tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9509954639849813382024-03-05T19:52:59.590+00:00Peregrinations of NJMNJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-4439591216369703542014-01-27T10:42:00.000+00:002014-01-27T10:42:00.148+00:002014 NYR<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG-OqEiYreLYtk06kHxwVEnhvVYahxJDqaQXrSkh6MEUQkBgemorulEudXI9ypwKxzLv9Oft0yiqZx7cv0mqElhDOgC3FIe81nxc05v4P95NUSz2CoT7hz3eV-xEP66zxdv4gXpFeCIU/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG-OqEiYreLYtk06kHxwVEnhvVYahxJDqaQXrSkh6MEUQkBgemorulEudXI9ypwKxzLv9Oft0yiqZx7cv0mqElhDOgC3FIe81nxc05v4P95NUSz2CoT7hz3eV-xEP66zxdv4gXpFeCIU/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> This is a photo of Fran and Anna a few days before New Years,<br />
ice skating in downtown Greenville. Since Abby moved there,<br />
getting to know Greenville has been such a delight. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> This New Year was a particularly special one as we had some of Fran's family over and ended up playing a hilarious game of pictionary and charades, making it a very merry, if not a slightly jet-lagged crowd. It ended with a midnight run-about in the yard with 3- foot long sparklers that kept shooting off at dangerous angles. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My <a href="http://msnatali.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/nyr-2013.html">2013 New Year's Resolutions</a> basically flew out the window once I became engaged. I should have revised them. I only accomplished a few. I did read 30 books and saw some of the North East of England. I think I'm most proud of learning how to drive a stick shift in the UK and passing my theory test. I'm almost there to getting my license! I did rest a little from 'work', but that was mostly in the form of having consecutive chest infections this past fall. We attended one dance class in the Dominican Republic. We did not attend a festival, but we did go to our fall gig-of-the-year up in Edinburgh. I didn't learn how to draw or play the voilin. I had no desire to read Tin Tin or attend evensong consecutively, and fell shockingly sparse in my correspondence. *ahem* *cough* read: <i>changed addresses twice. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My goals this year I'm sure will be vastly different from what I actually accomplish, and that is what I find so difficult about New Year's resolutions. They often don't encompass what all you actually did in that year. I found last year a stretching year. This year I want to rest. I want to say 'no' often. I want to focus on my research. I want to learn how to garden and grow things in our backyard. I want to be a better owner to my bunnies. I want to make our house just wonderful. I want to find storage space for all our odd and ends. I want to get rid of more of our possessions and focus on living simply. I want to paint and to be rid of our boxes on the floor. I want to eat well. I want milk delivered to our doorstep. I want to read for pleasure again. I want to hike the trails behind our house. I want to have people over for Sunday lunches. I want to savor my issues of <i>Garden & Gun </i>and <i>Southern Living. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But despite all these desires, on New Year's eve, I only wrote down three wishes for 2014. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. To get married </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. To stay married</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. To work on my PhD </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Keeping ambition at bay. xo </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span>NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-42964119509533529342014-01-23T09:44:00.001+00:002014-01-23T09:44:26.926+00:00Life so far Why, hello! It's been a while.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnEBaMKjRgLc3a7smqC8amMl8l59RpDO8PlFnwgtNRJRWCjfMaVm7qjhwE82QSRAAR96CbrCy_KPaXIpKWBH2jXtzhY8rzeK0_3ojNtFSZ9Y8QMYhGCC8PX9adewVX_-ct1EA21zjMSw/s1600/IMG_20140113_130757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjXfO5uRvn8VWmI7pFECf-tOwbJmz64CT6Ld-psFYqEYvgXcN45VMj04LosQMPunOdo9HX-9RF5z2GyqI2U70uXJdoIP3jZmqZLeHQtBplZctiPbA1QBB6w7IsTO9uQz7ngUanITDvNo/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjXfO5uRvn8VWmI7pFECf-tOwbJmz64CT6Ld-psFYqEYvgXcN45VMj04LosQMPunOdo9HX-9RF5z2GyqI2U70uXJdoIP3jZmqZLeHQtBplZctiPbA1QBB6w7IsTO9uQz7ngUanITDvNo/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Greenville, a new city I've grown to love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP61y4qS4TLGZKZ5ZcafuzyWyPICSUebJhTiMI40tsezw0LAt4i3vu9Nq_wpo47qb_0otMl07YJR5a9YzCGKlHZ8oHO4QvuljgdV5qvpcMaPeM0-SWzYvZ1U5neoaeinXr3g-uVj8T0-c/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP61y4qS4TLGZKZ5ZcafuzyWyPICSUebJhTiMI40tsezw0LAt4i3vu9Nq_wpo47qb_0otMl07YJR5a9YzCGKlHZ8oHO4QvuljgdV5qvpcMaPeM0-SWzYvZ1U5neoaeinXr3g-uVj8T0-c/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP61y4qS4TLGZKZ5ZcafuzyWyPICSUebJhTiMI40tsezw0LAt4i3vu9Nq_wpo47qb_0otMl07YJR5a9YzCGKlHZ8oHO4QvuljgdV5qvpcMaPeM0-SWzYvZ1U5neoaeinXr3g-uVj8T0-c/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare quiet moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wZuCHALyMC8mn7X71NZT0klr5XaksDRSPoB9omyg-O71lZq5vgo8UafjhWgLuBxI3NqriIxjd4nnTwvv2B8x0UBnDVi7B-o-iKbhGTNNIT3m22bvc2dDZDjuy6AcDVaLzhex73rk4As/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wZuCHALyMC8mn7X71NZT0klr5XaksDRSPoB9omyg-O71lZq5vgo8UafjhWgLuBxI3NqriIxjd4nnTwvv2B8x0UBnDVi7B-o-iKbhGTNNIT3m22bvc2dDZDjuy6AcDVaLzhex73rk4As/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the steps outside our rehearsal dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgDkeNekRrkvJb3bwbR0DJpZgh6PT_rtO9KYXa7BVNgx21hfBqkqlkeK7NUcPQ1PMnVsGoXUTlojPwS3PE8Dh3ysKhoNGxQS_6MrxE9Y8MTfJuA8W5md_AYil2HZqOalY-CxvLLDCz9M/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgDkeNekRrkvJb3bwbR0DJpZgh6PT_rtO9KYXa7BVNgx21hfBqkqlkeK7NUcPQ1PMnVsGoXUTlojPwS3PE8Dh3ysKhoNGxQS_6MrxE9Y8MTfJuA8W5md_AYil2HZqOalY-CxvLLDCz9M/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to eat friend chicken, part one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnEBaMKjRgLc3a7smqC8amMl8l59RpDO8PlFnwgtNRJRWCjfMaVm7qjhwE82QSRAAR96CbrCy_KPaXIpKWBH2jXtzhY8rzeK0_3ojNtFSZ9Y8QMYhGCC8PX9adewVX_-ct1EA21zjMSw/s1600/IMG_20140113_130757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnEBaMKjRgLc3a7smqC8amMl8l59RpDO8PlFnwgtNRJRWCjfMaVm7qjhwE82QSRAAR96CbrCy_KPaXIpKWBH2jXtzhY8rzeK0_3ojNtFSZ9Y8QMYhGCC8PX9adewVX_-ct1EA21zjMSw/s1600/IMG_20140113_130757.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On honeymoon in Punta Cana!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8MtGZd_j3vmS4X_GKVDMrLQc5bIbLR_8KAMoeGiOGquOyuN7Mf9oLF91p6gytHJRp5JK5If7m8tgZUFgSLuZzXfX99k8IfgokSuP2UOF9WDDAeVt6D-AznqC_JnhpuwkdeTDElT2R-Q/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8MtGZd_j3vmS4X_GKVDMrLQc5bIbLR_8KAMoeGiOGquOyuN7Mf9oLF91p6gytHJRp5JK5If7m8tgZUFgSLuZzXfX99k8IfgokSuP2UOF9WDDAeVt6D-AznqC_JnhpuwkdeTDElT2R-Q/s1600/DSC_0177.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I realize I don't blog when I'm super stressed, and most of 2013 was just that: super stress. But some wonderful things have happened. I moved my things into our new little home in mid-December and then promptly flew home. I finally was home to plan my wedding and being there in person made it so much easier! And of course I got to see my family which was just lovely. While Christmas did happen, the build up seemed mostly to the wedding, and it was wonderful to be surrounded by a community who loved me and my family. The first Sunday I was back home, my arrival and wedding received a shout-out in church! I don't remember sleeping much. I remember being stressed until Fran arrived and going on really long runs in the morning with my dog. The more people arrived to celebrate the wedding the more fun it suddenly became. Here were people I loved and hardly ever get to see! And some had come from ever so far.<br />
<br />
My wedding was a blur and we went on a lovely honeymoon to the Dominican Republic, which Fran kept a surprise until we were sat eating our wedding breakfast. When we returned, we packed up our gifts and headed back to England, and since we've been in Durham, we've been slowly recovering from jet lag, slowly unpacking, and slowly inventing storage space in our tiny house. I'm enjoying being married so much more than I thought I would. I hated being engaged. I was constantly stressed and thought marriage would be just like that, but somehow worse because you just couldn't leave. But it's not. I've been surprised at how very natural it feels. And then there are mornings like today, when I dug my heels into the bed and refused to get up, and Fran comes along, shoves a coffee into my hand and drags me with him out the front door. I'm surprised by the constant immediacy of grace.<br />
<br />
Mereda shared with me a quote from G.K. Chesterton, and this is exactly how I've been feeling this week: <br />
<br />
"It may be conceded to the mathematician that four is twice two. But two is not twice one; two is two thousand times one.”
