London part 2

King's Cross Train Station in London.  Absolutely PACKED on a Sunday night!  Our train arrived about 5 mins before it departed, and we had to wait with all these people for them to announce which platform our train was going to depart from.  By the time it was finally announced (about 3 mins before it left the station), the mobs of people practially ran to board.  Fortunately, we had reserved seats - but our car was some 8 train cars down the platform.  We boarded, and the train left almost immediately.  Never experienced anything like it.

A better picture of the London Eye.  I imagine it's a fabulous way to view the city, but also expensive - as are most things in London...

A better picture of the Millenium bridge - from the Tate Modern restaurant.  Had awesome pasta there - full of flavor - unlike most things here.  It's a lot like Utah in that they don't seem to want to 'offend' people with flavor/spices, etc.  I like things bold, and the Tate had 'bold' - albeit expensive again - but it came with this view.



Westminster Abbey in the heart of London.  Although the sun departed after lunch, it was still quite pleasant weather.  We never experienced a drop of rain, and the temps were lovely.



Legoland Windsor

Fairly boring for adults (unless you are enamoured with Legos), but a BLAST for the kids.  The miniland - small recreations with Legos of real places throughout the world was pretty cool, as was the one decent roller coaster.

The kids driving course - ages 6 - 13 (shhhhh, Collin is only 5).  I can't believe they don't have the parents sign a liability waver for whip lash.  Not to mention half the kids want to drive on the left and the other half on the right...  they kids loved this though, and did it twice, after which they receive a 'drivers license'.

Not to be outdone by Windsor Castle just down the street - Legoland's version...

Miniland - very cool - and the setting in Windsor was just beautiful.  Once again, terrible weather. ;)

For a country that rarely breaks 80 degrees F, I was surprised at the number of water rides - FOUR I think, yet only one dry roller coaster worth a hill of beans.  I didn't feel like waiting in the 1 hour queue for this ride, but Rich did say it was actually pretty fun.  Likely not worth the wait, but at least still fun.

Easter Sunday

Well, we decided to have Sunday Roast today and Kirkstall Abbey.  It basically was beef roast and potatoes - the potatoes were 'jacketed', which is very popular here.  Tomorrow I think we'll try Yorkshire pudding, since this version did not come with it.  Frankly, I'm not exactly sure what 'Sunday Roast' is, since it seems to vary by restaurant.  Not sure what the 'grass' garnish is, but other than that it was pretty tasty. 

Catching some rays across from the Abbey.  Not that there's been any shortage of sun here lately.  I thought the weather here was supposed to be terrible.  People keep saying we're lucky, but so far the weather has just been AWESOME most of the time I've been here.

Leeds United 0, Reading FC 0

Not the most exciting football (aka soccer) game I've ever been too, but I have to admit that the fans are awesome!  Except for the cranky lady sitting next to us that kept shaking her head at my jittery children.  It's not my fault the seats are tiny, and she was obese and spilling into my skinny kids seat, and then complaining because he kept bumping her.  I have never been in seats that cramped!  I litterly did NOT fit.  I think they should mention there is a 30" inseam requirement for the stadium seating. 

At any rate, the fans cheer far more than we do in the states.  We couldn't understand most of it, but they obviously have their songs and chants and traditions.  They must just think we're absolutely boring when it comes to cheering for our team.

Hibbard pics from London

Thought I'd post a few pics from last weekend in London.

Waiting for the bus (which never came) adjacent to Big Ben.  Westminster Abbey is right behind us.  Notice the MOBS of people in the background.  This area of London was PACKED!  The rest of the city however, was not all that crazy busy.

The Tower Bridge - very beautiful.  We walked across it - to get to the other side. ;)

The boys with mum in front of the Millenium Bridge.  You might recognize it from the latest Harry Potter movie (a scene early in the movie where there death eaters swoop down and destroy it).  If it hadn't been for my kids I'm not sure I would have recognized it.  We walked across that bridge too - to get to the other side (well, actually just so we could say we walked on it).

I've noticed that there are chips here that are prawn flavered.  That doesn't sound too tasty to me, but maybe that's just me.   I haven't tried them, I suppose I should.  Curious to hear how others feel about this. 

