The date for the last blog should have been today -12 AUgust! I started writing it on the 14th July, and didn't change the date stamp! Oops!
See - I have good intentions to keep you all up to date!! Haha!!
xxx
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Come on over!
Sof:
So, it is appearing as though we are managing one blog every month! They do say the more interesting your life is the less time you have to shout about it! So please take it as a good thing!!
I want to tell you guys some other stuff what we did (LOVE the grammar!) when Paul's Mum and partner came over. It might make u wanna come on over and visit us even more!
Firstly though, some things I like:
The fact that petrol (or should I say GAS) stations nearly all have a garage attached to them. I love this. I can't quantify this. I just do.
The long aisles of ice cream.......
The fact I can get away with free coffee cos I am British (or big boobed - whichever floats your boat!) and the fact that EVERY supermarket has a coffee shop inside and you can drink your purchase whilst shopping, with, indeed, a place to puit said coffee in your cart!
My covertible car, Christine. If I could take you home (and not look like I have had a mid life crisis) I would my darling....sigh......
Patrick Stewart and Harrison Ford (my 2 favourite men) are both born on the SAME DAY. Wierd......
Things I don't so much like:
Men (and this is 95% of the male DC/VA population) who wear their mobile phones on their pants in a carry case - you look like a DICK!! Take it off and put it in your fecking pocket! Honestly!
My nail varnish chipping
The dead shrews outside my balcony door.....thanks Cat!
The cost of replacing tires due to glass, potholes, lumps in the road.......
So that is it so far.
Anyway, onto our fun times.
We went to a Nascar type event at the local speed track in Manassass. Banger racing with style. Infact, there were many crashes - more than usual. I think the drivers wanted to def cause a fuss. Wierd looking mini cars (which we later found out were driven by 9-11 year olds!), small beetle type affairs, and dead fast banger cars. They got so beat up, one was driving around with all his engine exposed. SO funny! And all for $15. Bargain. ANd what was better was all the free stuff Paul got for Bob cause he loves Nascar and was British and visiting! Excellent!
We went to the National Printing and Engraving museum - basically the national mint. There is one here and one in Texas. I was watching more money being printed than I could ever earn in mine and Pauls lifetime!
Now that I have started writing, I can't think of what we did!! Bloody typical!
We went over the the Maryland side of Great Falls - beautiful waterfall. Much nicer over that side. Even the loos. Infact the VA side was so horrid, I wrote a complaint email!! I just never change!!
I meant to take them to Arlington National Cemetery, but took a wrong turn and ended up in Alexandria! I do love it here, and managed to see the harbourside for the first time. It was SO HUMID though - seriously thought I was going to melt!
Pauls mum drank enough brandy, the cows actually started talking about how drunk Mum was on their way home. That was Paul's offering!! haha!! BUT - she did stop smoking the whole time she was here! We were so PROUD of her! Well done mum - hope you keep it up!
We found a fab little shop in Manassas - amazing stuff, like a little bazaar! And then we found a great little antique shop, and a SECOND HAND BOOK STORE!!! With it's own resident cat! I WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!
We obviously did more, but because I leave it so long I really can't remember what else we did now!
SO to the present day. I have managed to get my hours up to full time - I also have a temp job in the COnsular office helping those poor distressed British Nationals!! Work with an amzing team here too.....gotta be careful mind - my co-worker is my friend on Facebook now!! SO that is keeping me busy all week! I still haven't heard about the OT decsion yet! BUt I did go on a night out with Carrie and there was an OT there (she is a social worker in a residential home, so not much of a coincidence) and he said I should be fine with my qualifications. Their 'Masters' degree is just a small research project - exactly waht I did at the end of my degree. But I am still not holding much hope up. Lets see what happens.....
SO my training for the half marathon is going well, and not so well. The weather is seriously a problem (apparently they haven't had this kind of continuous heat and humidity for a LONG LONG TIME - first snow, now this - I reckon we have jinxed something). Because I start at 7am 3 days a week, I am unable to go out early morning then. By the time I get home it is TOO HOT! Nightime is STILL HOT. SO I do go out on the Thur or Fri of the other 2 days in the mroning. I try the treadmill at work, but hate it. 1 mile feels like 10. ANd weekends I am getting up at 6am to do a long run - I managed nearly 11 miles the other week!! YAY!!
I have also been inspired by my amazing friend, Sue Friend. She has been seeing a personal trainer, and she has come SO FAR! So I decided to look for one too. I found one (she is $40 an hour, outside - great!) and saw her recently. She put me through my paces - WOW. I have discovered why I get groin injuries (no, sex has nothing to do with it!!) and learnt some new things to help me run faster! I am seeing her weekly until the half and then every so often. BUt I can only see her at weekends, so I have to get up early BOTH DAYS OF THE WEEKEND!!! E.u.r.g.h. Nasty. AT least I can give it a break when I get back from the UK!!
That is right - I am back again, for another wedding. This time I will be spending most of it down in Cornwall though, so I really don't have too much time on my hands. I am having a general get together with local Bristol friends on Friday 3rd Sept, 7.30 onwards - not sure when. I will contact you all soon!! BUt I will be on my British mobile though. I can't drink, but it would be great to see everyone again, especially as we probably won't be coming back again for a long time - the wedding we were planning on coming to has been put back a year, so we won't be coming over in May 2011. Maybe summer.......
So Paul has come back from his 3 week stint away - one week in California, then straight to the UK for 2 weeks. He has seen the odd people about. I kept myself busy with running, P90xing and watching Bones. My friend came over to cook me dinner - YUM! Celebrated another friends birthday! ALl in all, it wasn't too bad!! My turn next, as he loves to remind me!
He has returned with Jacob - blimey - he has grown at least 3 inches!! Wow! BUt they have time off together to spend at the pool.
We managed to get a coupon today for them both to go fishing for a couple of hours and recieve proper instruction. Jacob wasn't too pleased that he had to get up at 6.30am!!
So we get in the car, popped the top back on the car, and started driving. The radio was blathering on about some storms north of us....hmmmm....we think, nothing about here! How things change! 10 minutes in and the black clouds roll over. Lightening starts, and the RAIN!! The RAIN!! ANd the wind. We have had some real crazy storms here recently - tress being blown over by 80mph winds ontop of house and cars. It has been a scary few weeks with these summer storms. Likewise this morning. Crawling along becuase visibility is so reduced and the roads are proper flooded (5" rain water). Roads closed becasue the are impassable. Sirens everywhere. Horrid. But we all got in safe, and the storm blew over for them to have a fab time fishing! I was 10 minutes late for work, so not bad!
