Always thinking of home

We got a kick out of this sign at the Texas Embassy Restaurant in London. (The "Dallas" sign, not the happy hour. ha) B wants to know if we walked that many miles in that direction would we get home in about 2 days? no word about what to do about that big expanse of water otherwise known as the Atlantic Ocean we'd have to cross.
Notice L and his new "contacts" look. Must get rid of the glasses for Middle school, you know.

East Sussex

DA and his mom

Saturday was spent exploring the county of East Sussex with our guests. East Sussex is southeast of London on the English Channel coast, about 1.5 hr drive from here. We roamed around the really cool Bodiam Castle. It is a ruin, but is in great shape, so you really get that old castle experience with an actual moat too. Had a picnic on the grounds and had to drag B out of the trees. She's never met a tree she didn't want to climb!

Later we drove a few miles away to the "ancient village of Rye". It predates the Roman occupation, so it's really old. The church in town was 905 years old, if that helps you any. Surprisingly, lots of the town survived even though it was bombed in WWII. Henry James, the author, wrote his novels in Rye. It is very quaint. Has lots of timber buildings, but still has a very seaside look. Of course hearing the sea gulls really gives you that experience too. Jo and I really enjoyed all the antique shops - of which there are MANY. It is a very hilly town with lots of shops, tea houses and pubs. The streets are interesting. Some of the sloping streets were made of rocks that were standing on end. I don't know if it was to give you traction or what, but very difficult to walk on.

Aren't these statues at Bodiam so lifelike and modern?

DA and the kids skipped the Rye experience and went to the beach in Camber. They LOVED it. First time the water has been warm enough to swim. Now they can all say they swam in the English Channel. Sun, sand, surf, waves - The whole bit. It was cousin A's first time in the ocean, so she was having a ball.

Finished the day with dinner in an ancient pub, with low ceilings, huge fireplaces, creaky floors, and mediocre pub food. A good way to top of our English experience in Rye.

Those are the kids waving on top of the castle. Very, very steep, winding stairs. Kudos to them for making the climb all the way up!

Meme and "A" are here

The London Eye

The Tower Bridge taken from The Tower of London

This week we have some more great visitors. Meme and cousin "A" are here. B and L have had so much fun playing with their cousin - wish the rest of the cousins could come too! Always a pleasure to be fawned over by Meme. Jumping on the trampoline and playing the Wii continue to be a big hit with the kids. We've done several touristy London things. Have to give my kids credit for going through the palaces again - with a somewhat cheery attitude! The kids are sick of having their photo taken. They say, "how many times can you take my picture in front of Tower Bridge?" I hear them, I just want photo with each of our guests.

Riding on a water taxi down the Thames River

TAKE NOTE - we DONT have a jacket on, nor did we even carry one with us. In fact we wore shorts and sleeveless tops to the city. wow. A first for us. woo-hoo!

Big Ben and Parliament in the background, taken from the Southbank.

My first attempt at English Scones

I'm so proud. Look at the results of my first attempt at English scones. They were yummy! Even served them with real clotted cream and strawberry/rhubarb jam I bought in the Cots wolds.
I hosted a "coffee" for newly arriving American Expats today. I decided that to enhance their new English experience, I should bake scones. That's not such a big task, but since I have NEVER had a successful baking experience here in the UK, it was a real gamble. I was tempted to buy some extra store bought scones yesterday - just in case, but they were not needed. My scones turned out so well. I was so pleased (and shocked). Part of the baking problem stems from the different measurements of US vs. the metric that I buy here. Needing 8T. of butter from my recipe is hard to convert to a slab of 250g of butter. Also the baking powder is a different strengths so when reading a recipe, you need know whether it is written for US users or UK users and then decide if the ingredients are US or UK and make conversion - if possible. Amazing that we would do things so differently - we measure by volume and they measure by weight. Then the infamous oven. But today I overcame it all and had success. woo-hoo.

Weather Bulletin

In light of your 103 degree temps in Dallas, I just wanted you all to know we are also in a heat wave here in the UK. The folks are so excited for our hottest days of the year this week- expecting it to get to... 84 degrees F.
Next summer in Texas we are going to MELT!

