with the age of buildings here, the levels of preservation and the absolute, bar-none charm of the area!

We had dinner at a restaurant modeled after our Road House style restaurants and had a VERY filling dinner there. Trevor remarked that as the restaurant is owned by an American, it was obvious to him that they were also trained to the standard of American service. Didn't think most young waitresses who were English would have been so accommodating!

We waddled out of the restaurant after we had wheedled a sparkly cowboy hat (plastic) from the management for Karina, She wasn't up to going out and had stayed in. Left there and headed to the Plough, the local pub for Trevor, and it was packed!! Honestly, I think that our Health Departments would have fits as most of the patrons had brought along their dogs!! Of course, these dogs are trained and well-behaved and most of ours tend to be a little wild! It got very hot in the pub, so I sat outside for a bite and people watched. When Jeff and Trevor came out, we headed home. Short pub crawl. The mind may have been willing, but the body sure wasn't!

We got back to The Old Byre to find the neighbor's teenage children were having a party they weren't supposed to be having ... until nearly 4 AM. Needless to say, I didn't sleep most of the night over the screeching of the girls and the howling of the boys and the music. Even closing the window with its triple glazing didn't help. Was dragging a bit this morning ...

Trevor "knocked us up" at 10 and we cleaned up and headed to a private historic railroad company. Old restored trains, beautiful dining cars with inlaid woods, gorgeous upholstery, paneling, deco lights and the crispest white linens on the tables one could ever imagine. We headed up the tracks while we had our starters (I had a leek, pear and Stilton soup -- lovely!!) and some Spanish champagne. The waitresses and bus staff were incredible balancing trays of open wine glasses and drinks and water as they swayed to the motion of the train. We passed fields of cows and sheep, saw pheasant and horses, a herd of deer and enjoyed the green, green (with a slight tinge of yellow and reds!) countryside.

For dinner, Jeff and Trevor had beef and roasted potatoes (Jeff, I think, could happily move here where he could have beef and potatoes any day of the week, lamb for the asking and no on requires salads or veg!); Karina and I feasted on plaice (fish) stuffed with sorrel and fennel, served on a bed of ratatouille with veg and new potatoes.

Stopped at the end of the ride and enjoyed a delightful desert -- summer pudding for me, and, you guessed it, chocolate something for Jeff! Had a chance to chat with he staff -- the caterer who does the dinner on the train has paid staff, but all of the engineers and firemen, conductors and train masters are all volunteer!! They definitely have a passion for the historical trains, and explained the engine's workings, the age and provenance of the engine, and the fireman, a braw young man shoveled rocks of coal into the boiler. The engineer valves and instrumentation was fitted out in high-polished brass, and the trainmen had a pot of tea with a fitted enamel cup snugged right up to the boiler to keep warm.

I am having some difficulty with the photos and promise that we will post copious ones on Facebook when we return.

After a perfectly idyllic trip, we headed back into Dormansland to the Plough where there was a festival going on with a pig roast and live bands and I think, much like the Adirondacks when there is an event, everyone was there -- with dogs!! We had a glass of wine, listened to the music and then headed back to the house.

Trevor then prepared dinner -- haggis and mashed potatoes with a small steak for Jeff. Ready ... wait for it ... I know there are some of you who will find this absolutely impossible, but I SWEAR it is true -- JEFF ATE HAGGIS!! And not one serving, but 2!! He thought it better with the whiskey gravy (correct!) but it was good. We are now resting a bit before I try to teach a reluctant Karina how to use e-mail so she can be in touch!!

Tomorrow, we head to London and we all will be sorry to part. A short train ride into Victoria Station, a couple of Blocks to the Lime Tree Hotel, and phase 2 of this saga begins. Looking forward to connecting with Scott who flew into England today to Heresford for business. We hope we can take the train out to meet him for dinner.

Trevor thinks he will be in London for business on Wednesday and thought we might connect for lunch. I can say that will be wonderful, but I need to put in at least 100 miles of tourist walking to try to shed some of these pounds!!! It will be a major undertaking when we get back to the States. I swear I have put on 10 pounds in just these 5 days alone!!

