Landed

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Such a long absence,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've needed time to sift the events, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the thoughts, the feelings in my mind<br /><br />While in the UK,<br />I had no idea what my reflections would reveal from this side of the move...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAic9EjbmPFZHdST6FK-wfJgAB2qr4FD5sQaZgDpmIhS-e5XzH40kZIa-npZuStKFHKjopvP1uAth3Kaj76sIEmFus76VaW2iwC1m9bVG2zex4QgTBuQv_iP1B1SYTlz6oDx6pYaF_9S1T/s1600/10494801_10202948862735348_8044306423667349667_n-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAic9EjbmPFZHdST6FK-wfJgAB2qr4FD5sQaZgDpmIhS-e5XzH40kZIa-npZuStKFHKjopvP1uAth3Kaj76sIEmFus76VaW2iwC1m9bVG2zex4QgTBuQv_iP1B1SYTlz6oDx6pYaF_9S1T/s1600/10494801_10202948862735348_8044306423667349667_n-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">London Heathrow Airport</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our move back to the US was a rocky one with unforeseeable mishaps:<br /><br />- all our checked-in luggage was 'lost' for one very long week</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- tracking online, we saw Hurricane Arthur pass over the ship that carried our house contents<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- our pets were delayed in US customs due to a bomb threat evacuation</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- and more things broke than ever in this move</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Feeling like we were starring in 'The Truman Show', we can laugh about it now<br />Sort of :)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHPPeK3GVRY65nTLuRoAyrQwPLSf5X7Whh-EwQ56FpPP7xvMBRk-nxpF4yHiyS6moldUevJkJirSBr5qeMO-C1K-Wh5PGXWYz2zk0rBc3mmREUzwVkXKh3w3HhgTB1WdkRz-8bIpzoKQe/s1600/DSC02895-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHPPeK3GVRY65nTLuRoAyrQwPLSf5X7Whh-EwQ56FpPP7xvMBRk-nxpF4yHiyS6moldUevJkJirSBr5qeMO-C1K-Wh5PGXWYz2zk0rBc3mmREUzwVkXKh3w3HhgTB1WdkRz-8bIpzoKQe/s1600/DSC02895-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Surprisingly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">those first weeks in the US I didn't miss England</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I felt sad that France was less accessible<br />(go figure!)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I often find myself lost in reminiscing about England</div><div style="text-align: center;">- London, birdsong, public footpaths, picturesque villages, </div><div style="text-align: center;">our beautiful drive to school, friends -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels like I broke up with a boyfriend I loved dearly</div><div style="text-align: center;">but now I need to move on<br /><br />They say the longer you stay abroad,<br />the longer it takes to resettle back 'home'<br /><br />So we felt it was the right time to leave,<br />especially for the kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Living in the UK was a dream come true with the opportunities it provided,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the lifelong friendships created,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the growth that would have been difficult<br />to achieve had we never left the US<br /><br />We have no regrets about raising our kids abroad<br />during some of their formative years<br /><br />I can't wait to hear their reflections when they are older<br /> and see how it molded them as people<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVurNFGvFxe-eJFZ1hv6bQGWhvN2gfurQsOF5xCCBE0ccp6_2sKhYoYIJAfH-UQLxMJTCtZS6C3yToWzBdMDgKmnF3XpgJohoIZGPwImFkJPXmI1lvms06IvcsZ7mhs5StrDIfDeUAn_/s1600/DSC02873-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSVurNFGvFxe-eJFZ1hv6bQGWhvN2gfurQsOF5xCCBE0ccp6_2sKhYoYIJAfH-UQLxMJTCtZS6C3yToWzBdMDgKmnF3XpgJohoIZGPwImFkJPXmI1lvms06IvcsZ7mhs5StrDIfDeUAn_/s1600/DSC02873-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I feel we are entering not a new chapter in life,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but a whole new book</div><div style="text-align: center;">where everything feels foreign </div><div style="text-align: center;">in this US timezone I've never lived in before<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unexpectedly, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I exhaled when we moved back to the US where the laws make sense to me</div><div style="text-align: center;">(subconsciously a tiny part of me was afraid I'd break an English law I didn't know about)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt a tiny bit vulnerable and self-conscious about being a foreigner</div><div style="text-align: center;">My accent would always label me 'The American'<br />no matter how long we lived in the UK<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And there was so much I didn't understand on a deeper level:<br />processes, cultural references, mindset</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like we belong here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">although we don't yet belong<br /><br />I imagine it will take a while before we feel we live here,<br />not just visiting<br /><br /><div>With some local day trips around the area,</div><div>I am starting to see what is here</div><div>rather than what is not<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbMuOPZCqvVwU2Qm5vTAYaAssPIxuFLQFClKHIcrdaOHd65WsADLWMGbOwi2V3Xp_Z7PEXpzERJxyOuORmPgxTMqfL0Mskji6MQBfbXY4JfT4nQnhbGUHEPRk6CCMKYkXQpSPX9Wu0d3x/s1600/DSC02498-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbMuOPZCqvVwU2Qm5vTAYaAssPIxuFLQFClKHIcrdaOHd65WsADLWMGbOwi2V3Xp_Z7PEXpzERJxyOuORmPgxTMqfL0Mskji6MQBfbXY4JfT4nQnhbGUHEPRk6CCMKYkXQpSPX9Wu0d3x/s1600/DSC02498-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nowadays</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still walk up to my car with a moment of hesitation</div><div style="text-align: center;">- do I get in on the right side or the left? -</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm occasionally surprised when I hear American accents</div><div style="text-align: center;">(as I often thought in England, 'oh, visitors!')<br /><br />It took a while to shake the nagging low-grade worry from the UK<br />that I might not find a parking spot I can fit into<br />or that I might not have proper change to buy a parking ticket</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here, I'm surprised strangers ask me where I'm from</div><div style="text-align: center;">because they detect an accent, they say</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which must be a slight difference in intonation or word choice)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But then due to a lack of English accent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">people are confused when I say I moved here from England</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I must say 'I moved here after living in England for 4 years'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 'English' part of me feels that answer is way too wordy and </div><div style="text-align: center;">divulges more personal information than I want to part with,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but that is where the follow up questions lead anyway<br />so down that road I follow<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5i1RZK-yb6wxnXDUyHvbsvrNdWvnesccZfbBGY77TM9t3f00_W9-cvPOoTFQjyqzOetuMaPwIchJFS9bOo-IcFEXN4zIZ5EqCqikts6WQzLaCKz0oVE0XVJhDHWe06WxfTgPWRph59ZY/s1600/DSC02524-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5i1RZK-yb6wxnXDUyHvbsvrNdWvnesccZfbBGY77TM9t3f00_W9-cvPOoTFQjyqzOetuMaPwIchJFS9bOo-IcFEXN4zIZ5EqCqikts6WQzLaCKz0oVE0XVJhDHWe06WxfTgPWRph59ZY/s1600/DSC02524-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Having lived in 4 houses over the last 5 years,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find myself hesitating to spend money on this house in case we move again<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although we bought this house without intentions of moving,</div><div style="text-align: center;">that nomadic life of 'we might need to pick up and go' still lingers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have loved decorating our new 1950's house</div><div style="text-align: center;">All my bottled up creative decorating energy has been released</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it feels good to stretch those legs that have been in rental houses for the last few years<br /><br /><div>Lately I discovered some fantastic home decor blogs</div><div>which provide daily visual inspiration<br />and I have tidied up how I receive blogs through <a href="http://www.unroll.me/">UnrollMe</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Internet shopping has allowed me to put the house together fairly quickly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which has been crucial for feeling settled<br /><br /><div>To set up house, we bought new electronics and appliances with US plugs<br />With the benefits of streaming and downloads,<br />we won't buy a DVD player or stereo system this time around<br /><br /></div><div>I still need to shed the scarves and sweaters for a warmer weather wardrobe</div><div>And I must buy a pair of sunglasses!</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest change I've noticed from living in the US 4 years ago</div><div>is the technological advances:</div><div><br /></div><div>iPads have replaced some cash registers<br /><br /></div><div>Some businesses accept Google Wallet for transactions<br /><br /></div><div>Slide your credit card at the gate when you enter a parking garage<br /><br />Simple mops and brooms are hard to find<br /><br /></div><div>And even soft drink dispensers have a new look<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTJyDxkHiPdHD5XIcYGUStuV4a6DPRbU_uhrJWX73z2-Qm1x-wjTGk6DcqXB0zNfz9TJOg8i00vxnmcrilltpGhaDfXEJ2VPmONgwka9tMmk2Ka3BtDU7YkyhoWZ8Y_nnp-ltPIIvcrWL/s1600/photo+3-029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTJyDxkHiPdHD5XIcYGUStuV4a6DPRbU_uhrJWX73z2-Qm1x-wjTGk6DcqXB0zNfz9TJOg8i00vxnmcrilltpGhaDfXEJ2VPmONgwka9tMmk2Ka3BtDU7YkyhoWZ8Y_nnp-ltPIIvcrWL/s1600/photo+3-029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you must know,<br />I can't get enough iced tea!<br /><br />And not to brag,<br />but I can get a week's worth of laundry done in half a day<br />(happy!)<br /><br />It is refreshing to have the sounds of American football<br />on the TV all weekend, not just at dinner time<br /><br />And we're back to<br />going to professional baseball games<br />with yummy oversized brats and sauerkraut<br /><br />Proudly I now have <b>another</b> driver's license under my belt<br />(needless to say, it was much easier than the 3-part test in England)<br /><br />Nonetheless<br />I naturally I have my intense 'missing England days'<br />and I would visit again in a heartbeat<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST1JirpQAhyphenhyphenfYpo60hW-fg7KxtwKs-9QAr_8SCwqeKgTAwDeFhYB-ayoxfAEK5M8GAAJQLuxm0c7ZAw_-o5M2FPvKeli6TBUTOwhIFs5ucmCh5YUeQxELOlswMdboMr72_ZxAojtwDc7F/s1600/photo+3-028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST1JirpQAhyphenhyphenfYpo60hW-fg7KxtwKs-9QAr_8SCwqeKgTAwDeFhYB-ayoxfAEK5M8GAAJQLuxm0c7ZAw_-o5M2FPvKeli6TBUTOwhIFs5ucmCh5YUeQxELOlswMdboMr72_ZxAojtwDc7F/s1600/photo+3-028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blogging was an integral part of my experience in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">as it motivated me to do and see more</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been an amazing experience to e-know so many of you</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I even met some virtual blogging friends face-to-face</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I intend to keep this blog online</div><div style="text-align: center;">(still thousands of pageviews weekly!),</div><div style="text-align: center;">the title of my blog lends itself to stay in the UK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One day I might start up a new blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I haven't identified something I really want to get down on paper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So for now,<br />thank you so much for reading<br /><br />My heart is happy we connected somehow<br />in this crazy internet world</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I love you guys!<br />Wishing you all the best</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos my own -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px !important;" /></a>

