Our trip to the UK was sandwiched between two snowstorms. The first one hit just a couple of days before our departure. Our original plan was to fly together to London, where I would meet up with Chris and Karl and stay with them for a few days while Lou traveled on to Geneva. When we got to the airport, however, we learned that Switzerland is one of those countries which require your passport to not expire within 90 days after your visit. Lou’s was due to expire two days short of that requirement. He stayed behind to renew his passport while I kept our original flight. Chris and Karl picked me up from the airport and drove me to their apartment in Redhill, where they dropped me off before going to work for the day. They showed me how close the gym was to their house but I elected to stay in for the day and made them a dinner of stuffed bell peppers. I managed to stay awake all day until regular bed-time, and then slept for 14.5 hours straight. It was so nice to sleep as long as I wanted (needed) since I didn’t have to get up to let the puppy out. That night I made them a green chili chicken lasagna for dinner. Thursday we went to Hampton Court Palace where we enjoyed a rare day of very few tourists. We took our time and went through all the rooms, attended two re-enactments and had tea in Queen Elizabeth’s (#1) Kitchen. Chris and Karl worked a half day on Friday, after which Chris and I went swimming at the gym she pointed out earlier and then met one of her friends for lunch at an Indian restaurant in Reigate. Saturday we picked Lou up from the airport then headed directly to Beachy Head for a hike and on to Lewes for sightseeing and dinner. Sunday we accompanied them to their church, enjoyed a traditional post roast dinner and made our way to Oakley Court in Windsor, where Lou and I stayed the remainder of our trip. Lou had meetings to attend so I was on my own during the days. Monday I caught up on some paperwork and reading and we dined at the hotel. Tuesday I toured Windsor Castle, a nearby Museum and part of the town before having a late afternoon tea. That evening we met up for a reception and then dinner with his newly acquired staff and their former manager. Wednesday I caught up on some exercise then packed up and left the luggage with the concierge while I did some journaling and reading while waiting for Lou to collect me for the airport. The return home was, fortunately, uneventful. Two days after arriving home (Friday) we got more snow. It was much heavier and therefore much harder to move. The gentleman who plows for us when we aren’t home thought we were still out of town so plowed our driveway. It turned out to be a good error because the snow was so wet and deep it would have taken Lou a lot longer to snowblow even with our Beast. Its snowing again today (Monday), but this time its more lightweight and will be easier to clear once the wind stops blowing so fiercely.
My Super Star pose
Lou looking a little like Jesus stopped by for a hot tub
Chris and Karl enjoying a pudding while I enjoyed a mulled wine
Chris and Karl outside of Hampton Court Palace
Ginger and Chris inside Clock Court
Ginger trying to figure out why he’s so down
A reinactment of the “trial” against one of Henry VIII’s wives
Parasitic mistletoe
Descendants of exotic birds gifted to the royal court hundreds of years ago.
Heading out on a Beachy Head hike
Don’t venture too close to those cliffs
Beachy Head lighthouse which doubles as a small B&B
The view from the other side of the lighthouse
A giant walking man carved into the hill side by Norsemen
The home of Anne of Cleves in Lewes
There are some pretty nice homes on Rotten Row
A very old bookstore in a very old and crooked house
Thomas Paine lodged here
Karl, Chris and Lou in front of the old city gate
Ginger, Chris and Karl in front of the old city gate
Ginger in front of the keep, disappointed that no one wanted to climb the stairs
Having just gorged ourselves on a traditional Sunday roast at the Skimmington Castle Public House
Lou not “posing” in front of the fire at Oakley Court
Lou insisted I take a selfie at Windsor Castle
You can see why Windsor was built here
One of the many stoic guards on duty at the castle
A traditional afternoon tea did wonders for my aching feet
I spent my last day reading and writing in the garden room at Oakley Court
We returned home to more snow and debris for a bonfire
Work wasn’t canceled for Friday’s snow, but it was for Monday’s