The weather has improved greatly here  It is really warm.  Yesterdays walk to work, I didn't wear a jacket and my hands mostly were cold.  Today didn't have that, very nice.  It's getting to about 70 here each day with no rain and feels warmer than US 70. I'm enjoying it!

While most work places in the US don't have Good Friday off here it is a Holiday.  Then Monday is a holiday again, Easter Monday.  I think we should adopt that policy.  Then this year England has an extra holiday of  Friday, April 28th, the big wedding day!  They then have Monday, May 2nd, May day off too!  I also found out that May 30th is a holiday for kids out of school or something like that, that workers also have off, co-insides with our Memorial Day.  They have the last Monday of Aug off whereas we have the 1st Monday in Sept, Labor Day.  They also have the day after Christmas, which is called Boxing Day.  I've heard of that, but didn't know when that was.  An English bloc told me it was supposed to actually be for boxing the sport, but that comes from Germany, so not really.  I also like having that day off, who wouldn't!

Oh, a pound is also a quid just as our dollar is also a buck!  I cannot seem to stop calling everything a dollar although it is actually a pound.  I really wish I could stop, but can't seem to do it until after the fact.  The same as when someone walks by I say "excuse me", but wish I had said "surrey".   I keep saying I stood in line when I should say "queue".  I actually like the sound of that one. When your born and raised in the states some things just don't leave you.  

 I don't think I've mentioned this but a name as simple as mine, Pam, is Pom here.  That is what my brother called me when he was three!  Also, I think I've said this before, but I love it when English people are talking to you and suddenly they say "carry on!"  I've got to remember that one!  Basically it's when they are done with the conversation. 

Yesterday I had crossed the street from our apts on my way to the gym and spotted a girl I work with walking home, Nat-toe-lee (Natalie), and I got so excited that I knew someone on the street.  I was pretty much jumping up and down yelling her name across the street.  She did acknowledge me, but I'm sure she thought who is that crazy person yelling my name.  When she noticed me, after me yelling at her, she seemed not to know me (I did have my hair pulled back and was in workout attire) I began yelling "it's me Pam".  She then knew me, but I'm sure didn't want to say she did, but she did.  I thank her for that, nice English people.  I felt rather foolish afterwards.  She told me today that she was walking with a friend and she thought was was weird.  I get that!

Cheers to all in the States! 

Pam

More 'Experiences'

Went to the Morrisons grocery store in 'the burbs' today.  The place was HUGE!!!  Bigger than most normal grocery stores in the states (okay, not Target Greatland or Super WM size, but still big), and MONSTEROUS compared to the downtown stores.  Tons of odd veggies and fruits, good breads - although the bakery guy didn't know what Sourdough bread was.  I was able to find Monterey Jack cheese for the boys, and Mexican Cheddar (no pepper jack here though). 

We ate at the burrito place in town for lunch today.  They misspelled Pico de Galo (Galo? Really?) on the menu, and they actually asked if we'd been there before.  Uh, no, but I think we know what a burrito is.  It was pretty good - not great Tex Mex - but as usual the meat was really good.

I've discovered Hard Cider - better here than the states I say - since they don't have any Pale Ales here, and the ones they do have I don't care much for.  They had Sierra Nevada (California's budweiser we call it) in Morrisons for about $3/bottle!  Geez, and I thought Utah beer was expensive!

I must admit that they make great Pizza here.  Not that we have bad pizza in the states, but they have everything imaginable on a pizza, and they seem to mix the flavors up nicely.  Chicken Tikka Masala pizza, bacon, pepperoni & sausage pizza, chorizo, eggplant, fresh lettuces (they have some flavorful lettuces here), all kinds of cheeses of course  You name it, and they'll put in on a pizza and somehow have it taste good - not weird.  ...Deb

friday night in leeds uk!

met with co-workers for happy hour at the local pub 'prohibition' how apropos! spot on place to end the work week...  have to say that we have enjoyed all pubs we've visited so far...none have disappointed!  we found a new place fairly close to roomzzz called the northern snooker center & stateside american bar....there's several pool tables - except over here - the game of snookers has all red balls and the goal is to drop the black ball!!  we did not play snookers... just enjoyed their large sun deck, happy hour food and drinks outside!