So this weekend is going to be a BBQ with Pauls work mates. Looking forward to that!
Lets hope the weather stays well for it!
Until next time xxxxxxx
So, it is appearing as though we are managing one blog every month! They do say the more interesting your life is the less time you have to shout about it! So please take it as a good thing!!
I want to tell you guys some other stuff what we did (LOVE the grammar!) when Paul's Mum and partner came over. It might make u wanna come on over and visit us even more!
Firstly though, some things I like:
The fact that petrol (or should I say GAS) stations nearly all have a garage attached to them. I love this. I can't quantify this. I just do.
The long aisles of ice cream.......
The fact I can get away with free coffee cos I am British (or big boobed - whichever floats your boat!) and the fact that EVERY supermarket has a coffee shop inside and you can drink your purchase whilst shopping, with, indeed, a place to puit said coffee in your cart!
My covertible car, Christine. If I could take you home (and not look like I have had a mid life crisis) I would my darling....sigh......
Patrick Stewart and Harrison Ford (my 2 favourite men) are both born on the SAME DAY. Wierd......
Things I don't so much like:
Men (and this is 95% of the male DC/VA population) who wear their mobile phones on their pants in a carry case - you look like a DICK!! Take it off and put it in your fecking pocket! Honestly!
My nail varnish chipping
The dead shrews outside my balcony door.....thanks Cat!
The cost of replacing tires due to glass, potholes, lumps in the road.......
So that is it so far.
Anyway, onto our fun times.
We went to a Nascar type event at the local speed track in Manassass. Banger racing with style. Infact, there were many crashes - more than usual. I think the drivers wanted to def cause a fuss. Wierd looking mini cars (which we later found out were driven by 9-11 year olds!), small beetle type affairs, and dead fast banger cars. They got so beat up, one was driving around with all his engine exposed. SO funny! And all for $15. Bargain. ANd what was better was all the free stuff Paul got for Bob cause he loves Nascar and was British and visiting! Excellent!
We went to the National Printing and Engraving museum - basically the national mint. There is one here and one in Texas. I was watching more money being printed than I could ever earn in mine and Pauls lifetime!
Now that I have started writing, I can't think of what we did!! Bloody typical!
We went over the the Maryland side of Great Falls - beautiful waterfall. Much nicer over that side. Even the loos. Infact the VA side was so horrid, I wrote a complaint email!! I just never change!!
I meant to take them to Arlington National Cemetery, but took a wrong turn and ended up in Alexandria! I do love it here, and managed to see the harbourside for the first time. It was SO HUMID though - seriously thought I was going to melt!
Pauls mum drank enough brandy, the cows actually started talking about how drunk Mum was on their way home. That was Paul's offering!! haha!! BUT - she did stop smoking the whole time she was here! We were so PROUD of her! Well done mum - hope you keep it up!
We found a fab little shop in Manassas - amazing stuff, like a little bazaar! And then we found a great little antique shop, and a SECOND HAND BOOK STORE!!! With it's own resident cat! I WAS IN HEAVEN!!!!
We obviously did more, but because I leave it so long I really can't remember what else we did now!
SO to the present day. I have managed to get my hours up to full time - I also have a temp job in the COnsular office helping those poor distressed British Nationals!! Work with an amzing team here too.....gotta be careful mind - my co-worker is my friend on Facebook now!! SO that is keeping me busy all week! I still haven't heard about the OT decsion yet! BUt I did go on a night out with Carrie and there was an OT there (she is a social worker in a residential home, so not much of a coincidence) and he said I should be fine with my qualifications. Their 'Masters' degree is just a small research project - exactly waht I did at the end of my degree. But I am still not holding much hope up. Lets see what happens.....
SO my training for the half marathon is going well, and not so well. The weather is seriously a problem (apparently they haven't had this kind of continuous heat and humidity for a LONG LONG TIME - first snow, now this - I reckon we have jinxed something). Because I start at 7am 3 days a week, I am unable to go out early morning then. By the time I get home it is TOO HOT! Nightime is STILL HOT. SO I do go out on the Thur or Fri of the other 2 days in the mroning. I try the treadmill at work, but hate it. 1 mile feels like 10. ANd weekends I am getting up at 6am to do a long run - I managed nearly 11 miles the other week!! YAY!!
I have also been inspired by my amazing friend, Sue Friend. She has been seeing a personal trainer, and she has come SO FAR! So I decided to look for one too. I found one (she is $40 an hour, outside - great!) and saw her recently. She put me through my paces - WOW. I have discovered why I get groin injuries (no, sex has nothing to do with it!!) and learnt some new things to help me run faster! I am seeing her weekly until the half and then every so often. BUt I can only see her at weekends, so I have to get up early BOTH DAYS OF THE WEEKEND!!! E.u.r.g.h. Nasty. AT least I can give it a break when I get back from the UK!!
That is right - I am back again, for another wedding. This time I will be spending most of it down in Cornwall though, so I really don't have too much time on my hands. I am having a general get together with local Bristol friends on Friday 3rd Sept, 7.30 onwards - not sure when. I will contact you all soon!! BUt I will be on my British mobile though. I can't drink, but it would be great to see everyone again, especially as we probably won't be coming back again for a long time - the wedding we were planning on coming to has been put back a year, so we won't be coming over in May 2011. Maybe summer.......
So Paul has come back from his 3 week stint away - one week in California, then straight to the UK for 2 weeks. He has seen the odd people about. I kept myself busy with running, P90xing and watching Bones. My friend came over to cook me dinner - YUM! Celebrated another friends birthday! ALl in all, it wasn't too bad!! My turn next, as he loves to remind me!
He has returned with Jacob - blimey - he has grown at least 3 inches!! Wow! BUt they have time off together to spend at the pool.
We managed to get a coupon today for them both to go fishing for a couple of hours and recieve proper instruction. Jacob wasn't too pleased that he had to get up at 6.30am!!
So we get in the car, popped the top back on the car, and started driving. The radio was blathering on about some storms north of us....hmmmm....we think, nothing about here! How things change! 10 minutes in and the black clouds roll over. Lightening starts, and the RAIN!! The RAIN!! ANd the wind. We have had some real crazy storms here recently - tress being blown over by 80mph winds ontop of house and cars. It has been a scary few weeks with these summer storms. Likewise this morning. Crawling along becuase visibility is so reduced and the roads are proper flooded (5" rain water). Roads closed becasue the are impassable. Sirens everywhere. Horrid. But we all got in safe, and the storm blew over for them to have a fab time fishing! I was 10 minutes late for work, so not bad!
