Just Cruising...

Being Bank Holiday Monday, I wanted to get on a bus and learn my way around. NOthing exciting really. Since the MOD housing, which was an option for us to rent, was down in Richmond, I wanted to find The Keep (name of the area) so I would know where to go for the monthly spouses coffees. Mike and I tubed down to Richmond, then found the correct bus to get us there. We passed the Ham Polo club where we may try to see a match or two next season. Well, we both were happy we chose to live in Kensington. Richmond is more "country" and green, but The Keep is ugly 1960's MOD multi story housing. Yuck.
Then I got a wild hair about bussing out to Acton - primarily to go to a 99p storee. THese are dollar stores, where things are a pound or less. I had used them many times in Portsmouth. But inner London doesn't have them. Oh no. You will pay FULL price for everything here. So I wanted to see if a bus trip is worth it. Ten pound later (mind you, we were "just looking") we emerged with some goodies.
Had a nice lunch at Morrison's cafe. Morrison's is a newer grocery chain. They seem to only have large stores, many with cafes.
The bus route took us by Notting Hill Carnival on the BIG day. Man, what a mess. People were everywhere. There were barricades and cattle lines trying to manage everyone. I am very glad we went when we did!!
We know our furniture is here in country now. Mike got an email this morning from Friday, when the customs people sent it to the knuckleheads at Lakenheath. They just hadn't bothered to forward it to us till today (Tues.) So, we need to clarify some items on the inventory sheet - such as "pot and pans". "What are these" they ask. "Bottles", "meds" "wine rack" were also stumpers for them. I know, they are just doing their jobs. It's that English/American language difference as well. Too funny. (I have to laugh, or I'll cry )

Car-ne-vail

It's Notting Hill Carnival weekend. Mike and I felt brave enough to head just north of us to Notting Hill. this area has quite a lot of Caribbean folk and thus hosts the carnival. With the recent riots a few weeks back, the fate of the annual festival was uncertain. But in the end they decided to have it. Great! We get to go. We wandered up early, around 10, since the papers said they expected close to 1 million people over the 2 days. Not a lot of people at this time but we did see some groups on parade

. They circle the neighborhood with large lorries carrying either music groups or amps and DJs.

Then following the truck, are dancers or colorful  squads of people.  While wandering through the neighborhood ( which was really different from the day before when we went up to Portobello Road) we came across dozens of street vendors hawking whistles, flags food and more.I really wanted to take more photos, but my camera battery died.
Had to have a taste of the islands, so I talked Mike into curried goat with rice and beans. And to round it off, fired plantain. Yum yum. Just like the day before, we rolled out around noon, just as the masses of people were getting there. But since its supposed to rain again today, we beat the droplets home.

Home again...jiggity jig

We're back at the flat. Got up this morning and decided to drive east to London town. Didn't take too long, just about 2 hours. Not too bad, and I'm really glad we did. This afternoon it's been raining hard. And we just got some really LOUD thunder claps. I really wish our stuff was here. It would be so nice to snuggle up in some blankies and have soft music, just staring out at the rain drops. Ah, what a sentimentalist. Well, there's not much elses to do. Just Mike and me, no kids, nothing but an air mattress for a sofa and two twin beds. Wait??? That's it, I'll take a nap. Where did you think I was going?? ;P
The vonage box arrived today, so we can call to the States now. Just need to set up the line there so you all can call us. Ha Ha. Things are moving forward.

Today brought me to my second favorite place in all of the UK - Bath. Oh how I love it. It's so .....Georgian. Left Winchester this morning after the quirkiest stay in the little inn. We wanted to take a "direct" route and just drove along some A roads. Ignoring our friends request, the Mathias-Jones', we drove by their new place outside of Salisbury. Too cute. We look forward to visiting them later in the year.
Then onto Bath. Mike has never been. Oddly, I found a hat shop and some great fascinators.

Oh, it's so lovely. Something about it just calls to me. Unless you've been you have no idea. We stopped into Sally Lunn's for lunch. She is/was renown for her buns (think what you will). It's also known as the oldest building in Bath - 1486. Can you believe it?? Bath was built on old Roman baths, which are still there

 but you aren't allowed in anymore. You can still drink the water thought for 50p. Mike vows he'll go back with me and do the Grand Tour. Does this mean the Jane Austen Centre??? We'll see.

Drove a bit more, since we have to return the car tomorrow at noon. We are in Box. No, not a box, but Box Wiltshire. Use the link below. Staying in a B&B at "The Hermitage". At the local pub using their wifi. It's SO different now, trying to track down wifi to keep you all posted.

Some things DO stay the same....

