As we were packing on Saturday morning for our journey to Oxford and then meet up with my cousin Ellie, Theresa realized she didn't have her passport. Theresa is probably the most organized person I have ever met. Apparently she was either pickpocketed or it fell out of her purse, which seems highly unlikely. In any event, we spent Saturday morning calling the US Embassy as to what to do if you lose your passport. Since it was Saturday, the Embassy was closed, but the recording said to file a police report and contact the airline -- both of which we did. Needless to say, we never made it to Oxford, so this gives us another reason to come back to the United Kingdom again.
Alan and Gaye took us to South Mims (the equivalent of meeting at the Fort Pierce Plaza on the Turpike) and we were handed over to my cousin Ellie with whom we were going to spend the night and would take us to the airport on Sunday morning. After having a bite to eat, we said our goodbyes to Alan and Gaye and proceeded to Ellie's house.
Steve (her husband) barbequed for us and Ellie prepared the rest of the dinner. It was delicious! Soon after it was time to get ready for bed as we wanted to be at the airport early to see what needed to be done due to the lost passport. When we got to the airport, Theresa went to an immigration person and took care of everything to be able to get back into the U.S. While we were waiting around, we noticed that Delta had prepared a letter for passengers explaining that they had overbooked several flights and were looking for volunteers to give up their seats. If needed, the volunteers would be reimbursed $1000 Delta dollars. Bingo! That's my trip to Alaska! Of course we added our names to the list, but in the end, apparently our flight had some no-shows and they even let some stand-by passengers on. Darn!
We didn't get to sit anywhere near each other, so I watched 3 movies (Hotel for Dogs, New in Town, and He's Just Not That Into You), played Bejeweled (I'm hooked), and read for a while. Landed in Atlanta, went through immigration with no problem, and headed home on a flight to Orlando. (I learned a valuable lesson: If you have a connection, try for Atlanta instead of JFK.)
Scott had gone to New York for the weekend and booked his return flight at the same time I was to arrive in Orlando. It worked out perfectly - he met me at the Delta baggage claim and we went home, only two be greeted by Hondo and Murphy who were stuck like velcro to me the rest of the night.
I'm over London now -- two years in a row -- so next time I'd like to travel someplace different -- not quite as "different" as Lauren's adventures, but Australia isn't out of the question. I'd love to hold a koala! That would make it all worth while.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Time for Thai Food
Today we had rainy weather that cancelled our plans for tennis tonight. BUT, you know the British, rain or shine, they always have to get together. So we're heading over to the people's house with the tennis court for thai food and beer/wine.
Just checked our flights and there isn't one seat left from Heathrow to Atlanta. So you may see me Monday morning, maybe not.
See you next week!
Just checked our flights and there isn't one seat left from Heathrow to Atlanta. So you may see me Monday morning, maybe not.
See you next week!
Last Day in Skegness
Today is our last day in Skegness. We're just going to go walking down to the seafront, have an ice cream on the beach, and get ready for tennis and thai food tonight with my cousins and their friends. They are VERY social people and are out almost every night of the week. We were evening visiting other relatives last night until 11:00 p.m., then off to the corner pub for a beer. Haven't been to bed before midnight.
Tomorrow we're going to tour Oxford and then head home on Sunday.
Tomorrow we're going to tour Oxford and then head home on Sunday.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Met Diana's brother - Earl Spencer
Althorp House is beautiful -- moreso the grounds than the actual house. Too many old paintings of people from hundreds of years ago. The grounds are so peaceful -- I can see why they chose to bury her here (IF she really is buried here).
As we got there, we went to the gift shop and Earl Spencer, Diana's brother that gave the speech at her funeral, was there. I bought my mom and book and he signed it. We asked if we could get a photo with him and he said that he can't do it in the book shop (insurance reasons), but when he went out on the grounds we could. So Theresa and I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and when we came back, he was GONE!!! We were really disappointed. We talked to him a little bit about Florida, then took a tour of the Diana Exhibit. One of the highlights of the trip. A must if you come to England.
Yesterday Alan took the day off and he and Gaye took Theresa and I all over creation. We went to Castleton in Derbyshire which is the mountainess area of England. People were hiking (even older than I am -- made me look like a child) and sheep were everywhere. Then we went to where my mom and Alan's dad lived when they were born as well as by the crooked spire church where they were both christened.
It was a 10 hour day driving in the car, and when we got home, Alan made some Thai specialty of his. He loves to cook Thai food, so I'm trying to learn a few simple dishes to make when I get back. They're basically 5 minute meals -- right up my alley.
Today they are both off to work, so we just hung the towels out on the line and are off to pick up my mom and Denny to take them shopping in town. Weather is gorgeous -- sunny and a cool breeze.
Ta-ta for now!!
