English Country Holiday Trip-England August 20 - September 8

August 25, 2013 "The Lilac's" Andrew & Helen Dickens' house in Elvaston, Derbyshire, England.

Arrived yesterday from Isle of Wight, walked to the pub down the road fora meal last night. It was lovely. I had steak and kidney pie to die for. Dick had duck and he said it was lovely. Andrew and Helen had a salmon starter with avocado and tomato. Today we plan to go swimming and have a laid back sort of day.

August 24, 2013 Ursula's house Isle of Wight

Last night we had dinner at Nigel Harrison's at Cowe's with Neal and Ruth. Nigel is a musician and played folk, jazz and country songs for us. The meal was a BBQ kebab, pork chops, sausage, salad, warm camembert cheese and bread, fresh blackberries for dessert and cheesecake. What a wonderful evening.

Yesterday afternoon we had a swim and lunch at the Lakeside Hotel. Then went to see Quarr Abbey, Benedictine Monk's Monastery. Ursula, Ben and I walked in the morning for about an hour through the forest.

The day before off to the chiropodist for Dick and tea in Shanklin. And then dinner of fish at Ursula's. Today, back to the ferry and then off to Andrew and Helen's at Elvaston.


August 20, 2013

Finally on our way to England. Dick changed seats on the plan and is on the other side. We upgraded to Premium Economy. My volume does not work on the "entertainment center". I will have to get that fixed or change seats.

Aly got stung by wasps yesterday on her balcony. Today, she assembled a new roll around stand for more room in her kitchen/dining room. It looks pretty nice. Tomorrow classes start bright and early for both Aly & Tim. I hope and pray that she (they) has (have) a great semester in every way.

I am a little cold right now. I will come back during the night. Hungry too!

August 22 , 2013

Well we arrive safely in England. A very smooth flight. A great flight, easy checking in and on boarding on the San Francisco end. Very easy disembarking with wheel chair waiting for Dick and clearing customs on the Heathrow end. We picked up the car at Hertz - a Volvo Crossover. It is very comfortable.

We drove down to Portsmouth to catch the ferry to the Isle of Wight. It is about 85 miles from Heathrow. We only made one mistake missing the ferry exit and had to go round the round about again. Thank goodness for Dick driving on the left. If it were me with the traffic, I would have been a basket case.

Arrived at Ursula's. She was just getting home from walking Ben, her 15 year old Black Lab. She looks great. She also has 3 cats in the yard black and white. We had drinks and talked, had dinner, then I went to bed. I was so tired having not slept on the plane the other night.

Now it is 4:06 am. I am wide awake writing this note whilst using small flash light that Dick brought thank goodness for light. Today, we will all get pedicures, have lunch on the Island and relax. It is so peaceful and quiet here. I will take a long walk, take pictures and post them to my blog and Facebook.

Luckily I got my task list of 13 action items completed before we left. That way things are being handled for fall events during my absence. My intent here on the trip is to get a lot if rest, relax and rejuvenate. Dropped off car with Jennifer. she is now at the house with Kristina and the animals.

Took mom out to lunch on Tuesday at Pruneyard in Campbell before we left, dropped Em's stuff off, then dropped car off at Christine's. we were picked up by the limo at Christine's house. It was great to see Christine, Alex (he left for school yesterday). He now has an apartment in Boulder, Colorado. Also saw Lucas and Fred Ghai. They are Juniors in college. Will would be too, oh how I miss you Will. Your spirit is here with me in everything I do. I can feel your presence here with me at Ursula's. Ah, all those memories, all those years with you!