After spending last night in a nice B&B in Worthing, we set off westward. Well, let me go back and talk of Worthing. We rolled into town and found a B&B right away. But we wanted to discover the town. So off we went, and after about an hour of poking around, we stumbled upon the National Bowls (lawn bowling) Championships. If you're not familiar with it, it's similar to curling....Is that helpful? All in all, we wandered for over two hours. Very nice. Actually, we we're trying to work up an appetite. Didn't really work. We dined at a local pub, with a small meal.
Then setting off this morning, I was concerned that heading west to Portsmouth, would lead us to our old village Southwick and it would be radically changed. We knew the pub had changed hands and would be different. I had actually cried a bit in anticipation. But, to my delight, things were as they should be. The Golden Lion was updated, bright, had a fabulous menu even though the owners and ales had changed. We had a lovely parsnip soup, with a local brew. We then walked the street down to the village shop. It has also changed hands- from Bob and Paula, to new Bob and Paula. Too funny. Popped our heads into the church. I thought they moved the organ, but Mike says "no". Other than that, it's the same. The vicar has retired and moved on, and we didn't get to meet the new one. Lastly, we walked up to 1 Boulter Lane. It still appears to be in MOD hands. The base has been turned over to Royal Police, as a training facility. The Lane thought isn't kept up as it was with the Navy. But at least it's all still there.
Of course we had to drive out and see Farmer Robert. We did find the farm after a few wrong turns. And Robert was there and surprised to see us. We were ushered in and chit chatted for over an hour. Turns out the sloe berries are in bloom, and the home made sloe gin soon came out. Oh my! What a treat. That was how it should taste. I have to say, that was a thrill for me- sloe gin made in the country fashion.
But the day is getting late, so off we go to find a place to lay our head tonight. We are here in Winchester, in the most quirkiest little humble pub ever.

If I can get the video on this site, I will. Otherwise check FB. We are in rooms above a 300 year old, timber framed pub. Too cool. Should be a fantasic night.

 OK, it was little noisy - downstairs patrons you could hear. The single paned wooden framed windows didn't keep out any street noise. But it was definitely an experience.

Road Trip.......

We've done it. Crossed the threshold of being able to "hang out" at home, and Mike rented a car today. We decided to make it an adventure, and had no plans or ideas, just head in a direction and drive. We found it was cheaper to rent from Heathrow, so we did. Packed a couple bags and tubed out to get the car.

Then headed to Kent. We're spending the night at a little chain hotel in Kingsgate, just east of Margate. Mike is doing fine with driving on the "other side" of the road. It helps that the car is a compact.

I should mention that I got to spend some part of my birthday at Harrods. Wasn't tempted to buy anything. But we did have coffee and a birthday pastry at a cafe inside.

Very nice.
Yesterday, we did the first floor of the V&A, also finding a great cafe inside.
Looks like this will be an eating tour of England.

Mellowing out....or down

It's been a while I know, but I needed to cool off from displacement anxiety. "What?" you say. Let me be honest here. I don't care for London. Not to say London is bad or anything. It's not. It's just that I am NOT a big city person. There. It's out in the open. I freely admit I don't "do" crowds, traffic, noisy people, etc. So I'm definitely in transition (again). It took a few days to cool down from what I really wanted to write.
London will be fun on many levels, but on other levels it is what it is. A huge, bustling metropolis. I am looking forward to the museums and taking trips into the English countryside. I KNOW I love that!! But these things will have to wait a bit. Still learning the bus routes and areas of town. Everything is very close (and compact) so getting around isn't hard. We are VERY thankful we did't bring a car. 3.50 (pounds) for 1 hr parking in a dirt lot. L49 per day. Eek!! We've noticed that not many free spots open up on our street as well. Not having a car is a blessing. Of course it hasn't down poured yet....
I survived my first Embassy entry today. At the beginning of the week we tried to get me in, but to no avail. THis pissed me off greatly. My thinking is "I've served this country for 25 years as a military member, and I can't even get into the Embassy to mail a package?" After Mike emailed a few folk, I got permission to mail them today. My honest opinion is, I do think the security is a BIT over the top. Believe me, I understand the need for it. But to tell me my military issued government no fee passport can't get me in, along with my military ID, to mail a package (they can escort me), was too much. I don't pose a threat. Scan my package for explosive. Whatever. Just let me mail it!! Seriously, do I look like a threat??
There is still a lot of adapting I need to do....I bet you can tell. I wish I could say "oh, it's just they way they are". But this is our people. Our country. Our rules. Shesh.
Had a good local curry for lunch. See, it's not all bad :)

Today is his birthday (sing along)