Landed

Such a long absence, I know I've needed time to sift the events,  the thoughts, the feelings in my mind While in the UK, I had no idea w...

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In Flight

<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Today our family’s flight path takes a new turn<o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">as we settle back in the US<o:p></o:p></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT5Uo-NQvnvCY9G-bV6r4VLbeljovxD45QREl_aZYTN13G4pQ2-NM2ROXHiQcbTzDviZAQqkGLZ9YWaiOGE3p-frkptU0_wzgrKgN5b4HTLOKVjVbO_ND_4DV2RYOyewXrmu8ociELvFU/s1600/DSC00735-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT5Uo-NQvnvCY9G-bV6r4VLbeljovxD45QREl_aZYTN13G4pQ2-NM2ROXHiQcbTzDviZAQqkGLZ9YWaiOGE3p-frkptU0_wzgrKgN5b4HTLOKVjVbO_ND_4DV2RYOyewXrmu8ociELvFU/s1600/DSC00735-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The literal flight path will take us over Greenland’s icy waters<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and then deliver us to our summery new hometown<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">which I imagine will feel foreign for a while<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">On the calendar:<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Driver’s license test<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> 4^th of July rodeo<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Summer camp<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Visit family<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Life is filled with transitions<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">and this is just another opportunity to practice our adaptability</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_h9ygUFC795wWsNhXb25crV5zaCExDiHBOlG2PbTl9EhPBwhzOW5MqjV5UOtwV5c2W2QxQPJn1f6-sTKUlRsWFd9uzpY1jiWUxOyr0IknzAHKmp1e0s-vEvI5ZkYzU3hTSzwc5GKfNm0/s1600/DSC09914-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_h9ygUFC795wWsNhXb25crV5zaCExDiHBOlG2PbTl9EhPBwhzOW5MqjV5UOtwV5c2W2QxQPJn1f6-sTKUlRsWFd9uzpY1jiWUxOyr0IknzAHKmp1e0s-vEvI5ZkYzU3hTSzwc5GKfNm0/s1600/DSC09914-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">See you on the other side<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">:)<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos my own -</span></i></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

In Flight

Today our family’s flight path takes a new turn as we settle back in the US The literal flight path will take us over Greenland’s icy water...

