Thoughts

All in all, we had a great trip to the UK and the continent. Of course the best part was visiting with the kids.

I was very anxious about the whole thing. Traveling in a totally different country and cultures. Not knowing the language along the way. Getting lost (of course we always found our way), just having problems.

None of this happened. Well we did get lost a few times along the way but we always found our way after a while.

I tried to single out exactly what the French looked like and what the English looked like but in general they are just like us here in the States...we are all so different but yet the same. I love that saying...it applies to so many things.

The way of life in the UK is very different in the everyday life. Everything is smaller: the homes, washing machines, refrigerators, garages, roads, sidewalks, etc.

When looking out of Joe and Joci's upstairs room I could see in every backyard clothes lines. So I don't think many people have cloyhes dryers.

Homes are either attached (like a two story town home) or unattached (single house) and pretty small.

"Mind the Gap" means watch out for the space between the subway and the landing. "Proper crossiant" means it was a crossiant which was correct in taste, etc. "Hi ya" means hello. There are no bathrooms or restrooms...they are all toiletts. And most importantly...where is the ICE. They have it you just have to specifically ask for ICE. And I'm pretty sure that we were the only one asking for it.

I have always said that regardless of what size the town, city, etc. you have to have at least one church and one tavern. Well, I noticed in the continent there is always at least one plus church (really old churches) and lots of bakeries and a few taverns (along with a sign showing Tubac is available...tobacco).

Well, for now that's it. I will probably remember more and more and will post.

Trip Back to the States

We were pretty tired after arriving back in the UK from the trip. Spent the next day shopping (Xmas items, etc.) and spending time with the kids. Thursday morning we got up at 4:45 and the "Hire" car picked us up at 5:30 to take us to the Airport. It was 1 1/2 hr trip. The line at the Delta counter was really long but did go pretty fast. Next the security check and than on to the gates.

It seemed so much longer coming back then going. We had a lay over in Detroit and had a Mexican meal which was really good. Going thru customs, etc. went really much faster then we thought it would.

The plane at this point was really small and packed. And again, seemed to take forever to get to Phoenix. Matt picked us up and we stopped for pizza on the way home. After arriving home, we got all unpacked, all clothes were dirty so just put them in a laundry stack...and away to bed.

Took another day to catch up on sleep.

Heading Back to England

The last night we stayed in Callais at this very old hotel right by the port. The downstairs looked really nice but the room was the worst we have had for a while...even in the states.

We had gotten there early and had driven all around the town. We had walked to the restrauant down the street and got some wonderful wine. I can't even remember what we ate. The next morning another continental type breakfast but not nearly as nice as the others.

We dropped the car off and got on the ferry. The same routine only in reverse to Milton Keenes.

Overall, great drive about.

DRIVE ABOUT

This included Belgium, Germany and France. We took off driving taking all the two lane (I swear some were one lane) roads. It's just like on TV when you seeing them driving in the little towns that there is absolutely no room for 1 let alone 2 cars in the streets. Of course we would get lost and then found. The little towns were so much alike and yet so different from each other. I have never, never seen so many statutes and churches. Every town, regardless how small or big had their own huge church...very old, stone buildings.

Every town had as many bakeries as bars and lots of "tubac" shops. I have never tasted such wonderful crossiants. And, the coffee you would have thought would have been so strong but it was wonderful as well. Just sugar, no cream. (I kind of think not sitting in a pot on a burner helps a lot!)

We stayed over a bar one night, had some drinks and ate at a restrauant that had wonderful food. We ate at a little restrauant in the middle of nowhere and again had absolutely wonderful food.

We stayed in Rouen which we arrived while it was pouring rain right next to the river. We had eaten so late in the day that we actually went to bed without dinner. The next morning we were looking for a cafe and stopped at this little place that turned out to be the locals' coffee and tubac stop. When we asked about breakfast we got two crossiants with the coffee.

