Packing for 2.5 months trip.

40.5 hours until take off. Guinea pigs been gone for two weeks. Cat left yesterday and the dog seems to be a little bit sad over it. Sorry buddy, it’s going to be a woof day today.

The first weeks residence

List for later today:

5 am: up

5:15 pack

5:30: realize that tough decisions on what I’m packing have to be made.

5:45 mini panic attack. Exacerbate with more coffee

6:00: pack and lament at not getting a bigger bag.

6:10: unpack after bag weighs 52.3 lbs

6:20 more coffee.

6:30. Daizy’s drivers test is in two hours.

6:45. I’m asking a lot of the zippers on my bag.

7:00. Make a new list because this one is not working.

Daizy has completed the rd test with a passing score. First hurdle done today…

Still learning this app. So even though it’s says 11:25, I’m writing at 2:30 pm. Sara had to choose between Chicago, Paris or Amsterdam for a connection city. Because we are traveling with Saras parents Wenhad to consider their experience as well. Sara Chose Amsterdam. We will only be there for a short layover. Should be in London about 9am local time.

1.5 hrs until we leave. Sara is out getting last minute supplies. Kids are doing final checks of their rooms. I’m doing those projects which I’ve had on my list for months and now I’m getting to them.

Waiting at the airport. No issues getting through security. Hurry up and wait for boarding now

Landed in Amsterdam. Waiting in gate for flight to London

09:22 local. In London.

Busy day today

Coming in over London

One of the aspects of the trip I liked was meeting new people. I saw a announcement that a clean up was happening today and resolved to participate in it. So I went to the meeting spot and worked with a couple, Carol and Lou. They had lived in Uphill for 34 years. They told me about the area and on Monday there is an impromptu coffe hour. I told them we would come to it (all of the family and I’m looking forward to it. Other pictures from today.

It seems to load in reverse order

Yesterday my family from Bristol came to visit. It was so nice to see them all again. In all the excitement I didn’t get to take pictures with my phone. I did get this one with my cousin Matt

I invite all of you To play the most captivating game on the planet: Pass the Pigs. If you are not aware of this phenomena, google it. If you are aware of it. I present the curiosity of Nlow up pass the pigs

Still catching up so I’m still in April 4.

I mustered up the energy to run this am. 8k. I made it to Birnbeck island entrance.

Jeddah Gorge and Brean Downs today. Photo dump edition.

We didn’t do as much on Wednesday

Yesterday we went to Bath and then to visit my cousin Jane in Bristol

Today we drove to Dartmouth via Canonteign Falls

Arrived in Sidmouth yesterday. Ate at a cafe called Selley’s. That is Marsha’s Mother’s Maiden name. Marsha’s grandfather was born here. Went for a run this morning. Reminds me of California. Locals were not having it at the gate.

Sidmouth to Brockenhurst via Stonehenge. I really liked Stonehenge. At some point I would like to spend more time there to explore the surrounding area. It was crowded because of the holiday. Now in the New Forest and looking forward to the week.

Brockenhurst and new forest exploring

We are heading to Brighton via Portsmouth, Leaving the Brockenhurst/New Forest/Hampshire. It is a very beatiful part of England. Our Location could not have been better as trains move in and out of Brockenhurst on a regular basis. Today is when it is just the Four of Us. Bill and Marsha are heading to London for a few days before heading home. We have had great meals, great views and a great time.

I neglected to post much In Brighton. We got to Brighton on Saturday. It is an hour train from London. There were many revelers: bachelorette and bachelor parties, Holliday makers and families. Brighton is. an interesting town. \240It has a mixture of shopping, architecture, rich history and art.

We are preparing to Leave Edinburgh to Head to York. We have seen some great views, tasted the local delicacies. And had some great history lessons. These are 4-26

Last days in Edinburgh. We did Edinburgh dungeon yesterday and the camera obscura this morning. Heading to York now.

Today marks the 29th anniversary of moving to America. We have spent the last few days in York:arriving on Friday and leaving for Birmingham tomorrow. My Uncle Geoff and Aunt Sue came and stayed on Friday night into Saturday and we had a liberty day in the city, visiting the York minster, wall and market. Yesterday we went to the Jorvik center, a museum dedicated to the Viking settlement in about the 10th century. We also went to the chocolate museum because many famous brands (now mostly owned by Nestle) started here. Finally we went to the \240railway museum.

We have been in Birmingham since Tuesday. We are staying at the Rotundra which is close to the shopping Center known as the Bullring

Went to Stratford yesterday and visited the Shakespeare attractions. I had gone in my youth on a school trip.

Leaving the West Midlands/Birmingham today. Sara planned a wonderful trip and although neither of us knew the details until we got here, I am glad on reflection that we stayed in this location. Friends who are family, Shakespeare and Peaky Blinders country.

We have been in Disneyland Park since Sunday. There are two parks. One based on the magic kingdom in Florida and the other a Hollywood studios park. The weather is warm and I could believe I was in Florida.

Leaving Paris today and heading to Barcelona. I’m glad we got

To Spend time here. There was far more to do than we had time and energy for.

Barcelona- pics from the 15th

Barcelona, the 15th

First Pics are morning run. It was not early

We have been in Sardinia and are leaving today. Not been updating because…Sardinia is relaxing. I have not finished Barcelona yet.

Sardinia

Arrival in Riomaggiore.

Leaving Cinqueterra today. There was a fire at the next train station down from us Spezia. This disrupted the trains which disrupted our day. Daizy and I walked to manarola, which in paper is 1 mile but includes 800 ft vertical component. Trains started just after we got to manarola.

Visited Pisa on May 26

Venice

Lake Maggiore

Leaving Switzerland

Europa theme park today. Need to get pics from Sara. The are from Hornberg. The tourist town was one stop south, Triberg.both in the Blackforest. \240It was a long weekend and many shops were closed. Hornsberg has a dubious distinction because of an incident in the 16th century. A governor was to visit the town and the townsfolk wanted a canon salute to honor him upon his arrival. A lookout was posted on the highest turret and instructed to blow his horn on the arrival. The lookout waited and saw a dust cloud. He blew his horn and the canon was fired. Alas, it was a herd of cattle. Posted up again, the lookout saw a caravan coming and blew his horn, the canon fired. This time it was a farmer returning to town. Returning to his post, the lookout saw a group of wagons and blew the horn. This turned out to be a collective of trades people and not the governor. The governor arrived but all of the gunpowder was spent. From then on a German saying of “it went off like the canon in hornsberg” means a lot of build up to not very much happening.

Back in Amsterdam

Finish