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Reflecting On England

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">What can I say...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so much we have learned </div><div style="text-align: center;">and so much we will miss</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for joining my journey!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlcfIaZ81Cjcve-W_wTmC1lTN1sRchpAv3l3xmvuEhZ9n9P_lm5GM19Dmn_mvH-uiShm5VtWRkse26ChUrYHSIf3YezNoMGToWyAEm3CsqJIp4tiymy7nltNWYHg2oDXPDXVcEYe0HFXO/s1600/DSC01507-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlcfIaZ81Cjcve-W_wTmC1lTN1sRchpAv3l3xmvuEhZ9n9P_lm5GM19Dmn_mvH-uiShm5VtWRkse26ChUrYHSIf3YezNoMGToWyAEm3CsqJIp4tiymy7nltNWYHg2oDXPDXVcEYe0HFXO/s1600/DSC01507-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so thankful you have read and commented on my blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">which in turn encouraged me to keep documenting our time here in words and images</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As I start to look at England from a rear-view mirror perspective,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's some of my thoughts about this wonderful country<br />we have been lucky to call 'home'...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE WEATHER</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enabling green grass and lush landscapes year around,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain is an important fiber of the English culture<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCkR4-FslX-emfkC43YXmcGkJkHJHFXMh5Y6WgGObGTRug_VbT5uWoUNA_TlnBFRUGpwpzFo7AfJqh216Kl3xjyw3jVe_oRngj-6GmjMiz6ZTDP9PS9ruvCEs9-Om4wPbdqlSQVu-uwLL/s1600/photo+5-044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCkR4-FslX-emfkC43YXmcGkJkHJHFXMh5Y6WgGObGTRug_VbT5uWoUNA_TlnBFRUGpwpzFo7AfJqh216Kl3xjyw3jVe_oRngj-6GmjMiz6ZTDP9PS9ruvCEs9-Om4wPbdqlSQVu-uwLL/s1600/photo+5-044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Providing not only a conversation starter,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain has created a hearty crew who holds events rain or shine</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 'just gets on with it'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Molding fashion,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you find adorable wellies and umbrellas at the ready for rain</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the sweater-scarf-leggings-boots combo is put to work </div><div style="text-align: center;">at least 9 months of the year</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With rain comes rainbows and</div><div style="text-align: center;">the probable cloud cover provides soft lighting for photos</div><div style="text-align: center;">The mild weather is predictable with occasional 'sunny spells'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fog has been infrequent</div><div style="text-align: center;">but always a treat</div><div style="text-align: center;">as it drops a totally different lens to a wintry landscape<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD5afXb7mMIIuHpEAlWQWiKunXzRRehx_Iv36SInMeKx4txMXRw1pCk7wRI7vaav3CngY6UTz_0SBCTYWMree_fsS-0QU_zf3TzYq4y8_q7VrCPWaXJFj0ce9loIIVqyitz2Ps2y_Rzi5/s1600/photo+4-027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD5afXb7mMIIuHpEAlWQWiKunXzRRehx_Iv36SInMeKx4txMXRw1pCk7wRI7vaav3CngY6UTz_0SBCTYWMree_fsS-0QU_zf3TzYq4y8_q7VrCPWaXJFj0ce9loIIVqyitz2Ps2y_Rzi5/s1600/photo+4-027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wintertime is short but very dark,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and later we're rewarded by insanely long hours of daylight in summertime</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In general</div><div style="text-align: center;">the clouds and rain are like a cozy blanket</div><div style="text-align: center;">It makes me say, 'Ahhh, that's my England'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE OUTDOORS</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With all that rain and mild temperatures,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this island has the most wonderful conditions for growing things<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTL5JgEy7xGjfRZWXUIxF_c0feIwGsPMINytmv6P4Jh_30D9P6_FeLZhnXdMUIA3ZqZ92J3pvYY3PTnUq6t8FxMKly2cv9PMydX2nUN5BqKxp6AW_ebqjcn9rb99IX3daWRE1KpnL9ZVO/s1600/DSC01226-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTL5JgEy7xGjfRZWXUIxF_c0feIwGsPMINytmv6P4Jh_30D9P6_FeLZhnXdMUIA3ZqZ92J3pvYY3PTnUq6t8FxMKly2cv9PMydX2nUN5BqKxp6AW_ebqjcn9rb99IX3daWRE1KpnL9ZVO/s1600/DSC01226-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dancing wildflowers are left to grow along the roadside</div><div style="text-align: center;">and walls of greenery guide you down the lanes </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the form of hedgerows and tree tunnels</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picture-perfect crop fields are just as beautiful</div><div style="text-align: center;">as the countless public gardens that dot this verdant country</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Garden nurseries sell not only flowers and plants</div><div style="text-align: center;">but pots of tea, lunch and dessert</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With public footpaths zig-zagging the country,</div><div style="text-align: center;">there is no shortage of local hikes</div><div style="text-align: center;">and dogs can frolic off-leash to their waggy-heart's content<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTRxfMXM3TAXy2G9zdycDmhyphenhyphenZhGeoPjx9-5N8VofDYLFeZr8Q4tKpKgwgnMyFRwwnR-fST5u3n4g-AUTumBk-FLd1dA38BISJJQ3Pq8qSX2-qnrb_dSnn7D_DNfCi-lrTlcW_6TCrUJco/s1600/DSC09680-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTRxfMXM3TAXy2G9zdycDmhyphenhyphenZhGeoPjx9-5N8VofDYLFeZr8Q4tKpKgwgnMyFRwwnR-fST5u3n4g-AUTumBk-FLd1dA38BISJJQ3Pq8qSX2-qnrb_dSnn7D_DNfCi-lrTlcW_6TCrUJco/s1600/DSC09680-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Without the danger of bears, mountain lions, or poisonous snakes</div><div style="text-align: center;">children can run around more carefree than we are accustomed to</div><div style="text-align: center;">(there are venomous adders, but rare)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how we will miss... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">being woken up at 5 o'clock by birdsong</div><div style="text-align: center;">old car horn sound of a pheasant call</div><div style="text-align: center;">bike pump sound made by the Great Tit</div><div style="text-align: center;">skinny little legs on the sweet and revered English Robin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">wandering solitary fox</div><div style="text-align: center;">spinning tail of a newborn lamb</div><div style="text-align: center;">gorgeous haze of bluebells in Spring</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">shocking acid-yellow rapeseed<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sJstuZ9UP_YBY5sKGosCISu9LvRmIxyVqHaucll4AKESzn5h8EKdp9YnRe4139aWXDfRjzYpNpW-y7qHuqhHse9fLsVbq5IM182poVwETnT2WjGuCmPtX94LG2YftFfWlfsD-lwVjytY/s1600/DSC01696-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sJstuZ9UP_YBY5sKGosCISu9LvRmIxyVqHaucll4AKESzn5h8EKdp9YnRe4139aWXDfRjzYpNpW-y7qHuqhHse9fLsVbq5IM182poVwETnT2WjGuCmPtX94LG2YftFfWlfsD-lwVjytY/s1600/DSC01696-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">rich blue of a British summer sky</div><div style="text-align: center;">fairytale-like toadstools in autumn</div><div style="text-align: center;">magical hoar frost in winter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like many Americans,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am quite smitten by the English accent</div><div style="text-align: center;">and surprised how it varies greatly</div><div style="text-align: center;">depending on class, education, and location<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3NsxMd8q9DIecES4ttlDlk32YOxjC8hZlVm4RdKC3SSBbs5udAwun1YZJT-aHa708uKOfCfr_uYTQZ3rcqeWbV50UEBoo2izwbWGIu7p8To9domPTSbL_nL9sz832vYA1i0GjkoZgYR7/s1600/DSC01270-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3NsxMd8q9DIecES4ttlDlk32YOxjC8hZlVm4RdKC3SSBbs5udAwun1YZJT-aHa708uKOfCfr_uYTQZ3rcqeWbV50UEBoo2izwbWGIu7p8To9domPTSbL_nL9sz832vYA1i0GjkoZgYR7/s1600/DSC01270-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've started to notice which type of accent is spoken in radio commercials</div><div style="text-align: center;">which provides a whole different level of information to the listener</div><div style="text-align: center;">as to what the advertiser wants to convey</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the English are not boastful,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they'll remind you of their original ownership of the English language</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And yet<br />they have pronunciation inconsistencies that make me look like a real heel</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as Cliveden - should be Clive-den but is pronounced Cliv'den -</div><div style="text-align: center;">and other pronunciation rule derailments such as Thames and Leicester</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I imagine the English use a larger percentage of their dictionary than Americans</div><div style="text-align: center;">and they have an impressively extensive vocabulary for landscapes such as</div><div style="text-align: center;">moor, tor, fen, fell, dale, vale, copse, lea, common, green, heath, and beck</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is even a wordsmith game show on BBC radio</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that the public will correct grammatically incorrect signage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How I wish I had taken a photo of a notice placed in an elevator/lift I saw a few years ago</div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone had used a pen to make about 4 grammatical corrections on the sign</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was taken down that night<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I did get a photo of this one at my local post office...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-54WQ673aSJRpzcPJKsDsmKAl-CDmv9uNW-kxO3ZvFBLSnMebDhnwmiY1CjeqdIKDEByn7Lbjxfkh0CWykUU3eMKbEqpwCtWQA8TpXZUmHpPdhFAGwqHcYL67m4y6R0FHCf5hnQU__hD/s1600/photo+1-0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-54WQ673aSJRpzcPJKsDsmKAl-CDmv9uNW-kxO3ZvFBLSnMebDhnwmiY1CjeqdIKDEByn7Lbjxfkh0CWykUU3eMKbEqpwCtWQA8TpXZUmHpPdhFAGwqHcYL67m4y6R0FHCf5hnQU__hD/s1600/photo+1-0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone attempted to scratch out the 's'</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a side note,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find it fascinating that the French has an official authority <span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">(<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Académie française)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">determining the usages, vocabulary, grammar, and dictionary of the French language</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">FOOD & DRINK</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's cut the the chase:</div><div style="text-align: center;">man, how we will miss our country pubs<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hN3n7RQlXn227fJQ9STk_Kv71tb9QkUDpds1hq4FBke3ds4lX-S_415ECgGdTCbMKyhrKhyS8-eb0ITVDZaHokOBVUlFlezcz5KdJRSs0VJLsBbuoc4Vv962N-mmD7xVjaYLheF6MlRD/s1600/photo+2-031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hN3n7RQlXn227fJQ9STk_Kv71tb9QkUDpds1hq4FBke3ds4lX-S_415ECgGdTCbMKyhrKhyS8-eb0ITVDZaHokOBVUlFlezcz5KdJRSs0VJLsBbuoc4Vv962N-mmD7xVjaYLheF6MlRD/s1600/photo+2-031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Imagine a 17th-century pub with a warming fire in the fireplace</div><div style="text-align: center;">and board games stacked nearby just waiting to be played</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perfection!