A Day at Holkham Hall

We have been so fortunate to have wonderful weather and it was another lovely day on Sunday when we visited Holkham Hall - a stately manor located on the east coast of England. This was one that my brother, Gary recommended that we see. It was built during the 1700's and is very much maintained as original as possible. It is occupied by the owner (Coke) and his family - his wife and four small children. Most of the stately homes are occupied and only open to the public during the summer and only several days a week. There are hundreds of stately manors to see in England.

A Day in London!

We spent the day - Monday - in London. We traveled into the city by the Tube - an interesting experience and noisy!

We rode the Big Red Bus and enjoyed the wonderful sunshine which, I am learning, is a novelty in England.

We spent several hours in Hyde Park which is in the heart of London and just beautiful. It is amazing that the Brits have maintained this lovely park and so many others in the city on 'prime' commercial property. I am sure the royals have something to do with that. Anyway it is so neat to enjoy the beauty of nature in such a busy city.

We got to visit Diana's memorial !

After a full day, we went to see the musical - "Wicked". I have seen many productions but none as wonderful as this. The costumes, sets, actors and everything was beyond belief! The story is really cute also - a remake of the tale of the wicked witch of the west in the Wizard of Oz.

I am having a great time but am tired! I haven't walked this much in years!

A Day in Cambridge!

I spent Saturday, July 21st, with Danielle at Cambridge, University while she finished her final class of her B.A. degree. Her final class was a field study class in Cambridge. (Her degree is history and it is so great that she has been able to walk through so much history in Europe.)

The Cambridge University class was really enjoyable but extensive walking. We visited several colleges - there are 31 colleges within Cambridge. And of course, there is so much history within the walls of these campuses.

We enjoyed a traditional English lunch with one of my favorites - English Pasties, a pastry crust filled with meat or chicken, vegies, potatoes or whatever. Yum!

And then the Professor or Fellow treated us to High Tea with lots of English traditional foods. Cucumber sandwiches sandwiches with pickle relish and grated cheese (my favorite) and of course, lots of desserts including scones with jam and cream.

I tease Danielle that now she can say with all honesty that she completed her education at Cambridge University.

Enjoy the pictures!

The Kids home on Lakenheath AFB

I arrived in England on Wednesday, July 18th at noon. Long flight - 10 hours but I managed to get a seat with extra leg room. That made it a little easier.

Danielle and James (along with Dominee and Isaiah) live on base in a beautiful two-story home that backs up to a forest of green trees. They have a beautiful back yard. Their home is really nice with three bedrooms but only one bath.

The fighter jets fly over their house all day long but you get used to it. (I think)

I will post some pictures of their home and the base and of course, the family.