So, I will sing off for tonight to have a little more time with our gracious hosts and friends. Expect a resumption of the tale tomorrow night from London!

Off, with love ...

Her Home is Her Castle

Here it is Saturday, and we can hardly believe the way time has flown by with Trevor and Karina! Though it was a sort of lazy day, we headed out for brunch and a castle tour ... and what a pleasant (an almost unimaginable) surprise!

After a lovely brunch at the stables for Hever Castle that has been converted to a restaurant, hotel and golf course, we drove around to visit the castle grounds. It could not have been a nicer day -- too nice for the jeans and sweaters we were wearing and quickly shed. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife -- the one he was required to break with the Catholic Church over and had to divorce Catherine of Aragon of Spain. Hever Castle became the home of Anne of Cleves, the wife after Jane Seymour, when she was required to admit to having been previously married to Henry so that their marriage could be annulled and Henry could marry Catherine Howard. Anne of Cleves was essentially imprisoned here in this castle in Kent, and if I had to be in prison, I would choose here!

The grounds were absolutely stunning and there were acres of gardens and a lake for rowing. The mind could not help but shift to another time and envision people in period dress walking along the colonnade or in the Italian gardens. Every sort of flower and plant imaginable, and grottos and water events and fountains and sculptures ... reminded me some of the gardens of Castle Drum in Scotland, , including the huge enclosed rose gardens, but this was, as you can imagine, on a much grander scale. I will continue to bring in garden photos while I talk a bit about touring the castle.

We crossed the moat, complete with a HUGE koi -- Trevor called it; I would have said carp because, though the color of a koi or goldfish, it was definitely a carp! There were ducks and swans swimming and walking all over and sings everywhere asking people not to feed them, and of course, everyone was. Jeff went to take a couple of photos of the swan and the ducks came right up and stood on his feet and looked straight up at him expecting food, and when not gratified, huffed away in high dudgeon. Many families there enjoying the grounds and the atmosphere. There was even a huge white wedding tent, complete with red carpet set up for a reception later in the day.

Into the small courtyard that was paved in stone and where many of the multi-paned leaded glass windows looked out on, especially from the second floor (American; first floor, British!). It turns out that John Astor had bought the castle when it was up for sale, having deemed the US no longer civilized enough to live in, and so you were on a sort of schizophrenic tour with some rooms being finished in the Tudor period and others in the early 20th century style of the Astors. I had rented one of the audio tour handsets, and though Trevor and Jeff enjoyed my commentary on things they were seeing, they had declined. I must admit that there were few places in the castle that were roped off as private. The wood-working was beyond exquisite. Jeff was in near mourning as cameras were not allowed and you could just see him itching to take photos. The ceilings, when not carved wood, were ornate plaster, many having the Tudor rose as the theme. Saw the bed that the Bolelyn family had built especially for Henry's visit and many lovely pieces of hand-embroidered work from the period.

In the great hall, which ran the entire width of the building at 100 feet (and is considered small by comparison to many other castles) they had a series of displays, including mannequins of Henry and all of his wives. I must admit that the costumes were just beautiful, though I could not imagine walking around in the humidity and heat of the day in all that weight of fabric, to say nothing of jewels! We walked up spiral stairs that were made of stone and just about hip wide on me, so I had a hard time imagining how they were traversed in those wide gowns! Karina is still a little lame form a recent surgery, so stairs were out for her, and I must admit that if one had a movement liability, there was no way that you could really see the upper floors of the castle. There were a number of priest holes, special compartments where Catholic priests would hide from Henry's officials as well as private tiny small but incredibly ornate chapels with barely enough room for the priest and 2 communicants though exquisitely carved and ornate.

Back outside and a wander through the gardens after a cold drink, down to the lake. We were all somewhat over-heated and a little fatigued, so headed back to the house for cooling off, rest and revitalization. We will shortly head out to a pub for dinner ... nothing fancy, but quite hearty, and soak up some of the English pub culture.

