The End of J in the UK

I thought I would have time at the end of our experience in England to write something poetic about it but with all of the rushing and the travel issues, it just never happened. It had its ups and downs but I wouldn’t change a minute of it. In a way I am glad it was so busy I didn’t have a moment to get choked up about leaving, that while we may visit again I imagine we will never live there and so that chapter has closed. There are moments that I find it hard to believe that A is growing up and pulling away. Yes, it’s natural progression but it’s difficult. I think sometimes our experience in England kept us that much closer for just a little longer and I’m grateful. We will always have that time to think back on.

Thanks to all who have kept up with this blog. I appreciate your comments. I never realized how much I enjoyed writing and taking pictures until I started this experience. This blog will be transforming into “J in the UT” soon (named by A.). If you’d like to keep up with that cultural experience, stay tuned!

A Spin Around the V&A

The V&A is the one museum I can usually get A to go to. It does hold a special place in my heart as well because the collection is so diverse. On the day before our flight she and I went there for a walk through. We hadn’t been since they opened the new Medieval and Renaissance rooms and the space is gorgeous. We didn’t spend long enough in there.

Oh how I will miss having that much culture and history just a train ride away.

Love Bakery

Cupcakes seem to be all the rage on both sides of the Atlantic. A and I stopped in this adorable and tiny bakery on the Kings Road in Chelsea when we were in search of Rupert Grint. I was chatting with the lady working that day and she was telling me that Michael Caine was a regular at the chocolate shop next store. His favourite treat – the sugar free chocolate.  We bought two cupcakes, an oreo and a red velvet.  Who can resist red velvet especially when it has sparkly frosting?  I didn't try either but they got two thumbs up.

Last Full English

H and I took a moment out as we were packing to have breakfast at one of my favourite places close to the office. It’s a beautiful old building and the two ladies that own it are delightful. Very low ceilings! Neither one of us can walk to the counter to pay the bill without injury.

One Last Pub Quiz

I joined our team at work for one last pub quiz at our local before I left. We came in 4th out of the 18 teams. My only contribution (which I got one wrong) was to name five songs written by the Bee Gees on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack that reached number one in the UK. I made the mistake of thinking of only the songs the Bee Gees sung on that record and not considering that they wrote songs for others. The one I missed, Yvonne Elliman singing If I Can’t Have You.

As we were waiting for the scores to be tallied there was a table of three next to us who had been struggling all night and wondering out loud how they could do better. I leaned over and told them they should look around for another small group that scores well and join forces. One of the women asked me, “Is that what you did?” And I responded, “Yes, I don’t even know these people”.  :)

I will miss the pub quiz for the good company, the atmosphere and realizing week to week how little I knew about English history, sport, and politics.

The Cheese Toasty

There’s a gallery/tea room close to work that I’ve visited once before that I haven’t been to in awhile that I ended up having lunch at two days in a row during my last work week and it’s all because of the weather and the sandwich. They make a cheese toasty (think grilled cheese) with a secret cheese blend and sundried tomatoes and it is super fine. It’s also got a nice seating area outside and when the sun is out, there’s nowhere else you want to be. According to the owner’s website, there’s a ghost in the building. But that won’t keep you away, it’s the “service” of the proprietor might. I asked my friend B at work, “Hey, have you ever eaten at The Drawing Room?” She said no and I went on to tell her that in spite of the service it’s still a good place. That made her laugh and she went on to demonstrate the difference between American service and English service. In her opinion English service is much more (in an accusatory tone) “What do you want?!”

Tottenham v. Portsmouth

On the Sunday of The Magical Mystery Tour Wembley was hosting two FA Cup Semi-Finals. I ran into several Portsmouth fans on the trains that day and I’ve been told they are very loyal fans, supporting their team through the good and bad and they were rewarded that day with a win. They are also very musical fans! Outside of pubs they were singing and even on the trains. This group was asking for requests and instead of giving them a song title, I took their pic.

On big game days the British Transport Police are out in full force. The tube may have banned alcohol back in 2008 but that goes out the window on game days.