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A warming drink may include </div><div style="text-align: center;">a pot of tea</div><div style="text-align: center;">hot chocolate</div><div style="text-align: center;">(warmish) pint of beer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter Pimms</div><div style="text-align: center;">or mulled wine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happiness is sitting outside on a sunny day at a pub</div><div style="text-align: center;">while the kids play on equipment or hide-and-seek</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Quiz Night' is on Fridays</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday Roast each week</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dog and family friendly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pubs are the heartbeat of many villages</div><div style="text-align: center;">and there simply is no equivalent in the US<br />or possibly elsewhere in the world outside the UK/Ireland region</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With so many cool pubs to discover,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you never have to go to the same one twice<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46PNVfnbm9j_CmUP3So-0aO8zR5hbjbb_9J4Xf7CMhw0kjYuyCrsMjh6jPK0GYN42vCZwYTj3OlGGB9I3osIt0WIMAThDUZUwNa9IjMpKMk1W3r-yVPSLSN1TSkG8wXYLFzBLwSnjWRsg/s1600/DSC00105-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46PNVfnbm9j_CmUP3So-0aO8zR5hbjbb_9J4Xf7CMhw0kjYuyCrsMjh6jPK0GYN42vCZwYTj3OlGGB9I3osIt0WIMAThDUZUwNa9IjMpKMk1W3r-yVPSLSN1TSkG8wXYLFzBLwSnjWRsg/s1600/DSC00105-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While England gets a bad rap for food,</div><div style="text-align: center;">delicious Indian take-away is as common as Chinese take-out in the US</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The London food scene is amazing, delicious and diverse</div><div style="text-align: center;">and is constantly evolving with clever new ideas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">From liquid nitrogen ice cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">to Alice In Wonderland tea,</div><div style="text-align: center;">from pay-per-minute cafes<br />to sushi on conveyor belts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">London has it all</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we're spoiled for choice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet tooth will be missing a lot of British favorites:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">millionaire shortbread bars</div><div style="text-align: center;">lemon drizzle cake</div><div style="text-align: center;">treacle tart</div><div style="text-align: center;">sticky toffee pudding</div><div style="text-align: center;">honeycomb crunch ice cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">first of the season British strawberries</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And those unforgettably named dishes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Toad In The Hole, Bubble & Squeak</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In place of syrup,</div><div style="text-align: center;">who knew squeezing lots of lemon juice and sprinkling sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">all over pancakes would be a new breakfast favorite?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tipped off by a French friend who knows her food, we found another love</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>good local bread</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">- so soft, so light, with lots of holes inside to capture the butter -<br />yummmmm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from rain, tea also is an obvious integral part of England</div><div style="text-align: center;">Offered in homes and schools, by hairdressers, and at medical appointments</div><div style="text-align: center;">'a nice cup of tea' is another emotional cozy blanket in England</div><div style="text-align: center;">to either welcome or soothe<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5tQXZkK9IulYI_rYHJK4ToOOe985OfklCTQXqq6uTZe15QSio4wtwvbBJI7L4z_W7LoB9EIZnhIixPYfh74BqRzsaZFtymEQF5rK7RU6tdY8FVCvTPkCq3ITD7pJkTvqnNKNTr3OOHQo/s1600/photo+4-049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5tQXZkK9IulYI_rYHJK4ToOOe985OfklCTQXqq6uTZe15QSio4wtwvbBJI7L4z_W7LoB9EIZnhIixPYfh74BqRzsaZFtymEQF5rK7RU6tdY8FVCvTPkCq3ITD7pJkTvqnNKNTr3OOHQo/s1600/photo+4-049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interestingly</div><div style="text-align: center;">'cream tea' is more regional than I would have expected</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its clotted cream and scones</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I stumble upon one, I bring out my happy dance</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE DRIVING</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As intimidating and silly the driving exam seemed at the time,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually am thankful I had to go through the process</div><div style="text-align: center;">or shall we call it 'a right of passage', hmm?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I definitely became a much better driver</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks to the exam, the driving lessons,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and fellow drivers who honked at my missteps<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNnGghprDyKmkViKyHIXN-tgwP1i9i2hfxCEK_TjzIDMEUAeiWK4Ecv_LN_HLvgzlPcyktIbR9hnU1hootFPx4ZXQquoYBXNkYMu1-0Ba_N0D5E-gCvyAvAU21CCn493YdzDRHhFloLlf/s1600/DSC09400-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNnGghprDyKmkViKyHIXN-tgwP1i9i2hfxCEK_TjzIDMEUAeiWK4Ecv_LN_HLvgzlPcyktIbR9hnU1hootFPx4ZXQquoYBXNkYMu1-0Ba_N0D5E-gCvyAvAU21CCn493YdzDRHhFloLlf/s1600/DSC09400-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the continuous driving enabled by</div><div style="text-align: center;">roundabouts and yields (no stop signs)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I appreciate 'creative parking'</div><div style="text-align: center;">in any direction on sidewalks</div><div style="text-align: center;">made possible by low kerbs/curbs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speed limits that change on digital signs </div><div style="text-align: center;">are a brilliant idea on the highways/dual carriageways</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You gotta love the single lane roads that call themselves a double lane</div><div style="text-align: center;">- smile if you know what I'm talking about -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I can just hear the crowd go wild</div><div style="text-align: center;">when I totally nail one of those challenging parallel parking spaces</div><div style="text-align: center;">- that is some serious satisfaction, my friends -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">TRAVEL</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While we have the same number of school days as our American counterparts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">our holiday breaks are much longer<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIFqmlJyB27Ae3YH-VcgfPnPx2zYV3Nocy5rUI1K60dn6QDf1JHGyiM75H_nG3Y3ea5yquDC7ODMPkmgw5a3tNPjuZhrZpl4SCCaR8K_btsiQ4ezpzben2rnbaUEfE0PGNVL_O9R0fpbo/s1600/photo+3-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIFqmlJyB27Ae3YH-VcgfPnPx2zYV3Nocy5rUI1K60dn6QDf1JHGyiM75H_nG3Y3ea5yquDC7ODMPkmgw5a3tNPjuZhrZpl4SCCaR8K_btsiQ4ezpzben2rnbaUEfE0PGNVL_O9R0fpbo/s1600/photo+3-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ireland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the US, it felt like nine months of solid school</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the UK, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it feels like we are on break, just finished a break, or about to have a break</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Consequently, English schools finish the school year in late June or July</div><div style="text-align: center;">making the summer holiday quite short</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And with two magnificent international airports nearby,</div><div style="text-align: center;">many destinations are just a direct flight away</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to our location,</div><div style="text-align: center;">many countries are in a nearby timezone</div><div style="text-align: center;">meaning jet lag often is of no concern</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Travel is affordable-ish</div><div style="text-align: center;">with discounted airlines and most hotels open to some bargaining</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We will definitely miss all the mental breaks from school</div><div style="text-align: center;">allowing us quality family time even when we didn't travel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Feels like healthy living</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">MISCELLANEOUS<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few other oddities I will miss:<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0LKtYrFJFj1MJwfMXtRodWDg6PMvjSossaAbbs5lWKSZXSpMTFy-PlkI3b9ByWre12tYs310hli6922uXOJo5CsO_i110sp604I7NWAzZ2vsOhXJSzJKQAf_DaMR40Q8cywwQjq8vTjZ/s1600/photo+3-021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0LKtYrFJFj1MJwfMXtRodWDg6PMvjSossaAbbs5lWKSZXSpMTFy-PlkI3b9ByWre12tYs310hli6922uXOJo5CsO_i110sp604I7NWAzZ2vsOhXJSzJKQAf_DaMR40Q8cywwQjq8vTjZ/s1600/photo+3-021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For portable toilets, that slogan is priceless!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* on/off switch on wall outlets</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* Panto season at Christmastime<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* LBC and BBC talk radio - giving me more insight into the English mind</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* contest radio winners who respond with a simple 'thank you' or 'I'm. so. happy.' </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">* upcoming Scottish independence vote and <span style="background-color: white;">UK General Election</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Refreshingly, voting happens with little fanfare and no endorsements signs</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry to miss feeling the pulse!<br /><br />* English synonyms for so many American words<br />My vocabulary has definitely expanded<br /><br />* little things such as the European '7' with a line through it,<br />the date written in a different order,<br />writing in upper case letters almost exclusively,<br />formally beginning emails with 'dear' and ending with 'kind regards'<br /><br />* the density of so much to do, see, learn, and photograph<br />so close to home<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNu_cMFhBxIfMtrij8AAz0NJJRNbio_DyQHDjl1vEaLqOaWti8IwwaZ2k1dyNDG3_Sd61mqJ07nc9lr9j00hqUmxmu7Act8AERnYe80sNWnYNL5RKiwL5XqU_NsZVa-uo4nqW-WF1MP8_/s1600/photo+1-053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNu_cMFhBxIfMtrij8AAz0NJJRNbio_DyQHDjl1vEaLqOaWti8IwwaZ2k1dyNDG3_Sd61mqJ07nc9lr9j00hqUmxmu7Act8AERnYe80sNWnYNL5RKiwL5XqU_NsZVa-uo4nqW-WF1MP8_/s1600/photo+1-053.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the time is right on many fronts for us to leave,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are returning to the US as new, improved 'us'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm definitely a lot smarter having absorbed English history and culture</div><div style="text-align: center;">and grateful to learn a different way to do life and raise a family</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would I live in another foreign country again?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although it has its challenges, yes, definitely yes</div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all images my own -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Reflecting On England