I must say that there is almost any sort of cuisine that one could want here ... Thai at the pub closest, Indian take out and Trevor says that whatever "flavor" we want, we are sure to be close to. This in a village just slightly smaller than Fredonia!

It is pretty doggoned amazing to me to be riding past fields with huge oak trees in them, styles and fences, and through the trees on the edge to catch sight of a Tudor house. Cottages abound here, and tomorrow morning I will get Jeff to talk up to the top of the lane to photograph the cottages there. They are very dear, but simply lovely. It is great to be among people who appreciate and save as much of their historical heritage as they can. Not that there aren't problems here -- I think, after hearing Trevor go on about local councils and all, that perhaps they truly have the corner on bureaucracy! Truly!!

Well, the gents are ready to head out the door and I haven't so much as combed my hair -- will scare the locals, for sure. Must sign off, but will be back tomorrow.

Off, with love ...

Livin' la vida English!

In my "pod" Flying into Heathrow Trevor & Karina's sun room

It has been another wonderful day with Trevor and Karina.

Last night, after blogging, Trevor and I sat in the kitchen with a "cuppa" and "nattered on" until 2 AM!! Didn't seem so bad until it came time to rise this morning. Though Trevor had promised to "knock me up" early, in point of fact, I didn't roll out until after 10 AM and then it was to scramble getting freshened up and dressed and out to East Grinstead so that we could take care of a few errands like getting a mobile phone that would work in the UK -- our Verizon phones will not -- changing currency and buying adapters as those we had purchased in the US, I forgot to pack! It was amazing to me to be in a picturesque English town, bustling with activity, with buildings for the 16th century and earlier lining some of the streets! We managed to accomplish our errands with slow dispatch -- there were queues EVERYWHERE! -- and headed home to dress for a surprise birthday lunch for Karina. Trevor was adamant that we should arrive around 12:30 so that Karina wouldn't see cars from friends in the parking lot. We went to (I hope I get this right) Haxted Mill, an old grist mill converted to a restaurant. We were seated in the sun on the terrace and Karina was very surprised when her friends showed up to celebrate with us. Lovely pink champagne, followed by an onion and goat cheese tart for a starter and I had the salmon with a tarragon cream sauce while Jeff went for the venison with a port wine sauce flavored with deep dark chocolate. Why was no one surprised that he chose a dish with chocolate? ;-) We ate in the upstairs of the mill, a (I think this is the correct term) daub and wattle Tudor style and the landlady said that parts of the mill were from the 15th century and others were newer -- 16th and 17th century!! Does this blow your mind? I have to say that the stairs to the second floor were just short of an upholstered ladder and I wouldn't have wanted to get a load on up there to try to navigate them slighty potted!

Downstairs and back out onto the patio near the millrace (which is abysmally dry -- there is a moderate drought in this area of England right now) for coffee and sweets (truffles and homemade candies and cookies and shortbreads -- Jeff thought he had died and gone to heaven!) while we watched their dog, a black setter, swim the mill pond with horses in the field behind and weeping willows all along. We walked out into the grounds (Trevor says they have expanded a great deal) ad, well after three, we headed back to the house.

Played with the dogs, Keva and Drammie and I hope I can load photos, in the backyard and everyone wound down and relaxed. This one is Drammie on the fly getting his soccer ball! And Keva chasing her frisbee! Another lovely day today -- weather was beautiful and warm and the company was even better.

I had decided that it was high time that I picked up the chaos that we had created in our guestroom, and at the end, the bed looked so inviting ... thought I would only close my eyes for 20 minutes! Three and a half hours later, Jeff woke me! I had, unfortunately, left my purse at the restaurant and they had called Trevor to say they had it. Apparently, when Trevor came to see if I wanted to go to get it, I was out cold, so he and Jeff fetched the purse, went into town and order Indian curry takeout (I know, makes me really jealous!) and have a pint in the pub next door while they were waiting. The good news was they did wake me for supper!