Today is Mike's 48th. Wow. I can't believe we're that old!!
So we thought, and I asked what he wanted to do for his big day. He decided to go to a "little French Restaurant" a few blocks away. They have a lunch or dinner 3 course set menu for L9.99. It was actually very good. We thought we'd try it so when you all come over, it could be an option on where to go out for a nicer meal. Was it fine dining? No. But it was tasty.
Please understand, folks, this is my on line journal of the crazy adventure we're on. YOu may follow at your own risk. I may get off the point and go down rabbit trails, but this is really for me to be able to recall, in my old age, what we did and saw.
We are getting stir crazy in the empty flat and looking into possible trips to see the area and take up time till our goodies come at the end of this month. THings we are throwing around are: Ireland, Glasgow, car hire and drive wherever. Who knows. We don't - yet anyway. Heck, we're still trying to figure out the coinage.....

Well.....I've arrived.

Can you believe it? We've been in the flat for 1 week now. Wow. I am amazed. Truthfully, I'm extremely tired of camping in the house, but I know I'd feel just as restless in a hotel. We got hooked up to Virgin Media this morning. This means cable, landline (working toward Vonage) and internet. Mike is happy as a clam now. We are getting 65 TV channels, but will probably stick to the usual BBC & ITV, maybe Granada.....No more sneaking around on other people's broadband. Phew, I feel better. At some point I'll have to kick Mike off the laptop so I can post some photos. The ipad can't do that!!
Let's recap  a bit. There were the riots in London for three nights. Stupid really. All this was brought on by the police shooting of a suspected gangster. OK. What people need to know is this-street cops don't carry guns here. A special unit had to be called in for that. SO it wasn't just a trigger happy cop, like in the States. Something big must have gone down, the unit was called, someone didn't surrender peacefully and there was a shooting. This was in NE London. So why the riots, car fires and buildings being torched on SE London, Manchester, Birmingham, etc? My opinion here - cause there are too many youths who are bored and will be stupid over anything. It had little to nothing to do with the actual first violence, protesting a civilian shooting. They riot, just to riot. Like they queue, just to queue. I am ever surprised how a technologically advance people, are so backwards sometimes. OK, it's out of my system.
And what is it about the British and scaffolding. They do it everywhere! Since we've been in the flat, some has gone up across the street ( for we can't see what work) and this morning, next door. I know there is a season for work to be done when the weather is good. But scaffolding is so ugly!!
Yesterday Mike and I explored just north of us in the Holland Park area. What a gorgeous park. It was like being in the country in the city. We came out of the park on the north side and were in Notting Hill gate.

We are having the best time just roaming around, peaking down streets, looking into shops and eating a small eateries along the high street. Found a tiny doner kabob shop yesterday for lunch. Yummy.
But one of the biggest adjustments for me is this. Not only do I have to adjust to shopping away from a military commissary, but I am having sticker shock. You can compare prices $ to £, but then if convert it to $, it's frightening. They give us a cost of living allowance, but it's still scary.

Saw this in a charity shop window - - I guess I have arrived!!

Again....campinng at Home.

So here we are....again...camping out in the house. This time it's a bit harsher. The only "furniture" we have is two inflatable air mattresses to sleep on. We took possession of the flat on Tuesday. Thursday, our express shipment came. Boy, did I not pack well. Clothes I have, but I should have sent more kitchen ware. The commissary trip food all came, but we had to augment it with fresh. Not a problem as the Sainsbury (grocery store) and the Tesco (same) are just a few blocks away.
It's been ...uh, fun....learning all the new house noises, such as the upstairs flat drain that flows three stories down to our cute little inner courtyard. Nine o'clock every other night, we have a waterfall out there. For those of you who don't know, much of Europe has external open drains. So this may put a hamper on our cafe set idea for that area. We'll have to investigate.
Learning all the switches and plugs was fun too. There ere little sombrero hats in some of the outlets. Wandered what they were. Mike got the guts to examine, and low and behold, they were childproof covers. Never seen those type before...
Really enjoying touring the neighborhood. THere is so much to see. Found the local pubs. Found the local tea shop. Library close by, and well as all the shopping one needs. THe V&A is just down the road as well.
Met with Ben and Dan the other day. they are managing well. Natural life stuff, but nothing they can't deal with. Good to be here with them, and Glad. Hope to see her soon.
Took our first trip too Ruislip to get offically signed in, as well as check out our post box and shoppette. Way too far really. The shopette has nothing ( we will checkout the Embassy basement market) and the post office is too far to be of annyy use. We're hoping to get it changed to the Emabssy' whiich is much closer. But they are very State Dept run, so that may not happens. All this mmeans is I won't go to the PO Box but once a month. You gotta understand, it's an hour tube ride each way.......
con activity is sketchy right now. I'm piggy backing off someone upstairs. It comes and it goes. Right now we're OK. Virgin is to hook us up this Thursday. Yeah.
Till then

Feeling so Contintental...

