Weekend Errands

We are having the most glorious weather. Here are some pics from the Saturday market and strawberry picking. As you can see, it’s a little early for the strawberries.

Happy Birthday Big Ben

The bell is actually what is nicknamed Big Ben (didn't know that). Here is a live webcam link if you want to see what 150 looks like.

Went Missing

Yes, I'm a nerd. To be more specific a word nerd. I listen to a podcast by someone called Grammar Girl and was catching up on some old episodes and thought Americans being annoyed by the phrase "went missing" was funny. I guess I have heard it so much I hadn't noticed it. You can read about it from this link.

I was in a meeting early this week where one of my co-workers, in one of those I'm joking but I'm not tones had to remind me and everyone in the room that Americans are loud. They then turned to me and said that if I wanted I could share a disparaging remark about the English. I didn't of course, but I could have mentioned that there are a bunch of people in the colonies being subjected to "went missing" and they're not gonna take it anymore.

St. Albans

This past Monday was Memorial Day in the U.S. and a Bank Holiday Monday. The weather was stunning and A was refusing to leave the house. I had been wanting to visit St. Albans which is just a short drive away and see the cathedral and Roman ruins. I had to bait her with shopping to get her interested. Because of the weather EVERYONE seemed to be out and parking spaces were sparse. In between a look through the shops we walked through the cathedral. We really had a nice day but what struck me is how different things are now that she is a teenager. We had these moments of conversation that were nothing but laughter and good times but then each of us would veer off into topics that took us to the brink of drama. For her it was me mentioning school and for me it was her thinking she’s going to go travel to America alone to visit her friends.

We will have to go back another day to see the Roman ruins. It was swimming with people and no parking anywhere. Even I wasn’t up for that. One of my work colleagues lives there and he said that basically all that is left of the Roman theatre there is one pillar but it is presented very well!

The Hottest Day in the UK

Yesterday I was outside trying to clean up where the broken greenhouse that has recently been taken away was so we can do some gardening. I was shocked to be standing outside with the sun directly on me sweating in the UK! I read this morning that yesterday was the hottest day so far this year (70s).

More Practice Dishes

Delicious!

Henley-On-Thames