So this weekend is going to be a BBQ with Pauls work mates. Looking forward to that!
Lets hope the weather stays well for it!
Until next time xxxxxxx
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Time warp!
Sof:
Hola mis amigos!
Lo siento por .....I mean, I am sorry about the massive time warps between blogs! Life has been super busy, which I suppose is a good thing!!
To follow on from my dearest husband, I did indeed visit the UK ( I am terribly sorry to all those I didn't get round to see. I really had NO time to myself and was exhausted by the end of it!) for 3 of my extremely good friends weddings, my nieces 18th birthday and to help my friend in London move house....although actually she arranged that for the day after I flew in cos I was there! Love you Charlotte! But although I was a ZOMBIE for the day (I seriously didn't appreciate being woken at 9am, with my body doth protesting it was indeed 4am) and we worked our balls off, it was amazing to see Charlotte and Mr Moff and to spend some quality time in her new flat with A ROOF TERRACE!!! In London - so cool! And it was certainly appreciated that Miss Simmonds also sleep deprived herself to come visit on Sunday morning to partake of breakfast with us. Thank you people.
I had the wedding of Ali and Howard, make a new friend - hey Rachel! - and had a cracking time - HOW HOT!!???? I really think I brought the weather with me - it was soooo hot for the two weeks I came over - lovely!
Charlotte's 18th birthday was the following day, fab time spent with the family and a BBQ in the evening where I put my OT skills to use to prevent all the food being charcoal after 5 seconds! hehe!
I travelled up to Stoke on Trent for Claire and Ian's wedding - such a lovely and intimate affair. Thanks sweetie for allowing me to be a part of your special day! You must remember to send me photos / DVDs of the day!
And finally Ed and Becky's wedding. One of my oldest friends, finally being all grown up....HAHA that's a joke! Ed is a s grown up as me (love you!) Another amazing day, catching up with old school friends (Leann, we MUST stay in touch better). It was such a fantastic day, I was sad to have to leave early to drive back!
And with seeing all my other wonderful friends, and them feeding me and giving me a bed - I am so LUCKY to have these people in my life. You all know who you are. Thank you. And DAMN YOU!! It made it so much harder to leave!!
But, the good thing to hear is that I wanted to come back - I really feel like the US is my home. I think Paul being here was part of that (as he technically is my home!), but I wasn't ready to come back to the UK. People kept asking "was it strange to see your house", and I was like - no - this isn't my house, it is Rachel's, and I don't feel a connection to it right now. SO all is GOOD!
So coming back to the US, well, I had a job interview the following day (luckily jet lag isn't so bad coming over here - returning to the UK is a bitch) at the British Embassy. Well, that was certainly a funny interview. Got there, they took me upstairs, and detailed the job. They asked me if I had any questions. I said no, as I had asked most of what I wanted to know when I spoke to them on the phone. I then said, do you have any questions for me. My boss then said, well, I suppose I had better ask a question and asked me how I dealt with difficult callers!!! How funny. I think the interview was obviously a courtesy. I had a feeling it was, as they contacted me the day before I flew to the UK in response to my CV and offered me an interview the following week. I cursed (not on the phone!) as i thought I had missed my opportunity by flying back. I explained the situation, and the call was terminated. That's it. I thought, no fecking job for me....imagine my surprise when 10 minutes later I had a call back to tell me that they would interview me when I get back...and by the way could I start straight away if I was successful?! RIGHT ON!!
So I got the job, and started that Thursday. But in the meantime, Sheila (Paul's mum) and her partner, Bob, flew in the next day, to stay with us for a month. So we had a hectic household! Needless to say my sax practise went down the pan! And the weather became impossible. Humidity reaching 90% with temperatures reaching 101 degrees - we are still in the 'heat wave' although it is tropical raining today as I type. Made doing the touristy things quite difficult, but we had such a fantastic time! I did things that I hadn't yet done or seen, we had a road trip up to Canada, dropping the parents off at Niagara Falls for them to do their own thing. They got a train from there to NYC and then trained back to us a few days after. We went up to Canada for BBQ's, pool parties and fun fun fun! It is a 9 hour drive, so completely doable. Fuel is so cheap it only cost us around $60 to drive there (about 40GBP). We can't wait to go back in Aug to spend some time with the Munro's and their friends at their cottage by the lake - Canadians call this type of holiday 'cottaging'. Please don't laugh!!!! You dirty people! And Jacob will be with us: even better!
We have joined a local outdoor pool, 5 min drive down the road, and it is really nice. The parents and Paul have enjoyed it, but I haven't yet - planning on that tomorrow if the weather is OK! Mainly joined for Jacob's benefit, as he is a water baby, and August will be so bloody hot (although, in all honesty, it is August weather right now!) so a pool was ideal!
I am really enjoying my job. Working on the switchboard (yes - phones, I know) but it is different. I am not surgically attached to the headset, my calls aren't monitored, I have other duties to attend to (admin stuff) and I am my own boss. Really relaxed, and 2 days a week. Lovely!
We celebrated the 4th July with Terry and Brenda (Paul worked with Terry in the UK). I am not sure if we have mentioned them, they are an American family based in Maryland. I have become friends with their daughter - Megan. We had a 'cook-off' (BBQ) and they lit fireworks in their back yard / field! Fun fun fun again! The only bad thing was forgetting they had a pool and not bringing our swim suits!
The fireworks here are, I would say, TOO BLOODY LOUD! Honestly, it was like being in a war zone. The British were back to reclaim their territory! hehe! Seriously though, never heard anything like it!
So the last thing I will say is that I have signed up for the Bristol half marathon again in September. Which, in hindsight, was so foolish. The weather out here is not very conducive to training - so humid and hot. I am not sure I I will manage it, but I will give it a go! Bloody chafing!!
Anyway - that is it for now. I will try to keep up with this more regularly (I know we say that every time!).
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hola mis amigos!
Lo siento por .....I mean, I am sorry about the massive time warps between blogs! Life has been super busy, which I suppose is a good thing!!
To follow on from my dearest husband, I did indeed visit the UK ( I am terribly sorry to all those I didn't get round to see. I really had NO time to myself and was exhausted by the end of it!) for 3 of my extremely good friends weddings, my nieces 18th birthday and to help my friend in London move house....although actually she arranged that for the day after I flew in cos I was there! Love you Charlotte! But although I was a ZOMBIE for the day (I seriously didn't appreciate being woken at 9am, with my body doth protesting it was indeed 4am) and we worked our balls off, it was amazing to see Charlotte and Mr Moff and to spend some quality time in her new flat with A ROOF TERRACE!!! In London - so cool! And it was certainly appreciated that Miss Simmonds also sleep deprived herself to come visit on Sunday morning to partake of breakfast with us. Thank you people.