<br />
<br />
With much more soon, and lots of photos. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-67204525420468101702013-11-26T08:46:00.001+00:002013-11-26T08:46:30.114+00:00Thanksgiving Menu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUevIFnJ8t9B8PmIHK4oMSwDcXQbrlVOpfghPPsKzyyHtJmVSWn4JQJrWyz-UTHFjaKgrKplHzOGYQAE-_iynBp98qxTRQpmDQMVramWkR7E4hQHYD7lMUTQB3wW_Wvr9Y-RKizXzUL1s/s1600/DSC_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUevIFnJ8t9B8PmIHK4oMSwDcXQbrlVOpfghPPsKzyyHtJmVSWn4JQJrWyz-UTHFjaKgrKplHzOGYQAE-_iynBp98qxTRQpmDQMVramWkR7E4hQHYD7lMUTQB3wW_Wvr9Y-RKizXzUL1s/s640/DSC_2393.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanksgiving 2014</div>
<br />
I spent ages pouring over my Thanksgiving menu. I'm super excited because Fran is even taking the day off work, which is practically better than Christmas. We'll be cooking all day and sorting out the new house. It'll be our first real chance to settle in and unpack and inaugurate all those lovely bridal shower gifts. Plus it's THANKSGIVING. So excited!!!!! Since I spent AGES planning the menu, I'll share the over-ambitious list. <br />
<br />Our menu:<br />
- Pecan pie<br />
- Pumpkin pie<br />
- Apple pie (?)<br />
- sweet potato souffle<br />
- shoe peg corn and green been casserole<br />
- rice pilaf<br />
- cranberry sauce<br />
- dinner rolls<br />
- bacon and bourbon stuffing<br />
- spiced apple cider<br />
- creamed corn<br />
- green beens<br />
- mashed potatoes<br />
- one turkey<br />
<br />
Thoughts: always start with dessert, of course. Souffle of course isn't really a souffle, it's just sweet potato goodness. The shoe peg corn and green been casserole has cheese in it-- sssh don't tell Fran. Stuffing or dressing? The infinite dilemma. Bacon won out this time. Spiced cider or spiked cider? I still don't know how I feel about turkey. Can you have a thanksgiving without a turkey? <br />
<br />
Cooking my own Thanksgiving is something that has been really fun living abroad. Because it's not a national holiday here, the great thing is most people celebrate it on Saturday, so I get extended Thanksgiving goodness. This Saturday we're heading over to friends for round
two. And Amazon even does some great Black Friday deals so I'm not even too bummed about the shopping.<br />
<br />
I've thrown Thanksgiving nearly every year I've lived away, I think all but the first. I no longer rely on my mom or mema or aunts to cook up something spectacular. I get to throw this all by myself and it's so inspiring! It feels like home. This year I'm particularly excited to have found creamed corn. Of course, it is from a can and won't compare to the home grown goodness I love, but still! It's the sentiment that counts. And because it's already 'Christmastime' in the England, I practically feel like it'll be minutes before I'm soaring home to see my family, so I'm not even missing them too badly this year. Well, until I get the what's app from my mom that asks what kind of pie we'd like. (Kentucky Derby, mom? Ah, you're killing me!) Only be missing the sound of Carolina football in the background and playing catch during half time. Love xo<br />
<br />
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-88423216966562158282013-11-05T10:54:00.000+00:002013-11-05T10:54:20.150+00:00The Railway Cottages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
here</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuM5tXx78djGLpGk8We4yK07fF_LAo90uPzyl9dkrhe6CjxhaMTG02K4obQtZ3Ei6pb3jhaNLUDGuL9HQfFdZNjQFkdoVvJOL_QPS7Xf6QEAohhfLJHG5H2YxJanFHDoUBZxhvXh6q7c/s1600/DSC_2329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuM5tXx78djGLpGk8We4yK07fF_LAo90uPzyl9dkrhe6CjxhaMTG02K4obQtZ3Ei6pb3jhaNLUDGuL9HQfFdZNjQFkdoVvJOL_QPS7Xf6QEAohhfLJHG5H2YxJanFHDoUBZxhvXh6q7c/s640/DSC_2329.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the rear of the house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcTMrbd-Y1zRT9PLzxq6Sj9GkBOFYed9-Bn2ERnMG4Mlel5cCOY0wO48oV2n_5NjydpImFE5u4eDyhrPiSY7wWVTiWFkuAFAhixH4pFFBkH8SYph826jZKkw7q-biVbUbKJUvS8Bwgrw/s1600/DSC_2321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcTMrbd-Y1zRT9PLzxq6Sj9GkBOFYed9-Bn2ERnMG4Mlel5cCOY0wO48oV2n_5NjydpImFE5u4eDyhrPiSY7wWVTiWFkuAFAhixH4pFFBkH8SYph826jZKkw7q-biVbUbKJUvS8Bwgrw/s640/DSC_2321.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bYP2wiOUZvnZUzn68-Ir6yLTBalZC_q_FssbI9zekCq4ednaD3Ze1vNGNCX7RQYfNZLOcANF_tzctojuMB8X6Dt5uwhxg32cIhGpJlHPpsPhChSh0UhYtHRWiRnepGkeWtCTaJd-mm8/s1600/DSC_2322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bYP2wiOUZvnZUzn68-Ir6yLTBalZC_q_FssbI9zekCq4ednaD3Ze1vNGNCX7RQYfNZLOcANF_tzctojuMB8X6Dt5uwhxg32cIhGpJlHPpsPhChSh0UhYtHRWiRnepGkeWtCTaJd-mm8/s640/DSC_2322.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">doors to outside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn7TUnQ4fZ_1AbWwRVm1u-BLbDMiGgseWEosSycvidSuBWmHmYKm0pA9XULOwQ0v7-VKIYOu8YLhCh88acBAnL4c5TzL3x7nuIwSFQqSYWe7weIerdw2b3ih_kP1rji48qHpIKFKhxQ8/s1600/DSC_2326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn7TUnQ4fZ_1AbWwRVm1u-BLbDMiGgseWEosSycvidSuBWmHmYKm0pA9XULOwQ0v7-VKIYOu8YLhCh88acBAnL4c5TzL3x7nuIwSFQqSYWe7weIerdw2b3ih_kP1rji48qHpIKFKhxQ8/s640/DSC_2326.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fran inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPMo1imM-B0sIqH-0lzIo_V9foq4Vuz31c4TQ1Ob2mX70ojr0BLQfNxyYKEqFmsbmxQy5gmsLdKfOPk82isH86Kk1-6j_SZDiA3vzPN_LF5CUYY5gqR8qaZ3_tt1kTMT6EIFOZGypA3c/s1600/DSC_2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPMo1imM-B0sIqH-0lzIo_V9foq4Vuz31c4TQ1Ob2mX70ojr0BLQfNxyYKEqFmsbmxQy5gmsLdKfOPk82isH86Kk1-6j_SZDiA3vzPN_LF5CUYY5gqR8qaZ3_tt1kTMT6EIFOZGypA3c/s640/DSC_2328.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUolV8qTO5fNH_NHz1ZxaVKRT2EXUUtDRDFB0SExn2bBsjxbZNiCCxtibbC8pY7sImlCpisOc9apTsuGWDdms9VfvhEo6vWolUYb5i9AmrYG3-ACAQc0VzZ04QWaY6If_G3uppO6xwms/s1600/DSC_2329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0a-Y3nfy5AXEr1t3yfzzGxM1EJgyUFgHGyaXa2615nHtzKh3ZUZQRzV5d3IlaUGcpWcHuppAkXCtdBBXyQWxyL5ifgF8TtINZf0DTFmzJb-UzfZndh9cjtOGYOQD1OTPH-wHlXKg2pc/s1600/DSC_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0a-Y3nfy5AXEr1t3yfzzGxM1EJgyUFgHGyaXa2615nHtzKh3ZUZQRzV5d3IlaUGcpWcHuppAkXCtdBBXyQWxyL5ifgF8TtINZf0DTFmzJb-UzfZndh9cjtOGYOQD1OTPH-wHlXKg2pc/s640/DSC_2330.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the outhouse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3P9EVGYYH2w0h4bzfhL35Qj4SYrFRDKFMaupee_QyjDcErOLTfH3LcgqTuW-uWRNZw_FwzNDjYrUT9Osf19xQee_uiRmoPXYy4ONb8CQsbEGc3GTqcCXigQZj2eTFX2SrWuXikv_iUw/s1600/DSC_2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3P9EVGYYH2w0h4bzfhL35Qj4SYrFRDKFMaupee_QyjDcErOLTfH3LcgqTuW-uWRNZw_FwzNDjYrUT9Osf19xQee_uiRmoPXYy4ONb8CQsbEGc3GTqcCXigQZj2eTFX2SrWuXikv_iUw/s640/DSC_2336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the range</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcCofOmfmo7YZuSNDMJIwxverRrSMripMPavjSOzP6mxXsp-nz_hiGTKCX2C4hAbkdAwFBhdGvFiHU-33g9fobAM4AJqgTUL5rm4crts7vVKVWO2GIoiKICNGraV1domycNi8Jyv1Amc/s1600/DSC_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcCofOmfmo7YZuSNDMJIwxverRrSMripMPavjSOzP6mxXsp-nz_hiGTKCX2C4hAbkdAwFBhdGvFiHU-33g9fobAM4AJqgTUL5rm4crts7vVKVWO2GIoiKICNGraV1domycNi8Jyv1Amc/s640/DSC_2337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the furniture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8_x0tmd9Z7bQfy6PO2nQ5R60lSIJIogRKm_i-LoImO2_SX5D7eUUfFO1_8l_7ULiYhlPNCJ0bZPnxq9CVfC6YjE0WdcDPABJgzrjCT2Z5JqyMCo1MIxRrw6jXeXkcWenb4UySX6ndOg/s1600/DSC_2339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8_x0tmd9Z7bQfy6PO2nQ5R60lSIJIogRKm_i-LoImO2_SX5D7eUUfFO1_8l_7ULiYhlPNCJ0bZPnxq9CVfC6YjE0WdcDPABJgzrjCT2Z5JqyMCo1MIxRrw6jXeXkcWenb4UySX6ndOg/s640/DSC_2339.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our favorite bit of the house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU0oPTZ5EE2pJEmmlvEEaL50U1VziA7abzWM7rOega-7eVZ6R_EvpuiYJNCtUsE6yzUEy1sjkh0CdiPlPIOS6Y3cgRQSN2N0SSWQ8InfNvI3r7zJyCrD-ZKqvKUzDPN2yj_7a3r-pxlc/s1600/DSC_2346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkU0oPTZ5EE2pJEmmlvEEaL50U1VziA7abzWM7rOega-7eVZ6R_EvpuiYJNCtUsE6yzUEy1sjkh0CdiPlPIOS6Y3cgRQSN2N0SSWQ8InfNvI3r7zJyCrD-ZKqvKUzDPN2yj_7a3r-pxlc/s640/DSC_2346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view to garden from upstairs window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1tYxTymS-jilYV26ZOLdN3__q8dmtIC9vYEtR4TyhxbY7j8OVRL8mhUW5yjjaIfsr3fMcfZtNadqgIgeExZgE3HBCOohvt1qthqtXN2eIs5xQcD1ejyLiLodw6dwZt9aUlLxHQPvlxw/s1600/DSC_2354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1tYxTymS-jilYV26ZOLdN3__q8dmtIC9vYEtR4TyhxbY7j8OVRL8mhUW5yjjaIfsr3fMcfZtNadqgIgeExZgE3HBCOohvt1qthqtXN2eIs5xQcD1ejyLiLodw6dwZt9aUlLxHQPvlxw/s640/DSC_2354.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">behind the backyard-- a donkey field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA8g-JLLF1f-XOMaMG96wKoyy2tY3zsmmijoLjtYVXpQM3295msfedz0BYpahREWloTm1sq6b8ebQ1VuHkRTPGkvIx3s5cDgV-_CXoxxFiZOeppdtfU1tfIoOGtZm75L18_rIj-4QarA/s1600/DSC_2356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA8g-JLLF1f-XOMaMG96wKoyy2tY3zsmmijoLjtYVXpQM3295msfedz0BYpahREWloTm1sq6b8ebQ1VuHkRTPGkvIx3s5cDgV-_CXoxxFiZOeppdtfU1tfIoOGtZm75L18_rIj-4QarA/s640/DSC_2356.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a short walk to a stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aM1EufejdIeP7MyG62zInhGLetWbfv99rBwidRbPJSvphSSuBMUH15gceWbwT-9FIU2e2hbE87hzRC-_R1zRAalkhon2Lc1amD83BmyQ5lj89buLbHheLQj46NZd3nXS92maKbDLers/s1600/DSC_2357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aM1EufejdIeP7MyG62zInhGLetWbfv99rBwidRbPJSvphSSuBMUH15gceWbwT-9FIU2e2hbE87hzRC-_R1zRAalkhon2Lc1amD83BmyQ5lj89buLbHheLQj46NZd3nXS92maKbDLers/s640/DSC_2357.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that goes by a horse field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is our house! I know the last post boded doom and gloom and so we thought, but amazing things have happened. I went home and cried and I read Isaiah 43:19: Behold I am preparing something new, do you not perceive it? And I did not, and not the next day or the next week. But the buyers lowered their offer and wanted it out of their hands and so this is home. We'd love for you to visit. It is tiny, but we love it. If I've measured the square feet right, it's 500 sq ft! (18.3 x13 per floor?) All our love, xxxNJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-6801780972053060562013-10-16T09:16:00.002+01:002013-10-16T09:16:42.490+01:00Thoughts on House-buying
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Garamond;
panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Garamond;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Garamond;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpmxPWUKSIXHPTmOKu6DBRSPo16McjpfjuFE2h4GQMdep0bRcg5Z0IoIvbZ7-nkDi55ANaCzcaVJZMYRVAPGActrofhea81vve4GEQSqHh5cCks-CLoOVbcAncL2DLurYGRk2PHlDSyQ/s1600/DSC_2830%231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpmxPWUKSIXHPTmOKu6DBRSPo16McjpfjuFE2h4GQMdep0bRcg5Z0IoIvbZ7-nkDi55ANaCzcaVJZMYRVAPGActrofhea81vve4GEQSqHh5cCks-CLoOVbcAncL2DLurYGRk2PHlDSyQ/s640/DSC_2830%231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi! So it's been a bit quiet on here. So many things going
on and I don't even know what to think most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We're so happy to be getting married-
yay! It's finally under the 100-day count and under the 3-month count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten-month engagements are too long! For
a lot of this time, we've been exploring where we would live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a house all lined up, such a
darling one too, and it fell through today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We're pretty gutted as it seemed perfect, but these things
happen and we're confident that we'll be completely taken care of come January
4! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such a growing process! Here are some things we learned: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Don't use the estate-agent's solicitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
We didn't do this and we are SO delighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out our estate agents played dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They withheld a letter dated June 7th,
2013 from a kind neighbor explaining our questions regarding property
boundary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn't get that until
October 11, 2013 after we had found the truth ourselves! If we had used the
lawyer from J W Wood, we would have been pretty miserable wondering if they
were on our side or really just working in the interest of our estate agent.