gammon sandwiches = ham sandwiches, club sandwiches include bacon and a fried egg...chips are fries.... beans - baked beans are part of breakfast(!!!) ...surprise...along with mcdonalds, kentucky fried, and subway, there is also a tgif - a welcomed place where we enjoyed 'american-style real burgers and fries'!  ah - the simple things!

the architecture all around us is 'brilliant'!  and the size of the buildings are all 'massive'!  common descriptions used frequently by tv anchorpeople about everything! perhaps because they are reserved in everything else - their descriptions and adjectives are quite exaggerated 'brilliantly'!!

so we have all pointed out some of the differences in being here...they stand out and sometimes slap us in the face...but we have many many similarities!   we are all creatures of habits...i've noticed the same commuters walking towards the apartment as we're walking towards the office every morning....the 'que' or line at starbucks is similar as any other place...we stand so obediently waiting in line to place our order for what should be ready right away!  it's coffee!  standing in line to order our lunches, pay for our lunches, in line to pay for any retail purchases, for the traffic signal to change, in line....   the masses over here are all busy working during the days...in a hurry to get to to work...in a hurry to get home!  in between - they are living their lives... aside from the different english spoken here...we really could be in any city in the u.s....oh - except everyone would be driving on the wrong side of the street!

have to say - we expats are all impressed with our uk co-workers!  quite a few are very new to this type of work, but all are very sharp and dedicated!
-carole

Liverpool...she loves me yada yada yada!

Bob and I escaped to Liverpool on Saturday…great train escape southeast of Leeds.  On the train ride, we saw crowds of guys lined up with cameras at a number of crossings so we thought someone famous might be going by….we found out later that the guys were ‘trainspotters – group of old blokes usually, who take pictures of all the trains going by and tracking them’! 

Liverpool is a busy port city, and like Leeds, has a city centre and pedestrian mall.  We checked out Matthew Drive, a back alley where the Cavern Club is – the start for the Beattles (formerly known as The Quarrymen!!) – 50 years ago!  Very cool! 

The weather was cool and sunny but the natives were feeling the heat…all came out in summer attire while we had on sweaters and jackets - obviously tourists!

The Titanic had strong ties with Liverpool, the White Star Shipping Line that built the Titanic is headquartered in Liverpool and many of the crew was from this port city as well.

The last week of April will be hectic here on the island…someone’s wedding(!) and massive number of bank holidays!  A few of us will be heading to London week from tomorrow…Cheers! 

PS – The Hibbards did London this weekend and the pictures are Brilliant! 

-carole

Full English Breakfast

I think I have now officially experienced a full English breakfast, although since I've only had it in this one location (our hotel in Windsor), I can't say for sure.  1 egg sunny-side-up - perfectly cooked, bacon (which seems to be a cross between ham and bacon - more like canadian bacon), sausage (also tasted completely different from our breakfast sausages), and BAKED BEANS!  Yes, Heinz Baked Beans from the can.  They aren't sweet like our baked beans though - more tomato-ey.  Yesterday's breakfast was identical except we had canned stewed tomatoes instead of baked beans.  The tomatoes were tasty - not such a big fan of the beans (although Rich seemed to enjoy them).  They don't do potatoes here for breakfast, and I imagine they think we're weird for having potatoes for breakfast. :) 

Shoe Store

Wow!  What great pictures of London.  I'm excited about going now, 9 days away! 

I went out alone today roaming the City Centre of Leeds.  Got a pedicure and a Burrito, actually good for a change.  The pedicure was definately different.  I went to Aveda so thought it would be just like in USA.  Wasn't even close!  Took me downstairs into a very nice waiting area, but then had to wait and share a small sofa with 3 other women.  We were crammed in.  Then took me to a very nice room, sat me down in a wicker chair with a plastic tub of tepid soapy water for my feet.  I had to put my feet up on her lap!  No vibrating chair!  She was a very nice pretty girl and did a great job, but like I said weird!  Very much enjoyed my day though.  It was pretty nice weather, could have been a tad bit less windy, but still not bad.  I took a picture of a shoe store in the massive shopping district.  Really this picture is for Ann.  You could barely move or even look at the shoes there were so many people!  I'm shocked there were a few sits left to sit and try on shoes there on the end.  That didn't last long.  This is very typical of every store.  Worse than Wal-mart on Christmas Eve!