What can I say... so much we have learned  and so much we will miss Thank you for joining my journey! I am so thankful you have read and com...

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British Library Tour

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Interesting<br />that in the world's largest holding library</div><div style="text-align: center;">you are unable to check out a book</div><div style="text-align: center;">and need special permission to touch one</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I had visited this library before,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I went back for a proper tour just a few weeks ago<br />(there isn't much to see on your own, so a tour is a must)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWw9Q9lKmydU5rWhsWr48jax5SgKW_LXMV2Tu6-9uDxx-VIEI3fcbXU1bABIXtTTs4El8t1KjL59YOSO4Tw5UWjjGhTvWdgficu57Q3TvfvnX2HHo2bgHH-ZjXV5lpw7FnrUd_RWQjqCj/s1600/photo+4-041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWw9Q9lKmydU5rWhsWr48jax5SgKW_LXMV2Tu6-9uDxx-VIEI3fcbXU1bABIXtTTs4El8t1KjL59YOSO4Tw5UWjjGhTvWdgficu57Q3TvfvnX2HHo2bgHH-ZjXV5lpw7FnrUd_RWQjqCj/s1600/photo+4-041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the UK and Ireland</div><div style="text-align: center;">a copy of every publication is donated to the British Library</div><div style="text-align: center;">for the sake of archiving the printed word</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Besides books, the British Library archives</div><div style="text-align: center;">store catalogs, maps, games, stamps, playscripts, and musical scores</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving images as well as sound recordings</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as music, animal sounds, and regional accent samples are stored as well</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Three million new items are added to the collection each year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">some of which are donated from other countries in different languages</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miles of shelving are added annually to accommodate new additions</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the main library is in London</div><div style="text-align: center;">other branches are in Oxford, Cambridge, Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales, and Dublin</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Contrary to most libraries,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the British Library organizes their books according to book size</div><div style="text-align: center;">because the Dewey Decimal System would be too time consuming for reshelving books</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When a book is returned</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is placed at the end of the shelf next to books the same size</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnpcBH7f0Vyopj9WGR-xnwaMQOuPg6PnRKNI5Atf6Qk29c0bh0g9fyZwedXsQruOZwoke-L6XXWU8XgsuYSnSBugA9FaHoYYDF5GbL9C1sV4ffGRMkBgNx7pg9ZoPQiA8honUuE-ujW-W/s1600/photo+5-038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnpcBH7f0Vyopj9WGR-xnwaMQOuPg6PnRKNI5Atf6Qk29c0bh0g9fyZwedXsQruOZwoke-L6XXWU8XgsuYSnSBugA9FaHoYYDF5GbL9C1sV4ffGRMkBgNx7pg9ZoPQiA8honUuE-ujW-W/s1600/photo+5-038.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King's Library and public tables</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If one wants to look at a particular item,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a registration process must be completed</div><div style="text-align: center;">and permission is granted based on genuine scholarly purpose</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is mostly university students, professors, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and industry researchers who are granted access</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As nothing can be checked out,</div><div style="text-align: center;">items only can be viewed in monitored reading rooms</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Magna Carta is the most requested item (and denied)<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb3V168RS0Y6zzqnXmprJRo1Y1M9XvkTV6i27QonYozf2iRjrquDDE60sjYWov7dqRfQYVDnASGarUdrFrCWe0KNYCRqqSoSFMTIg5RR3Pwz2OtpQnRnrv__6TczEm-8uyTahExDXMytO/s1600/photo+3-035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb3V168RS0Y6zzqnXmprJRo1Y1M9XvkTV6i27QonYozf2iRjrquDDE60sjYWov7dqRfQYVDnASGarUdrFrCWe0KNYCRqqSoSFMTIg5RR3Pwz2OtpQnRnrv__6TczEm-8uyTahExDXMytO/s1600/photo+3-035.JPG" width="502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When an item is requested, it goes through a system between the walls that reminded me</div><div style="text-align: center;">of luggage at an airport with trays on automated tracks<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahIz6SWN6KtVQA7LW5VA_er4nIgAJ73zVXT74IjBELIc_CDg0FZYoaqL4SgF26P3soq5zA-IFB6Gjr95mqbUZo7-niPZDByRdQFECG41xmGmBfA5jaCM9FH9JN3iktL6SG-RS3T0RqDdF/s1600/photo+1-046.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahIz6SWN6KtVQA7LW5VA_er4nIgAJ73zVXT74IjBELIc_CDg0FZYoaqL4SgF26P3soq5zA-IFB6Gjr95mqbUZo7-niPZDByRdQFECG41xmGmBfA5jaCM9FH9JN3iktL6SG-RS3T0RqDdF/s1600/photo+1-046.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seventy people work in the basement 80 feet below ground</div><div style="text-align: center;">where items are stored on 20-foot high bookshelves</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The lowest level of the building is filled with pumps</div><div style="text-align: center;">since the basement rests below the water table and River Thames<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The King's Library holds King George III's collection</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is considered one of the most important from his era</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally donated to the library when it was part of the British Museum,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the collection is now housed in a customized area with a clever fire plan<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BJzNHAFozjQBplVCe6nbRVXLz6GYOY6qHNEVIMl8u7k_sgfnSifTlEATQnvtNApS1DSbGMdz_hSeMhyOArnUA_a3rF60laRKnBTMQYMjZgtAZpdbKxTklUZVyDcx9TENd_T1dl1hP5lo/s1600/photo+5-041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BJzNHAFozjQBplVCe6nbRVXLz6GYOY6qHNEVIMl8u7k_sgfnSifTlEATQnvtNApS1DSbGMdz_hSeMhyOArnUA_a3rF60laRKnBTMQYMjZgtAZpdbKxTklUZVyDcx9TENd_T1dl1hP5lo/s1600/photo+5-041.JPG" width="586" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King's Library</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In case of fire elsewhere in the library,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a fire retardant gel would fill the space between the double glass panes</div><div style="text-align: center;">and King George's collection would be pulled out of the skylight to safety</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since water would create a lot of damage to books in case of fire,</div><div style="text-align: center;">other precious books are stored in an emergency blast freezer corridor</div><div style="text-align: center;">This means a vacuum sucks out air and blasts the area with cold air (-18<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">°</span></span>C) to freeze books</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then those books are transported to freezer holds in area grocery stores for safekeeping<br />Sounds like a movie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next time I would love to attend Conservation Studio: Behind The Scenes Tour</div><div style="text-align: center;">Offered monthly, this will be on my list for next time :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- all images my own -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Link: <a href="http://www.bl.uk/whatson/tours/index.html">British Library Tour</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored tour)</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

