Alison and I have been having a fantastic time so far. I'll try to compress it into a readable blog!
After Ali got settled here with a nice long sleep she accompanied me to work on the last day of school. I was happy to have another set of hands and she was able to see the kind of jungle animals my students were (Past tense...new job starting Monday!) That night we went to a comedy show in central London where I got picked on by the comedian who tried to auction me off throughout the evening. Sheesh.
For the rest of the weekend until Tuesday we did all sorts of touristy things, such as Greenwich Park, the Royal Obsevatory, the National Portrait Galley, visiting the bar I used to work at, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, shopping at Westfield's (well, looking...very posh!), enjoyed fish and chips, and explored the 02 Arena, and went to see Les Miserables! It's all a blur now anyway... Right, on to Wednesday!
We got up early and hoped to heck we could make it to Swanage. The rail lines were all messed up because of the "horrible weather conditions"... it's quite comical how this country falls to pieces because of a little of the white stuff! Anyhow, we made it to Swanage in one piece and Alan Rouse met us at the station. We went and enjoyed dinner and civilized conversation with he, Ann, and Ann's 97 year old mother! We had a nice sleep in their downstairs flat and explored the town the next day. Late afternoon we took the hour or so drive to Eastleigh where most of the Rouse's families live. We were welcomed with open arms to Cherry and Martin's house. We enjoyed a nice Christmas Eve dinner and then did the complete opposite of the norm back home. Instead of going to church ... we went to the pub! And had a FANTASTIC time! Christmas morning arrived and we enjoyed seeing Mia (The Rouse's great granddaughter) open her presents. Christmas day was nice and relaxed. We went to visit Pip and Peter - the Rouse's son and daughter in law and their 3 kids (I played hide and seek for the afternoon!) Then was the huge Christmas dinner back at Cherry and Martin's - everyone was there! We felt so at home and as if we'd known everyone forever! That evening the party stayed at Cherry's place. All of the grandkids' (who are our age) friends came over and it was a blast! Needless to say, Boxing Day was a day for recovery... The next day we packed up and headed home to London.
Since we came back from Swanage on Sunday we've been busy little bees out and about! We've done the London Dungeon, Westminster Abbey, South Bank, Oxford St. shopping, St James's Park, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Green Park, the National Martime Museum, the Queen's House, and Karaoke! Actually, it was "rockaoke" at the Roadhouse - Ali and I both sang our owns songs on stage with a live band in front of hundreds of people - it was SO much fun! So, that brings us right up to date! It is New Year's Eve and to avoid paying minimum 30 quid to get into any bar where drink prices would be jacked up and people will be drunk off their rear ends... we are staying close to home and going to the Good Ol' Greenwich Park Bar & Grill where the company is great and the drinks are free!
I hope that everyone has had a wonderfully Merry Christmas and enjoyed the company of friends and family. Happy New Year!
God Bless
Amy & Ali
Happy Belated New Year to you Amy. Sounds like you and Ali had a blast..wonderful. I have been keeping an eye on Britain's weather..geesh..it is only snow. We have a small amount of snow for this time of year. Guess you just wanted a white holiday..lol..great to hear you had fun with some relatives. You did not mention where your new job is..are you still teaching??
ReplyDeleteTake care
hugs
Aunt Lynne