LUXENBOURG

We arrived again in work traffic at the hotel. We stayed by the Airport area. After having a few drinks in the lobby area (Jon had picked up some really good white wine and their beers were good too, yes and the kids had their colas)we walked to the restrauant.

It had rained earlier and to and from the restrauant we all remarked how big the sluggs on the sidewalk were!!

Was an interesting dinner. We all have different things. JJ had Rossatta(Sp?), Joe and me Pizza, Joci spaghetti, Jon the dish with vegies and beef, can't think of it's name and Ron had a mixed meat plate (lamb, beef, port and HORSE). I had lobster bisque and we all shared escargo. Of couse we had bread and wine!!!

We got back to the hotel and the kids went to bed with grandpa and Jon, JJ and I sat in the lobby doing some computer updating.

The next morning we had the continenta type breakfast and we split. JJ's were planning to tour Luxembourg and Ron and I headed for Germany.

BRUSSELS

We arrived in Brussels right at work traffic and it was unreal. They have tunnels in the middle of the streets that you avoid traffic lights and moves fast. We arrived at the WHITE Hotel right after JJ's. The Hotel was very "Coperhaggan" looking and was very white. Rooms were big and this was Joe's night with us. We walked to this small restrauant. I think there were only about three people working there. Very nice...Reminded me a lot of Chuck Lehn, for those of you who know him. The food was very good. Ron had rabbit in Beer. It was very good considerating it was rabbit. Had my mom fixed it in beer, etc. it probably would have been a lot better while growing up!
We taught him how to make gimblets (lime and vodka) and they were great. The kids have hamburgers (without the buns) and were not impressed but the meat was pretty good. We had a great time, however, we found out after the meal that they did not take credit cards so we used up a lot of cash. Had to replemish the next day.
Had a good night's sleep and the next morning had a very European breakfast. Mostly the only meat is ham with lots of fruits, breads, Nuttella, and cheeses. It turned out to be a very good continental type breakfast.

We then droved to the Square which was magnificant. A huge square with huge buildings all around it. Lots of shops and all streets of course leading to it. We all walked to the famous status of the boy peeing. We all got a lot of laughs over this the next few days. Of course chocolate everywhere and the kids even got chocolates of the statue. They do a pretty good pose as well.

We left Brussels heading for Luxenbourg.

BRUGG

I am so glad we went to London with JJ because when we started our trip to the continent we started with the train from Milton Keenes to London, the underground (subway) to the other side of London and than the train to Dover Privy. We took the ferry to Callais and picked up the car (a really small Fiat) and took off for Brugg. JJ's were leaving Milton Keenes after the kids got out of school and were driving.
We drove around Brugg a bit and located the hotel and ate. The kids got in late. Jocie got to stay the first night of the trip with us. We had two rooms with one little one in each.
For those of you who have been to Vegas and have been at the Paris or Venician you understand wile you are inside the buildings and looking up from the aisles it's like looking up at the sky outside the buildings.
In Brugg we went to the Centre of Town and that is exactly like it was. The streets were tiny and all ran to the centre circle coble stone street. Buildings were so old and all of stone. Lots of history. While Ron and Jon did beer tastings, JJ, Joe and Joci and I went for a carriage ride around the city. Sooooo neat. We ate on the circle and Ron and Jen were very excited about the mussels they had.

LONDON

WOW. London is amazing and huge, must bigger than I thought it would be. I almost hurt my neck turning all directions. We took a cab to the train station in Milton Keynes. Train to London and then the underground. And I mean underground. The subway is wayyyyyyy down. Lots of steps and really long escalators and very crowded. Lots of people use the underground. We made our way to the Green Park. The parks here are huge and beautiful. Very well groomed and used. Lots of people laying around and playing. We got onto a double decker open bus. Great idea as you are high and able to see more. However, I can not believe how CLOSE the vehicles and people come to each other And they pull out in front of each other as well. Kind of getting use to the left side driving.

