A Day at Ascot

I still have so many photos to share from the past few years.  Here are some from a day at Ascot for a beer fest.  If you ever get to ascot, be sure to find this beautiful sculpture call "Uniting Two Societies."

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Highgate Cemetery London

Wasn't the Royal Wedding beautiful?  After watching it last week, I've been aching for London.  I miss that city so much.  It's definitely time to plan a trip back.  I miss the food, the architecture, the history, the pubs, the museums, the Thames... so much to miss.  Today I'm posting some photos from a visit to Highgate Cemetery that Gina (who I miss so much) and I explored one day.  It's a beautiful and tranquil spot.  I'm glad that I got to check it off my list before I left. 

Gloucester Cathedral & City Break

Not all city breaks require a trip to the airport, right?  Sometimes a road trip is in order and England has plenty to see and do.  Gloucester offers a cathedral, a city center and a revitalized Victorian port to explore.  It's only a 2.5 hour drive from London so it's an easy one.  Gloucester is in Gloucestershire, neither of which is pronounced like it looks.  Kind of like Worcestershire sauce.  It's "glaw-ster"  and the county is pronounced kind of like "glaw-sta-sher".  Matt will probably tell me this is still completely wrong because of the American accent in the mix, but it's close enough.

Starting 2017 with a Walk & a Word

I like to start the new year off with a walk and a good think.  I don’t really do New Year Resolutions. (It’s January so I can still talk about this stuff , right?) Not only am I never successful with resolutions, but I can’t even remember them come February. Last year at the encouragement of a few friends, I picked a Word for the Year. A word to guide and encourage. Something to focus on. They all expressed that this was a positive thing for them, that it made a difference. So I went for a walk on New Years Day in Folkestone to come up with my Word for 2017.

Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean

You may have noticed that it's been pretty quiet on the blog and social media lately.  That's because I'm in Texas bonding with my grandbabies and enjoying time with family and friends.  It seems wrong to spend much time doing anything but that.  But I have a quiet moment so I wanted to share some photos from a recent adventure back home in England.  These photos are from the most fascinating place.  This is Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean. 

Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill

If you know me then you know I love a Gin & Tonic.  It's just one of the wonderful things that my British husband has introduced to me.  Crisp and refreshing, over ice with a twist of lime.  Yes, please.  We were walking through Heathrow recently and passed a Bombay Sapphire pop-up experience.  Two thought bubbles appeared above my head.  "Are they seriously just giving drinks away?" and "can you really get away with drinking before breakfast when you're in an airport?"  Let's just ignore the second question for now.  The answer to the first question was "yes, but first put on these VR glasses and take a quick virtual tour of our award winning distillery."  Between the virtual tour and the breakfast cocktails, we were convinced enough to visit the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in real life at the next opportunity.

Chobham Show 2016

So, we did make it official last year, I am a British citizen.  But, I'm not fooling anyone, especially since we moved out of the city into the country.  In London, I was one of many migrants.  Here in Surrey I stick out like a sore thumb.  I once described being an American in the UK like being a Labrador puppy in a room full of cats.  I've been feeling my inner lab much more since we moved to Chobham.  But I learned a few years into this expat experience that I should just embrace my American self and join in.  Most recently we went to the Annual Chobham Show.  The village show is a great British celebration and a great way to get to know our new home. 

A day at Hampton Court

I think I've mentioned before that Matt and I keep a list of things that we want to do in London.  Hampton Court Palace was at the top of that list for a long time and late last year we finally made the journey.  The royals used to travel from Hampton Court to Westminster via the Thames, passing through the locks along the way.  It sounds so romantic. I knew that I needed to combine that Thames boat trip with our visit to the Palace.  So on a beautiful fall day, we crossed this one off of the list.  

Chestertons Polo in the Park

I'm in complete denial about the transition to winter.  I don't mind the cold really, but don't get me started on the darkness.  I left work at 5pm yesterday and it was dark.  This does nothing for my mood, let me tell you.  So instead, let's pretend it's still the height of summer.  We actually had a pretty warm summer in the UK.  We tried to enjoy every bit of it.  One Saturday we spent watching polo in the sun.  It was the perfect British summer day. 

Afternoon Tea & Sightseeing with Thistle London

Last year I wrote about an amazing date night that Matt and I had here in London that included a stay at the Thistle Marble Arch.  It's a favorite London hotel and I particularly loved the complimentary lounge.   Nibbles and bubbles just for me?  Yes, please.  

This summer Thistle Hotels invited me to join them for again for a special treat. 

Victoria & Albert Museum

When I first got my new Nikon I decided to take it to the V& A Museum for a little practice run.  The V&A is one of the first museums that I visited in London and one of my favorites.  I also love that you can take photographs.

Horningsea, England

During our weekend excursion to Cambridge,  we stayed in a tiny village just outside the city called Horningsea.  The village has one pub and one restaurant with rooms which is where we stayed.  The Crown & Punchbowl is an old coaching inn dating back to 1764.  Old coaching inns are dotted around England and we will always pick one of these over a regular hotel.  We've had the best luck. 

The City of Cambridge

After two years and only 4,000 miles, we decided that it was time to get rid of the car.  It was used so rarely and just costing money.  But not before one last UK road trip.  As you know, I love London.  But I also love getting out of London, so our next weekend city break was Cambridge. 

Charming Eastbourne

There's something very unique about an English seaside town.
Especially one with a Victorian pier.
Promenade, candy shops, fish & chips, an arcade and lots of seagulls.
Not to mention, a pebble beach.  Full of quirk and fun.

One of the most popular is Brighton which I've visited a few times and just love.
But, recently I spent a weekend in another English seaside resort about 17 miles east of Brighton.
It was just as unique and quirky and not nearly as crowded.

We went with a group of friends and rented a big Victorian house for the weekend.
It's becoming an annual thing.  Last year was Ramsgate.
Picture tons of food and wine, playing board games late into the night.  Loads of fun!

On Sunday, everyone scattered for a little quiet time or a nap.
I grabbed my camera and went for a walk on the beachfront to snap some photos.
It was such a lovely way to spend an hour or so in the midst of a festive weekend.

There's quite a few photos.  I hope you don't mind.
I love the photo of the seagull mid-flap.

 

Quite charming, don't you think?

Which is your favorite English seaside town?

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