You need friends going into this business and let your lawyer be one of them! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Employ the most competent solicitor, even if that means a
bit more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
Fran sent off about a dozen emails to different solicitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chose the one that replied the
quickest and seemed most competent, even if that meant paying just a little
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We're SO happy we did this! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. If you're in England, make sure you get a very good copy
of your title plan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
When we received ours, it was minuscule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On an A4 sheet of paper, our property was marked out in red in about the
size of the thumb print. This made land boundaries very difficult to
distinguish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially if it's a
country house, land boundaries are very old and finnicky, so make sure you see
a detailed report on size!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. If things are taking a while, take things into your own
hands. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
It took AGES for them to tell us the property boundary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out the sellers and our estate
agent lied claiming they were selling land they didn't actually own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This took so long to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seller's solicitor was so slow. He
went on a 2.5 week holiday (that lovely British vacation-leave) during this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got back, gave us
some very shady reply about "being common land."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When things were slow, we should have
just gone to the land registry and checked it ourselves rather than waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While you're lawyer should be your
friend, no one quite looks out for you as you do! So don't be afraid to do a
little sleuthing on your own. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. If in England, the estate agent isn't your friend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- They are employed by the seller and
want the seller's interest. They want the property to sell for as high as
possible! And when they do take you around, they aren't like the
cushy-kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are gruff and
after 30-minutes, they kick you out as they have another appointment to rush to
meet (even if you're trying to see how badly the roof leaks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also won't know *that* much about the
property (it seems like to every question I had, the reply was "I don't
know"!), will tell you everything you can't do (I apparently wasn't
allowed to test the electricity, lighting, or central heating), and
occasionally, just flat-out lie (they told us the parking space was included in
the land, when it wasn't).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be shrewd
as serpents. They can be worse than a used car salesman!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Very old houses are charming, but come with a host of
problems. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
Especially if your landlord is reigns from afar, in our case Jersey! They
aren't there to look after the property as they would if they were living in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it's not damp, it's the
roof. If it's not the roof, it's the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it's not the floor, it's the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. If you're getting a mortgage, trust your bank with the
value of the house. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
They definitely have a vested interest, like you! We thought our house was
worth more even though the bank valued it at less. Turns out, now that we're on
the deep end, that we think they are exactly right in what it's worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the sellers don't. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't be
dazzled by charm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
Fundamental problems will continue to be just that, fundamental. Is it near a
road with a lot of traffic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it
near a rail-way line? Does your house get any sun? Morning or evening light? Or
does it face North-South? A bigger problem than you would expect in the
terraced-house culture of England!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These are things that will not change, no matter how darling the house. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Involve your family</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
We've been so SO thankful for all the very shrewd advice we've received from
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even came up to look
at the house to make sure it was sound, and they were just as delighted as we
were! Once problems came up with the land, the advice they gave was perfect. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. Don't crow too loud. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
While we've honestly answered our questions revolving "where are you going
to live once you're married?," we've only done so when people have asked,
and even then, have been a bit reluctant to talk about it. Even when our offer
was accepted, I'm not sure we told anyone apart from family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the beginning, we didn't feel like
we could freely tell other people until we had signed the papers. What if it
fell through? What if this isn't what God had for us? As it turns out, this was
a good thing, as it didn't go through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine having to un-tell so many people after this seeming failure! As
much as possible, we kept it close to ourselves and to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has helped us grow in closeness
and excluded too many nosy opinions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11. It takes a lot of heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
Such an emotional expenditure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have been on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows regarding this
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When things weren't going
well, Fran and I were both at our desks vainly *trying* to work. When things
were well, we imagined the vegetables we'd grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you had told me it would be an emotional roller coaster
and to steel my nerves, I would have laughed at you. Not so now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12. Don't be afraid to renegotiate price</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-When
our housing survey came back, there were some big things wrong with the house,
namely a leaking roof that had caused damp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lowered the value of the property and our surveryer
suggested we negotiate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought
about it, but were too shy when the sellers bullied us a little. And we loved
the house and thought it would just about work out even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it came back that the parking
wasn't included, we did have to renogiate. If we had tried firmly to renogitate
before, it would have made renegotiating parking easier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13 A level one survey will do </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
We paid for a level two, because we thought we'd have to live there and wanted
to figure out how to make the repairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it's more expensive and wasn't worth it in the end. We'd have
received mostly the same information with a level one survey, just not in as
much detail. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Houses
aren't forever. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-
This too will pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
engendered so many conversations between us about identity, paternity, and
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn't trade those
for anything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whew! So that's what we've learned from our experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now our over-riding emotion is
relief! Relief from uncertainty and freedom from unsavory experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Keep us in your thoughts and if you find any super-awesome housing, let us know! xxx</span></div>
NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-19638925948439457172013-10-04T16:17:00.000+01:002013-10-04T16:17:05.042+01:00The Lurgey<br />
The lurgey has got me in it's death grip. Basic things like breathing and sleeping are now monumental efforts. My nose and sinuses. Imploded. I really just want to get better, please. Please. <br />
<br />
Since the lurgey attacked, I have: <br />
<br />
1. Put my slow cooker to use by having hot apple cider on the boil all day long<br />
2. Watched all of the Harry Potter films. And discovered TWO are missing. So upsetting. <br />
3. Steam baths. Steam baths make my heart beat fast.<br />
4. Zelda. To Zelda or not to Zelda. That is the question.<br />
5. Bought ridiculous things for the wedding. [Cone of shame]<br />
6. Not left the house for four days.<br />
7. Developed a thorough hatred for dust. <br />
<br />