I had the wedding of Ali and Howard, make a new friend - hey Rachel! - and had a cracking time - HOW HOT!!???? I really think I brought the weather with me - it was soooo hot for the two weeks I came over - lovely!
Charlotte's 18th birthday was the following day, fab time spent with the family and a BBQ in the evening where I put my OT skills to use to prevent all the food being charcoal after 5 seconds! hehe!
I travelled up to Stoke on Trent for Claire and Ian's wedding - such a lovely and intimate affair. Thanks sweetie for allowing me to be a part of your special day! You must remember to send me photos / DVDs of the day!
And finally Ed and Becky's wedding. One of my oldest friends, finally being all grown up....HAHA that's a joke! Ed is a s grown up as me (love you!) Another amazing day, catching up with old school friends (Leann, we MUST stay in touch better). It was such a fantastic day, I was sad to have to leave early to drive back!
And with seeing all my other wonderful friends, and them feeding me and giving me a bed - I am so LUCKY to have these people in my life. You all know who you are. Thank you. And DAMN YOU!! It made it so much harder to leave!!
But, the good thing to hear is that I wanted to come back - I really feel like the US is my home. I think Paul being here was part of that (as he technically is my home!), but I wasn't ready to come back to the UK. People kept asking "was it strange to see your house", and I was like - no - this isn't my house, it is Rachel's, and I don't feel a connection to it right now. SO all is GOOD!
So coming back to the US, well, I had a job interview the following day (luckily jet lag isn't so bad coming over here - returning to the UK is a bitch) at the British Embassy. Well, that was certainly a funny interview. Got there, they took me upstairs, and detailed the job. They asked me if I had any questions. I said no, as I had asked most of what I wanted to know when I spoke to them on the phone. I then said, do you have any questions for me. My boss then said, well, I suppose I had better ask a question and asked me how I dealt with difficult callers!!! How funny. I think the interview was obviously a courtesy. I had a feeling it was, as they contacted me the day before I flew to the UK in response to my CV and offered me an interview the following week. I cursed (not on the phone!) as i thought I had missed my opportunity by flying back. I explained the situation, and the call was terminated. That's it. I thought, no fecking job for me....imagine my surprise when 10 minutes later I had a call back to tell me that they would interview me when I get back...and by the way could I start straight away if I was successful?! RIGHT ON!!
So I got the job, and started that Thursday. But in the meantime, Sheila (Paul's mum) and her partner, Bob, flew in the next day, to stay with us for a month. So we had a hectic household! Needless to say my sax practise went down the pan! And the weather became impossible. Humidity reaching 90% with temperatures reaching 101 degrees - we are still in the 'heat wave' although it is tropical raining today as I type. Made doing the touristy things quite difficult, but we had such a fantastic time! I did things that I hadn't yet done or seen, we had a road trip up to Canada, dropping the parents off at Niagara Falls for them to do their own thing. They got a train from there to NYC and then trained back to us a few days after. We went up to Canada for BBQ's, pool parties and fun fun fun! It is a 9 hour drive, so completely doable. Fuel is so cheap it only cost us around $60 to drive there (about 40GBP). We can't wait to go back in Aug to spend some time with the Munro's and their friends at their cottage by the lake - Canadians call this type of holiday 'cottaging'. Please don't laugh!!!! You dirty people! And Jacob will be with us: even better!
We have joined a local outdoor pool, 5 min drive down the road, and it is really nice. The parents and Paul have enjoyed it, but I haven't yet - planning on that tomorrow if the weather is OK! Mainly joined for Jacob's benefit, as he is a water baby, and August will be so bloody hot (although, in all honesty, it is August weather right now!) so a pool was ideal!
I am really enjoying my job. Working on the switchboard (yes - phones, I know) but it is different. I am not surgically attached to the headset, my calls aren't monitored, I have other duties to attend to (admin stuff) and I am my own boss. Really relaxed, and 2 days a week. Lovely!
We celebrated the 4th July with Terry and Brenda (Paul worked with Terry in the UK). I am not sure if we have mentioned them, they are an American family based in Maryland. I have become friends with their daughter - Megan. We had a 'cook-off' (BBQ) and they lit fireworks in their back yard / field! Fun fun fun again! The only bad thing was forgetting they had a pool and not bringing our swim suits!
The fireworks here are, I would say, TOO BLOODY LOUD! Honestly, it was like being in a war zone. The British were back to reclaim their territory! hehe! Seriously though, never heard anything like it!
So the last thing I will say is that I have signed up for the Bristol half marathon again in September. Which, in hindsight, was so foolish. The weather out here is not very conducive to training - so humid and hot. I am not sure I I will manage it, but I will give it a go! Bloody chafing!!
Anyway - that is it for now. I will try to keep up with this more regularly (I know we say that every time!).
Love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Redneck Riot
Paul:
Well..it has been too long and I have been banished to write the next installment of our American adventure.
What has changed since our last contact. Sof has been back to the UK for a massive round of weddings and birthdays. She left me all alone to fend off the cats during that fortnight. I was terribly brave! I will let Sof describe her UK adventure as it really is her role to keep you informed on those things.
I however managed to survive a couple of weeks of eating KFC and Pizza. (joke: Sof was very proud as I even bought some vegetables for myself). I was the only person on the house so the Cats had to put up with being kept in during the day when I was at work. That led to some manic nights where the cats were desperate to get out and spent several hours walking across my face during the night to persuade me to let them out. Never happened! All in all trying to keep in constant contact with anyone in the UK is very difficult, If they have a schedule like Sof had during that two weeks it is almost impossible. We managed to speak about 9 times which was pretty nearly a miracle. When she came back I was mightily pleased I can exclusively reveal!.
The next major news is that Sof is now a working girl....well not quite in that context. She is working on the phones at the British Embassy, I always said that if she put the effort in and studied hard she could make a secretary of some sort eventually. One in the win column for her effort there!. She is rather enjoying it and apart from having an even longer travel day than me at the moment, it is an effective stopgap until she gets any sort of clearance to work as an OT out here. Again her story not mine, but a few extra dollars a week will make the travelling plans a bit more interesting.