I'm looking forward to the 80 degree temps. although it does feel a little warmer than that since we dont have any Air conditioner - but I'm not complaining!

hee, hee, hee. Dont you wish you had come to visit us now?

Liverpool, The Beatles and Tall Ships

As part of our trip to The Open, we spent the weekend in Liverpool. Our first time to that interesting city. There was tons going on - it would be like visiting downtown Dallas for the first time during Texas/OU weekend - crazy. Our cab driver said they guessed about 30,000 were there for the Open and about 50,000 were there for the "Tall Ships" event. We spent Sunday exploring the Tall Ships and, of course, The Beatles.

the flags on the boats spell out some message - each flag design represents a letter, but I don't know exactly what it says. My guess, "you lookin' at me?" ha.

What to say about the Tall Ships... we obviously don't have an appreciation nor do we even know what we were looking at. The ships are tall (duh), and pretty cool looking. There were about 70 ships, all of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sort, which were docked in Liverpool. Some over 100 years old and some brand new. Some of them were open to climb aboard, but they were all there to be admired by the masses before they had a "parade of sails" on Monday and raced on over to Norway. I wish we could have stayed for the parade today, I'm sure that is something spectacular to see with them all out in the harbor - sails fully flowing in the wind. As it was, we saw them all moored in the dock with sails safely rolled away. DA and I kept looking at each other thinking "we must be missing something". Didn't really see what would bring 50,000 people to the city to walk around. Not to say Liverpool doesn't have tons to offer, but it's just the Tall ships, what is the draw? and you know the English are famous for queuing? well we had to wait in a queue (that's 'a line' for all you natives out there) for about an hour with thousands of other people just to walk through the big gates to enter the dock - no cost - no barrier - no bag search - no ticket - no window to stop at - just waiting in a line to walk through the gates. what is the purpose of the queue? Why couldn't we have just walked through the gates as we got there? made no sense what so ever!

We decided to forgo the rest of the dock (took the "short route") and headed over to Albert Dock to walk through the Beatles museum. As we arrived there was another queue of thousands of people to see even more tall ships. Fortunately, they let us walk around the side and to right up to the museum. Our kids would have fainted right on the spot had we had to wait again.

The Beatles museum - very cool. Tons and tons of info, cool photographs, memorabilia and music. DA could have stayed much longer and looked at every little thing. The Beatles were from Liverpool and the city very much embraces them to this day. DA is determined now more than ever to get our family photo at the Abbey Road crossing in London. Be lookin for that on the next Christmas card! The kids enjoyed it to, although B says Paul was not the "cute one". The cute one was the drummer, Pete Best (I think was his name), they kicked out before bringing Ringo on board. She cant understand why people called Paul "cute". I showed her Sir Paul today on TV and she just cant reconcile his old man face to the one in the museum.

Oh, one more thing about Liverpool - the accents. My, my - could hardly understand a thing the natives were saying. Their accent is sooooo strong. We got a laugh that they actually asked us if we were from Ireland - Said we sounded Irish to them. My kids were just staring at locals on the train like they were speaking a foreign language. very funny. It's the accent where they say "what" and pronounce it as "wa" and never close their mouth.

Ended the weekend with the 3 1/2 drive back to the city that always goes long because the traffic headed south on the M40 on Sunday night is so heavy. DA and I were so hungry for dinner, but our only options were MORE TRIANGLE SANDWICHES!!! we are so sick of those. basically the only quick options that exist in England and with only about 5 "services" areas between Liverpool and London - those triangles are even hard to come by. Ended up with cut fruit from M&S. We seriously need to introduce a Wendy's or Taco Bell here. Something that is not a prepared sandwich cut into a triangle!

