Sun & Blue Skies!

I promise, it does get sunny here at times!  To prove it (although it has rained twice today) when I saw that there was blue sky out the window I needed to capture it on film...well...digitally I guess as cameras rarely use actual film anymore.  See the beautiful blue sky!

Dave and I had a great discussion this morning over breakfast that we do love the midwest weather.  The clear blue skies and heat of the summer.  The frigidness of the cold in the winter...the wind whipping at the exposed skin...okay...maybe not that part...that MAY be a stretch!  :)  But we do love the midwest summers!  He commented that very few places in the world have blue skies like we do at home (well, in IL/WI).  However, from the weather reports I've gotten via email the past few days it looks like we missed quite the summer storm in IL this week!  My thoughts and prayers to those without power!  Major bummer.  

And since I forgot to post a few days ago about it...I'll throw it in here!  We took pics on the summer solstice!  Longest day of the year...which I guess some scientists may believe actually takes place over a few days...not just one!  In...ter...rest....ting!  

This photo was taken at 10:00pm!  CRAZY DAYLIGHT!!!!

Dinner with...cows?

Hmmmm....last night we went to dinner with a few friends outside of Cheltenham.  We were still in the Cotswolds (think The Holiday (MY FAV!!!!) and Bridget Jones' Diary)...just further outside of town and further up into the hills...well, on top of the hills actually!  We ate at a place called The Lodge.  It was actually Henry the 8th's old hunting lodge.  It was so beautiful up on the plateau.  As we drove (on the WRONG side) of a curvy, forest covered, hilly, damp, narrow (BARELY two lanes wide) country road I was reminded again of why I was super glad I wasn't the one driving...but being in the passenger's seat (where typically the driver is) on these narrow roads going...like...REALLY fast...was kinda a thrill!  :)  Dave knew better, I think, and gave me the front on purpose!  What.a.guy.  As we rounded the last turn we broke through the trees and were upon what they call the commons...which means the land is owned by the entire community and anyone can use it.  "For what?" you ask (because I know I did!).  Basically people can come and let their animals graze on the vast fields.  There were tons of cows!  Like everywhere!  :)

The sign for the restaurant 

The Garden

Dave and me out front...isn't it charming!

Close-up of the sign...

Cow! Read the sign...

I guess he got the idea...  :(

Insert my thoughts that I really should have been a veterinarian!!!  The cows were just there.  On the land.  Chowing away.  Some looked like they might have been friend (they would follow each other and they all had the same yellow ear tags) while others kept to themselves.  I guess (although I didn't see it right away) there are like fences so that the cows can only go so far...it's not like they can wonder down the road (insert funny image of the cows interrupting part of the Criterium du Dauphine in France (it's a cycling race...you should google it!  A few people did get hurt...but it was comical to see cows jumping onto the road and running alongside the cyclists!)).  But alas, the cows are safe.  The way I understand it is that the farmers can leave their cows there until October if they wanted...but from October to like April they can't...it's too cold or something.  

Closest to the pin?  The darker one!

Close up...putting green...and a cow!  

The tee box!  Unheard of! :)

I was still in a little bit of shock!  

Back to the Lodge.  As we drank a pint in the garden I noticed a a few golfers here and there along with a few golf bags and the telltale golf signs like a red flag and a tee box and quickly realized that we were on a golf course.  And there were cows.  On the green!  Can you imagine!  I can't even wear certain wedges when I golf because they leave marks on the green and this place has cows!!!  :)  I couldn't get over it!  But the chilly air and the wind forced us to take the party inside!  We continued to drink (wine and beers) and ordered baked cheese as an appetizer.  It was actually quite good (coming from a girl that is not a fan of "good" cheese).  As we ate and looked out over the course I noticed more cows!  It was crazy! I had to force myself to eat and ignore the cows as I'm sure I was beginning to look totally touristy with the amount of pictures I was taking!  It was nice because we didn't sit down to dinner until about 9 and it was still quite light out!  (Sun didn't set until about 9:30 and even then it remained light out well past 10).  As we were leaving I commented that it was perfect weather for kick the can or ghost in the graveyard!  Ah, childhood! 


Dave and I both had the deer burger and it, too, was delicious and very filling!  It came with tasty onions and lettuce and pickles (I may have picked those off) and of course chips!  Those WILL be the death of me this summer as they are like steak fries in the states and terribly yummy!  :)
  

Photo taken at 9:15pm...yup!  Sun still out!  

The Weather!