Next: we are off to Canada on Friday. Sof and I drive to Toronto and My Mum and Bob are going to stay in Niagara for a couple of days. What? Huh? Oh! had I not mentioned that? Yeah alright...Mum and her friend Bob have come out for a month! They did a sterling job and saved up tons to come out and live the life of Riley. They have been pretty much everywhere too. They have visited Museums, Alexandria, have an unnatural attraction to Union Station (no idea why) and dragged us off to a motor racing meet. It actually turned out to be pretty cool in the end. Car smashes galore and a ton of free stuff from a National Guard lady who was mesmerised by my accent. The only downside is the air quality. The spray dry cement dust on the track to give the drivers traction. Not very good for the asthmatic among us.
Lastly is the confirmation that Jacob is coming out for three weeks in August. I will accompany him on the way out and he will come back on bank Holiday Monday. Have to start planning for that. I am back in the UK for two weeks from the end of July to about 7th August. Lots to plan and no time to do it in. especially as am on the west coast of the US just the week before I fly back to Blighty.
So to recap...Parent here, Canada for a long weekend, Sof Earning (not on the streets), Jacob coming ad I need more Junk Food.
Off to do a Barbie now...Love you and speak soon. XX
Well..it has been too long and I have been banished to write the next installment of our American adventure.
What has changed since our last contact. Sof has been back to the UK for a massive round of weddings and birthdays. She left me all alone to fend off the cats during that fortnight. I was terribly brave! I will let Sof describe her UK adventure as it really is her role to keep you informed on those things.
I however managed to survive a couple of weeks of eating KFC and Pizza. (joke: Sof was very proud as I even bought some vegetables for myself). I was the only person on the house so the Cats had to put up with being kept in during the day when I was at work. That led to some manic nights where the cats were desperate to get out and spent several hours walking across my face during the night to persuade me to let them out. Never happened! All in all trying to keep in constant contact with anyone in the UK is very difficult, If they have a schedule like Sof had during that two weeks it is almost impossible. We managed to speak about 9 times which was pretty nearly a miracle. When she came back I was mightily pleased I can exclusively reveal!.
The next major news is that Sof is now a working girl....well not quite in that context. She is working on the phones at the British Embassy, I always said that if she put the effort in and studied hard she could make a secretary of some sort eventually. One in the win column for her effort there!. She is rather enjoying it and apart from having an even longer travel day than me at the moment, it is an effective stopgap until she gets any sort of clearance to work as an OT out here. Again her story not mine, but a few extra dollars a week will make the travelling plans a bit more interesting.
Next: we are off to Canada on Friday. Sof and I drive to Toronto and My Mum and Bob are going to stay in Niagara for a couple of days. What? Huh? Oh! had I not mentioned that? Yeah alright...Mum and her friend Bob have come out for a month! They did a sterling job and saved up tons to come out and live the life of Riley. They have been pretty much everywhere too. They have visited Museums, Alexandria, have an unnatural attraction to Union Station (no idea why) and dragged us off to a motor racing meet. It actually turned out to be pretty cool in the end. Car smashes galore and a ton of free stuff from a National Guard lady who was mesmerised by my accent. The only downside is the air quality. The spray dry cement dust on the track to give the drivers traction. Not very good for the asthmatic among us.
Lastly is the confirmation that Jacob is coming out for three weeks in August. I will accompany him on the way out and he will come back on bank Holiday Monday. Have to start planning for that. I am back in the UK for two weeks from the end of July to about 7th August. Lots to plan and no time to do it in. especially as am on the west coast of the US just the week before I fly back to Blighty.
So to recap...Parent here, Canada for a long weekend, Sof Earning (not on the streets), Jacob coming ad I need more Junk Food.
Off to do a Barbie now...Love you and speak soon. XX
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Daily Grind
PAUL:
Well empty house and all that malarkey. Actually to be honest it has been really nice to be able to rattle in the house again. Just to take stock of finances and get a familiar routine back on.
We have been to the baseball again, this time to see the Florida Marlins. Fairly upset that I lost my 100% record of watching Nats victories but still thoroughly enjoyable. Even got tickets to see another game in a couple of weeks time. Getting to be a regular thing really. Good night out and not too expensive (especially with the thank you present that you get from the Washington Nationals every time you see a game. Half price tickets on the Foul Line (good view). The food is also pretty good. We tried Chicken tenders this time and they were a pretty substantial meal for only about $10. Could be better but for $5 you get a stringy looking hot dog that barely scratches the surface. We also spotted a BBQ item at the game called a short rib that we will try next time. Basically a bone as big as your forearm and coated in a delicious looking sauce. plus a BBQ corn on the cob - outstanding.
Big news of the week is Sof's decision to return to the UK for a couple of weeks at the end of May. There were already two weddings taking place then but the flight costs were way too high to justify a return. Then another last minute wedding got added and happened before my Nieces 18th birthday and flights got (a bit) cheaper and lo and behold, Sof is booked on the next available flight. Means I will have to tend the flowers (and mow the bloody lawn) whilst she swans off around the country. Around the country is right, she will visit London, Bath, Bristol, Weston, Cornwall Yeovil, Taunton and Stoke-on-Trent during two weeks. Rather her than me I say.
The cats are completely settled in. Chaos is a complete homebody, she gets let out and sits either on the balcony or just at the edge of the garden looking in to the woods. What a complete wuss. She tried to chase a few squirrels but to be honest they had her sussed from the first minute, now she can't be bothered and just looks longingly at them and the odd passing bird. Dini however is a complete git! Let her out and she's off. last night we were stood calling for an hour as the sun went down before she ambled back looking quite smug. Sof even got our first woodland present yesterday in the form of the carcass of a shrew. Nice! Sof wrapped it up and out of sight of the cat (she didn't want Dini to think she didn't like the gift) put it in the trash. Dini was apparently not best pleased!
Chaos did get a small infection, basically because she will only drink when someone is on the loo! Got the water fountain now and she is sorted but Dini is terrified of the noise it makes so we are running a dual water supply for them both now. Bowls for Dini and fountain for Chaos. Not that we are henpecked by the little kitties but we want them to be happy.
Lastly we got a little present for the kitties yesterday. We normally buy stuff that we like and hope the cats will too. Normally turns out pretty bad, as large numbers of discarded toys will testify too. This time Sof saw a brush on TV that proclaimed to remove lots of hair and the pets still enjoy it!? Chaos doesn't mind being brushed (with an old hairbrush) but Dini is not a lover of those sessions where we try and make her look a bit more presentable and perhaps a bit cooler too. The brush arrived (it is called THE FURMINATOR - I know great isn't it) and one pillow cases worth of hair later it has been declared a success. You would not believe how effective the brush is. Little teeth (like those on a pair of hair clippers) and a stiff brushing action has left the house covered in little fluff bunnies. It is freaky how a ball of hair can actually exceed the size of the cat that it came from! Chaos is actually 30% as a result. The big bonus is that the cats love it. They roll over, sit down for you and purr like they have been seen to by the George Clooney of the tom-cat world - Sluts.