All have gone to bed as I finish this blog. I am ready, believe it or not, after that long nap. to crawl into bed and sleep again. Tomorrow we are on a castle trek. Will report in on that day then. Our time with Trevor and Karina grows short, but we are trying not to think about leaving. The excitement of London awaits and, hopefully, a visit in Heresford with Scott mid-week. Lots to come.

Off, with love ...

A lovely 'oliday with Mary.. um, Trevor & Karina!

Today was an absolutely lovely day! The weather cooperated, though the day started a bit cloudy. Jeff and I were both so tired that neither of us were kept awake with each other nosring up a storm. And we slept hard ... right through til 9 AM when I had to get up, perhaps prompted by the tub that we could hear Karina running!

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, toast and cereal in their gorgeous, huge country kitchen and we were hustled along by Trevor as we needed to get on the road. We drove through beautiful, pastoral, hilly country on narrow, shoulderless roads that wound up and down and around ... more round-abouts than I had ever seen and I was completely disoriented in a matter of about 20 minutes. We stopped twice, once in an area called The Forest where things are being allowed to go back to natural, and once atop a huge escarpment where we could see inland for literally miles and miles and looking outwards, could see the sea. Wind was a bit nippy, but Jeff took some panoramic shots.

Down the other side of the hill through lanes where trees were trimmed out rectangularly from the sides and grew together overhead, making one feel like one was actually in a green, wooded tunnel. We found out we had driven through the town where the author of Winnie the Pooh had taken inspiration (and yes, there was a Pooh Lane, but we didn't see an Eeyore Place!), finally ending up in Brighton. How many Jane Austen movies have we seen where they went to the shore and walked along the promenade? Where they lived in glorious rowhouses or stayed in spectacular Georgian hotels? All we needed were a few folks in period dress to be completely transported! We went down to the marina (no, there is NOTHING to compare to this complex, almost a city unto itself, in the US) and had a bite of lunch. Jeff and I ordered fish and chips and I swear there was a pound of the best pollock and at least 2 pounds of huge fries -- our steak fries are a very poor comparison. We sat outside on the canal in chairs in the sun and enjoyed an after lunch lethargy while pulling in the warmth of the sun -- we were positively cat-like in our smug satisfaction with the meal and the day!

Trevor had promised to take us to a part of Brighton called The Lanes. The closest analogy I can think of were the closes and lanes of Edinburgh when we visited there. Or Barrio Santa Cruz in Sevilla! You would have loved it, Amanda! Shops and eateries in little corners and just anything and everything you could imagine. Very high end shoes to pawn shops to boutiques to housewares to services, and all in the most quaint buildings on cobbled and bricked streets. Very Dickensian -- except for the signage and vehicles! One could have very easily have gotten lost with all of the twists and turns and cut-throughs ... One of the buildings on a corner was an old house of corrections, built in 1815, but even then, a functional building like that had embellishments in the brickwork that were just great.

Parking in Brighton was a trip. Trevor was driving a very high end Jeep (ALL of the toys, Scott, and mahogany wood on the dash, GPS unit built in, beepers whenever you got too close to anything and a gorgeous vehicle!), but the parking garages and ramps here have VERY small spaces. Trevor managed to navigate the ramps up and down to levels, once having to back up and turn the car so he could head straight down, they were so narrow! No wasting space for access! Equally hard to park in the garage under The Lanes ... spaces so narrow that we literally had to squeeze out and around the neighboring car's side mirrors. Trevor opined that spaces were getting smaller and smaller while dealerships were marketing larger and larger vehicles ... does this sound at all familiar? I think he deserves a medal for not receiving so much as a scratch in all of that tight driving.

And, at one point, we were on a lane reminescent of the road to Mallaig in Scotland. One lane -- and people, I really mean ONE lane, no shoulders, no edges, just road and then trees!!! It wasn't one way, just one lane. If you met a car or other vehicle, it was the one closest to the widest pull-off (official or not) who gave ground. Remember that ride Amanda, and Gordon's white knuckles? I couldn't remember the name Mallaig, but when I described the drive to Trevor, he promptly said "Fort William to Mallaig, driven it many times, and it is no less harrowing each time." Told Trevor that Gordon's first thing after parking in Mallaig was to find three fingers, neat, and gulp it down!!!