The buildings are unreal. Huge, and I mean huge and right on the street. Just enough room for a small sidewalk and then there's the street Lots and lots of stone. Newer buildings are more of glass and silver (some blue) looking.

The churches are magnificant. The Tower of England...WOW... Next visit will be a tour of that for sure.

We had fish and chips which were good. Their pubs are just like on TV...usually downstairs, dark, cozy. Very nice people.

Also got to go in and look around, we had already eaten...darn it...the Cavair place. Might be worth a trip back. They were a bit snotty but everything inside the store looked great.

Next to the underground and the train. We did not take the "bullet" back so had lots of stops. It was about 8-8:30 when we got back to JJ's. Very tired.

MORE TO COME

Adventure - of course continued

So Jon and JJ had some errands and the kids and Ron and I ordered in Pizza with American Sausage!!! It was pretty good. Maybe we were just hungry, but all in all, pretty good. So we are watching Dr. Who...ask Joe, he knows all about it!!

Their house is just like in Harry Potter. I will have to get a photo and put up. Small but very nice. I don't know how anyone gets their cars (which are all really small) into them. The patio is very nice. Just like on House Hunter International...refrigerators small, bathrooms small, no laundry rooms. I am very surprised about the lack of storage. Maybe that is why the garages are so small...can't get car inside so use as storage.

I have been called LOVE by three people...mostly store people. JJ has on her bog English to English. It is funny the words they use to explain/describe same things as us. You will have to check it out as I have had her add more.

They say Hi-ya in meeting and Cherry in leaving. So far pretty easy to understand. I'm sure they think we talk weird!

I seem to be all over in the blog but want to say so much.

Going to the Market tomorrow morning. Not just foods but all kinds of items. Even hair cutters/barbers. Will take more time and look around.

More to come.....

Adventure continued

So next morning JJ took Jon to work and I was so impressed how Joe took control. Made sure that Joci was put together, eating, got the drinks, brushed teeth and than JJ and I walked them to school.

I am picking up more accent with Joe than I thought and I feel like I too am talking a bit different.

Than JJ, Ron and I went to the Market in downtown Milton Keenes. Kind of a modern, square silver and glass area. And if you have to go to the toilet (our bathroom/restroom) you have to find them...and it is usually a walk.

We visited their version of WalMart (Argos), drove by a huge IKEA, a Home Depot type of store (B & Q) and Morrison (grocery store)....Lots of grocery type full service stores.

Back to the driving...WOW...I feel like we are flying and the round-the-bouts are big and fast. You have to have a lot of faith in the other drivers and them you but it seems to work. Jon and JJ have both adapted quick nicely to the driving.

The Adventure and a LONG Start

We flew from Phoenix to Detroit...normal, no problems...except we didn't get to bring the Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce and the Green Relish. Got to Detroit and within no time was on our way to England. Ron sat on the aisle and me in the middle and I have no idea who the guy was next to me. Rather a snob I think. The seats were not comfortable but all in all the flight was not bad.
After deplaning at Heathrow we were in a very long line to check pastports (Our first stamp!)which moved very quickly and we made excellent flying time as we were early, Jon picked us up. We walked right thru customs...didn't have anything to declare and no one questioned us.

OMG with a capital OMG...the driving on the left side is mind boggeling and a bit scary to say the least. It was nice to visit with Jon and Jen before walking to the schools to pick up the kids. As I posted on Facebook...the recognition that it was truly us was wonderful. lots of hugs and kisses. We first picked up Joci and met some of the moms and than we all walked to pick up Joe and also met some moms there. You walk a lot...the schools are in the neigbnorhood and everyone walks...very few cars dropping off and picking up. Definitely a social for the moms.

Ron and I stayed up from the time we got here in the morning until night time so we had been up a long time. A couple of times during the day we slipped into nodding sleep but we made it until nighttime.

To be Continued.....