British Library Tour

Interesting that in the world's largest holding library you are unable to check out a book and need special permission to touch one Whil...

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The Lake District

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">For the long holiday weekend</div><div style="text-align: center;">we took a quick zip to the Lake District, </div><div style="text-align: center;">the largest and most visited National Park in England </div><div style="text-align: center;">located near the Scottish border</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu0hYcKV_E5n2Hy2CZZAEEE92btx8ym8ZgAyc1l8KnGM68CzHVYTysetLEXqPfrnMMvY_GYZSmKt2p4WrE1VLoIogKwJi8jxKpPvVDTnWvM3r26VeoGE3pRDh2G2YamkPhXt8mNzXjbhF/s1600/DSC01358-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu0hYcKV_E5n2Hy2CZZAEEE92btx8ym8ZgAyc1l8KnGM68CzHVYTysetLEXqPfrnMMvY_GYZSmKt2p4WrE1VLoIogKwJi8jxKpPvVDTnWvM3r26VeoGE3pRDh2G2YamkPhXt8mNzXjbhF/s1600/DSC01358-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see how this area has inspired so many authors</div><div style="text-align: center;">including William Wordsworth and Arthur Ransome</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLIZCSakYFI319qtz6zDSNdcXkCJa0IX-k7bx4jpiq7YDr74fgI0sRCXm1zzSYvF_9nw7uWFs6XB54hT80uKdXqK_2COhlXyzzOTNWae_Uga7naMtnCakpXgTFpUvmRXYXBPQhlKIStyZ/s1600/DSC01325-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLIZCSakYFI319qtz6zDSNdcXkCJa0IX-k7bx4jpiq7YDr74fgI0sRCXm1zzSYvF_9nw7uWFs6XB54hT80uKdXqK_2COhlXyzzOTNWae_Uga7naMtnCakpXgTFpUvmRXYXBPQhlKIStyZ/s1600/DSC01325-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The area is known for its </div><div style="text-align: center;">long, thin lakes</div><div style="text-align: center;">hills (known as 'fells')</div><div style="text-align: center;">verdant countryside (indicating it rains a lot) </div><div style="text-align: center;">and hardy Herdwick & Swaledale sheep</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLxLtUP0ph8oTfg2IyRDyU4LkC9cwMc52AY8MWge0mtSgjSGAKYWJr9uTyGJ5cYwsFv5jUXDzBdqCcOqZwTzfVxejEbWNlWyMJBB26lmDseuJGU9j4I-aU2_YIDx55M7LnOYzB_LEpnOb/s1600/DSC01383-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLxLtUP0ph8oTfg2IyRDyU4LkC9cwMc52AY8MWge0mtSgjSGAKYWJr9uTyGJ5cYwsFv5jUXDzBdqCcOqZwTzfVxejEbWNlWyMJBB26lmDseuJGU9j4I-aU2_YIDx55M7LnOYzB_LEpnOb/s1600/DSC01383-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't you in love already?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVRNQj_usLKdcXCsMDj4ILACC-59Qw23zkCwSePnVNLeyxva96RBJ4zN-U6tfP01t-3OT5QTptFft_yEgpc51Sx_k6D6IEV5RapfSh1HrbNlwy7VHkLpTEepbZ-0vj3xnIKyx4tFS65SW/s1600/DSC01574-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVRNQj_usLKdcXCsMDj4ILACC-59Qw23zkCwSePnVNLeyxva96RBJ4zN-U6tfP01t-3OT5QTptFft_yEgpc51Sx_k6D6IEV5RapfSh1HrbNlwy7VHkLpTEepbZ-0vj3xnIKyx4tFS65SW/s1600/DSC01574-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGvx4Gtmi80pEYKt10F9f7e39-4BlRttCadiPzwrslSZScYMG0c3tRyzuQKC0_NfBaiCykr8tWzqUj5irYiw_TWhWM1lNWs8s2xOOgq3_hMT9EYeNXhYjn2OBBplE8SPNerpPVtxNrqEj/s1600/DSC01443-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGvx4Gtmi80pEYKt10F9f7e39-4BlRttCadiPzwrslSZScYMG0c3tRyzuQKC0_NfBaiCykr8tWzqUj5irYiw_TWhWM1lNWs8s2xOOgq3_hMT9EYeNXhYjn2OBBplE8SPNerpPVtxNrqEj/s1600/DSC01443-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRhaC0sX5XymVtvPklK9katG4MXC1LWNw02AzXDg2rX4G88SsR_ybUIVZDnVW0wzXTTtEaG2kk5eTRGVa9y50MepAiZ2GmPdTIuxqVOa8eUNXrUYjlqrOZh7Yvp5cB8F8__mdU6UxBTNt/s1600/DSC01413-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRhaC0sX5XymVtvPklK9katG4MXC1LWNw02AzXDg2rX4G88SsR_ybUIVZDnVW0wzXTTtEaG2kk5eTRGVa9y50MepAiZ2GmPdTIuxqVOa8eUNXrUYjlqrOZh7Yvp5cB8F8__mdU6UxBTNt/s1600/DSC01413-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We visited Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse, <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top/">Hill Top</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which was a real highlight</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We saw local village locations that appear in her books</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as this letter box</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I1QdCZ9hXUc91XCJgJSlKoUQ0uI-sjt9m1VlFOfy1GYd0RDTaAs-BVK9U-kHJoABgCgDsHZzsKoxRqZQOc_qsSeSLY8MWf-YgiRNZxKcpIi5DyQQzFQ4yWhc6M9ex9V0ROd_Ybo82jpw/s1600/DSC01455-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I1QdCZ9hXUc91XCJgJSlKoUQ0uI-sjt9m1VlFOfy1GYd0RDTaAs-BVK9U-kHJoABgCgDsHZzsKoxRqZQOc_qsSeSLY8MWf-YgiRNZxKcpIi5DyQQzFQ4yWhc6M9ex9V0ROd_Ybo82jpw/s1600/DSC01455-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen Victoria was the first to put her 'royal cypher' on new postboxes<br />Here, 'GR' indicates this letterbox was placed during the reign of King George V (<i>George Rex</i>)<br />Queen Elizabeth II's royal cypher is EIIR (<i>Elizabeth II Regina</i>)<br /><i>Rex/Regina</i> is Latin for king/queen</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />So glad we fit in this last trip!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well worth the five hour drive :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all images my own -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