Windsor Castle, Home of The Queen

Windsor Castle was far more than I was expecting, although frankly I didn't know what to expect.  This place is amazing and beautiful inside and out.  The weather was fabulous, the place was not overcrowded and although the price to get in is somewhat hard to stomach (bout $70 for the 4 of us), it's well worth it.  We weren't allowed to take photos inside, otherwise I would have snapped one of the Queen as she walked by. ;)  Apparently, she spends most of her weekends here.

Mum with her boys - Ian and Collin in front of St. George's Chapel - within the Castle walls.



Having a bite to eat, as out train pulls in to the station ;)
The food was good - although the Nachos once again were lacking in cheese, and the service was slow.  The boys tried and liked guacamole AND sour cream for the first time!  Hopefully, this means they can eat those foods while they're still young and skinny.

Deb just outside the Castle walls standing with Queen Victoria

The most beautiful Castle Moat I've ever seen.  I wish I could afford to hire their landscape designer to do my yard.

The lady on the left was apparently in charge of this group of soldiers - judging by her matching attire. 

Rich adjacent to the moat surrounding the tower

I saw this guy smile!  Hope your boss didn't notice.

Kirkstall Abbey, Part Deux

Richard, husband of Deborah, here.  I haven't been to Kirkstall Abbey myself, but looking at these photos, it's fairly apparent that despite being a ruin, the architecture here is rather amazing.  I mean, look at the size of those arches and columns!!  Stunning.

And the stone arches here are so cool.  I could spend a picnic lunch here.  Dieter in the photo (just guessing at his name) seems to agree.

And, of course, Pam and Carole find this place FAAAAB -you-LUUUS!!

Dinner at Jamie Olivers Resturant

All the American transplants went out to Chef Jamie Oliver's resturant tonight after work.  Food was in small portions unlike American, but very tasty and great atmosphere.  Deb's family got here yesterday about 4:00 after a very long plane ride.  Just ask Deb's husband, Rich, with their two children, Ian who is 9 and Colin (sp?) who is only 5!  Very well behaved kids!  I wanted to post a picture of Deb and her two who were clinging to their Mom.   I'm sure they are very happy to see her as her husband.  It has got to be great to have them here with her for 2 whole weeks!  I will be so happy when in another week I'll be able to post a picture of my husband here with me!  Deb was very excited yesterday for them to get here. I'm pretty sure I know the feeling or at least I will.  Can't see Colin so well because they brought the kids menu's out for them on slide viewers (can't for the life of me think of what those are called.) I know I used to love to look at my grandparents pictures on them.  They would bring back slides of their vacations on them.  Deb and family are off to London tomorrow for the weekend and Lego Land!  Have a great time you guys!

Pam

Monk Abbey about 4 miles from our Apts

Sunday afternoon was beautiful, warm and sunny!  These English go crazy when it gets a little warm.  Shorts and tank tops, not to mention more bras than I would have liked to see.  Jim is going to be so shocked when he sees how some of the girls dress over here.  Then again he'll probably like it!  We took a bus to an old Abbey up the road then a short stroll through a residential area.  We stumbled upon a church and a really old cemetary, mid to late 1800's.   Pam



Main part of Abbey




Abbey Courtyard




Inside Main Part of Abbey




Cemetary (like you couldn't figure that one out!)




Church

Deb, Where are your pictures?   Hers are much better than mine.  I'm sure there are more to come.

It was nice having such a nice peaceful place to go that was so close.

A couple more

I figured out how to put captions on them!!!  But can't manage to get them to attach all on one blog. 

Side-ways picture of bridge we cross

Very nice building real close to our office

Near Office Pictures

Park less than a block from the office



Our office building (sorrey about trashcans,early)



Gotta Love Roomzzz on a Saturday Night

Some drunk guys with beers in hand, just came by and banged on my door.  When I finally answered (after getting ‘decent’, turning my tunes down, and checking the peep hole to make sure I could ‘take them down’ if necessary), I peeked around the door and said 'yeeessss?' and one guy gets a shocked look on his face and says to the other ‘wrong f%$*king room bloke!’ and then started banging on the neighbors door. 

Oh, you just gotta love Roomzzz on a Saturday night.  I was about to head off to bed, but I'm thinking why bother.  Apparently, it's a party on the 4th floor.  Woo Hoo!