In other news, as of today, I get married in 3 months! It was has been a 10-month engagement, and it's nearly over and I'm so excited! Wahey! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-19161924546011762352013-09-26T10:52:00.002+01:002013-09-26T10:52:24.358+01:00The start of September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiI1NpMUauuxKJDxp4bFGfmNlDTu7u3kluCRsRi_7ELDP5XCqSwU7E6LfM28tMCIY-wBXV9Hdd4a_QcZQ2YUuiYGcKljV4fAn9Hm5zlFRTn0PEmm7Nf7bh70rH4CanaDu67TyxvgpLGk/s1600/DSC_3249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiI1NpMUauuxKJDxp4bFGfmNlDTu7u3kluCRsRi_7ELDP5XCqSwU7E6LfM28tMCIY-wBXV9Hdd4a_QcZQ2YUuiYGcKljV4fAn9Hm5zlFRTn0PEmm7Nf7bh70rH4CanaDu67TyxvgpLGk/s640/DSC_3249.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f8N_GTJUbFUJeYBDQhIUVZjGfEzLjlJA_qUoDr6kfmWAAo4g9r1KHGtY8XvLhsHkGt0CZ3S5YuJxPxeIGKLEhjU3_0x2NVj7Bjst3GN-29FXK3bG49BHjc5g962uWqffH9MVqoIRxdo/s1600/DSC_3250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f8N_GTJUbFUJeYBDQhIUVZjGfEzLjlJA_qUoDr6kfmWAAo4g9r1KHGtY8XvLhsHkGt0CZ3S5YuJxPxeIGKLEhjU3_0x2NVj7Bjst3GN-29FXK3bG49BHjc5g962uWqffH9MVqoIRxdo/s640/DSC_3250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jcnjoCuHz7k-wQNO7aBJZNiGEYjimJYqKpgk79bUp_l77Au9KTYNcWHC-YiT-QMetiD6heRcWfPCUXye8EtplcMHF7Jd7a1rtVUO2Zn2haTpb0n_cPScAqOkcn36g7GA4Jg-wmNWzp4/s1600/DSC_3252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jcnjoCuHz7k-wQNO7aBJZNiGEYjimJYqKpgk79bUp_l77Au9KTYNcWHC-YiT-QMetiD6heRcWfPCUXye8EtplcMHF7Jd7a1rtVUO2Zn2haTpb0n_cPScAqOkcn36g7GA4Jg-wmNWzp4/s640/DSC_3252.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ45X2sP_xLjXvzO69yS7ed3BXryg9ILjQ20uyZHfB99_ZxfH-ODcIj5LcmYLSuBBzNegSbp7SscVtcKmNwAo_Fqp1cywQ_ijAaHqSDP9dGuByIXz1px20ILFRWmUlmXg6uRj_lCjfaeM/s1600/DSC_3254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ45X2sP_xLjXvzO69yS7ed3BXryg9ILjQ20uyZHfB99_ZxfH-ODcIj5LcmYLSuBBzNegSbp7SscVtcKmNwAo_Fqp1cywQ_ijAaHqSDP9dGuByIXz1px20ILFRWmUlmXg6uRj_lCjfaeM/s640/DSC_3254.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaigddIyHyS2e-7PtgvpnmmMAXOrsqztvxh-m4Hdf_s84-tKm1WOPlPUAfVEhxWPUMMOmszhaRpvt2fGaZDX_DAv-iIkeBc_eYDQ8xrateCavzGdivdet39zBFRYl9fwvzFEJ9o056rk/s1600/DSC_3259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaigddIyHyS2e-7PtgvpnmmMAXOrsqztvxh-m4Hdf_s84-tKm1WOPlPUAfVEhxWPUMMOmszhaRpvt2fGaZDX_DAv-iIkeBc_eYDQ8xrateCavzGdivdet39zBFRYl9fwvzFEJ9o056rk/s640/DSC_3259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifay1gEuW9nDfbTIMx0kStFH7UCShlLh9W00jUEsG2HoE_OE6BRAEcJ6GnfChwtdlc_oFi1nOhzejRZ6kqWJoxCfYexlcn8R9mdCpzuHRCj3Rm_x8FB32WXVYOasbfHpDE5yQPgqp_9hw/s1600/DSC_3284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifay1gEuW9nDfbTIMx0kStFH7UCShlLh9W00jUEsG2HoE_OE6BRAEcJ6GnfChwtdlc_oFi1nOhzejRZ6kqWJoxCfYexlcn8R9mdCpzuHRCj3Rm_x8FB32WXVYOasbfHpDE5yQPgqp_9hw/s640/DSC_3284.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03yiQzVhjvoDntVk5Tyveh6yZ59Hxld-fpbBLEc0uhcqmaTVzfCIgdDqQDmJIq-lurOJ5nqQfKJSxSKMNlf5EGSJBI9jU0q8s1fdTfuf_q3ppM3vmxUxF29MWJaX3j0-VeT3YqIDuz9s/s1600/DSC_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03yiQzVhjvoDntVk5Tyveh6yZ59Hxld-fpbBLEc0uhcqmaTVzfCIgdDqQDmJIq-lurOJ5nqQfKJSxSKMNlf5EGSJBI9jU0q8s1fdTfuf_q3ppM3vmxUxF29MWJaX3j0-VeT3YqIDuz9s/s640/DSC_3288.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h-E50GiZ5gnbt8WHoA5eSdmOPIE_kbLT7QPsJzgeErN_8xdRff0AU3-4YYi_Kfaotz1pJmEO7JAt648KbuhcCDC-i1Nx8CtNy_wiVFT2dIPEqVwead2vF14WrRnFoo7tJ1SDcAndsWw/s1600/DSC_3290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h-E50GiZ5gnbt8WHoA5eSdmOPIE_kbLT7QPsJzgeErN_8xdRff0AU3-4YYi_Kfaotz1pJmEO7JAt648KbuhcCDC-i1Nx8CtNy_wiVFT2dIPEqVwead2vF14WrRnFoo7tJ1SDcAndsWw/s640/DSC_3290.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRucid9G9pxZb9TpRWf6UZK39XafejKgThinJn5zzUMHMmzjOrTLhnfQediRRgnRzwWpOEhic2IjPjD3CNFZPOwJg89v28ALakcDJMp8Y28y-culHaKyESZ3s3yoAzzsC01ekQoRgQFnY/s1600/DSC_3291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRucid9G9pxZb9TpRWf6UZK39XafejKgThinJn5zzUMHMmzjOrTLhnfQediRRgnRzwWpOEhic2IjPjD3CNFZPOwJg89v28ALakcDJMp8Y28y-culHaKyESZ3s3yoAzzsC01ekQoRgQFnY/s640/DSC_3291.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mailing letters, a lovely walk, some gorgeous days of sun, a trip to south shields, a view of the chapel, a door I hope to call home.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your weeks! NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-69917868828222184232013-09-17T09:31:00.005+01:002013-09-17T09:31:49.892+01:00The last of August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8svdDbjWkTfdgtQJ4fdJPurMuqx5OVse4OQtLquDXqQ0SPgz3Uh3gTeUqgNU5AF0Lgz3_NyBFR13fUlhe2-Jgl83ZoTBldQ2dbeSdLjP6-aDXyq3KCGOTfSoI53OqB4y2Qc1-lX64-wc/s1600/DSC_3184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8svdDbjWkTfdgtQJ4fdJPurMuqx5OVse4OQtLquDXqQ0SPgz3Uh3gTeUqgNU5AF0Lgz3_NyBFR13fUlhe2-Jgl83ZoTBldQ2dbeSdLjP6-aDXyq3KCGOTfSoI53OqB4y2Qc1-lX64-wc/s640/DSC_3184.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMVUlQl5hwqqFM9bNST1EIrcnH1gIq5sNsMxM8MKyVH-gPxF94ifRQj_PNCSOWtRcPtIDHyAi0je5wUA9bwl1d73rF02FbqXkV9BHDIk8LfmYfK6L1i7hzCpR4knI5jjp6opF2h9dzg0/s1600/DSC_3190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMVUlQl5hwqqFM9bNST1EIrcnH1gIq5sNsMxM8MKyVH-gPxF94ifRQj_PNCSOWtRcPtIDHyAi0je5wUA9bwl1d73rF02FbqXkV9BHDIk8LfmYfK6L1i7hzCpR4knI5jjp6opF2h9dzg0/s640/DSC_3190.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdzS_QmdnR__erLq-FNdcwoVzi0gbotq8uR8jPBCC2atibEnvPd9cVZfYhMn9eZKeLHPgj_1Zw3B06LlqcMmrgscSO7ISay_efSWITR4uFDX10FnPSDSGQwb0EsahtoE5CD_5rGKeH3o/s1600/DSC_3201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdzS_QmdnR__erLq-FNdcwoVzi0gbotq8uR8jPBCC2atibEnvPd9cVZfYhMn9eZKeLHPgj_1Zw3B06LlqcMmrgscSO7ISay_efSWITR4uFDX10FnPSDSGQwb0EsahtoE5CD_5rGKeH3o/s640/DSC_3201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtROEZtVQkQ8VGQKxyt6TxhQhknUOomvN4oGpowsFmKUDcheNO3h5FTAU_SxaifaI2Fhr38v6mgtbvC8Yu3EielvVFcrXgVVhSeE8zmXJ-2fIhKDkCO_Wc8pgvW4c1Y76d9Boav-myiY/s1600/DSC_3211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtROEZtVQkQ8VGQKxyt6TxhQhknUOomvN4oGpowsFmKUDcheNO3h5FTAU_SxaifaI2Fhr38v6mgtbvC8Yu3EielvVFcrXgVVhSeE8zmXJ-2fIhKDkCO_Wc8pgvW4c1Y76d9Boav-myiY/s640/DSC_3211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W64tCsJcPym_wUUsgBn5poWSxS0oi3uTyjuMbMl8gKdDj9KGaM_kBBAWNqzlvEe9frTYBbxC_IbvZeHaumi8eF-Q8A2FA3uC9gGFLkjUKqCb9R75zYDr8Ou6M4EbXJp_p8uBk4oUzOI/s1600/DSC_3212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W64tCsJcPym_wUUsgBn5poWSxS0oi3uTyjuMbMl8gKdDj9KGaM_kBBAWNqzlvEe9frTYBbxC_IbvZeHaumi8eF-Q8A2FA3uC9gGFLkjUKqCb9R75zYDr8Ou6M4EbXJp_p8uBk4oUzOI/s640/DSC_3212.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYOIDnxPu3QuBm38QS_7WiPlFIT6fhqGM9VMxc3MGzXoZHdydOJKHad_aN63Tm0POcAgQM0hHOlP2qaNcWMSd2032GT4MNQcvxyqHqG4fKKYX0NjukKIUPK201pk5prIhOS1_2x61N7I/s1600/DSC_3221_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYOIDnxPu3QuBm38QS_7WiPlFIT6fhqGM9VMxc3MGzXoZHdydOJKHad_aN63Tm0POcAgQM0hHOlP2qaNcWMSd2032GT4MNQcvxyqHqG4fKKYX0NjukKIUPK201pk5prIhOS1_2x61N7I/s640/DSC_3221_2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrjQNEhF_qiKBnkf6XFQQc1-23-Ye8HI2IQMG80Tot5uJGsHuESSZWgaVTXJceJ0ObVQbRd8rry2m3mgqbIOhrWGe38RNpdOETF6BoIosQQejV2IgZaVabMsg_AwhEGkY7ADhG3nlbg/s1600/DSC_3233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHrjQNEhF_qiKBnkf6XFQQc1-23-Ye8HI2IQMG80Tot5uJGsHuESSZWgaVTXJceJ0ObVQbRd8rry2m3mgqbIOhrWGe38RNpdOETF6BoIosQQejV2IgZaVabMsg_AwhEGkY7ADhG3nlbg/s640/DSC_3233.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk43eacganLApBBtrOpZnZt2P6VtigSJuWY-zAprtbX9GLaHEmGkuguRy1dROr1aAA9ISyd0lIGxvqCz7H0vKCQ1OfNZbv616oqLZBqkOXrxAhU5BRyilQ893kxcWycO6GRMXpNgeERY/s1600/DSC_3235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk43eacganLApBBtrOpZnZt2P6VtigSJuWY-zAprtbX9GLaHEmGkuguRy1dROr1aAA9ISyd0lIGxvqCz7H0vKCQ1OfNZbv616oqLZBqkOXrxAhU5BRyilQ893kxcWycO6GRMXpNgeERY/s640/DSC_3235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5gM0JNeWJ62bt6xEB1VtK7OvrUbD1XBLkZYc48AIYbNcIpS-3pj-1WM_tfo0lHtOA0CIkDDZj6wL1bTu_EBgR-QFhdi8ePn6SeaAaY11Hg0xGAL7qQ6xLLabx7LOEJWcPHDB6oVHC1g/s1600/DSC_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5gM0JNeWJ62bt6xEB1VtK7OvrUbD1XBLkZYc48AIYbNcIpS-3pj-1WM_tfo0lHtOA0CIkDDZj6wL1bTu_EBgR-QFhdi8ePn6SeaAaY11Hg0xGAL7qQ6xLLabx7LOEJWcPHDB6oVHC1g/s640/DSC_3244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After returning from the States. A walk through the woods. A bank holiday weekend at the regatta. Dinner on the roof. A trip to a&e for a sprained ankle. A little bit of northeastern culture shock. And a trip to Gateshead watching races, a concert at the Sage, and a stop at the Angel of the North. I like it now. I'm not sure I liked it before. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-43641770012176281662013-08-29T09:43:00.002+01:002013-08-29T09:45:11.685+01:00Thoughts on a Thursday<br />
<br />
- This is August. It must be butterfly season. They are simply everywhere. I saw one flit though the bottom of an open window, have a look about the room, and then flit through the top of the window to leave. <br />
<br />
- I will never understand instagram food photos. So gross. <br />
<br />
- The <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.timothyallenjones.devotional.spurgeon&hl=en">Spurgeon Morning and Evening</a> phone app has been one of my favorite things lately. I have enjoyed it so thoroughly and this surprises me. <br />
<br />
- I have taught Indy and Felix to feed from my hand. This appears a very good agreement between us. They are delightful. <br />
<br />
- I have rediscovered my highschool love for running. What a dormant thing it has been, for such a long time. It is interesting how something so forgotten can give the same, what shall I call it, shall we say pleasure, once again? Lewis makes a big fuss about something like this. And then, what was it that Eric Liddel said? 'When I run, I feel God's pleasure'?<br />
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
Yes, that was it. The riverside of Durham is easily one of the most beautiful places to imagine that possible. <br />
<br />
- Reading has once again become a pleasure. American literature, especially Southern Literature. I love it. I love the old Southern world Thomas Wolfe paints with his biscuits and collard greens. I am charmed by Walker Percy's one-liners. Like this one:<br />
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"At night the years come back and perch around my bed like ghosts.” -The Moveigoer</blockquote>
<br />
Or this:<br />
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Have you noticed that the narrower the view the more you can see? For
the first time I understand how old ladies can sit on their porches for
years.” -Lancelot</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
It has been awhile since I have truly been taken with an author or a book, but those mopey lost-generation authors have done it. Fitzgerald and Hemingway. I read them first at fourteen and this time round, I think, perhaps, I understand them better. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-37001552347354320432013-08-19T12:09:00.001+01:002013-08-19T12:09:39.411+01:00While at home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJYgufzCGqCqChED4iGmlABledCj8c0S0XIXasBRSVA77kT7XMMYC1Q6rBvM7fKskO30ZZVWmyQj8ZvCEQQuJbMjjYX4DJih2AQYIG8vOO2dejuKQycJq958JvaN3P1tFfnHXI9tPuTg/s1600/DSC_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJYgufzCGqCqChED4iGmlABledCj8c0S0XIXasBRSVA77kT7XMMYC1Q6rBvM7fKskO30ZZVWmyQj8ZvCEQQuJbMjjYX4DJih2AQYIG8vOO2dejuKQycJq958JvaN3P1tFfnHXI9tPuTg/s640/DSC_3117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Home was just as lovely as ever. Food was a big highlight. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I ate my body weight in queso and chips</li>
