Day 57 (8/23/16)

Today we headed to Glendurgan Garden, a National Trust site, which is about 2 hours away in Cornwall. If visiting the country for any length of time, purchasing a membership is totally worth it as you get free access to all their 500+ sites across the UK.

The garden was absolutely beautiful! There were plants with leaves that were as big as the kids. They had fun swings and a hedgerow maze for the kids. Annette and Ron went through the maze together and then Annette and I did it. It was fun and challenging. There is also a trail down to a little fishing village on the water. We lucked out and picked a gorgeous, sunny day for our visit.  It would be worth going again in the spring when the flowers are blooming.

The kids before entering the maze.

Heading into the fishing village.

At the water, looking for skipping rocks.

Cool caterpillar

Taking a break.

I can't believe how big the leaves were on this plant.

Not sure what type of flower this
is, but I really like it.

Day 56 (8/22/16)

Kids on the trail

Ron went golfing, so the kids and I explored in our area (I am still not comfortable driving). We walked the trail by our house to the waterfront, then to Radford Lake. We saw a swan and her cygnet (baby). We learned from some people at the lake that the male was recently killed by a dog. We also learned all swans are on loan from Her Majesty the Queen, so it is illegal to harm them. And every time someone speaks of the Queen they refer to her as "Her Majesty the Queen."

A castle-like cottage which was home to the dam keeper in the 1800's.

I was surprised how close they came to him.

There are several old decaying
boat hulls opposite the lake.

 

Days 51-55 (8/17-8/21/16)

Day 51
We had a lazy morning at home. After lunch we headed out to get cell phones, now that Ron has a debit card, which is a UK requirement to have a standard cell phone plan. For 10GB of data, a new Galaxy S7, unlimited calls and texts it is only going to cost £45.99/month. Then an additional £10/month to add my phone and share the data. I can't believe how much cheaper it is than in the states. Since we don't have any UK credit, Ron was only approved for 1 line and had to pay a deposit. Once he has made on-time payments for the next 3 months we can add my line. So, 1/2 way to getting our cells phones fully set up.

Then we headed home and got our desk delivered from IKEA. That is one bummer about the cars being so small, you have to pay for delivery for any big items....even if they come flat packed in 3 boxes and you assemble it yourself.

We ended the night watching the 2nd round of the British Fireworks Championship.

Day 52
Not much happened today. We went to the base and kicked around a football (aka soccer ball), got our mail, and started the process for our no-fee passports. The kids and I can't get our vignettes (similar to a VISA) with our regular passport, so we have to get a special no-fee passport that says we are on official government travel orders. One more hoop.

Day 53
Ron's ankle is getting better. So we walked a trail by our house to the grocery store, it is less than 1/2 mile. On the way back the kid's played at the park and then home for the evening.

Day 54
Took the kids to see BFG. It was super cute. The kid's favorite part was after everyone drank the fizzy liquid and had to 'Whiz Pop'.
We checked out another grocery store I came across earlier in the week when I got temporarily lost (missed one turn).
Then stopped by the library, got a card, and checked out books. I love that my kids get excited about the library.

Day 55
A lazy day at home in our PJs.

Day 50 (8/16/16)

Ron is laid up with his ankle. I took the opportunity to go out by myself. I walked around a shopping area near our house called The Broadway. It has a little of everything, clothing stores, pharmacy, grocery, banks, bakeries, butcher shop, etc. Then I went to the grocery store (the grocery at the The Broadway is mostly frozen foods). It was nice to look around without the kids. Grocery shopping still takes awhile because I am not familiar with the layout of the store nor the differences in products and quantity (grams vs ounces).
Upon returning home I discovered I had lost the garage door opener. Our openers are both small pocket size openers. And since the garage is detached, we can't have the visor clip-on ones. I looked around the front of the car but to no avail. So, I proceeded to put away the groceries. Then I emptied my purse, but still no luck. Back out to the car, hoping it's there, because if not, it could be anywhere...car park (aka parking lot) or in a couple of stores where I got into my purse.  Checked under the seats, then looked in the back and there it was, on the back seat. I must have set it there when I was getting items out from the previous day's beach trip.  Ooooo, crisis averted.
We ended the night watching the 1st round of the British Fireworks Championship. From our living room we can see most of the fireworks. A few of the lower ones are obscured by a tree at the neighbor's house. But we were happy that we didn't have to deal with the crowds down at The Hoe.

View from our living room during the day.

Not the best pictures, but this is the view from our balcony.

Day 49 (8/15/16)

The weather was beautiful, so we packed a lunch and headed to the beach.  It was quite a hike down to the water, but worth it.

The cliff we walked down. The trail has benches for those
needing a break.

The beach is very much like the Pacific Northwest beaches with rocky coastlines and tide pools. I felt right at home.

Annette posing with her version of Stonehenge

We had a great day until the return trip to the car.  Ron twisted his ankle on the edge of the road, so I walked the rest of the way to the car and came back to pick him and the kids up.  (Thank goodness it was the road and not the trail up the cliff.)




For those keeping track....yes I skipped days 46-48.  We didn't do anything noteworthy on those days.

Day 45 (8/11/16)

As with most days we had a late start.  I have really gotten used to sleeping in. Although I probably should slowly starting getting up earlier so that when the kids start school it isn't such a shock.  We decided to head to the Saltram House, which is a local National Trust property with a beautiful Gregorian mansion. We got there too late to walk through the house, but the gardens were beautiful. And they have the gardens set up with fun activities for the kids.

They were excited to find Redwoods in England.

Day 43 & 44 (8/9 & 8/10/16)

Day 43
We got up early today and headed to Croughton AFB. At 4 hours away, it is the closest American base to us.  While there we took care of some banking, getting my international driver's license (thankfully it was only a written test), applying for a fuel card that allow us to pay base price when we are purchasing fuel on the economy, and of course shopping at the Commissary to get all the foods we can't buy in the UK grocery stores....like real sausage and bacon.
The highlight of the day was on the drive up.  I had noticed 2 cows in a field ensuring the survival of their species and hoped the kids wouldn't see it.  No luck. Annette says, "Did you see those 2 cows playing?" Lil Ron says, "Where? I don't see them." Meanwhile I am cringing in my seat. Ron was driving and hadn't seen it. "It's too late we are already passed them. But one was climbing on the other ones back," she tells her brother. OMGosh!!! I almost died laughing. At this point Ron has figured out what had transpired and is also laughing.  I am glad they are still naive, and we let it remain that way.

Day 44
Took the kids to Jump! and checked out some stores. We found a spirograph for the kids and they loved it. They spent the evening creating pictures.
We learned we need to continue to use the GPS. We thought we knew how to get from downtown to one of the grocery stores, and we did. Unfortunately, the road we took was a bus/taxi only road. Doesn't seem like a big deal, except they have traffic cameras that take photos if personal vehicles use the road. Now we are waiting to get a ticket in the mail.  (Note: We got lucky *knock on wood*, and never got a ticket for this. Phew!)