Busy Week

What a week!  We Americans worked our butts off this week, which is why we haven't posted much lately.  We even spent most of today training more auditors from the ASDA audit to help out on Morrisons.  Sharp group of people, but I'm exhausted!  Tomorrow I'm sleepin' in REALLY late, and then maybe we'll go tour the town some more.  There's a few remaining undiscovered sites to see within a short bus or taxi ride.

We ate at TGIFs tonight.  They actually call their french fries 'fries' there, not chips, and there were pictures of Magnum PI, Ronald Reagan & other famous Americans on the walls.  The locals here call it 'authentic' American food.  Frankly, I didn't realize there was such a thing.

I've decided the greatest invention here (well, not really sure where they were invented actually) is the electric Kettle.  Heats water to boiling in less than 3 mins.  Dan said he has one that heats it in 3 SECONDS!  That sounds like it must be nuclear to me.  Can it possibly be safe? ;) They use them mostly to heat water for tea and instant coffee, but they informed me today that they use them for boiling water for pasta,etc too.  I think my kids need one for their mac and cheese.  They couldn't believe one would actually wait 10 to 20 mins to boil water on a stove!  I informed them that instant coffee is gross, but nobody seems to care or agree.  So much for the sophisticated English. :)

Oh, and Dan did say we have better teeth in America.  Guess their dental health plans aren't quite what ours are...
Deb

Morrisons Football (aka soccer) Team

The Connolly Morrisons auditors played the Connolly ASDA auditors in a football match Wed night. The women came out to cheer for our team. We won 10 to 5...  or something like that.  I stopped counting after Mark (in yellow) kept scoring on the exhausted players in the last quarter of the game.

So, from left to right (for those of you who care - aka Connolly people):  Chido (yes, pronounced Cheeto), Andy, Jonathan, Dan, Jim, Mark, Faisal, and the other Jonathan (the boss man Lewis).  The weather held out nicely, and only a bit of blood shed - plenty of pushing and shoving, but all in good fun...  I think.  I've heard there will be a re-match in May. 

Barcelona Whirlwind Tour

Pictures of the wonderful day and a half we spent in beautiful Barcelona, Spain.  We both definately will be back! 

Pam

Hope all enjoyed, we sure did!

Immigrations let me back in!

Yay!  I can't believe how hard my heart was pounding while I was waiting for the Immigration guy to check my passport, etc.  He still harrassed me - tried to trip me up into telling a lie or conflicting information or to 'change my story' asking me questions that I'd already given answers to, and he was NOT friendly unlike all the others I have seen in and around the airport - much more like a crabby American Customs agent ;) (but then who would be happy having to sit there all day and do what they do?). 

My flight arrived an hour early, but then I had to sit in the train station, because apparently one has 3 hours extra if one's flight is late to catch a later train for no extra charge, but if you're early they don't let you on an earlier train without buying a whole new ticket.  The guy practically snickered at me as if it was somehow my fault that the plane arrived early and therefore I must suffer.  He said I would have needed to change the ticket in advance.  Uh, huh - sure, while in flight??  um, yeah okay I'll do that next time.  Then I slept through the Leeds train stop, and ended up in YORK!  Too bad I've already been there, or I may have just gotten off and stayed for a visit.  Fortunately, I got back to Leeds fairly quickly and without spending any more money (I got an eye roll from the train ticket agent, and then he proceeded to stamp my ticket). Yay again! 

Took a 2-3 hour nap, and then went out to run errands.  I discovered much to my disappointment that the Free City Bus is no longer Free as of yesterday 1st of April 2011.  Now, it's 50p (about $.80), and you have to pay each way.  I think next time, I'll just walk to town and take a Taxi back to the apartment if I have my hands full with groceries, etc.  At least the taxi drops me off at my front door, whereas the bus still requires a 1/2 mile walk from it's closest dropoff point.

Anyhoo, I guess the ladies are warming in the Spanish sun (very envious!).  Bob went to Scarborough for the day, which sounded nice.  Aparently, good weather, which is always a luxury one can't take for granted here.  I'll head there with the family in a couple weeks I think - check out the castle and the coast.   Maybe Bob will post some pics. ;)

Deb