Day 7

Today I woke up and remembered the Sim card reader I had tossed in my suitcase, thinking I don't know what. Anyway, I thought hey, I could try putting my card from my camera into that and IT WORKED! I have now downloaded all the photos and videos I have taken on my trip so far. You will not see them here now because it is too late at might for me to be fussing with it. Tomorrow I am basically just going to Northampton and getting settled in. I am hoping I can use the day to do some homework and upload my photos. We shall see.

Today C_ and I went to Bletchley Park, an place of importance during WWII were they were able to break the German codes and read their radio transmissions. I thought about dad a lot today while we walked around and learned about the earliest computers. He would have really loved it. WE managed to sneak in on a school group's tour of the Colossus computer which was fantastic.

Then we headed home to eat some lunch and pick up the dogs for the next adventure. C_ has a National Trust membership, which means with her card she can get into all National Trust properties for free. Well, this afternoon I was C_ while she took the dogs on a walk around the grounds. Yea! to free!

Claydon House was beautiful on the inside and the outside. Not quite as grand a showcase as Waddesdon Manor, but still VERY impressive. I couldn't believe all the wood work and plaster ceilings...simply amazing. And it had a nice little church next door that was pretty cool. Since C_ and I finish ed so early, we had time to go to the tearoom...damn if they didn't have cream tea...LOL...yeah, we totally did that again.

Got home and did some laundry to get ready for my transfer to my new digs at Northampton University. Tomorrow we check in and have dinner together, then a little party after. We shall see. I am hoping they will let me check in earlier than the 4:30pm time I was given.

DAILY DAVID

Day 6

Today, the three of us went to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. The weather was a variety from bright and sunny to pouring down rain. The town itself was bigger than I thought it would be and so spread out. We walked into town from the south and it was gorgeous.

There were a number of canal boats moored up in an area just off the river connected to the river by a canal lock. We were lucky enough to see two boats, one coming and one going. It was cool. I got video and pictures, that's all I'll say...

We crossed the river and went through the town. There were lots of "ye olde" buildings and they were wonderful to see. We stopped at a little cafe and I tried my first packet of prawn cocktail crisps (shrimp cocktail chips), not foul, but not exactly tasty.

We went to the birthplace of Shakespeare, got a lovely picture of that too...was that 12 pounds to go in? Uh, I don't like Shakespeare THAT much.

We went back down through the town and went to Tudor World which was small but a lot of fun. They had so much information about people living in Tudor times from the plague, to medicine, to food.

Poor C_ and B_, I made them go to some incredible cheesy tourist shops, but I love that stuff. I got a London Underground mug and a magnet with thermometer that says Stratford-on-Avon. I got a number of postcards today and I might send them out tomorrow.

I haven't bought any gifties yet...I see things and think of people who might like them, but then I am afraid I'll get something and then find something better later.

We walked down to the church where Shakespeare was buried. We went in and looked inside, but once again, one pound fifty to see his burial site, no thanks.

Then we walked back along the river and took the chain ferry across the river. Then walked along the river, stopped at another cafe and the information center and then we headed out.

For dinner we went to the Blue Monsoon, "A contemporary Bangladeshi & Indian Resturant". I had the Mixed Tahli which is a number of small dishes consisting of Onion bhaji, chicken tikka masala, lamb jefrezi, prawn bhuna, shobji bahar, pilau rice and plain naan. Very yum!

Tomorrow is Bletchley Park and Claydon House.

DAILY DAVID

Day 5

Today it was the Cotswolds...very beautiful, most of the buildings are made with a yellow limestone which makes them look bright and sunny.

C_ and I spent the day in a town called Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds. It was a beautiful little place with a river running through the middle. We walked along the little river through town and saw tons of ducks with lots of baby chicks just learning how to swim. Very high cuteness factor.

We then went to Birdland which is basically a zoo for birds. Right when you walk in are the penguins. So cute, I even took some video of them swimming and waddling around. You can get so close to them, it was amazing. We saw so many beautiful birds from all over the world. Even though we did get rained on some.

Next we went to lunch at a pub in The Old New Inn. I had a half pint Strongbow Cider, Roast Beef baguette with mustard and crisps. Then we headed to the Model Village which is a one ninth scale model of Bourton-on-the-Water. I got some cool pictures you might see some day.

