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