Back in the car and taking a less meandering (couldn't tell by me!! There is no such thing as a straight road in England, I am convinced!) way home through storybook villages ... sigh ... I could really live here. Love the cosy villages, the close nature of the country, the ease of getting around, people off walking, the gardens ... just probably couldn't afford much more than a shed! No wonder people are prone to writing here ... it is inspiring! Driving on the country lanes is also such a pleasure (except for Jeff and Karina getting somewhat carsick from the up, down, around and then around again --- I LOVED it!) because there is a zone along the roads for privacy. Even busineses are not visible form the road, so there are trees and shrubs and flowers and pastures, but no commercial distractions outside of the villages. I could go for us doing that. Imagine how much more pleasant to drive past the the junkyard outside of Sinclairville on Route 60 if it were planted with thick, tall hedgerows and greenery along to road to you REALLY couldn't see it -- let's start a movement!

Finally home, a cup of coffee and a visit from Trevor's cousin. We will shortly begin grilling a leg of lamb for dinner, though I have to say that the fish and chips are staying by me very well.

I played with the dogs a bit in the backyard before coming in, and they are the most engaging dogs. Kevo is the older and a female who loves stuffed animals and will present you with one, only to get into a tug of war with you. Reminds me of when Addie used to do that -- growling "fiercely" while she worked to win the tug of war and running off the victor when you let go. Kevo has another trick that really cracks me up. When you are playing with her, but you decide to do something else, she gets a little behind you and wraps one of her paws around your ankle, effectively hobbling you so you are walking and dragging the dog! It is all done in play, but funny nonetheless.

Drammie, on the other hand (short for Drambuie), is younger, a male, and a big boy. He is white and a deep ginger-red which is how he got his name. He should be a soccer goalie! He has a small soccer ball that he can just about get his jaws around that he will bring to you so you can kick it for him. He is very effective at blocking the kick and catching the ball and can read pretty well which way you are going to kick it! He'll bring back the ball and drop it, but if it is about 5 feet away, the command "Closer." will prompt him to pick up the ball and move it closer to you. He is a big, lovable dog.

I am going back into yesterday's post to put in some photos -- maybe. I am still new to this blogging stuff, so it takes a bit to dope out what to do. Check it out ... hopefully I am successful so that I can get others loaded tomorrow.

Missing everyone, but having a perfectly delightful time with Trevor and Karina. I have to say that both Jeff and I are having a little jetlag, so I assume and early bed (that means before midnight!) and another good night's sleep and we will be with the program. Karina's birthday celebration tomorrow. She thinks it is just the 4 of us and lunch -- doesn't know of Trevor's surprise of many guests. Will let you know how that plays out in tomorrow's blog.

So, for Thursday, after a perfectly lovely outing on a really beautiful day, I'll sign off.

Travails of travel!

Up at 5 AM Tuesday worrying about packing those damnable suitcases! Couldn't go back to sleep, so bit the bullet and got up. And spent the next 5 hours defying the principles of physics!! Yes, we DID get all of that stuff we had gathered into those three small suitcases. The backpacks were also crammed to the hilt, and the good news was that we remembered not only our tickets, but our passports!! (20/20 hindsight dictates that I NEVER do that again, but just pack the big suitcase and be done with it!)

Off to Buffalo International and Jeff parked us about as far from the actual departure gates as could be ... we were halfway to Rochester! Of course, that is a slight exaggeration, but not much, for sure!! Checked into the "new and improved" airport ... almost no one in the security area and we breezed through. Got to the gate and made sure that Jeff had something in his stomach along with the Dramamine! I nearly asked for some with the (literally here) SCREAMING 3 year old Italian spoiled rotten princess -- I thought only dogs could hear sounds in that register!) And off we flew to JKF Airport. As we turned the corner to begin the runway run, we pilot came on and sort of set the tune for the rest of the day ... Quoth he, "Roll up the windows, folks, 'cause we're gonna go REAL fast!" The entire plane full of people cracked up and we hurdled down the runway and were airborne.