Oh the lovely English weather!  Always predicable!  Not at all like in the states!  You can pretty much put money on the fact that it will rain.  Everyday.  Not kidding.  At all.  Just a fact!    But in all honesty...it's kinda a nice feeling rain.  If rain can have that effect.  It's not like the buckets of downpour I'm used to...it's more like a more solid, consistent mist...that rolls in and out in about 25-40 minutes at any given point throughout the day.  You can tell it's about to rain because it gets a little darker...but you can still see the blue skies amidst the rain clouds.  I think I'll just start counting the odd days (the days where it stays dry all day!).  The temperature is also a bit cooler than in the states by about 5-10 degrees on a given day.  Which means I'm totally living up the pale girl tan!  I've worn shorts once...count it once!.  I'm sticking mainly to capri pants, although I brought skirts I haven't yet worn them.  Today I am rocking a Banana Republic black dress as I sit in the pub updating my blog like it's nobody's business!  I'm also wearing flip-flops for the first time!!!


Back to the weather...
The rain did affect the Wimbledon play yesterday...but looks like today's going well. 


The sun is super out today (it's already rained...probably why!) and this town is just beautiful!  Steeped with history and old buildings, protected by mountains.  It's quaint really!  I am loving my time here!  Yes, even the rain...my hair actually curls quite nicely...bangs and all!  :) 

My first real week-day!

Monday June 20, 2011

Dave was off to work this morning and I felt awful that I didn’t get up too!  But really…I had to finish the DaVinci Code last night (he didn’t) and then played Solitaire for a while since I wasn’t tired.  I think I was anxious about how I would spend my day alone (as it’s the first of many…hoping to start a routine early and stick to it!).

I started my day around 8:30 with breakfast and the news.  Then finished the dishes from last night, folded the laundry and finally took a few pictures of the flat. (Since I was behind on updating this…they actually got placed on the right post!)  I began to think about what might be for dinner as that’s my task now…but decided that could wait as I really wanted to get out and run for a little.  Now, anyone that knows me realizes that I’m not the best person when it comes to directions or knowing my way around…but I had to learn somehow!  Right?  Right!  I knew there was no way I could remember the route we ran yesterday, so I thought I’d find my own route. I laced up my tennies and headed for the park behind the flat.  I recalled Dave saying he hadn’t walked the park to the left yet (or maybe HE had…but WE hadn’t) so that way I went!  The park wasn’t as long as I’d anticipated…not that I really had an idea of how far I was running (not that much of a runner yet…I figured I’d run out for 15 minutes and back for 15 minutes). So as the park come to an end I had to make a decision…right or left?  I chose right…which lead me past the hospital (good to know where that is!) and straight to the co-ed boarding and day college (high school for the states).  Didn’t realize that the classes were getting out for lunch as I decided to run around the campus…so picture this…all these Harry Potter looking British teenagers (uniforms are a must here) carrying on as I run by (total American!) in running shorts, a white tee and a hot pink sports bra that, yes, you can see through the tee!  Oops!  I was a sight!  But whatever…I was out upping my heart rate!  J  The run wasn’t a full 30 minutes but I made up for that as I stretched in the park in front of the flat…it was truly beautiful outside and I wanted to make the most of it!  I would almost say I was hot…but I think that’s just because I was running! 

Following the run it was another check of the news, more thinking about dinner, learning to shave meter long legs in a tiny box, and a nice walk up (down?) High Street.  My first solo grocery shopping experience was a success!  However I feel a little housewife-ish as I purchased a “Woman & Home-Feed Good Foods” magazine.  Not being familiar with recipes or fan stoves I thought (well Dave thought it) best to look for an English cookbook.  Since I didn’t have time to get to a bookstore today to look for one I thought a cooking magazine would suffice for the time being.  It has fantastic recipes that can all be prepped and cooked within an hour’s time.  I’m hoping to get creative in the kitchen sooner than later!  

Dave had football tonight (soccer to the Americans), which I was planning to go watch but due to the amount of rain coming from the heavens when it was time to leave…I opted to stay home and get dinner ready!  I knew he played from 8-9 and I wanted to have dinner ready to eat around 9:30 (giving him travel and bathing time).  We were going to have parmesan crusted chicken breast with a hint of lemon and CHIPS (fries).  It was my first attempt at home-made French fries and I think I did just swell!  It was rather simple to make and tasted delicious!  It can NOT be a regular thing!!!  I'm planning to make them one more time (to make sure my cooking wasn't a fluke tomorrow (Tuesday) so I'll make sure to take a picture of the finished product then!).  Mom, you may not have approved of dinner...there was NO color on the plate!  Lots of awesome flavors...but lacking color...tomorrow night's menu is BBQ chicken, chips (fries) and steamed asparagus!  