Love you all and make sure you feed my wife if the Volcano goes off again
X
Well empty house and all that malarkey. Actually to be honest it has been really nice to be able to rattle in the house again. Just to take stock of finances and get a familiar routine back on.
We have been to the baseball again, this time to see the Florida Marlins. Fairly upset that I lost my 100% record of watching Nats victories but still thoroughly enjoyable. Even got tickets to see another game in a couple of weeks time. Getting to be a regular thing really. Good night out and not too expensive (especially with the thank you present that you get from the Washington Nationals every time you see a game. Half price tickets on the Foul Line (good view). The food is also pretty good. We tried Chicken tenders this time and they were a pretty substantial meal for only about $10. Could be better but for $5 you get a stringy looking hot dog that barely scratches the surface. We also spotted a BBQ item at the game called a short rib that we will try next time. Basically a bone as big as your forearm and coated in a delicious looking sauce. plus a BBQ corn on the cob - outstanding.
Big news of the week is Sof's decision to return to the UK for a couple of weeks at the end of May. There were already two weddings taking place then but the flight costs were way too high to justify a return. Then another last minute wedding got added and happened before my Nieces 18th birthday and flights got (a bit) cheaper and lo and behold, Sof is booked on the next available flight. Means I will have to tend the flowers (and mow the bloody lawn) whilst she swans off around the country. Around the country is right, she will visit London, Bath, Bristol, Weston, Cornwall Yeovil, Taunton and Stoke-on-Trent during two weeks. Rather her than me I say.
The cats are completely settled in. Chaos is a complete homebody, she gets let out and sits either on the balcony or just at the edge of the garden looking in to the woods. What a complete wuss. She tried to chase a few squirrels but to be honest they had her sussed from the first minute, now she can't be bothered and just looks longingly at them and the odd passing bird. Dini however is a complete git! Let her out and she's off. last night we were stood calling for an hour as the sun went down before she ambled back looking quite smug. Sof even got our first woodland present yesterday in the form of the carcass of a shrew. Nice! Sof wrapped it up and out of sight of the cat (she didn't want Dini to think she didn't like the gift) put it in the trash. Dini was apparently not best pleased!
Chaos did get a small infection, basically because she will only drink when someone is on the loo! Got the water fountain now and she is sorted but Dini is terrified of the noise it makes so we are running a dual water supply for them both now. Bowls for Dini and fountain for Chaos. Not that we are henpecked by the little kitties but we want them to be happy.
Lastly we got a little present for the kitties yesterday. We normally buy stuff that we like and hope the cats will too. Normally turns out pretty bad, as large numbers of discarded toys will testify too. This time Sof saw a brush on TV that proclaimed to remove lots of hair and the pets still enjoy it!? Chaos doesn't mind being brushed (with an old hairbrush) but Dini is not a lover of those sessions where we try and make her look a bit more presentable and perhaps a bit cooler too. The brush arrived (it is called THE FURMINATOR - I know great isn't it) and one pillow cases worth of hair later it has been declared a success. You would not believe how effective the brush is. Little teeth (like those on a pair of hair clippers) and a stiff brushing action has left the house covered in little fluff bunnies. It is freaky how a ball of hair can actually exceed the size of the cat that it came from! Chaos is actually 30% as a result. The big bonus is that the cats love it. They roll over, sit down for you and purr like they have been seen to by the George Clooney of the tom-cat world - Sluts.
Love you all and make sure you feed my wife if the Volcano goes off again
X
Friday, April 30, 2010
Random musings....
Sof:
I have decided that I really love Baseball. Yeah, I know it is just a glorified game of rounders, but it is such a great experience! It is really family orientated, loads to do if you don't want to watch the game (OK - all PS3 related - but free!!), and such a fantastic atmosphere!
One of the reasons I hate football (or soccer) is due to rivalry between the teams. The way they HATE each other, and can't stand to be next to someone of a different colour. Ergh - give me rugby any day, where 2 teams fans will easily sit in the pub and watch the match together. Same with baseball - first match, next to Philadelphia fans, next games, Rockies fans and third, Los Angeles fans. All mixed up, all bantering, all having a laugh together. Great times.
I may of said this before, but everything the Americans do is focused on food - Baseball is no exception. There are sooooooo many food outlets, with only 1 selling 'healthy' food - pitta bread, hummus and chips (crisps)....hmmmmmm....... OK - it is pricey, but the portions sizes are massive, easily shared. And yummy! Beer is very expensive - $8 for a bottle of Bud or some other shit 'beer', plus if you get it from the dudes that walk around hocking their wares, you need to give them tip too!! I have worked out it is a $1 tip for every thing you purchase. Amazing! I love their t-shits - on the back "Eating is not a spectator sport" - ha!
But the free PS# games are good - Buzz, SingStar, GrandTurismo 5, and baseball. The racing is great, as they have set it up with bucket seats and proper steering wheels, that actually behave like a real car would. Makes it harder! I tried out the London circuit (the dude thought I was mad, as I was crap enough as it was without trying a difficult curvy course) but it gave me a taste of home....sigh...... It was nice too, cos the dude recognised me from before. He is a bit young though.....lovely eyes! This time we were with Neil and Anna, as they also love baseball. They managed to catch the San Fransisco Giants on their recent trip (for those in the dark - they ended up with us due to the volcanic ash, as they were stuck in Vegas!)
Baseball is relatively cheap too. The first game we went to, the tickets were only $22 each, and they were really good seats! And once you have been, they then give you the opportunity to purchase further tickets for better seats at half price! Nice!
Anyway - you are probably sick of hearing about it now - apologies.
With Neil and Anna, we discovered our local (well, you have to drive there) Karaoke bar. SO much fun was had by all. I love singing 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' with Paul! Neil and I went to see Kevin Smith (of Dogma fame) in a personal Q&A session. Great fun! Especially as we were in a synagogue! I said that Neil should have got us discount, being Jewish and all....hmmm......I managed to startle a couple of Americans by talking to them randomly. Well, if they will wear a name badge, of course I will call them by their names - so funny, he thought we knew each other!!
The rest of Mum and Jacobs trip was good, we did loads and played lots of Uno. Jacob loves the food out here - I have never seen a child, nor adult, pack away so much junk food and sweets as he did. In one day, he managed 3 cheeseburgers! Amazing! But he was on holiday, so we let it lie.....I said to him if he lived here he would be fat, and he agreed! I have already added to my girth, enough for me to get ansy about it, so now everyone has gone, the exercise regime starts once again. Good job I love running!