The OPEN

Wow, got to join the rest of the golfing world at the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP at Royal Birkdale last Saturday. Please don't call it the "British Open". that is a no, no! - just the OPEN! We had so much fun. The wind, as you may have heard, was FIERCE! Even having lived in west Texas for a time, I have never experienced such high winds for such a sustained time. I have so much respect for how those pros played. They were exceptionally difficult circumstances. Marshalls even walking around with wind monitors trying to figure out if they should stop play due to winds. We were there on Saturday and got to see all the players we were interested in. Greg Norman, looking very dapper and VERY THIN! The course looks so different than what I am accustomed too. Like a nice fairway mowed in the middle of a weed patch with hundreds of deep, small sand traps everywhere. (I'm sure the grounds keeper would just love that description!) The surrounding grass around the fairway isn't groomed or pretty or even green, just brown weeds. Maybe the brownest of any area we've seen in England. It's funny after watching such beautiful courses like the Masters on TV and then walking around Royal Birkdale, such a difference. The crowd was there, but was very manageable - we could walk right up to the course at any spot and stand right at the rope. I would love to have posted some great shots, but unfortunately all cameras and mobile phones were banned on Thursday - Sunday, so our only shots are of outside the entrance. One bonus, the kids got in free. Maybe the only good deal in England. Of course, they more than made up for it buying food and souvenirs in the shop.

B's Riding again

B has renewed her passion for horses again. fun, fun. That means she is bugging us DAILY to buy her a horse. What better place to ride though? I think the number of stables outside the city might rival the number of golf courses - and that's alot! Horse riding is a very popular sport here in England. Tonight she was even looking for land that "we" could buy in and around Dallas so that she will have somewhere to keep it when we move back. This land purchase is necessary because I told her even if SHE could afford to buy her own horse, she couldnt afford to pay the livery fee every month, so her solution is for us to buy land. ha. I couldnt figure out why she was on the computer and asking me "Is Rockwall very far? Aubry? Ft. Worth?". She wants to have a real job so she can get this horse thing going. Poor girl. Why cant she just be happy with once a week lessons?

Funny signs in the Lake District

These signs gave me a chuckle:

Not really a funny sign, but actual proof that DA has checked a map!


More proof that the road are TINY! 6'6" wide at the pavement which doesnt tell you that there are stone walls right at both edges of the road. These little roads are crazy.

The Lake District Part II

The beauty and still water of Ullswater

Elderwater
Pretty little pub in Bowness on Windemere

We had another great trip to the Lake District in England. The kids and I spent all week there with DA just joining us for the weekends. Had a little cabin in a "caravan park". It rained lots (of course, it always does in that area), but we had lots of fun. It's the first holiday I've ever had in July where I wore long pants and a coat every day. Temps around 55 degrees. The main attraction is to walk the fells, especially around the lakes. My favorite walk was around Ullswater, but we also enjoyed the Elterwater/Skelwith Bridge walk and the Ambleside walk.

B fell asleep on our steamer boat tour of Ullswater, her brother took advantage of the moment!

Pretty scenery around Ullswater

Biking on the far side of Windemere

B biking around the lake in the rain

Riding our bikes on the ferry across Windemere - in the pouring rain.

The sheep are always a big draw. Since the public footpaths/bridleways go through the sheep pastures, it is very easy to get up close. My kids love it, but B really wants to pet them and they wont let her get close enough to touch them.

Much to her joy, the sheep were following her. Probably thought she had a treat in her backpack.

The "Stepping stones" outside of Ambleside. They stayed dry!French Boules anyone? We learned on the spot. Pretty easy and fun for the afternoon.

A tour of the Honister Slate mines outside of Keswick. Very interesting. The "Rolls Royse" of slate for roofs. Never has to be replaced. Lasts 100s of years.Ullswater

Wimbledon

Yes, I know Wimbledon was over several days ago, but L and I took the chance to go one day during the tournament. I had put in for the ticket lottery back in the winter, but didn't get my name pulled in the lottery. The whole ticket "thing" is a little confusing, but he and I headed over there one afternoon and ended up buying a "grounds pass" that allows you to watch all the courts except court 1 and Centre court. We were ok with that. Not being tennis players ourselves, I didn't want to really spend the money for nice tickets when we didn't have a day available where we could be there all day. We got to see some good tennis on the outer courts and enjoy some strawberries and cream! There was a rain delay while we were there so we took the chance to walk into Centre court. When he and I watched on one court, we were standing just at the court barrier and the players were about 10 ft from us - closer than we've ever been to any other professional playing their sport.