We’re hoping to finish up our bookings for Paris and Rome rather soon.  Dave might have to go work in northern Italy and if that’s the case we may lengthen our Rome holiday (vacation) on the front end rather than the tail end.  We shall see! 

Some Vocabulary I’ve Learned…

• Loo=toilet 
• Holiday=vacation 
• Lollie=popsicle 
• Quid=bucks (like “It’s 5 quid” is like saying “it’s 5 bucks”) 
• College=high school 
• University=college 
• Flat=house/apartment/residence 
• Garden=yard 
• Cheers=thank you/good-bye/hello…kind of a catchall word 
• Chips=fries 
• Crisps=chips 
• Lorrie=truck 
• Lift=elevator

Our 1st Weekend Part II

Sunday June 19, 2011

Today was another lovely day with no alarm clock!  Too bad the sun comes up around 4 and sets around 10:30/11pm.  It’s hard to adjust and get tired when the sun is up like all the time!  I’m constantly reminded of a favorite childhood poem:

Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night

And dress by yellow candle light

In summer quite the other way

I have to go to bed by day

I have to go to bed and see

The birds still hopping in the tree

And hear the grow-up people’s feet

Still going past me in the street

And does it not seem strange to you

When all the sky is clear and blue

And I would like so much to play

To have to go to bed by day?

Okay…back to reality.  Today Dave and I went out for our first run…a simple 3 miler out to the horse race track and back.  HA!  Simple!?!?  He was a trooper and we walked a few parts of it…there was a nice ½ mile into the wind, uphill portion I wasn’t particularly fond of…but there were bunnies in the park (like a cage that the council takes care of) with big Cadbury-esk bunnies and smaller lop-eared bunnies and all sorts of sizes…so that kinda make up for it!  I guess it’s a pretty nice thing to have animals in the park…as there were also peacocks and birds and then there’s a portion of the cages that allow chipmunks and squirrels access but they are free to come and go.  We also did an Ab Ripper portion of P90X…I’m sure I’ll feel that tomorrow!  But it was fun to workout together. 

After workouts and such we went for another walk down High Street (I guess every major town over here has a High Street…and it’s a popular shopping destination).  This time we had a mission though…I needed a converter for my cell phone.  I brought the charger but I couldn’t plug it in.  We also bought a really nice long-sleeve pull-over.  It’s navy…and really warm.  I was able to wear it to church this evening!  Dave has been church shopping since his arrival and had just found out about St. Matthew’s (well, he knew the church existed…but it was news to him that they had a 6:30pm service).  His co-worker Cath is a member there and invited us to join her.  We arrived right on time!  It is a beautiful old church!  I’m hoping to go back sometime this week (perhaps Thursday for their woman’s bible study) and take a few pictures of the outside…it’s truly unique!  Dave and I exchanged surprised glances when the minister(?) announced that we’d be worshipping for the next hour and a half!  WHAT?!?!  We hadn’t eaten since noon and figured we’d be home by 7:30-8:00.  But I guess tonight’s service was unique in that there was a guest preacher AND communion (which apparently they only do about once a month).  I really enjoyed the service and the feeling we got from the church.  Dave wasn’t sold on all the singing…I think there was about 15 minutes of singing at the beginning and then a few songs throughout the service and then two or three at the end.  Another uniqueness is that everyone (and really…everyone) stays after the service for coffee and baked goods. They all sit around tables and chat.  We had a few people on the “welcoming committee” welcome us.  They would walk up and say “hello, are you visiting?”  or “where are you from?” or “do you have any questions about the church” or “welcome, I haven’t seen you before”.  It wasn’t that awkward forced conversation though…it felt friendly and normal.  There were a lot of people our age there.  We didn’t end up leaving until 9:45…mind you, we were STARVING at this point.  

So what was for dinner?  Hmmm…frozen pizza!  I know, I know…not exactly what you’d think Cheltenham is all about…but it was worth a shot…Dave hadn’t tried the frozen pizza from his grocery store yet but had one in the freezer so we popped in The DaVinci Code and let the pizza cook.  Wasn’t the best pizza…but we were both so hungry that we ate the entire thing (think Jack’s Pizza size).  Bummer that Dave has to go to work tomorrow!  I’m liking this hanging out together thing we’ve got going on!  :)

PS. Happy Father’s Day to the world’s best daddio!  I miss you tons but know that I’ll see you in a week!  I hope you enjoyed your lunch in Wisconsin with Bearie!  I wish I could have been there!  Hope you enjoyed your special day and didn’t have to work too hard!  :)  I love you!!!