<li>We had a low-country boil</li>
<li>I ate boiled peanuts as my dinner four times</li>
<li>Fresh vegetables from the garden</li>
<li>More BBQ than I could shake a stick at</li>
</ul>
In addition to that it included:<br />
<ul>
<li>a most lovely bridal shower</li>
<li>wedding planning stuff </li>
<li>shark week </li>
<li>a trip Georgia to see family</li>
<li>skeet shooting</li>
<li>a week at the beach </li>
<li>a trip to Charleston </li>
<li>kayaking on the Edisto River</li>
<li>fishing boat in the ocean </li>
<li>reading </li>
<li>porches and rocking chairs and sweet tea </li>
<li>lots of good time with family </li>
</ul>
It was so good and so lovely and I had such a good good time. <br /><br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-83008425322039499212013-07-31T18:45:00.002+01:002013-07-31T18:46:33.984+01:00Centre Parcs and Newcastle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWesbkRFC2ZYNDxgOw8he0o7xsN6wl1oz5m9pspf7dffBNygX0M_IxLxhpnyW2-jSIBxpEnw9uio6O3PnPb4hgNsP29vzMWqsS0W8jqRn45LtyWo-MTZ8zMHnJ0OaIJyvun_jdFOkdT3I/s1600/DSC_2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWesbkRFC2ZYNDxgOw8he0o7xsN6wl1oz5m9pspf7dffBNygX0M_IxLxhpnyW2-jSIBxpEnw9uio6O3PnPb4hgNsP29vzMWqsS0W8jqRn45LtyWo-MTZ8zMHnJ0OaIJyvun_jdFOkdT3I/s640/DSC_2876.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been spending lots of my time lately in Newcastle. Not exactly exploring, but an occasional wander.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjWGR3bgnNCzdF9VnOQlSDlxOS8TRhh7YBkBp9eaNQZ6kDdCdx_seegitkaVg_wSm04CyW8ywHCG9X28fSoF-N-jLHvfeuGrTRgYm_Ha0AT3wT6QsAUglZIdyC3qCVYDCfYkIkgM_ikE/s1600/DSC_2890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjWGR3bgnNCzdF9VnOQlSDlxOS8TRhh7YBkBp9eaNQZ6kDdCdx_seegitkaVg_wSm04CyW8ywHCG9X28fSoF-N-jLHvfeuGrTRgYm_Ha0AT3wT6QsAUglZIdyC3qCVYDCfYkIkgM_ikE/s640/DSC_2890.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working lots at the Lit & Phil. Really love it there. So atmospheric. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UMJK4ETqH0iq-Mv5YF9FEZzyEVctKVDw0TPe-aCwRL0A7iiq03m84Htew0HmMAsQRH8RxBOeu_6FTshXs_asQZvYYuKpBuN3ewylht9icOIMVL_aMiYrvEmiKTQvS6CoSAA1XU5m3hE/s1600/DSC_2896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UMJK4ETqH0iq-Mv5YF9FEZzyEVctKVDw0TPe-aCwRL0A7iiq03m84Htew0HmMAsQRH8RxBOeu_6FTshXs_asQZvYYuKpBuN3ewylht9icOIMVL_aMiYrvEmiKTQvS6CoSAA1XU5m3hE/s640/DSC_2896.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is us stopped in a little village of Tewksbury for lunch. Such a lovely medieval town. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm learning to drive on British roads these days. It's a much different animal to the wide and straight roads of the States. Fran's family had planned a trip down to Centre Parcs, and we drove, allowing me to have ample practice. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMvCeuwpIN7HnEWVkxZ3x-kx6hQaIspU-fYCS4LzlbrFqNphU1Dt48HO1m8OGtbhPvDfYy8kNRzWf5dTb1KtllOoXjT81Vg4kb2Cfb3IMY0tWTk2CtabibK5E708IAKNYEVkSnxH1dDY/s1600/DSC_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMvCeuwpIN7HnEWVkxZ3x-kx6hQaIspU-fYCS4LzlbrFqNphU1Dt48HO1m8OGtbhPvDfYy8kNRzWf5dTb1KtllOoXjT81Vg4kb2Cfb3IMY0tWTk2CtabibK5E708IAKNYEVkSnxH1dDY/s640/DSC_2897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Centre Parcs we seemed to see and do everything. Here is mini-golf, themed just to suit my tastes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeES0eLOJcPxwdMgECQbY5V7X5fFLH6wAJyYnwOCU1-usxRGgDIj7UHysgMvjrYwtAi765E4am5YdKMnMyapN_hARSX2NBNVnqFB3IdK3jaDgVV2aNrT7W_YEX3yl7okG76itG3aCIWs/s1600/DSC_2904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeES0eLOJcPxwdMgECQbY5V7X5fFLH6wAJyYnwOCU1-usxRGgDIj7UHysgMvjrYwtAi765E4am5YdKMnMyapN_hARSX2NBNVnqFB3IdK3jaDgVV2aNrT7W_YEX3yl7okG76itG3aCIWs/s640/DSC_2904.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran's cousin pulling the sword for the stone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5upc1o8QNzJSNVO1LoD5zsK4ONSgKbk4JIv_5Ro1UUEbUAVIBhQxZC_laWTadTGRElshOnCYg0xdwTptkcQnStG_S1VJM4A50uVXNt-1E0iw9fRySCfpj8pUgrwe3YXOxDjeNwgACc/s1600/DSC_2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q5upc1o8QNzJSNVO1LoD5zsK4ONSgKbk4JIv_5Ro1UUEbUAVIBhQxZC_laWTadTGRElshOnCYg0xdwTptkcQnStG_S1VJM4A50uVXNt-1E0iw9fRySCfpj8pUgrwe3YXOxDjeNwgACc/s640/DSC_2908.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went biking in the rain. I don't think I'd been on a bike in about ten years! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynNsiVtZH03YzyBkh748FLqWcR8UiWT4IBeZ9KpeWGglYn_I06GKhLn7qFKl0blV7sT3ILQ9d3yxPi065lYJFR93-R73cQulnRVG7kLHCSwPSx8Jg5wG8ItA5MYy5-VUWmWKWKbKSws8/s1600/DSC_2915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynNsiVtZH03YzyBkh748FLqWcR8UiWT4IBeZ9KpeWGglYn_I06GKhLn7qFKl0blV7sT3ILQ9d3yxPi065lYJFR93-R73cQulnRVG7kLHCSwPSx8Jg5wG8ItA5MYy5-VUWmWKWKbKSws8/s640/DSC_2915.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several games of pictionary. Can you spot Fran's drawing of Spiderman and Nightmare?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzrGgSLWb74hBntwQHCC2RKqOvqJAtgvr086ojMHDujUHFjb71G5k7_9CA4aAt3qU4-avHXRei_n_5SDPIxpkrmJ_ixBRUaUjOhIFmpftuEddt7wKq3mAQIWxfMTxWizVgu0vd5Tl60Q/s1600/DSC_2916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzrGgSLWb74hBntwQHCC2RKqOvqJAtgvr086ojMHDujUHFjb71G5k7_9CA4aAt3qU4-avHXRei_n_5SDPIxpkrmJ_ixBRUaUjOhIFmpftuEddt7wKq3mAQIWxfMTxWizVgu0vd5Tl60Q/s640/DSC_2916.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even got to stop in Southampton and see the dog. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoZmQzZ2n-olKjU4E5ayeZUdvOLOdEzo-g7bBC039zbkbSDLv6aIkLydZmpnkSRRtR_uhf7Lx8UndJ0vRw7lh1fi-PUxJoX1nhikOC3z2Rm4FLZHXIJIK9Bv8w1m-jZ0S9b3ppvbsido/s1600/DSC_2925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoZmQzZ2n-olKjU4E5ayeZUdvOLOdEzo-g7bBC039zbkbSDLv6aIkLydZmpnkSRRtR_uhf7Lx8UndJ0vRw7lh1fi-PUxJoX1nhikOC3z2Rm4FLZHXIJIK9Bv8w1m-jZ0S9b3ppvbsido/s640/DSC_2925.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Indy and Felix, having a little rest from foiled attempts to breach the fence. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZVAaw2P_De26T7-go6tnlP_4UGpDnrfs6Z0r-mzicoacXplUU1bBUruytaZ46CL4fPaUxEh3faXOmj-XSH2IVagv-JMpzNxtdrCWdatd6G2ogFvFYEHgwV0mUowBouZ0l0fvrDdR214/s1600/DSC_2926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZVAaw2P_De26T7-go6tnlP_4UGpDnrfs6Z0r-mzicoacXplUU1bBUruytaZ46CL4fPaUxEh3faXOmj-XSH2IVagv-JMpzNxtdrCWdatd6G2ogFvFYEHgwV0mUowBouZ0l0fvrDdR214/s640/DSC_2926.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is me, studying for my motor theory exam in the Newcastle train station. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This past weekend we did indeed trek down to Centre Parcs to see Fran's
family. It was good to see them all again. Centre Parcs I found was
more of a conquering of fears, such as riding a bike, or dislikes, such
as swimming in public pools, though I did thoroughly enjoy being active
the entire weekend. I've been trying to get back into the habit of doing a photo-a-day and though not terrible successful, find that it's a lovely way to remember. I have indeed been learning to drive, and studying more diligently than I ever did at UNC, to pass my theory exam. Who knew that the incentive to finally get me to study was the humiliation of having to pay £36 again? And now, we're off again, tomorrow, to the States! Very excited to see my family, and of course, my neurotic dog (we haven't seen either since our engagement) and then there's food. I may have been dreaming about fried chicken last night. xoNJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-41133834849232320662013-07-22T12:02:00.003+01:002013-07-22T12:06:38.232+01:00A weekend and thoughts on home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xnlf9H6RiqGZYBoHQNV3aQgqEFU9K8GaQ3Ci7hh4cjN1I0bEAWEbGOt788rI4zZ6eEclMX_munInAlYUNIusxVUn1HPW170U4g_IhsvxnPjnJ7WdbZWc8Gzvf42gxdbgO1D6MQXepsY/s1600/DSC_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xnlf9H6RiqGZYBoHQNV3aQgqEFU9K8GaQ3Ci7hh4cjN1I0bEAWEbGOt788rI4zZ6eEclMX_munInAlYUNIusxVUn1HPW170U4g_IhsvxnPjnJ7WdbZWc8Gzvf42gxdbgO1D6MQXepsY/s640/DSC_2868.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fran's parents & grandmother were here this weekend. We had a lovely time strolling around the countryside, swimming in the hotel pool, and eating lots of fabulous food. They even went rowing and were good enough to come along to see the<a href="http://www.lindisfarnegospels.com/"> Lindisfarne Gospels</a> exhibit in Durham. This weekend also boasted a beautiful bridal shower for a sweet friend. We drank tea, played games, gave toasts, unwrapped gifts, and ate and ate and ate. It was perfect. Weddings are lots of fun.<br />
<br />
In other news, I've been made the social secretary of my college, which is good fun. That takes up some time now too. I've also been thinking lots about being a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_culture_kid">TCK</a>, and growing up in a culture not your own. In the recent past, I've tended to not embrace this, to downplay it, to think, <i>well it was important, but it was only a little while and you're American now</i>. But the longer I'm over in England, the more sense of distance I feel from America. This makes me very sad, but it also reawakens the same feelings I had growing up in Singapore. A sense of distance and removal, a sense of searching, a sense of wondering about home, and homeland. Some things never really go away. I think this might be one of them. <br />
<br />
Fran often says I look forward to things too much and don't take enough time to savor what is happening now or what has already happened. Perhaps that's another token-TCK indicator. Even as I write this, I'm thinking about my PhD to-do list, my before-I-leave-to-go-to-the-States list, and more excitingly, what-I'm-going-to-do-when-I'm-home list. I'm so excited! I can't wait! I'll get to see my family! And eat food! And make about 5,000 wedding decisions in the space of ten days. I've been planning my meals for about three weeks now. Can you guess what's at the top of my list? <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/boiled_peanuts/">Right here. </a>But before I get too carried away, here's to being grateful for our daily bread, and the space in between. Love. <br />