Spectacular run into JFK ... I hadn't seen Manhattan or Long Island from that perspective for lo-o-o-ong time. Because we had flown from Buffalo on JetBlue, we had to claim our bags, travel to the next terminal and check in with Virgin Atlantic. A bit of a trial in a VERY overheated terminal -- read Maggie was disgustingly dripping with sweat and VERY cranky with the heat! We headed to the AirTrain and met a young lady from SUNY Brockport headed to London for a semester abroad. Her name was Alyssa and she was plenty nervous about her overseas travel, having only been as far as Florida in her adentures to date. Reminded me so much of Amanda when she headed for Spain so long ago! She seemed relieved that Jeff and I were there to help her through the very crowded terminal to check-in. Then we took her under our wing and brought her to the Virgin Atlantic Club for some beverages and food. Very comfortable and great fun ... and complete with showers, computers, and food and drink. If I say it once, I will probably say it 1,000 times -- Sir Richard Branson SO has it right!!! From check-in to Club to flight, this could not have been classier with employees more superbly trained!

It was sweltering in the terminal and it took us quite a bit to chill out, literally and figuratiively. As they are wont to do, the British as so laid back that barely an hour before DEPARTURE, they said that the plane was going to board and those of us in the Club should head to the gate. Mind you, we hadn't cleared security ... and for some ungodly reason, all of the security personnel were on supper break while no less than 4 very large international flights were trying to board. As first class passengers, we had many perks, but that didn't preclude standing in line, broiling and waiting to shed clothing, carry-ons and dignity for the security screening. That completed we finally boarded the plane ... and OMG! What an experience. Alyssa had kept saying over and over that she felt like she was ina movie or something as she sat in the Clubhouse ... and Jeff and I had exactly the same experience entering the First Class cabin of Virgin Atlantic (VA). We had had a bit of education on what to expect ... but this so surpassed our expectations ... in this day and age, how enlightening that there are fore- and far-sighted individuals to cater to the comforts of weary travellers.

On entering the airplane, we were politely directed to our "pods" -- the name used for the seats in the First Class cabin on VA. (We will up load some photos once we are in London in our hotel and I use our computer -- I am currently typing on Trevor's computer with a keyboard very different from ours, so forgive the lapses in spelling and the extra characters!) They are set at a 45 degree angle to the cabin with a seat and a smaller seat facing it. The console has a Gameboy, television, movie screen, earphones, a small tray and a larger tray-table that pops out of the wall. Honestly, whoever conceptualized and designed these units was spot on. We helloed some folks we had run into (one couple on their 40th wedding anniversary trip and I think the wife had already done a number with the champagne in the Club!) and another set of world travelers that we can aspire to the number of stamps on their passports! And then we looked around -- sort of science fiction-futuristic with mist coming out of the air conditioning jets, low voilet lighting, great music, cabin attendants in red attire catering to every wish and orienting newbies like us to the miracles of the pods. The obligatory glass of champagne before ... wait for it ... they came around with pyjamas to change into for the trip -- black light sweats that were so very comfortable. And an executive kit along with it with toothbrush and paste, the most outrageous socks (Amanda will own them as I preferred to be barefoot -- and that was OK!), and other necessities. We hadn't needed to pack a single toiletry!

Strapped in, the huge jet took off with the grace of a very large, dignified bird and we were on our way! More drinks, snacks and dinner followed and then, luxury of luxuries, the cabin attendant assigned to us made up my BED! You heard me ... a BED. The seat reclined flat out to a bed, complete with a mattress pad, pillow and, as they put it, DOO-vay -- feather, of course! Wake up call after they took our order for breakfast (see what I mean about Sir Richard?) and I laid flat out to sleep. Only about 4 hours, but both Jeff and I managed to get some rest. I got up after a bit to visit the head and, looking around the cabin, wiht the diffused dim lighting and all of these people sacked out under their white duvets ... well it looked more like a bunch of cocoons than anything else I can use to describe all of us, snoring away!