We are now eagerly anticipating the last of the parents visits - Mother Bryan comes out on June 8th, for a month, really looking forward to seeing her.
I have applied for some jobs - cinema staff, busty bar maid, and just recently, a receptionist / switchboard at the British Embassy. They pay relatively well, and it is only a 3 day a week job. I have looked into some nursing assistant jobs at the hospital up the road (walking distance) and discovered I had to complete an American Heart Association CPR course ($75!!) which I have duly done. They have an employment freeze on at the mo, so I am keeping my ears open there. I am still waiting to hear back from UWE for some forms I still need to complete my application to work as an OT out here - honestly, they are taking so bloody long!! Paul is settled in his job, been to Florida a couple of time already (OK for some!) We are hoping to take Jacob down to Florida at some point soon - can't wait!
Re the cats - both are good, although Chaos developed a urine infection, which set us back $237....yeas, that much just for a test and a jab of antibiotics. Blimey! Seriously thinking of pet insurance, so expensive! But she is all better now. We will invest in one of those pet drinking fountains, as she seems to only want to drink out of the taps!!
OK people, hope this has satisfied your cravings (I am amazed at how many people are interested in our lives and read this crap I write!!). We are off to some 'British pub' tonight as one of Paul's colleagues has managed to secure cheap drinks and free food! Whoop! And the remake of Freddy Kruger comes out tonight......so looking forward to that!!
Love you xxxxxxxx
I have decided that I really love Baseball. Yeah, I know it is just a glorified game of rounders, but it is such a great experience! It is really family orientated, loads to do if you don't want to watch the game (OK - all PS3 related - but free!!), and such a fantastic atmosphere!
One of the reasons I hate football (or soccer) is due to rivalry between the teams. The way they HATE each other, and can't stand to be next to someone of a different colour. Ergh - give me rugby any day, where 2 teams fans will easily sit in the pub and watch the match together. Same with baseball - first match, next to Philadelphia fans, next games, Rockies fans and third, Los Angeles fans. All mixed up, all bantering, all having a laugh together. Great times.
I may of said this before, but everything the Americans do is focused on food - Baseball is no exception. There are sooooooo many food outlets, with only 1 selling 'healthy' food - pitta bread, hummus and chips (crisps)....hmmmmmm....... OK - it is pricey, but the portions sizes are massive, easily shared. And yummy! Beer is very expensive - $8 for a bottle of Bud or some other shit 'beer', plus if you get it from the dudes that walk around hocking their wares, you need to give them tip too!! I have worked out it is a $1 tip for every thing you purchase. Amazing! I love their t-shits - on the back "Eating is not a spectator sport" - ha!
But the free PS# games are good - Buzz, SingStar, GrandTurismo 5, and baseball. The racing is great, as they have set it up with bucket seats and proper steering wheels, that actually behave like a real car would. Makes it harder! I tried out the London circuit (the dude thought I was mad, as I was crap enough as it was without trying a difficult curvy course) but it gave me a taste of home....sigh...... It was nice too, cos the dude recognised me from before. He is a bit young though.....lovely eyes! This time we were with Neil and Anna, as they also love baseball. They managed to catch the San Fransisco Giants on their recent trip (for those in the dark - they ended up with us due to the volcanic ash, as they were stuck in Vegas!)
Baseball is relatively cheap too. The first game we went to, the tickets were only $22 each, and they were really good seats! And once you have been, they then give you the opportunity to purchase further tickets for better seats at half price! Nice!
Anyway - you are probably sick of hearing about it now - apologies.
With Neil and Anna, we discovered our local (well, you have to drive there) Karaoke bar. SO much fun was had by all. I love singing 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' with Paul! Neil and I went to see Kevin Smith (of Dogma fame) in a personal Q&A session. Great fun! Especially as we were in a synagogue! I said that Neil should have got us discount, being Jewish and all....hmmm......I managed to startle a couple of Americans by talking to them randomly. Well, if they will wear a name badge, of course I will call them by their names - so funny, he thought we knew each other!!
The rest of Mum and Jacobs trip was good, we did loads and played lots of Uno. Jacob loves the food out here - I have never seen a child, nor adult, pack away so much junk food and sweets as he did. In one day, he managed 3 cheeseburgers! Amazing! But he was on holiday, so we let it lie.....I said to him if he lived here he would be fat, and he agreed! I have already added to my girth, enough for me to get ansy about it, so now everyone has gone, the exercise regime starts once again. Good job I love running!
We are now eagerly anticipating the last of the parents visits - Mother Bryan comes out on June 8th, for a month, really looking forward to seeing her.
I have applied for some jobs - cinema staff, busty bar maid, and just recently, a receptionist / switchboard at the British Embassy. They pay relatively well, and it is only a 3 day a week job. I have looked into some nursing assistant jobs at the hospital up the road (walking distance) and discovered I had to complete an American Heart Association CPR course ($75!!) which I have duly done. They have an employment freeze on at the mo, so I am keeping my ears open there. I am still waiting to hear back from UWE for some forms I still need to complete my application to work as an OT out here - honestly, they are taking so bloody long!! Paul is settled in his job, been to Florida a couple of time already (OK for some!) We are hoping to take Jacob down to Florida at some point soon - can't wait!
Re the cats - both are good, although Chaos developed a urine infection, which set us back $237....yeas, that much just for a test and a jab of antibiotics. Blimey! Seriously thinking of pet insurance, so expensive! But she is all better now. We will invest in one of those pet drinking fountains, as she seems to only want to drink out of the taps!!
OK people, hope this has satisfied your cravings (I am amazed at how many people are interested in our lives and read this crap I write!!). We are off to some 'British pub' tonight as one of Paul's colleagues has managed to secure cheap drinks and free food! Whoop! And the remake of Freddy Kruger comes out tonight......so looking forward to that!!
Love you xxxxxxxx
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
VolcanOMG
Paul:
Ok enough with the OMG references but seriously I thought that deserved it.
Well again it has been a while and we apologise for our laxness. The main reason for it has been the visit of yet more family members and the mass travelling that normally ensues. Of course for any of you blighty followers you may have heard that there has been a bit of disruption to some of the flights and we have had some unexpected good news.