Then we headed off to find somewhere where we could have cream tea, which consists of 2 scones, butter, strawberry conserve, and clotted cream. We found a place called the Mad Hatter Tearooms and had our cream tea there. I took a picture of this bit of fabulousness, but since you can't see mine I found a similar, less tasty picture.



Then we hit the shops. Lots of cheesy touristy stuff, but I got some postcards to send out. Then we went into Hartwells, Ironmongers and unusual gifts, and I saw the sign that said "Upstairs...blah blah blah RECORDS" I bolted to find the stairs and climbed them in excitement to find BOXES of LPs and 45s. My American mind screamed "These are ALL imports to ME!" I managed to find an Erasure, two Yazoo and a Depeche Mode LPs! Sweet...and I found the ultimate in cheese...a salt and pepper shaker set that are a red phone booth and a post box. I love them.

We came back home to have Chili made by B_...absolutely fabulous. When I sat down to type this a double rainbow appeared. I got pictures of those too...yeah, you know the drill...

Tomorrow is the hometown of Shakespeare...Stratford-upon-Avon.

DAILY DAVID

Day 4

Today I did not wake up at the complete crack of dawn...I think it was 7:30 am this morning?

Thank goodness B_ read my blog, I was able to conquer one of my electronics problem. I was able to use their Apple charger to charge my IPod, that problem solved. We tried a bunch of different ways to download my photos to preserve them in case something bad happens...like I were to delete all my pictures...not that I know anyone who that has happened to, right J_? But I think we will continue to work on that before I got to Northampton for class.

C_ and I went to Quainton and walked around the village and went to the windmill. There was a great guy there who knew EVERYTHING about that windmill and the village of Quainton. I cost a mere pound to climb to the top (and I do mean climb, the top four floors were kinda a ladder type stairs). The view was beautiful and I was able to discover how a windmill actually works...although C_ and I couldn't work out how anyone every came up with the idea of a windmill in the first place.

The village was beautiful and I got loads of pictures of both...you might see them one day. On the thatched roofed houses there are these animals made out of straw. I had only ever seen birds on my last visit. Today in Quainton I got to see a straw cat...whiskers and all!

Being the American I am when I saw the bricks on a duplex declaring "17" and "22" I thought how cool...the house numbers are in the wall in brick. No dumbass, that would be 1722, the year it was built. You know, older than my country...

We came back the the house for lunch...ham and cheese sandwiches, salad with salad cream (kinda like Miracle Whip) and Roast chicken flavored crisps (that's potato chips). Very yummy.

Then we headed out to Waddesdon Manor. While the morning was gorgeous, the sky was getting ever blacker as we got nearer the manor. By the time we got parked it was pouring down rain. Not lame-o Southern California warm mist they call rain...I mean "so-cold-is-this-really-summer?-rain" and the parking lot wasn't very close to the manor house. C_ got us both in for free flashing her and her husband's National trust cards. We ended up getting the audiotour because there was nothing written to tell you what was in the rooms. By the last three rooms we got a bit burnt out and stopped listening. By the time we were done the sun was out and we were able to visit the gardens and aviary.

We had roast lamb with carrots, peas, cabbage, roast potatoes, gravy, and mint sauce. FANTASTIC and a nice Primativo wine called Pillastro from Puglia, Italy. Also tasty. And tonight while I type I am having my first cup of Red Bush Rooibus Tea, vey good. And people say British food isn't good!?! What are they having?

Tomorrow C_ and I are going to Bourton-On-The-Water in the Cotswolds where we are going to go to Birdland. No other set plans for the day, but it will be spent in Bourton.

Even though I can't share my pictures with you, C_ and B_ had a nice picture of their place, taken from the back garden.

The west wing is mine!

DAILY DAVID

Day 3

July 4th...Independence Day in the UK

I woke up at the dawn of crack what, 5:30 6 am and could not go back to sleep? But I was able to get some reading done for my class...so that was good. I doubt I will get up so early tomorrow morning.

It was a very nice day. We didn't really rush around or anything and we got to the Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show about...11am? It was basically like a country fair with cars and steam engines. We wandered around all the vender stalls and we looked at a ton of old cars and antique steam engines.