Morning brought a flurry of cabin activity (weary butterflies emerging from their cocoons, hair all awry and groggy with too little sleep), getting breakfast, getting changed, freshening up and then the long glide into Heathrow. We passed over Liverpool as our first sight of Great Britain. Green, pastoral (even from our great height), and magical. What is there about the UK that holds such a mystical fascination for us?

At any rate, we were finally THERE -- and an uglier airport (and more crowded) cannot be imagined than Heathrow. Greg and Jean had said that it was utilitarian and functional -- and that about describes it. We were Fast Tracked through customs and immigration in a very civilized "cattle call" -- there must have been more than 1,000 people waiting to clear! (First CLass perk -- will we EVER fly coach again .. methinks not!!) Gathered luggage and were smart enough to get a cart, tried to change currency at American Express, but the "I'm in no hurry" Jamaican attitude of the one staff person on duty at peak travel times -- missing it, AmEx -- made us abandon that and head for the Arrival area to meet Trevor and Karina, our friends form Surrey.

We ran an absolute gauntlet of sign-carrying people all scheduled to meet and pick up arriving passengers, many with university signs for incoming students. What chaos! I don't think I have been in as crowded and busy and area since Madrid!! And even then, there were places to go. Took a bit, but we connected with Trevor and KArina and headed for Surrey.

How stunningly beautiful, quaint ... oh, just about every adjective that one has ever held in mind about England came to mind. And then we pulled into their village and down the lane to their byre -- an old converted cow shed and such a comfortable, quaint and historic building. Believe me, when we saw the photos of what THEY started with to make a home, we didn't feel like 71 Central Avenue was such an adventure! And we re-connected again as mates ... it is amazing this connection that we all have, even after all these years. It seems like we have only just parted a few days before ...

A tour of the grounds, a bit of freshening up -- a bath never felt so good, I can assure you! -- a nap and we were new people. Meat pies and salad for lunch and after a bit on conversation, we napped until it was dinner time. Went to the neighborhood pub called The Plough and what a delight -- like walking into every English movie with a pub scene you have ever seen! The restaurant part was Thai (YUM!) and great. The conversation was even better and right now we are about to sit in the "lounge" -- read living room -- for more conversation, a nightcap and an early bed.

Tomorrow we head to Brighton -- I know!! Doesn't it boggle the mind that all of these places we have read about in novels and books and seen in films are actually REAL!? -- for an outing on the shore, some poking about shops and seeing the countryside. Trevor is planning supper in their African-modelled gazebo with perhaps a roasted lef og lamb. That will, of course, call into play my talents for some Middle Eastern dishes to accompany it. Hope I can remember them! Sounds delightful. A good sleep tonight, a full day tomorrow, and I promise to be back to fill you in.

For now, thinking of you all, wishing you all were here experiencing our pleasure. Special love and thoughts out to Amanda on Day 2 (acutally 3, but I have already lost track of time!). I pray that she is holding onto all of the strength and love sent her, especially in this particularly trying part of her therapy. She, Ian and Scott and never far from my thoughts. My heart fills to think of them all ...

Good-night, sweet friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but let us part til it be morrow -- and you can hope that I don't bastardize Shakespeare the entire time I am blogging!!

Off ... with love ...

Getting ready!

OK, a looooong day of tying up all of the loose ends ... getting ready to leave the campus knowing that the office is in good hands! This weekend will be busy with last minute shopping. Figuring out how we will get all the clothes and gifts into the small suitcases I have allocated to Jeff and I -- no WAY we are taking those monster suitcases! We are SO excited about the trip to England ... yet I am reluctant to leave the States knowing my mother is so frail and my daughter is undergoing really difficult times. Sigh ... when does Life really play fair? Should know better by my age.

Will be feeding in each day ... a way to stay connected. It is an entirely new experience for us and hope that it provides some entertainment for you ...

So, preparations begin ... travel on Tuesday ... reports starting Tuesday and on until we are home again.