As we got there, we went to the gift shop and Earl Spencer, Diana's brother that gave the speech at her funeral, was there. I bought my mom and book and he signed it. We asked if we could get a photo with him and he said that he can't do it in the book shop (insurance reasons), but when he went out on the grounds we could. So Theresa and I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and when we came back, he was GONE!!! We were really disappointed. We talked to him a little bit about Florida, then took a tour of the Diana Exhibit. One of the highlights of the trip. A must if you come to England.
Yesterday Alan took the day off and he and Gaye took Theresa and I all over creation. We went to Castleton in Derbyshire which is the mountainess area of England. People were hiking (even older than I am -- made me look like a child) and sheep were everywhere. Then we went to where my mom and Alan's dad lived when they were born as well as by the crooked spire church where they were both christened.
It was a 10 hour day driving in the car, and when we got home, Alan made some Thai specialty of his. He loves to cook Thai food, so I'm trying to learn a few simple dishes to make when I get back. They're basically 5 minute meals -- right up my alley.
Today they are both off to work, so we just hung the towels out on the line and are off to pick up my mom and Denny to take them shopping in town. Weather is gorgeous -- sunny and a cool breeze.
Ta-ta for now!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Skegness
Took the train to Nottingham on Sunday morning. The trains here are awesome. It only took and hour and 15 minutes. My cousin and his wife (Alan and Gaye) picked us up at the train station and went to another cousin's house (Richard and Chris) and spent the entire afternoon. They have two black labs -- 11 year old Jack and 14 month old Bailey. Well, Hondo has met his match. It was just like being at home. Bailey stole sweaters, placemats, etc., then wants you to chase him. It was a beautiful day -- bright and sunny but with a nice cool breeze. Just like a nice winter day in Florida.
Yesterday we walked around Skegness, had an ice cream on the beach, took a tour of Natureland (the miniature Sea World -- very miniature), and then came back and chilled in the back yard with a good book.
Today we're off to Althorp House where Diana used to live and is buried.
Love the weather here -- wish we could bring it home with us.
Yesterday we walked around Skegness, had an ice cream on the beach, took a tour of Natureland (the miniature Sea World -- very miniature), and then came back and chilled in the back yard with a good book.
Today we're off to Althorp House where Diana used to live and is buried.
Love the weather here -- wish we could bring it home with us.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Luggage arrived
We finally got our luggage at 2:30 a.m. this morning. I told the front desk to call me whatever time it came in -- and so he did. It felt so good to have sneakers and clean clothes.
Went to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard -- although the guard should have been in the crowd because one woman in particular was very pushy -- even putting the camera on Theresa's head. Walked to Westminister Abbey and Big Ben. Summer is not the time to come -- too many crowds with school kids of all ages. Walked to 10 Downing Street, photos with the horses and guards, Trafalgar Square, and London Bridge, then took mom to see the jewels, crowns and tiaras she's letting the Royal Family borrow at the Tower of London.
Weather was a little misty today, but made it back in time for our complimentary 3 course dinner at the hotel which was very good (and very British). Not that we didn't walk enough, Theresa and I decided we wanted to get full use out of our tube pass today, so we took it to Wimbledon, then back to the hotel. Time to finish packing, and off to Skegness tomorrow.
Went to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard -- although the guard should have been in the crowd because one woman in particular was very pushy -- even putting the camera on Theresa's head. Walked to Westminister Abbey and Big Ben. Summer is not the time to come -- too many crowds with school kids of all ages. Walked to 10 Downing Street, photos with the horses and guards, Trafalgar Square, and London Bridge, then took mom to see the jewels, crowns and tiaras she's letting the Royal Family borrow at the Tower of London.
Weather was a little misty today, but made it back in time for our complimentary 3 course dinner at the hotel which was very good (and very British). Not that we didn't walk enough, Theresa and I decided we wanted to get full use out of our tube pass today, so we took it to Wimbledon, then back to the hotel. Time to finish packing, and off to Skegness tomorrow.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
No luggage yet
Slept until 1:30 London time and totally missed the changing of the guard at 11:30, as well as our FREE breakfast. Put on the SAME clothes again and headed to Harrods, after spending hours trying to find our baggage. Had lunch at Harrods which was great (Lauren, you were right about the food there). Tried to get grandma to stop thinking about her lost luggage, so we headed to Hard Rock for a beverage or two or three. Came back to the room, went to the grocery store for some yummy sandwiches to bring back, and proceeded to continue searching for our bags (thank you, Cynthia). The weather has been awesome -- too cool for what I was wearing. And Elizabeth, I never want to see our twin black shoes again because that's all I have now.
Tomorrow is a tour to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath. Hopefully the luggage will reappear while we're gone.
Tomorrow is a tour to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath. Hopefully the luggage will reappear while we're gone.
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