We caught an act in the main arena which was called "Dancing Digger" which was a guy doing stunts in a huge backhoe. I was highly impressed. I was also able to try a Welsh Apple Cider from a Brewery named Gwynt y Ddraig. I asked for the driest cider they had and the man offered up one call Yarlington Mill. I really liked it, it had a wonderful aftertaste and it got better as you went along.

We had fish and chips for lunch which was very good. Oh, and I also tried a Gooseberry flavored yogurt, fabulously tart!

Near the beer stall we watch the Bacteria Acid Samba Band play. Basically a crew of about 20 people all playing different percussion equipment. I got some video of them playing.

In fact, I took a lot of nice pictures and video I would love to share with you, however technology has not been my bitch today. Nothing I plug into the UBS ports on my computer is recognized. That means I can't download my pictures and I can't recharge my IPod...I am highly miffed. I can only assume it is the power conversion? Then I got a chance to call mom on the cell phone my friends set up for me. One of those pay as you go things. Yeah, it only had 10 pounds on it to begin with...I'd done some texting and whatnot. The phone quit while I was finishing my call with mom. Unless I used more money than I thought on the texts, that international call was nearly a pound a minute. Not cool. Sorry mom, guess we won't be talking much.

SO now my IPod and phone are dead...oh and my US cell phone is also dead. Apparently I left it on during the flight and the battery ran out. I don't know what I am going to do about my ride home from the airport.

Tomorrow I am going to add more money to my phone and I am wondering if I can't make CD's of the pictures I am taking...maybe one a week...through a grocery store or pharmacy that would take the card out of the camera and read it? I don't know if this will work. There is no hope for the IPod while I am here, which is a bummer since I don't have songs on my laptop.

As for tomorrow's adventure...C_ and I are going to start the day at Quainton Windmill and then We'll have lunch at a pub and then head off to Waddesdon Manor. We need to go to the store for more camera batteries, nail polish, shave gel and I want to see about the photo thing.

Then we are going to have roast for dinner.

Which reminds me C_ and B_ decided we would have a cook-out tonight when I told them that's what we Americans do on the 4th. We had home made potato salad, steak, lamb, sausage and chicken and a garden salad. Very good.

I am fading, so I will type to you all tomorrow!

DAILY DAVID

Day 2

Today, I woke up in America on Thursday, going to sleep in the UK on Friday.

Thank you C_ for taking me to the airport. Check in was super easy. My checked in bag weighed 47 odd pounds. So close to the 50 limit!

The flights weren't that bad. The nearly ten hour flight from San Francisco to London got old after about 5. I got up and walked around a couple of times. I felt so dried out.

But I am here at my friend's house, I have internet, all is well. Tomorrow I will go celebrate Indepence Day with the Brits. We are scheduled to go to Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show> I think it will be fun!

OK, I need to stop now, because I am very close to incoherent.

DAILY DAVID

Day 1

I am counting this as the first official day of my trip to England.

I woke up at 5:30am and I thought I wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep for awhile there I was so excited. I did manage to fall back asleep until 8:30 am. I am showered and dressed...the bags are packed. I am ready...just one tiny glitch...it is 9:43 am and I have hours to wait until I leave for the airport. I am so glad I knit, because I would probably go insane with the waiting.

I do have some things to do today...I need to go to the bank and deposit my first paycheck (YEA!) and then I must do my nails! No really, they are totally skank, I want to have nice nails on the trip. I am NOT taking nail polish with me (I can just see what that would look like all over the inside of the suitcase) But I figured I could get some when I got over.

BAH! I am so excited I can't believe this day is finally here!

I would like to thank C_ for blocking my cardigan so I could take it on the trip and look fabulous (that is when it isn't 90 degrees) and the fact that she is taking me to the airport! Hooray!

Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me that one hour will be enough for me to get my connecting flight in San Francisco. I hate changing planes and I apparently need something to worry about and I have chosen this to be my "thing" for the next bit. I am sure I will find something new after I make my connecting flight.

I hope I have enough to keep me busy on my flight...I have a cryptograms book, Fill-ins book, a Sudoko book, two different knitting projects, a Doctor Who magazine, a Doctor Who book, my textbook (you know I am going to be riveted to that!) a Charlaine Harris novel, my IPod...is that enough for ten hours? Hahahahaha

I know this update is early in the day, but I probably won't have internet access until Friday afternoon...UK time. So, the next time I post it will be from across the pond!

DAILY DAVID