<br />
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-55492292287894145832013-07-16T11:36:00.001+01:002013-07-16T11:38:21.470+01:00Some things in July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lately: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIzpKzqgNSpemmqM69ukG3bWApYiEAD809b8IIaXOFq2_EbRTNOIj70m6-bPKUb3_jdfFGwfdQwXZMocNT-dBDa-SnJ8ZjjGFbTKGD9_SoVmINkdS67T4xgozD5a7X4isNhIHVmvsxg4/s1600/DSC_2813.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIzpKzqgNSpemmqM69ukG3bWApYiEAD809b8IIaXOFq2_EbRTNOIj70m6-bPKUb3_jdfFGwfdQwXZMocNT-dBDa-SnJ8ZjjGFbTKGD9_SoVmINkdS67T4xgozD5a7X4isNhIHVmvsxg4/s640/DSC_2813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attended Louise and Martin's wedding celebration in Northern Ireland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIzpKzqgNSpemmqM69ukG3bWApYiEAD809b8IIaXOFq2_EbRTNOIj70m6-bPKUb3_jdfFGwfdQwXZMocNT-dBDa-SnJ8ZjjGFbTKGD9_SoVmINkdS67T4xgozD5a7X4isNhIHVmvsxg4/s1600/DSC_2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXzR7w4_aB52U5JeJCtF4CsketUdAa0kWAZ2D7OK8T-vQhO8K-mprIcp3D2YdhgCjFkYQFpC6dtLzDPRsi8JtxDY2VJnqSTwtBUgD9ck1UvWV_p_C8XlART1D5EKtTkUAh_IeXBGKEs/s1600/DSC_2819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXzR7w4_aB52U5JeJCtF4CsketUdAa0kWAZ2D7OK8T-vQhO8K-mprIcp3D2YdhgCjFkYQFpC6dtLzDPRsi8JtxDY2VJnqSTwtBUgD9ck1UvWV_p_C8XlART1D5EKtTkUAh_IeXBGKEs/s640/DSC_2819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made my way through my first hedge maze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTqXmwFj-ircfd5SOG9g3J2V1sDdxp6Bbue0Cgv7X9Q7ptql0LUVcbE9FM_K_lK8-4jmNnj77I2u6U24PJ9VMUrrywfMCJHIzeWz5phqCv63gsNDLCqvt8LkFbQgoRwdaBenocCOfHn0/s1600/DSC_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTqXmwFj-ircfd5SOG9g3J2V1sDdxp6Bbue0Cgv7X9Q7ptql0LUVcbE9FM_K_lK8-4jmNnj77I2u6U24PJ9VMUrrywfMCJHIzeWz5phqCv63gsNDLCqvt8LkFbQgoRwdaBenocCOfHn0/s640/DSC_2834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrated the 4th of July in style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h8UDbfslyoeT9s_zO2SX-CWbDVxkKABF7hkb0pl-_nsspmQd5oznrxBlOof66q_08ezBT3m_xejHvINj2vRTzU6Yq-V6T4_2J0IdHIYSX6KuRbHF4E8E72CgqG_PkcInsMSq834Xs/s1600/DSC_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG2h8UDbfslyoeT9s_zO2SX-CWbDVxkKABF7hkb0pl-_nsspmQd5oznrxBlOof66q_08ezBT3m_xejHvINj2vRTzU6Yq-V6T4_2J0IdHIYSX6KuRbHF4E8E72CgqG_PkcInsMSq834Xs/s640/DSC_2843.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandered about the Cathedral with MEMSA's conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR5iLz53BMhzO6BKDTZFCuao1WCGGQWHgzFcTmXBIrbBiYalfAcnAm3FQ6DqwMGKV3O2XozCrsIt3Yh9hPEpPZoeT_MYpcGxlO9DwDr1k0glzq656MOuh2BtiP-3utr9b0DPPyHLLvCk/s1600/DSC_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitR5iLz53BMhzO6BKDTZFCuao1WCGGQWHgzFcTmXBIrbBiYalfAcnAm3FQ6DqwMGKV3O2XozCrsIt3Yh9hPEpPZoeT_MYpcGxlO9DwDr1k0glzq656MOuh2BtiP-3utr9b0DPPyHLLvCk/s640/DSC_2860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went strawberry picking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
+ The weather here has been glorious and sunny. I've even gotten sunburnt! <br />
+ Strawberries here actually rest on straw<br />
+ Trying to do things like my mom, like putting up strawberries or wrapping gifts<br />
+ Finding that bad haircuts are not as traumatic as they were when I was in the sixth grade<br />
+ Thinking about the differences between Ireland and Northern Ireland <br />
+ Loving the conference MEMSA put together this year<br />
+ Having successive nightmares thanks to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_%28Danish_TV_series%29">The Killing</a><br />
+ Learning to drive in Britain, asking smart questions: "Wait, so when do I put the clutch down?"<br />
+ Loving early morning starts and the lengthy days of sunshine. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-56447653690252929522013-07-02T12:00:00.000+01:002013-07-02T14:54:13.984+01:00A trip to Hexham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Through Chads we organized a day-trip out to Hexham. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpctcNcjgYi5urEf22lWe3W9_FKhR_gDQQx1zEBRjp41H2cUK99w2GekS_uEz6cF4TYvFPIomLtVfm8xlzMC0wtWYBmXtSeL5Dw37mnkWgGloBTPRvVN3qJE3QAkJom7OmY1H8AO9ktU/s1600/DSC_2729.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpctcNcjgYi5urEf22lWe3W9_FKhR_gDQQx1zEBRjp41H2cUK99w2GekS_uEz6cF4TYvFPIomLtVfm8xlzMC0wtWYBmXtSeL5Dw37mnkWgGloBTPRvVN3qJE3QAkJom7OmY1H8AO9ktU/s640/DSC_2729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market and Abbey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpctcNcjgYi5urEf22lWe3W9_FKhR_gDQQx1zEBRjp41H2cUK99w2GekS_uEz6cF4TYvFPIomLtVfm8xlzMC0wtWYBmXtSeL5Dw37mnkWgGloBTPRvVN3qJE3QAkJom7OmY1H8AO9ktU/s1600/DSC_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDGztRS32mxCzZ9QecGqov0Zu-P8SbKu81jHpb99s6-2dB75qVbiximQ88PmAC-OCV654E4ajvnWN7ALXt_8uiSeavAQP7z2GO1oGRyXvZViZiP5g0-NRal4smNMXAl-GGL-Q1d1q-zI/s1600/DSC_2732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDGztRS32mxCzZ9QecGqov0Zu-P8SbKu81jHpb99s6-2dB75qVbiximQ88PmAC-OCV654E4ajvnWN7ALXt_8uiSeavAQP7z2GO1oGRyXvZViZiP5g0-NRal4smNMXAl-GGL-Q1d1q-zI/s640/DSC_2732.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgZaJpEi2Qvo72L2cQkyLGGlL0TKTr6xpqO42OpXwesDcN-LlLUI3PlhNplvgDDpCbaCiigmiDwB_5A3jBiuNjZtSuUrEwAYFMy7InCRnCpqxExDa9vn4toJb0xI2mPzhMBt0jw19Cd0/s1600/DSC_2733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgZaJpEi2Qvo72L2cQkyLGGlL0TKTr6xpqO42OpXwesDcN-LlLUI3PlhNplvgDDpCbaCiigmiDwB_5A3jBiuNjZtSuUrEwAYFMy7InCRnCpqxExDa9vn4toJb0xI2mPzhMBt0jw19Cd0/s640/DSC_2733.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the abbey was from the 7th century</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlADPPjhO_UIfKfYMG4qe8k2dUFkUE2Fxr9jCI1XpXSLRkPXwCvh0E2nbAnNc4VeSDaFC_K14wsboaII16OjkcRJtxyLP6s6HICBNgftM2v8Omh3_yHUvuGsKWo7YIHdN_cMuiBq521M/s1600/DSC_2734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlADPPjhO_UIfKfYMG4qe8k2dUFkUE2Fxr9jCI1XpXSLRkPXwCvh0E2nbAnNc4VeSDaFC_K14wsboaII16OjkcRJtxyLP6s6HICBNgftM2v8Omh3_yHUvuGsKWo7YIHdN_cMuiBq521M/s640/DSC_2734.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry, but a rare example of steps monk used between their dorms and vespers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsP4aTkoxH73JFXXG_NSMENN5Iu3ictKTlt2wLK7Q6BVGa-BuVVRWUBEuK4pjxfVQRRrH0350bcjHrpgReHeLoclA52O0zeNFxvDHg9WnUN4inqYITY4QFXRzEMkJF4zWh4Oj-uHodks/s1600/DSC_2736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsP4aTkoxH73JFXXG_NSMENN5Iu3ictKTlt2wLK7Q6BVGa-BuVVRWUBEuK4pjxfVQRRrH0350bcjHrpgReHeLoclA52O0zeNFxvDHg9WnUN4inqYITY4QFXRzEMkJF4zWh4Oj-uHodks/s640/DSC_2736.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Saturday had an emphasis on art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmLMOM6UA86ee6u8imbfurpPoL78V8zP_eC21TVzsLg94E7BoTE5nO7azo1dcahrI4vG50SS2h1N3-8xDpHPLtNJfcKhwzyKrAp4ffacHhB9hdWo5v3wii7TdubFJHgeO6NvvxoHcLJ8/s1600/DSC_2739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmLMOM6UA86ee6u8imbfurpPoL78V8zP_eC21TVzsLg94E7BoTE5nO7azo1dcahrI4vG50SS2h1N3-8xDpHPLtNJfcKhwzyKrAp4ffacHhB9hdWo5v3wii7TdubFJHgeO6NvvxoHcLJ8/s640/DSC_2739.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even had the 'Dance Macabre' or Dance of Death</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZnSX-2ASiA6izrSibwawA3UeZ1dUiXJmvtT4NvM0j3XFC92pq7QIgidKRI2ghICyABUSnOJexedX6NkTiw7uhR8EWaLr3mmuPhZU2vJKBmzRIPhsT0KAYgsn3_InKPTGTghOHBUI67E/s1600/DSC_2741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZnSX-2ASiA6izrSibwawA3UeZ1dUiXJmvtT4NvM0j3XFC92pq7QIgidKRI2ghICyABUSnOJexedX6NkTiw7uhR8EWaLr3mmuPhZU2vJKBmzRIPhsT0KAYgsn3_InKPTGTghOHBUI67E/s640/DSC_2741.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frith stool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlccWNHlyRl18S1Wa5i55n3eaG9iWC9QVDDzBS5PSZps4tBkknTm_1jupDwzsHhLRFpJbzWIuL8Z5r72XUvxn9X5gFWgUxdUpr9DXjNKNcG_MGu_Aupz9t2dPDZ_R3GQCP4JXhyphenhyphensGEU8/s1600/DSC_2743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlccWNHlyRl18S1Wa5i55n3eaG9iWC9QVDDzBS5PSZps4tBkknTm_1jupDwzsHhLRFpJbzWIuL8Z5r72XUvxn9X5gFWgUxdUpr9DXjNKNcG_MGu_Aupz9t2dPDZ_R3GQCP4JXhyphenhyphensGEU8/s640/DSC_2743.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st century tomb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbueJWRui0w27KTAV7t_pNxvZEEsVRYaldOZzsiHWXChaJqOqPWBtJr66IJskFS8V4ZjE4txvs0_O10RemJchyphenhyphenATO0qijVVB-GTlbs6kS3cO1PQ1iGoVjnAiAiUxJ3nmf-vfxgU6-DNwQ/s1600/DSC_2745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbueJWRui0w27KTAV7t_pNxvZEEsVRYaldOZzsiHWXChaJqOqPWBtJr66IJskFS8V4ZjE4txvs0_O10RemJchyphenhyphenATO0qijVVB-GTlbs6kS3cO1PQ1iGoVjnAiAiUxJ3nmf-vfxgU6-DNwQ/s640/DSC_2745.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-uKIOfphBqV9jvTPZOopgkKGkLPpxBfK36L16fqKwUvQ6BTau_1UQTs9ELFVaz5UBqmuytrBFQ0ikouNm2MEPMgwGp7hBUC6-6PECjN9qohVyHj5mtGsdLV2cGVgIX_Rf6dNYOFWq9s/s1600/DSC_2746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-uKIOfphBqV9jvTPZOopgkKGkLPpxBfK36L16fqKwUvQ6BTau_1UQTs9ELFVaz5UBqmuytrBFQ0ikouNm2MEPMgwGp7hBUC6-6PECjN9qohVyHj5mtGsdLV2cGVgIX_Rf6dNYOFWq9s/s640/DSC_2746.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the 7th century crypt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlkJ2AfDcB4x2BicPPi_q-px_n4mF2SJv-Dz49UFQlKVXiMICl69MkQ8IaQP3IRZy6h7PSmqil2qrcQcX7m8kS4TSq5TeFbjLLDkForAxSGErpvjayX_hD0F09aOvCodm_j9JREFM7DQ/s1600/DSC_2748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlkJ2AfDcB4x2BicPPi_q-px_n4mF2SJv-Dz49UFQlKVXiMICl69MkQ8IaQP3IRZy6h7PSmqil2qrcQcX7m8kS4TSq5TeFbjLLDkForAxSGErpvjayX_hD0F09aOvCodm_j9JREFM7DQ/s640/DSC_2748.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view of the abbey from the crypt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1d8BNfRqDLkJuEZ_KgFhyphenhyphen_CFziFyaBeoBcrrJQtr_-mlbWH399_S9nRb6jCaR3weDnVwdfm-22FK1ktt-ub5XJmo71jqv8mAKWxY0FXjN3oZtYQXDBTI93Xyiy8dDYPiD4i0maX-jXHM/s1600/DSC_2749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1d8BNfRqDLkJuEZ_KgFhyphenhyphen_CFziFyaBeoBcrrJQtr_-mlbWH399_S9nRb6jCaR3weDnVwdfm-22FK1ktt-ub5XJmo71jqv8mAKWxY0FXjN3oZtYQXDBTI93Xyiy8dDYPiD4i0maX-jXHM/s640/DSC_2749.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the best baptismal font I have ever seen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HkAUyNwHOqN8SFuonoEclDBpB6AVkSmYItUNKNsWnQQvx_xA909HejUKi_gvofBeH0pREt-FyGNwwXpKgH4MU6J6adM3uHRo17pzrAtq90Myh4e5zSMgYM3tiyd260lW50UC8jnQ4M/s1600/DSC_2750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HkAUyNwHOqN8SFuonoEclDBpB6AVkSmYItUNKNsWnQQvx_xA909HejUKi_gvofBeH0pREt-FyGNwwXpKgH4MU6J6adM3uHRo17pzrAtq90Myh4e5zSMgYM3tiyd260lW50UC8jnQ4M/s640/DSC_2750.