Jacob and Lolita were due to fly at 10pm on Thursday last week, that was day one of the disruption. They have been told that the first flight they will be on is on Tuesday the 27th. so from the 15th April through to the 27th they are having to stick it out here at Chez Brycock. Jacob has missed a week and a half of school (he is really missing the homework...really, he asked his mum to get some for him). His mum has been really great about it. Having owned up to really missing him just before he was supposed to return, she has had to wait a further twelve days and is coping admirably. She has also not blamed me. Apparently when it became clear it was an act of God I became chief suspect LOL.
Lolita has had to tell her boss a couple of times that she really is stuck in a different country and not skiving. Genius!
I had a 8 day break from work to spend with the family and it was really jam packed. Caves, Baseball, The Harlem Globetrotters, Museums left right and centre, Waterfall walks. Outstanding really.
The globetrotters were brilliant. they really put on a great show and Jacob 5really enjoyed it. The Great Falls waterfall were fab. We walked about 2 miles downstream and saw a high water mark that blew our minds. Imagine about a 40 foot ravine that gets really narrow. When the rains come the water can't get through t quick enough and the river backs up. It then came over 12 feet above the walking level on TOP of the ravine. Crazy.
At the weekend we had booked in to see one of my old work colleagues in Maryland. He very gracefully extended the invitation to the extra two visitors and we headed over to his house for a cracking barbie and a walk up "Sugarloaf Mountain". Not the famous ones from Brazil or Maine but a slightly smaller equivalent at 1200 feet. We drove to near the top and did a spot of walking to complete the journey. Love it! Finished off the evening by a campfire making 's'mores'. Now a S'more is a curious beast. Imaging a Ryvita shaped Digestive type biscuit that you can break into two perfect squares. Two marshmallow that you toast over the fire. Pull one of the mallows on to one of the squares of digestives, add a square of Hershey's chocolate and put the other mallow on top of that. Then put the other square of digestive on top and watch your sugar levels soot up. Crikey what a rush.
I am back at work now and getting back in to the swing of things. Despite having a email inbox of epic proportions I have managed quite well to start waking up so bloomin early again. As a result the pace of life has slowed in the house again. Not so many trips out and more Uno on the balcony (only for the non-workers). Sof has applied or a couple of jobs so we shall wait and see how that turns out. She is off to take a mandatory CPR course to help get some hospital work. Will let her tell you about that.
Brycock Manor...Population 2....no Wait 4 (gotta add in Jacob and Lolita...no...blimey...you have got to be kidding...population 6.
Oh yeah Wednesday morning two More stranded Brits will ease in to the house. Neil and Anna were having a well earned break in Vegas and were due to fly home on Monday. Virgin told them that they could come to DC and get a flight on 4th May (yeah the 4th of May two weeks later) or stay in Vegas get one the 11th May (three whole weeks). We said they were welcome here at a much reduced rate so they will increase the number of UK citizens and provide two extra laps for the cats to sit on.
We are seriously looking forward to catching u with the Francis' and will no doubt be delayed providing more updates to this Blog as we party yet further. Sof even had some time to go off Baseballing with Jacob again tonight. Lolita and I are at home trying to see them on TV.
Suffice to say it is really busy out here and we are loving every minute.
Love you all and miss you (a bit) xxxx
Ok enough with the OMG references but seriously I thought that deserved it.
Well again it has been a while and we apologise for our laxness. The main reason for it has been the visit of yet more family members and the mass travelling that normally ensues. Of course for any of you blighty followers you may have heard that there has been a bit of disruption to some of the flights and we have had some unexpected good news.
Jacob and Lolita were due to fly at 10pm on Thursday last week, that was day one of the disruption. They have been told that the first flight they will be on is on Tuesday the 27th. so from the 15th April through to the 27th they are having to stick it out here at Chez Brycock. Jacob has missed a week and a half of school (he is really missing the homework...really, he asked his mum to get some for him). His mum has been really great about it. Having owned up to really missing him just before he was supposed to return, she has had to wait a further twelve days and is coping admirably. She has also not blamed me. Apparently when it became clear it was an act of God I became chief suspect LOL.
Lolita has had to tell her boss a couple of times that she really is stuck in a different country and not skiving. Genius!
I had a 8 day break from work to spend with the family and it was really jam packed. Caves, Baseball, The Harlem Globetrotters, Museums left right and centre, Waterfall walks. Outstanding really.
The globetrotters were brilliant. they really put on a great show and Jacob 5really enjoyed it. The Great Falls waterfall were fab. We walked about 2 miles downstream and saw a high water mark that blew our minds. Imagine about a 40 foot ravine that gets really narrow. When the rains come the water can't get through t quick enough and the river backs up. It then came over 12 feet above the walking level on TOP of the ravine. Crazy.
At the weekend we had booked in to see one of my old work colleagues in Maryland. He very gracefully extended the invitation to the extra two visitors and we headed over to his house for a cracking barbie and a walk up "Sugarloaf Mountain". Not the famous ones from Brazil or Maine but a slightly smaller equivalent at 1200 feet. We drove to near the top and did a spot of walking to complete the journey. Love it! Finished off the evening by a campfire making 's'mores'. Now a S'more is a curious beast. Imaging a Ryvita shaped Digestive type biscuit that you can break into two perfect squares. Two marshmallow that you toast over the fire. Pull one of the mallows on to one of the squares of digestives, add a square of Hershey's chocolate and put the other mallow on top of that. Then put the other square of digestive on top and watch your sugar levels soot up. Crikey what a rush.
I am back at work now and getting back in to the swing of things. Despite having a email inbox of epic proportions I have managed quite well to start waking up so bloomin early again. As a result the pace of life has slowed in the house again. Not so many trips out and more Uno on the balcony (only for the non-workers). Sof has applied or a couple of jobs so we shall wait and see how that turns out. She is off to take a mandatory CPR course to help get some hospital work. Will let her tell you about that.
Brycock Manor...Population 2....no Wait 4 (gotta add in Jacob and Lolita...no...blimey...you have got to be kidding...population 6.
Oh yeah Wednesday morning two More stranded Brits will ease in to the house. Neil and Anna were having a well earned break in Vegas and were due to fly home on Monday. Virgin told them that they could come to DC and get a flight on 4th May (yeah the 4th of May two weeks later) or stay in Vegas get one the 11th May (three whole weeks). We said they were welcome here at a much reduced rate so they will increase the number of UK citizens and provide two extra laps for the cats to sit on.
We are seriously looking forward to catching u with the Francis' and will no doubt be delayed providing more updates to this Blog as we party yet further. Sof even had some time to go off Baseballing with Jacob again tonight. Lolita and I are at home trying to see them on TV.
Suffice to say it is really busy out here and we are loving every minute.
Love you all and miss you (a bit) xxxx
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