One thing I really wanted to get was a good photo of L in front of some "Wimbledon" icon. There's a problem though. They don't really call themselves Wimbledon. The place is called The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and it is in the town of Wimbledon. Hence, no place to take a photo in front of anything "Wimbledon". It's a big, nice tennis club in the middle of an old Victorian neighborhood. We did get one shot in front of Centre court, but the steward taking the photo for us didn't focus the camera very well, and I didn't want to hurt his feelings and ask the next guy to take the same shot, so my one shot is blurry. oh well. guess the memory will have to do. This weekend we're off to the British Open. Just trying to fit in all the British sporting events. cricket anyone?

Logan at Centre court during the rain delay

Being far from home, this made me laugh (thanks Lyndi)

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy says about people from Texas...

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas;
How I can tell Jeff Foxworthy is NOT from Texas, he uses the word "parka":

If you've had a lengthy phone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas;

If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas;
What???This sounds perfectly normal to me!!!!

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas;

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas;

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph-- you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas;

If you find 60 degrees "a little chilly," you may live in Texas;

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas .
Amen!!!!

My first afternoon tea in an English home

My friend Ros was visiting her mother in England this week and I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting her and her relatives for afternoon tea. Ros and her family have always been such wonderful hosts when I've been in their Dallas home, now I know hospitality runs in the family! I was very excited that I was invited over to an "English home" for the authentic experience. My first invitation into an English home. Homemade scones, homemade jam from fruit in their garden, sitting in their absolutely gorgeous garden visiting with an old friend was so nice. I wish you could see that garden - Would give the arboretum a run for it's money. I got a kick out of listening to their conversations. They had some very helpful advice for me about living around here. That is were I met my new friend Pat who wants me to change the layout of my blog. Still working on it. I hope I'm able to run into them again soon.

The Urbans were here!

Cream tea at Stow-on -the-Wold ( the "cream" is really clotted cream and it goes on your scone, not in your tea. It's a little like soft, unsalted butter)


We had another wonderful week with our guests from home. It is just so nice to see faces from home and the kids were pumped up about getting to play with friends and eat some Reece's peanut butter cups. It was a busy week (again). Our visitors just keep us on our toes going to all the must see spots. Their fun included the trip to Cotswolds, tea at Harrod's, a walk through Kew Gardens and a night out at the Cricketers (of course!). The boys also made it into Wimbledon, but I wasnt able to join them that day. I am going to try to get there before it's over. Walking on the brand new treetop walkway in Kew gardens was fun. It's a suspended bridge at treetop height. We really enjoyed it as well as exploring all the gardens. Kew is massive, really need all day to get around it all. Here are some highlights of their trip:

At the mill

On the playground at Kew gardens

The Urbans in Burford



This afternoon was a very quiet. The past 2 weeks we had company and now the house is empty. Wont know what to do with myself!!! (just kidding, a nap sounds good about now)

Funny, funny, funny

This shot almost caused a Cotswold traffic jam as DA slammed on his break in the middle of the road. Bryan, our "photographer" fortunately had his camera nearby and was able to snap this shot. The elderly people sign cracks me up every time I see it and to have the wonderful vantage point of elderly people crossing at that moment was priceless. Of course they were shocked at a camera hanging out of the car taking their photo, but when they noticed the sign and realized what we were doing they started laughing too. Maybe you had to have been there, but we really enjoyed the moment.

The Cotswolds

Finally did it. Took the trip up to the Cotswolds. We've been wanting to get up there since we arrived in England. The Cotswolds are a charming area of England around Oxford plus the area north and west of the Oxford area. When folks think of England, many times they are picturing villages and rolling hills with stone hedges in the Cotswolds. I expected to see more thatched roof cottages like the David Winter figurines or Lilliput houses, but only saw a couple. Instead they are some very quaint villages that are so charming and picturesque with the prettiest little flower gardens. It was a quick 1 day tour just to get a look at the area and take advantage of the photo ops. You know us Americans, have to take a photo and cross it off the list! Stopped in Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Moreton-in-Marsh. Yep, those crazy names are actually the names. Cant leave off the "on-the-water" part because the next village might be Bourton-on-the-wold. I guess they ran out of imagination on naming their towns and kept using the same names over and over. It's quite funny when you study the map. Here's a look:

Burford

Stow-on-the-Wold

Unfortunately, the cars really mess up my photos!!!

Bourton-on-the-Water

Moreton -in-marsh

Our very favorite find - a field of poppies we happened upon.