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we had exhausted the market and the cathedral, amid the downpour of rain, we went to eat lunch at a place called the Green Room. It was fabulous. I can't believe I don't have any photos. Very good food! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzXWH4E2JM2GuESggZQyC_BoTWPLIbPlAQsjNUwQfN-m75o_VwMxGE_uh0w2CFchhF8gWysEFnxR8kLv7hze2YUGWA7EuJ2firiRXPSCRBwMZGFi8MXirfuqSUINRM39msfYEgvUPqug/s1600/DSC_2753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzXWH4E2JM2GuESggZQyC_BoTWPLIbPlAQsjNUwQfN-m75o_VwMxGE_uh0w2CFchhF8gWysEFnxR8kLv7hze2YUGWA7EuJ2firiRXPSCRBwMZGFi8MXirfuqSUINRM39msfYEgvUPqug/s640/DSC_2753.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From there we headed to the Gaol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF7liIKanTM4TcV1YTc3YBG8v6GAOQ-YUwlnyE-KT08eHwjNFTMGLoWZ9a7wUaMpzO2Kl-FDUZ76c4iz4D6C-v0xAKNCK4X_V_Engc_QS3GOPR2lFqpVAcKyaCm0fJMRgaMlO-fYzMSA/s1600/DSC_2756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF7liIKanTM4TcV1YTc3YBG8v6GAOQ-YUwlnyE-KT08eHwjNFTMGLoWZ9a7wUaMpzO2Kl-FDUZ76c4iz4D6C-v0xAKNCK4X_V_Engc_QS3GOPR2lFqpVAcKyaCm0fJMRgaMlO-fYzMSA/s640/DSC_2756.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then home! Sanna looks like she's in an open carriage. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-52618220668884383952013-07-02T08:00:00.000+01:002013-07-02T08:00:02.527+01:00A trip to London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the longest day of the year, I caught the 5.38 am train down to London to see my Aunt Jayne and my cousin Emily. It was so surreal and wonderful to see them. They were on a girl scout tour trip around Europe and their schedule looked fabulous. They had one morning in London and I met them up before they were to take the Euro Star to Paris. You have one morning in London so what do you do? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLgTcvr6-sDo4JYZjEwt1xsFLBu5C_rYbn-w97lKW7W-VmMziCpLnEZbrkUZO1JEnhBOkFo2UxLZ9c_BPLSM89ltVd67-BnZoSezkNPlZUlaCifGncOvz7EWrD2WJkbRenSkVp21vEjk/s1600/DSC_2718.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLgTcvr6-sDo4JYZjEwt1xsFLBu5C_rYbn-w97lKW7W-VmMziCpLnEZbrkUZO1JEnhBOkFo2UxLZ9c_BPLSM89ltVd67-BnZoSezkNPlZUlaCifGncOvz7EWrD2WJkbRenSkVp21vEjk/s640/DSC_2718.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go to the science museum of course!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1aEQT-CA0BrEGn4_AkTeJdJX_KTVCA8brwRPSkVCO8NCVpz8BNdz4rccursy6BukUwCGr8r7b27v1fDCVPsuwqxCjUd2qe-v0tJFg2Q76TKOmkWtNVZeWd8Gn_heBBxV5Stz7_CV_rg/s640/DSC_2720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1aEQT-CA0BrEGn4_AkTeJdJX_KTVCA8brwRPSkVCO8NCVpz8BNdz4rccursy6BukUwCGr8r7b27v1fDCVPsuwqxCjUd2qe-v0tJFg2Q76TKOmkWtNVZeWd8Gn_heBBxV5Stz7_CV_rg/s640/DSC_2720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went on the 3-D Red Arrows simulator ride. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lbk8Ia8oeXAy_d8yiHh5hrz4wDNj06G-YkyPoAu0-92g6KBJ6p0DvgJRF5TSqXnUcRw0FCIDnPRr5ZOQ8rNyZMbj_VFe7mkEtv2C8wAQ1oo0thqNtaB_-1w4eqrDUh1xKg2cP0N7bZ4/s1600/DSC_2723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Lbk8Ia8oeXAy_d8yiHh5hrz4wDNj06G-YkyPoAu0-92g6KBJ6p0DvgJRF5TSqXnUcRw0FCIDnPRr5ZOQ8rNyZMbj_VFe7mkEtv2C8wAQ1oo0thqNtaB_-1w4eqrDUh1xKg2cP0N7bZ4/s640/DSC_2723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We then went to King's Cross for some AMAZING mexican. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_ITYXE4Zh2xkK7McyrBP5dEqGUJx8orCDTylJqp4skBYKBnZKoBNe8YwqEDyZFIos3arTLkRtSAeBaefqZidjWW2qpYjTOw_1YM88V26OWU3VG8feqmMbs0CJIq4ZXcuIeCF-lMzjX4/s1600/DSC_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_ITYXE4Zh2xkK7McyrBP5dEqGUJx8orCDTylJqp4skBYKBnZKoBNe8YwqEDyZFIos3arTLkRtSAeBaefqZidjWW2qpYjTOw_1YM88V26OWU3VG8feqmMbs0CJIq4ZXcuIeCF-lMzjX4/s640/DSC_2724.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wandered around St. Pancras' shops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy0HR9GJDM9DnI-KwCBiNx59zeGUyxScM1clBfnKPoDyZfy2uLk5Aqve2eZRMhRW6p-yekTlJ8CJQIn73_4RkFAeq6skQM8H2BeFyJCii-CgdecbH1R8eKnF4-eRGAlKrcND9KBmZQNw/s1600/DSC_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOy0HR9GJDM9DnI-KwCBiNx59zeGUyxScM1clBfnKPoDyZfy2uLk5Aqve2eZRMhRW6p-yekTlJ8CJQIn73_4RkFAeq6skQM8H2BeFyJCii-CgdecbH1R8eKnF4-eRGAlKrcND9KBmZQNw/s640/DSC_2725.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Pancras International</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then had just under an hour a mad thought, I dragged them to the British Library, gave them a quick tour of the rare book collection, showing them Beowulf (now on display!), some Jane Austen Manuscripts, some medieval music, and of course, my illuminated manuscripts. We met up with the rest of the girl scouts. I was promptly told that I had an 'accent' now that I had lived here and looked exactly like my Aunt Jayne. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0CmDZIEO7WtZ2YDjdEcGlHo_hHTdW0rQEi1SwclFXOucnSMSc5MwWyDERNEnYP0UgnKeeq_G8kObH0CwrbbudXIRQqDUUMdoI6kN8U3EGT5UrJtmbNToU_76qfZc6k32GoZ6-rXQiLg/s1600/DSC_2726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0CmDZIEO7WtZ2YDjdEcGlHo_hHTdW0rQEi1SwclFXOucnSMSc5MwWyDERNEnYP0UgnKeeq_G8kObH0CwrbbudXIRQqDUUMdoI6kN8U3EGT5UrJtmbNToU_76qfZc6k32GoZ6-rXQiLg/s640/DSC_2726.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeing them off at St Pancras!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I went with them as far as I could, and said goodbye as they entered security. It was so wonderful to see my family in the UK! I'm starved or not seeing family enough and I loved just looking over my shoulder and thinking, <i>I'm named after her! We look alike! My hair will probably not turn brown, but look just like hers.</i> We of course talked weddings and boys and what they'd seen. Hearing all about what they'd done and see made me want to go gallivanting across Europe again. The old desire to <i>go</i> had been awoken. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuo_pmR9zGzlXu9em2w8hbf_TetPip2-oH4qCIqipUvtmM9OIcyAq-O9-3cNlI2rSkER4AD8x1pPGLvVFHNj3FZjtFubOoNHlPDq_2FpTE1oaITFnCVCLs-B1Akme1_dktA1umH6VA7U/s1600/DSC_2728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuo_pmR9zGzlXu9em2w8hbf_TetPip2-oH4qCIqipUvtmM9OIcyAq-O9-3cNlI2rSkER4AD8x1pPGLvVFHNj3FZjtFubOoNHlPDq_2FpTE1oaITFnCVCLs-B1Akme1_dktA1umH6VA7U/s640/DSC_2728.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After I said goodbye, I wandered over to King's Cross and took my train home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-35556421889557966162013-07-01T17:00:00.000+01:002013-07-01T17:00:01.684+01:00Sanna: A trip to Morpeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7J6JExpK7mzQih7N6WIWy9oPPiUk9xGKsKXqAgXzLhIQVuptLtrVl3k-RMXGwN2onriy6Yf2_9DqqXpmWybm3xG4tFWktySqbO7SgVkT80zVqoeihmIv3OSDFy5iAaapzuyGTRdbWN4/s1600/DSC_2629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
On Thursday, I worked in the morning and then in the afternoon, had an appointment in Morpeth to look at wedding dresses. Was so thankful for Sanna's willingness to come! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7J6JExpK7mzQih7N6WIWy9oPPiUk9xGKsKXqAgXzLhIQVuptLtrVl3k-RMXGwN2onriy6Yf2_9DqqXpmWybm3xG4tFWktySqbO7SgVkT80zVqoeihmIv3OSDFy5iAaapzuyGTRdbWN4/s1600/DSC_2629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7J6JExpK7mzQih7N6WIWy9oPPiUk9xGKsKXqAgXzLhIQVuptLtrVl3k-RMXGwN2onriy6Yf2_9DqqXpmWybm3xG4tFWktySqbO7SgVkT80zVqoeihmIv3OSDFy5iAaapzuyGTRdbWN4/s1600/DSC_2629.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7J6JExpK7mzQih7N6WIWy9oPPiUk9xGKsKXqAgXzLhIQVuptLtrVl3k-RMXGwN2onriy6Yf2_9DqqXpmWybm3xG4tFWktySqbO7SgVkT80zVqoeihmIv3OSDFy5iAaapzuyGTRdbWN4/s640/DSC_2629.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic as always</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjZIcLV7An2qe-hbb9bM12Sr97EUxcYws3qTgNUucJlUf-8mUBjiLH-LbaSOw93AhzaetC82kgI8rigtOA_2BWUQmcKjekPIOh5VwwI7wlBHzhV6Atkl2-KBXWEmxqC6miKSCxrvmfkY/s1600/DSC_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjZIcLV7An2qe-hbb9bM12Sr97EUxcYws3qTgNUucJlUf-8mUBjiLH-LbaSOw93AhzaetC82kgI8rigtOA_2BWUQmcKjekPIOh5VwwI7wlBHzhV6Atkl2-KBXWEmxqC6miKSCxrvmfkY/s640/DSC_2635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is me terrified of deformed pigeons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyyjwTk6Vs8GbeJ82mExzec2O0rSa4tKpOMIBc0E8HBWs9QlOOuYkCB8mdirl2c6RJH_VbxAKw9VhxWqpgdpjZhamuWkZAM-rQrhjkMywXGLcR8hWVJnEkGIe-X67i1P7tqLTDjg58UY/s1600/DSC_2640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyyjwTk6Vs8GbeJ82mExzec2O0rSa4tKpOMIBc0E8HBWs9QlOOuYkCB8mdirl2c6RJH_VbxAKw9VhxWqpgdpjZhamuWkZAM-rQrhjkMywXGLcR8hWVJnEkGIe-X67i1P7tqLTDjg58UY/s640/DSC_2640.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little stop a tea shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9voBPT6XMpDWLcqNr6O3OMOykTuD17D2WHLa0JISTcrdOrLW4IDaFMHLAIu5dJwz07Y4fegGU4CZCOrbwzIeS8tdwW7WaxCd4MypbBFScjqjV9XEuuZcH0uiOLT3-Ey0y12Ts2YeJZ5A/s1600/DSC_2641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9voBPT6XMpDWLcqNr6O3OMOykTuD17D2WHLa0JISTcrdOrLW4IDaFMHLAIu5dJwz07Y4fegGU4CZCOrbwzIeS8tdwW7WaxCd4MypbBFScjqjV9XEuuZcH0uiOLT3-Ey0y12Ts2YeJZ5A/s640/DSC_2641.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cream tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvSUEmmu48K8vdigmHmw5kBTWv28YoATBZo9kl7PsMQ6O0U9AtQLpLspS-eKDybGwV9skppdJKYZsFZTMM5YEO2wfSEv1jpuso9cRjoj1K2CGAIROxOTK0WGqJMSZkMclsnV5OA7T7E4/s1600/DSC_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvSUEmmu48K8vdigmHmw5kBTWv28YoATBZo9kl7PsMQ6O0U9AtQLpLspS-eKDybGwV9skppdJKYZsFZTMM5YEO2wfSEv1jpuso9cRjoj1K2CGAIROxOTK0WGqJMSZkMclsnV5OA7T7E4/s640/DSC_2649.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lovely studio where I tried on wedding dresses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We came back to Newcastle where both JT and Steve had come down to see us! We met up with them in the evening, and hit the pub, where guess who we should see but some of the cast from the TV series George Gently! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyzLdg3Nxaa4-4FyBeQMkR8ebAacg3wcSWBpPoRVyhPBZhb2v44-MBrF41WboMcmLmphG2Mi_R0SPx1r0cxhUKH6k-Lm1beIG9eb-2-AfLeiN9hNtXnZ47JfoA21YZLmZNFdp-bzH2uo/s1600/DSC_2717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyzLdg3Nxaa4-4FyBeQMkR8ebAacg3wcSWBpPoRVyhPBZhb2v44-MBrF41WboMcmLmphG2Mi_R0SPx1r0cxhUKH6k-Lm1beIG9eb-2-AfLeiN9hNtXnZ47JfoA21YZLmZNFdp-bzH2uo/s640/DSC_2717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanna and Lee Ingelby (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sanna had been blabbering about all the famous people she had hoped to see in England and had been telling me how much she liked Lee Ingelby and rattled off a list of all the movies and tv shows he'd been in. It was such a great surprise for her then to run into him.<br />