Our 1st Weekend

Saturday June 18, 2011

No alarm.  Lazy morning.  Hot shower…with conditioner.  New body lotion.  1^st few loads of laundry (air drying as there’s no dryer in the flat)…wasn’t sure this was necessary as I’d only been here (well France really) a week…but OH!  Let me tell you!  With a very small washer it’s going to be a weekly occurrence!  A little “yesterday” channel (history channel).  Side-note…they DO have the channel USA here which shows CSI & NCIS about as much as it does in the states (about ALL afternoon/evening).  We made some lists…like groceries/to do.  We had a lazy breakfast of croissants with nutella and/or jam and coffee. 

Then (around 1) we actually started our day!  We did a TON of walking around since it was finally nice outside.  We looked in a few stores for a long-sleeve type top for myself as it’s quite chilly here at times and I think Dave’s already tired of me wearing his!  (Only kidding…but realistically I can’t wear his outside the flat so I am in need of SOMETHING to keep me warm as we walk!)  We also did our first trip to the grocery store.  As he has a smaller fridge (think dorm-room style) we couldn’t purchase a whole lot…but it’s nice because as I prepare dinners throughout the week I’ll be able to purchase fresh foods! 

We bought some basics (fruits, bread, jam, carbonated lemonade (DELICIOUS!!!), and chicken…in the skin and on the bone…cheaper that way!).  Since we had PB&J for lunch we wanted a nicer dinner…not wanted to go out and having just purchased chicken we decided to have chicken, veggies, and some pasta.  We had to debone the chicken ourselves and cut off the skin and fat…Dave was a super sport and did all the hard work (including cutting the veggies and preparing everything).  In the words of Rachel Ray…YUMMO!!!  :)  

We then headed out to Taylors (a very cute little pub…it was originally a quant little house and has been turned into a bar) for drinks with Cath (a co-worker of Dave’s).  She’s been quite helpful in the “girl” department answering my many questions about salons, beauty, fashion, etc. that Dave couldn’t answer himself.  I fancied gin or vodka tonics while Dave stuck to Guiness.  My drinks were awesome as they give you the tonic bottle and you can keep pouring it until it’s gone!  Makes the drinks last a whole lot longer!  :)  Which allows you longer time between rounds! 

Isn't it super cute?!?!?!

Dave’s next-door neighbor is actually a gay bar called EXS.  This evening (Saturday) they hosted a lovely Lady Gaga/Drag Queen concert…which would not have been bad has it been INSIDE!  But it was actually on their deck/back yard area.  There was no meat dress (that we could see from the bedroom window) but there was a fog machine!  J  We weren’t too sure it would be an enjoyable evening for us as the music was quite loud (OMGOSH…when did we get old!  The music was too loud!!!!)…but since it was American music and we could actually hear the words we ended up leaving the windows open for a bit and listened to the “concert” and the crowd.  We had a really nice laugh when the man (woman?) on stage yelled “HELLO CHELTENHAM!”.  I kinda felt like I was back home at Nellies or Lamps!  A welcoming feeling! 

This photo was taken the morning after the party...but you get the idea!  

  

Home Sweet Home

Friday June 17, 2011

On Friday Dave and Vicki worked a ½ day in Brest and we headed “home”(see below on our discussion of home!)  We made sure to arrange a taxi the night before so upon checking out of the hotel I had a car waiting to take me to the airport where I would meet up with Dave for our return flight to Cheltenham.  It was easy to manage and the driver spoke enough English that we had an enjoyable ride. 

The weather in Brest was…can you guess?  RAINING!!!  And super windy…it was at times a little nerve racking that we were about to board a plane to fly through that craziness…but in reality…it wasn’t that bad…we popped up through the clouds and it was actually sunny and blue skies at our flying altitude!  J  We landed, retrieved our bags and Vicki was kind enough to drive us home (saving us from the bus or train).   I got TWO more stamps in my passport (on leaving Brest…it had a plane on it!) and one at customs at the Birmingham (closest airport to Cheltenham).  

HOME…now that’s a funny word.  Dave and I had a wonderful discussion on the meaning of the word.  I have always believed that home is where the heart is.  But where is home if your heart is in more than one place?  I love my parents, friends and family (oh and of course Tucker!)…so home must be in IL.  Right?  But what if I care deeply for Dave? Isn’t this (Cheltenham) also home?  Can your heart truly be in multiple places?  I believe so!  Home is where you make it.  It’s where you go not only at the end of the day…but when you have hard times to get through and events to celebrate.  Dave has opened my eyes to multiple homes and it doesn’t feel as awkward at the end of the day to look at him and say “let’s go home”.  To us, for now, Flat 5 Broughton House is where we’ll go.  Home sweet home.   