The Lake District

For the long holiday weekend we took a quick zip to the Lake District,  the largest and most visited National Park in England  located near ...

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Living In The Space Between

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Last week the movers packed up the container</div><div style="text-align: center;">and took everything we own to the dock to be shipped out tomorrow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I admit I was a bit misty-eyed as the truck's doors were locked and secured</div><div style="text-align: center;">with homemade artwork and favorite acquired treasures inside</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So many memories packed into one container!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDGAuEbo5DPZsqTAPCUy_l6p_66HPb2cBiU2-3Opz_XWxE-T7f5w0nc6-AxayFNzPbAfoMQ5tMnfiV5cn5QeSGTnfsToDi-7YsiGCAmTbwSjXm5g87XKq4FezTZX6gsgtj5-nndE7eFeL/s1600/photo+4-042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDGAuEbo5DPZsqTAPCUy_l6p_66HPb2cBiU2-3Opz_XWxE-T7f5w0nc6-AxayFNzPbAfoMQ5tMnfiV5cn5QeSGTnfsToDi-7YsiGCAmTbwSjXm5g87XKq4FezTZX6gsgtj5-nndE7eFeL/s1600/photo+4-042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Appropriately</div><div style="text-align: center;">the shipment is due to arrive the US port on the 4th of July</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In advance</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had to power wash our bikes to remove all dirt</div><div style="text-align: center;">and rid of items that were raw, untreated wood</div><div style="text-align: center;">in order to pass successfully through US Customs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are hoping for a speedy customs clearance </div><div style="text-align: center;">so we can get our lives unpacked and settled in quickly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With our furniture gone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are living like university students once more</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Using moving boxes as night stands</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two twin beds pushed together</div><div style="text-align: center;">Interior design magazines for ideas in our future home :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeRsVBdIRjiOQBOdDr-c6K8DWhn7c5MtZqYIm0gy7eamzy-mbdVkHWemknV7xWZecd_cbyVeJHSilP_5bELexzNIfUbOvXdXWDUuZHMj7a7YvSm_oshQgJkai8XREFypwzrfOMNKzswVx/s1600/photo+5-040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeRsVBdIRjiOQBOdDr-c6K8DWhn7c5MtZqYIm0gy7eamzy-mbdVkHWemknV7xWZecd_cbyVeJHSilP_5bELexzNIfUbOvXdXWDUuZHMj7a7YvSm_oshQgJkai8XREFypwzrfOMNKzswVx/s1600/photo+5-040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a few more weeks we'll use rental furniture</div><div style="text-align: center;">- 3 beds, 1 sofa, 1 table with chairs -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We sold all electrical items with UK plugs,<br />got rid of our light bulbs, </div><div style="text-align: center;">purged liquids</div><div style="text-align: center;">(incl nail polish remover, cleaning supplies, liquid medicines),</div><div style="text-align: center;">and soon our cupboards will be bare<br /><br />We'll do some creative cooking with the few ingredients we do have on hand</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been a monumental clean out</div><div style="text-align: center;">performed previously just 4 years ago</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is exhausting but then somewhat liberating<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmiMtco1jl_63jXjPO6c1tVTH-YUv_mAWzlWOzMZo-BOIjLDTEMYy49SNfjtj6OKq1DwfggvOzBohX3Wgl6qf7X9eDw4h6wQHzEN_xd-qUk93PnWZa416NnnRbOuI2WlbE0w5wcY1bjbh/s1600/2014-05-16+02-17-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmiMtco1jl_63jXjPO6c1tVTH-YUv_mAWzlWOzMZo-BOIjLDTEMYy49SNfjtj6OKq1DwfggvOzBohX3Wgl6qf7X9eDw4h6wQHzEN_xd-qUk93PnWZa416NnnRbOuI2WlbE0w5wcY1bjbh/s1600/2014-05-16+02-17-024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For our last days in England<br />we will sleep in a hotel, and the pets will be in boarding</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The house gets a required 3-day professional cleaning</div><div style="text-align: center;">before an inspector comes through with her check-list</div><div style="text-align: center;">(always a daunting day when she comes through)<br /><br />Feels so strange...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheese in the frig will expire after I leave</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fliers announce events I cannot attend</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaves grow on trees that I won't see fall this autumn<br /><br />I will miss my beloved toadstool and conker season<br />Guy Fawkes Night too<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyAZBKo04ib9_lrtnkAcDUvH2-6k7UNV6zWb1tyvx91BBfp6ggbXhzn1e_rC7qgpQMaKE2cMzJxg22InbVZo05c2MfZw4Dy6V-afl32hv6JCk7gmo8isJFaWpGCqDoaRX0yU_8RzIccQJ/s1600/DSC01146-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyAZBKo04ib9_lrtnkAcDUvH2-6k7UNV6zWb1tyvx91BBfp6ggbXhzn1e_rC7qgpQMaKE2cMzJxg22InbVZo05c2MfZw4Dy6V-afl32hv6JCk7gmo8isJFaWpGCqDoaRX0yU_8RzIccQJ/s1600/DSC01146-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Oddly, my calendar is empty from the next month on<br /><br />Once we return to the US</div><div style="text-align: center;">we will attend events we aren't even aware of yet<br />and we'll fill the refrigerator with food once more</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Thanksgiving will be celebrated traditionally once again</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />It's hard to stay in the moment</div><div style="text-align: center;">when the moment feels so unstable</div><div style="text-align: center;">- I'm neither here nor there -<br /><br />Passionately<br />missing my friends and my life here already<br />while excited to be reunited with friends & family back home<br />and set up our new life</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the space between<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos my own -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Living In The Space Between

Last week the movers packed up the container and took everything we own to the dock to be shipped out tomorrow I admit I was a bit misty-eye...

