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. 

Better with Age?

You might have noticed things have been quiet on the blog for the last week or so. That's because this roadblock of a post is sitting in my pending folder taunting me.  Last month I turned 50. Yeah, that's right.  Woohoo.  The big-five-oh.  Blah, blah, blah.  I feel I should write about it, commemorate it in some way.  It's kind of a big deal, I guess. But I really have no idea what to say about it. 

Galleon Cruise in Gdansk

Here are a few more photos from our weekend in Gdansk, Poland.  They're from our ride on a pirate ship and an important historical monument.  You may wonder why pirate ships in Gdansk, but it makes perfect sense.  Gdansk is one of the maritime cities of the Hanseatic League, an association of towns along the Northern coast of Europe that banded together in the 13th century.  The league dominated Baltic trade into the 19th century.  It was developed to organize and control trade, but it was also needed for protection from pirates.  So when you go to Gdansk, plan to ride on a pirate ship.