Oh, it's so amazing. Granted, most of this has to do with it's light forever at night. I'm not even sure when it gets dark. But it's light by 4am! Just rolled in from another dinner, in which we sat down to dine at 7pm. It's 8 now. The sun is nearing the horizon but no where near ready to set. We're on the 10th floor of our hotel (on an executive level - not sure how we swung that one.) and the view is gorgeous.

The heat wave is breaking and we're to have some rain tomorrow. Finally, I get to use the clothes I lugged around for the last month, destined for the UK. Now, we're not talking chilly or anything. But definitely cooler is good. Had to dip into the hotel's pool this afternoon. Nothing odd there, except it's in the basement of the hotel, has dimly lit blue lights and one end has a glass wall, so people can watch you swim (?).

It's been good staying here. We've really enjoyed it. It's part of a European chain called Pestana. Wrote this here, so I can remember it later if I want to stay at another one.

Mike's out walking, so I'm gonna curl up with a good book.

PS - just a reminder....this is really an online journal for me. Postings will be  varied

Subscriber update!!!

People have been asking how to subscribe to this blog. Okay, as I see it, if you click on any psot, it opens up the singular post. Now, at the bottom of the post, next to the comments box, there is a button saying "subscribe by email". Click there and you are in. Mystery solved!!

We got a flat today!!

Hooray, we picked up the keys for the flat. We are tenants. So exciting. We went to the neighborhood to check out things, like pubs, shops, noise levels, etc. We were very pleased to see that our on-line house shopping turned out extremely well. We're within an easy walk to two pubs, one which we "tried out" today. We also strolled around surrounding areas, which just cemented the fact that we chose well.
I did have a moment of panic, when we peaked into the flat's front window and I thought it looked tiny. Once we were in though, the flat opened up and appeared as it did in the photos we saw on line. yeah! I'm looking forward to tinkering in the back garden. Did I mention that there are three, yes three, outdoor areas in this "cozy garden flat". The back area has been neglected a bit, so I get to get in and do some sprucing up.
Photos will be taken tomorrow, so they'll post soon.

Here at last....oh wait, another hotel...

We're here. We made it to London. I had my doubts. First, there was the 40 minute connection at O'Hare. Those usually don't work. But they were running 15 minutes late. Then 30 minutes late. Then 1 hr late. All in all, we took off 1.5 hrs after the scheduled departure time. I am kicking myself for not upgrading at $500 each for the business class. We could have had the seats which recline flat and better food. Actually, I don't think I needed more food, since sitting on your arse for 8 hrs really doesn't burn any calories. The flight was uneventful, which I greatly loved.
Note to those who may come and visit!!! Warning, get ready to walk. Heathrow is wheely bag friendly, but it's long. To get get to the Tube, you are hoofing it. Our only hiccup was at the Tube station Oyster Card machine. It wouldn't take our credit cards. We tried them all. But in the end, Mike came through and found a kiosk with an agent who was able to assist us.
Then onto the Tube. Stop! I must state right here that I'm a bit shocked that the Brits look so .....average American. I failed to see what I would call a typical English person. You used to be able to tell the tourists apart. No more. No crazy hair, snappy shoes, wickedly wild clothing. Wait! Where am I? We've homogenized the UK. Argh! But then, to my great relief, I saw two gals on the tube. Phew. Some traditions should not be messed with.
Once at the hotel, which is just along the south shore of the Thames at Battersea Park, we took the necessary 3 hr nap.

Our hotel is modern and yet nice. Not too sure about the different modern lights, which have blue lamination in the bath and red bulbs near the bed. What does this mean? But we were feeling anxious to see the area. So we crossed the Chelsea Bridge and wandered to Mike's school at Belgrave Square. This naturally worked up a thirst and we needed something to satisfy us. So into a local pub which we passed along the way. Mmmm, Guinness and a light ale for me. Sadly, no chips till after 6pm.
Did I mention it is warm here? I had packed cooler weather clothes for this portion of the trip. When checking the weather reports whikle packing (over a month ago) it was all rain and coolness. Upper 70s today. At least I have my shorts, and tees from the earlier part of the trip.
Well,m we've stayed up till now, 8:30pm. we're coasting till 9, when we can darken the room, pop some sleeping pills and conk out.
Yeah!.....