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Downton Abbey Film Locations

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Highclere Castle is the primary film location</div><div style="text-align: center;">for ITV's popular <i>Downton Abbey</i> television series</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Highclere Castle is open to the public select days each year</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU05MDiYP2ecrILd4wdTMloML8S-nb_elcTvDkh7W8NDxYeN0Le7_nOkSs6RW6OeLzuruYLJ392169_8g2jLORYFOoVNdaq_uMhRBo2tTsaRhosEyZnXgHeFezGXnyuis-MledUL70VwK/s1600/Downton_Abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU05MDiYP2ecrILd4wdTMloML8S-nb_elcTvDkh7W8NDxYeN0Le7_nOkSs6RW6OeLzuruYLJ392169_8g2jLORYFOoVNdaq_uMhRBo2tTsaRhosEyZnXgHeFezGXnyuis-MledUL70VwK/s1600/Downton_Abbey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Downton_Abbey.jpg">wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I won't have a chance to visit Highclere Castle, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I recently had tea at Byfleet Manor </div><div style="text-align: center;">(aka Lady Violet Crawley's house in the series)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not too far from London,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this private home opens to the public for tea parties, special events, and pre-arranged tours</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjIgZkojn8jwAB1MGM9ur8dVucy28gfe3-FEc9DCJJ6q55zq1t7kbGGz3OaqLdbsnLi1OPjiONGMM4y1Hi_pJEvsh-wZWllxz1D6iDRyywX7CLgEwDApR_JCx3N-b2jLmWOrwVQXdYhSq/s1600/DSC01231-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjIgZkojn8jwAB1MGM9ur8dVucy28gfe3-FEc9DCJJ6q55zq1t7kbGGz3OaqLdbsnLi1OPjiONGMM4y1Hi_pJEvsh-wZWllxz1D6iDRyywX7CLgEwDApR_JCx3N-b2jLmWOrwVQXdYhSq/s1600/DSC01231-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The original portion of the house was built in 1670</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the location of a previous palace belonging to Henry VIII</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two wings were added later</div><div style="text-align: center;">and each lived in by different residents today</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Hutton family resides in the middle portion,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is used for filming</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qNNxyT5MS6RhuFXb6ZG9u_58KLrrfd2U-sVvWZiaehxCGaoBsq6UpVjtRtUauJW-TtD47-qtW4IL0X-xypDbTiMTIEWg-TtctBEkL5oFAjhBUK16H3CqLYFAe-N2g-rSw9lCerG3o_CA/s1600/DSC01247-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qNNxyT5MS6RhuFXb6ZG9u_58KLrrfd2U-sVvWZiaehxCGaoBsq6UpVjtRtUauJW-TtD47-qtW4IL0X-xypDbTiMTIEWg-TtctBEkL5oFAjhBUK16H3CqLYFAe-N2g-rSw9lCerG3o_CA/s1600/DSC01247-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most filmed room for 'Dower House' of Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A great story unfolded thirteen years ago...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With a newborn in her arms,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Julie Hutton watched in horror as her dog ran off and bit a man </div><div style="text-align: center;">who turned out to be a judge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As you would expect, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a policeman came knocking at her door to take the dog away</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The policeman took pity on the emotional new mom and did not take the dog,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and impulsively the Huttons bought Byfleet Manor with its fenced yard</div><div style="text-align: center;">(which she saw in a flier) </div><div style="text-align: center;">in an effort to save their pet</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It worked - the dog was saved</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eJx1FINeNHcVnQhu4iBGP5vxkmVR_6MMYu30YXvKGrg_hjYhDoMV1bjDrgFm34cn7dOdLJs71S0GROjQCIKNXzHcDYEHfCb24Ecwy8sR7sWm6_WlhyphenhyphenU2XlzAvGrR4BebcKsbopSXsOaa/s1600/DSC01237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eJx1FINeNHcVnQhu4iBGP5vxkmVR_6MMYu30YXvKGrg_hjYhDoMV1bjDrgFm34cn7dOdLJs71S0GROjQCIKNXzHcDYEHfCb24Ecwy8sR7sWm6_WlhyphenhyphenU2XlzAvGrR4BebcKsbopSXsOaa/s1600/DSC01237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Years later, a stranger knocked on their Byfleet Manor front door </div><div style="text-align: center;">and asked if the house could be used for filming a television show</div><div style="text-align: center;">(<i>Downton Abbey</i>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They said yes</div><div style="text-align: center;">and interestingly all 'Dower House' scenes for the season are filmed in just one day</div><div style="text-align: center;">(plus one day to clear out the room and another day to put it back together)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNJ8QnTUneKrM93vQ77q_9MfxedTphkf8-gf_qERDigq7KUB2wb7hKSr5UX8OiUxF5e5V68oqGizvvCec50AqEOPSLiw_ewHCsMX7wjrFxONTTdVs4htqC_FIYLoahSvo1_eBVx_DbDub/s1600/DSC01238-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNJ8QnTUneKrM93vQ77q_9MfxedTphkf8-gf_qERDigq7KUB2wb7hKSr5UX8OiUxF5e5V68oqGizvvCec50AqEOPSLiw_ewHCsMX7wjrFxONTTdVs4htqC_FIYLoahSvo1_eBVx_DbDub/s1600/DSC01238-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a peek at the Hutton's beautiful garden within the 24 acre property</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyRzuRkAkAh35NVdv_mfyepxJwkvJuAgba0EnxqPPxYAFnBnwbGGgbGc6TI-sB7HGBbEt9DGHHIfYIy0xBIenVhMCwvMmgHkf7E7WxRfC8dPs9lTrosCvGVfpUATYZeKVRw2udg8vzHLv/s1600/DSC01250-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyRzuRkAkAh35NVdv_mfyepxJwkvJuAgba0EnxqPPxYAFnBnwbGGgbGc6TI-sB7HGBbEt9DGHHIfYIy0xBIenVhMCwvMmgHkf7E7WxRfC8dPs9lTrosCvGVfpUATYZeKVRw2udg8vzHLv/s1600/DSC01250-003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and one of their pet pigs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo9KGAN9uRZcO7fROKwDB_imTknMwBLd49rorqOk92K8duvfEtN8cOaoDhUFdDJjjYwsjhfl7FIHMDI6z8B34b8t-NhFJS0DQqa3H_elFfJObaCt7LTxHwyL-TDmXyERJxUbHUMLJ_5yp/s1600/DSC01260-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo9KGAN9uRZcO7fROKwDB_imTknMwBLd49rorqOk92K8duvfEtN8cOaoDhUFdDJjjYwsjhfl7FIHMDI6z8B34b8t-NhFJS0DQqa3H_elFfJObaCt7LTxHwyL-TDmXyERJxUbHUMLJ_5yp/s1600/DSC01260-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I find this animal lover's story to be a great reminder -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When life sends you a lemon,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it could be for lemonade</div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- images my own, excluding first one -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Links: <a href="http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/">Highclere Castle</a>,<a href="http://www.byfleetmanor.com/"> Byfleet Manor</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(an unsponsored post)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Downton Abbey Film Locations

Highclere Castle is the primary film location for ITV's popular Downton Abbey television series Highclere Castle is open to the public ...

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