Our “Home”…needs a feminine touch…but it’s very much fun!  Pics below:

Top 3 windows are ours!
Flat 5 Broughton House
6 High Street

Yup!  LOTS of stairs...no lift!  :)

View from the top
Out the back...it's a park behind the trees

View from the top
Out the front!

The Kitchen...in the cabinets on the
left are the fridge and freezer!
Told you it was like college!  :)

Kitchen again...new angle...in the cabinet
on the right is the washing machine.
It was weird to me too!  No worries!  

Yes!  I am 27 and still travel with
Softie Bunny! 

I'd like to see you try and shave 
meter long legs in there! 
Quite a task!  :) 

The bachelor-pad-esk family room.
Needs a little feminine touch!

No Map! :)

I wanted to try it all on my own today!  Okay...well that's not exactly true...when the cleaning lady came to change sheets/towels I decided to make myself scarce and left the room without the map...but...I'm a big girl and thought I knew the map and streets well enough to try it on my own.  And I did just fine!!!  Such a busy day!  


The day started with a walk in the park...literally.  I did bring my book when I left the room, found another cute little park, settled in and read for a few hours.  The weather was a little chilly and partly cloudy (more sun than clouds...but it got almost cold when the sun was gone...but just about hot when the sun was out...WEIRD!).  When my eyes needed a break I decided to walk around and explore.  I must have looked like I knew where I was/what I was doing because 3 separate sets of people stopped and asked me for directions, 1 CREEPER wanted to play 20 questions (well, not really...but a)he WAS creepy and b)did ask a lot of questions...if he finds you...may name is Anastasia and I'm from New York...he said he could tell by my accent...hmmm...New York? Really?...weirdo!!! and NO mom, he wasn't some nice young fellow just being friendly...), and I no longer waited extra long for cars to stop when I wanted to cross the street!  (Yes, I did look both ways and did make sure the cars were hesitating...but I didn't wait for them to come to a complete stop...they won't!).  

(Seriously...this is where I settled in!  Doesn't it look like it belongs in a movie???) 

Then I ventured to the Post Office based on the directions the lady gave me in the shop the day before.  I had no map remember...this is ME...trying to remember verbal directions!  And you know what!?!?  I found it on the first try!  No problem!  It's HUGE and the creeper was outside of it so I didn't go in right away...just kept walking and he left me alone...on to some other non-suspecting poor young soul I'm sure!  Anyways...I walked a few more blocks and found a FANTASTIC chocolate shop!  I only tried one piece since it was UBER expensive...it was SOOOOO GOOD!!!!! 

The Post Office 

Fantastic Chocolate...<3 the colors!

As I rounded the corner after leaving the chocolate cafe I stumbled upon the bridal area of the city...each store had prettier dresses than the last!  I only paused at the windows...didn't want to jinx anything!  Then headed back to the hotel for my Skype date with my mom!  :)  


In the afternoon I headed back out to explore since it was nice (haha!) and I had loads of energy and it was my last full day here in Brest.  I left, took a bunch of pictures, and wouldn't you know it? got caught in a downpour!!!  If I thought it rained hard the day I was doing school work in the park I was mistaken...that was a shower!  It rained BUCKETS!!!!  But I managed to laugh it off, enjoy the gift from the sky, and realize again how awesome my shoes were (they almost feel BETTER wet!).  Below are the pictures of Brest, France from my afternoon photo-shoot!

Non-Coast of Brest, France

Important Places

Another great reading/people
watching place.

Our hotel...L'Amiraute

View away from same building
look closely...you'll
see the Celtic Sea

View towards the main
town building
check out the fountains
in front!  Lovely!

This is the St. Louis Church...
just pretty...no real significance!
Oh...expect the weather!  :)

This lady reminded me SO
much of my Grandma Kitty!
The rain did not bother her...
AT ALL!  :)

Yet another lovely reading place!
Click on this pic and you'll have a 
fantastic idea about the weather!

Check out that construction!
Felt just like home!

Points of Interest!

I would find a kitchen supply store!
VERY cute!!!  I wanted to purchase
EVERYTHING!  They had great knives...
wasn't sure they were TSA approved though!

You never know when you'll need a vet!
I think???  Not 100% sure!  It's a guess!  ;)

Pizza place...our 1st French dinner!
Romantic...I know!  But we were SOOO 
hungry I don't think it mattered as long as
it was food!  

Sorry about some of the above formatting!  I'm really trying to figure this whole blogging thing out as I go!  All in all, I think I'm doing a swell job!  :)  

XOXO
Weather Count (4 rain-1 dry)