<br />
I keep regretting not inviting them to Chads for a few drinks. We headed there and had a great night. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-57169927520209252652013-07-01T12:00:00.000+01:002013-07-01T12:00:00.596+01:00Sanna: a trip to Newcastle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We did a host of things while Sanna was here. One evening, we went to the movies, where Sanna proved to be rather excellent at the arcade</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQga2-Nb6IMo9zPlkAWQjqFMmTyEBGrLzQi0Cy3qO4Bm8F3e4FD8hCs-OXTQva_DY8bEikoLj_AGTVPueuyKMKoSk_DsLWnc9IgemmfnTLNVLzGrg6wQ_4zyz5odhyCPPaTkH_XHhxD4/s1600/DSC_2596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQga2-Nb6IMo9zPlkAWQjqFMmTyEBGrLzQi0Cy3qO4Bm8F3e4FD8hCs-OXTQva_DY8bEikoLj_AGTVPueuyKMKoSk_DsLWnc9IgemmfnTLNVLzGrg6wQ_4zyz5odhyCPPaTkH_XHhxD4/s1600/DSC_2596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQga2-Nb6IMo9zPlkAWQjqFMmTyEBGrLzQi0Cy3qO4Bm8F3e4FD8hCs-OXTQva_DY8bEikoLj_AGTVPueuyKMKoSk_DsLWnc9IgemmfnTLNVLzGrg6wQ_4zyz5odhyCPPaTkH_XHhxD4/s640/DSC_2596.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanna at the arcade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQga2-Nb6IMo9zPlkAWQjqFMmTyEBGrLzQi0Cy3qO4Bm8F3e4FD8hCs-OXTQva_DY8bEikoLj_AGTVPueuyKMKoSk_DsLWnc9IgemmfnTLNVLzGrg6wQ_4zyz5odhyCPPaTkH_XHhxD4/s1600/DSC_2596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktmqsRoljJywpCK65-uej7A5QlaggxxYbFneoFFFUO0bOzPi3ZyyLcCbPEKNoKTpVURJlEZPRI0wYAkRar0ENkDZ0Yrl4hgp5vY_WlxOJbq3tkVezSHxoj3datU26UVdFz18AQI-PTk/s1600/DSC_2598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktmqsRoljJywpCK65-uej7A5QlaggxxYbFneoFFFUO0bOzPi3ZyyLcCbPEKNoKTpVURJlEZPRI0wYAkRar0ENkDZ0Yrl4hgp5vY_WlxOJbq3tkVezSHxoj3datU26UVdFz18AQI-PTk/s640/DSC_2598.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday we went shopping in Newcastle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJlx4uqUCE-e4PSu9q-ChcLfn0YuQVpXyFU6FTcw8BpgjHBJsAv1tXmNa_nmw_SW0xXPdEamiYxNpKyeFB4Gh2SOCCGC7cgJpIwlC4WkisWjX_hB2BzEEg_Dnb5DoNYNusKXWJ4m3kys/s1600/DSC_2603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJlx4uqUCE-e4PSu9q-ChcLfn0YuQVpXyFU6FTcw8BpgjHBJsAv1tXmNa_nmw_SW0xXPdEamiYxNpKyeFB4Gh2SOCCGC7cgJpIwlC4WkisWjX_hB2BzEEg_Dnb5DoNYNusKXWJ4m3kys/s640/DSC_2603.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ever elegant Sanna, in high-waisted skirts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ma6xMmhyv1oSU-OW8PnDMno001C65ZKluwXpdh_ITm9WyvIzA69GZ0Xp5qubR-pGHEYmtE_stGZLOXNNYKIOJ1W9GHmyTHXHTf6XT93F-FUb31dbFPxFsA8njJmLPqwqtmeu8kWQa1k/s1600/DSC_2604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ma6xMmhyv1oSU-OW8PnDMno001C65ZKluwXpdh_ITm9WyvIzA69GZ0Xp5qubR-pGHEYmtE_stGZLOXNNYKIOJ1W9GHmyTHXHTf6XT93F-FUb31dbFPxFsA8njJmLPqwqtmeu8kWQa1k/s640/DSC_2604.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the train</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszzSrXzzQu3mOYa2J8-S2bVAcsIpwJhm9k25_8c5z4Y3SmtpxhkUN9yxu2oWRruhSrwhlkcR-nieQcb5KH3u5KhcKQfI79VgW9OfwaYx2LQvG_UagzzS6CpOJdee2YYJuzmOTAstrfZg/s1600/DSC_2610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszzSrXzzQu3mOYa2J8-S2bVAcsIpwJhm9k25_8c5z4Y3SmtpxhkUN9yxu2oWRruhSrwhlkcR-nieQcb5KH3u5KhcKQfI79VgW9OfwaYx2LQvG_UagzzS6CpOJdee2YYJuzmOTAstrfZg/s640/DSC_2610.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">train spotting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYSqm8IiyH7n5srGrxL7-0pbflZeBEdYHS5NZ7grJtfKGyvMiecEEw-IC3RYb3kmrR1AVgVbXWW7ivcMeyvzBYXyVq9ZERlA5vdSkvhtfYKoCV4CBWdpLr_Xg_APmankL93DNOCSRKtc/s1600/DSC_2618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYSqm8IiyH7n5srGrxL7-0pbflZeBEdYHS5NZ7grJtfKGyvMiecEEw-IC3RYb3kmrR1AVgVbXWW7ivcMeyvzBYXyVq9ZERlA5vdSkvhtfYKoCV4CBWdpLr_Xg_APmankL93DNOCSRKtc/s640/DSC_2618.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch at my favorite pizzeria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQcbOZjP8W7cl9bmlyu8Cqj1jYVllzbPizG_1R9t3lZfQRC1S552Psb7x-drVWaOu0F0pJ8npxdBDHhm7vDKEufv7ryt-lsxO5lcpCLik07eGWFJUyb7fV6cB3XM54SMcWxty_WHep0A/s1600/DSC_2620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQcbOZjP8W7cl9bmlyu8Cqj1jYVllzbPizG_1R9t3lZfQRC1S552Psb7x-drVWaOu0F0pJ8npxdBDHhm7vDKEufv7ryt-lsxO5lcpCLik07eGWFJUyb7fV6cB3XM54SMcWxty_WHep0A/s640/DSC_2620.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From here we went shopping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJZqRLmFLuEeYNJnDd4lqJH6KM72DHC5Prr_WVaNcXae68kANBYcbs5zcsseJMAixpWCJrOeY8-0GjjenP-uTpfH0yyywS7xzkk8T4pB8F6-IyD0zn5THkljk9HCvNL5HfdKXzo6nF-Q/s1600/DSC_2624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJZqRLmFLuEeYNJnDd4lqJH6KM72DHC5Prr_WVaNcXae68kANBYcbs5zcsseJMAixpWCJrOeY8-0GjjenP-uTpfH0yyywS7xzkk8T4pB8F6-IyD0zn5THkljk9HCvNL5HfdKXzo6nF-Q/s640/DSC_2624.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then we waited for Fran at the station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-53851697161511462432013-07-01T08:00:00.000+01:002013-07-01T08:00:02.424+01:00Sanna and walksOne of the lovely things about Sanna's presence is her determination to go on walks. We watched Pride and Prejudice one evening, and in the midst of freshly sliced bread and cheese we had purchased at Hexham Market, she announced she'd like to go on a walk. So we paused Colin Firth, and bustled out the door. This led to several more wanderings. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtFsOeiTiuEaYFlnCaganrYWxtcnJERg8GvbGsaFTo5vkE-aQY43XeoqFiU7L7oL659HBP0rhSmKKvs8GTofKdof9VSL4HgTVe_xpTxza0FpZCmGRJhoHJ4nrkKAXKqf6blPtcpbF5mM/s1600/DSC_2592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtFsOeiTiuEaYFlnCaganrYWxtcnJERg8GvbGsaFTo5vkE-aQY43XeoqFiU7L7oL659HBP0rhSmKKvs8GTofKdof9VSL4HgTVe_xpTxza0FpZCmGRJhoHJ4nrkKAXKqf6blPtcpbF5mM/s640/DSC_2592.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our walk on our first day, just around the river and castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIO9ubcOoIBtQO9_v83KEIj7R6-o7vIHCjKldt5DmGJWxEFUPkMg-qWEo82yc7RujeE7UWzu0xUcDHv_2Y1euJQybf1hGoHPjmbsACyHuYvUG_BBIZMzR7H_JqV1xgBqR3W2bwILN4NI/s1600/DSC_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIO9ubcOoIBtQO9_v83KEIj7R6-o7vIHCjKldt5DmGJWxEFUPkMg-qWEo82yc7RujeE7UWzu0xUcDHv_2Y1euJQybf1hGoHPjmbsACyHuYvUG_BBIZMzR7H_JqV1xgBqR3W2bwILN4NI/s640/DSC_2593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran taught me a short-cut to a wood by my house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sa35Nl2P1GqhaIglOi3Gg2HBnnfnY90PjWxpsamM5E58p9ZqiKyTD3ZQ9DqRQd5A0TywU27Gl1doOi4EMXF2kUn5uzieo-3KZxE9IxpeikQ6uXjxB1YrNH2rO3Al3wIN2gT616Gj8Nw/s1600/DSC_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sa35Nl2P1GqhaIglOi3Gg2HBnnfnY90PjWxpsamM5E58p9ZqiKyTD3ZQ9DqRQd5A0TywU27Gl1doOi4EMXF2kUn5uzieo-3KZxE9IxpeikQ6uXjxB1YrNH2rO3Al3wIN2gT616Gj8Nw/s640/DSC_2594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then proceeded to pretend to be a jungle explorer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-KH3Sdt2Wld1tRYhm3QTqntdG4Fmxr_Z51GiZv0AmZTl06aJueGJxE6oybnGNBxQuUE6jSoJPicLH0dmHQTzhzzdGiiThbOlmEWYZuIXvqoUKgT1yNRvCu3SZsrCW_SecSKXePSvZp4/s1600/DSC_2757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-KH3Sdt2Wld1tRYhm3QTqntdG4Fmxr_Z51GiZv0AmZTl06aJueGJxE6oybnGNBxQuUE6jSoJPicLH0dmHQTzhzzdGiiThbOlmEWYZuIXvqoUKgT1yNRvCu3SZsrCW_SecSKXePSvZp4/s640/DSC_2757.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just love this photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkEr0y48_-3BpwJGXNqtYv5Z34hnYs_6FFaDlzytCBS1JVmGsFozTCDJaOMus3tT6LW_IAswLbhdWKKa9tR4vyHNb4CYKyvnb_KZN3DskVtFcWYHw3Caw1iecy6Ldvsea7pUYAAUzuH4/s1600/DSC_2761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkEr0y48_-3BpwJGXNqtYv5Z34hnYs_6FFaDlzytCBS1JVmGsFozTCDJaOMus3tT6LW_IAswLbhdWKKa9tR4vyHNb4CYKyvnb_KZN3DskVtFcWYHw3Caw1iecy6Ldvsea7pUYAAUzuH4/s640/DSC_2761.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0GFIkjjZuUrp3A43OelhGKl_mXwJV0jfkFgq-pVpOtOeUHqCf9ReQTxfNrtjSrqz3ib0KUUlSA0uDlx5y9tP3iZDQofS8Z7sdkaJisca2j-N2EC6ECnh0TTR5ev_TCn8i2Vck7bg4E8/s1600/DSC_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0GFIkjjZuUrp3A43OelhGKl_mXwJV0jfkFgq-pVpOtOeUHqCf9ReQTxfNrtjSrqz3ib0KUUlSA0uDlx5y9tP3iZDQofS8Z7sdkaJisca2j-N2EC6ECnh0TTR5ev_TCn8i2Vck7bg4E8/s640/DSC_2765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx0vkpWp0yt_wVHdwwbpeIwWTsofBYfEy-FxQmjSc1mKSVr_FuV9FR31FYks0WLE6mbeUmstnVDHi9OpOx9lgeN9lH4vqdb2X68MTw9waoA4LdBa_UnmbuYPWrmHUuGe__-USibruFhY/s1600/DSC_2769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvx0vkpWp0yt_wVHdwwbpeIwWTsofBYfEy-FxQmjSc1mKSVr_FuV9FR31FYks0WLE6mbeUmstnVDHi9OpOx9lgeN9lH4vqdb2X68MTw9waoA4LdBa_UnmbuYPWrmHUuGe__-USibruFhY/s640/DSC_2769.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHNaMGSjfdYeRGejNxEoqEY-xa9QMtmGvrXajEyxTw9bLun4RMko0BlOIAc0ukNCzoyQrlYWeFrdrfjbFVfhxfJj7_D2gFf5_B0oTdbFUqJXeHbKSGhvkslfPBTU5zGs8GUmhl1203Ws/s1600/DSC_2770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHNaMGSjfdYeRGejNxEoqEY-xa9QMtmGvrXajEyxTw9bLun4RMko0BlOIAc0ukNCzoyQrlYWeFrdrfjbFVfhxfJj7_D2gFf5_B0oTdbFUqJXeHbKSGhvkslfPBTU5zGs8GUmhl1203Ws/s640/DSC_2770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoqitwlR7yO6m6HOzQSEI16l6A4yjmf9OC6KKNPacnqBZl27JSkcGcQrf6Phl7oOmpeeXgckDEXvLNr9oXLpdvGmImFsafEcU9z1HczifVDHwIh6ygoeRbXhSfQ1QURq8UxuevzVy6JY/s1600/DSC_2771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoqitwlR7yO6m6HOzQSEI16l6A4yjmf9OC6KKNPacnqBZl27JSkcGcQrf6Phl7oOmpeeXgckDEXvLNr9oXLpdvGmImFsafEcU9z1HczifVDHwIh6ygoeRbXhSfQ1QURq8UxuevzVy6JY/s640/DSC_2771.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3-2gphF_S4BGBYrRqUKj2kdxBrJj832c4L4yKKqqfPdA5RvgKLdzV6FY23S9qo0776Z_VJZ9QnraAlobaS3y0qNfYHO4XtU2qYmE3XlBC1paAcO4fyF3L1Utaf0MAc_WoMYCMCkMzLI/s1600/DSC_2772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3-2gphF_S4BGBYrRqUKj2kdxBrJj832c4L4yKKqqfPdA5RvgKLdzV6FY23S9qo0776Z_VJZ9QnraAlobaS3y0qNfYHO4XtU2qYmE3XlBC1paAcO4fyF3L1Utaf0MAc_WoMYCMCkMzLI/s640/DSC_2772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnZvCMJlpcDCYTVT4f7Qw4QhyphenhyphenzKXlZdtSv6X-3VqTi2u5gZwDQAPDOE231-942AssRAu-D_fyGplDcLRyQr5hCObrcCcs9jxlqV-1KYpjPEEUMj-u31j7ZSqCfxhXoxNiPOnC74RC0fk/s640/DSC_2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnZvCMJlpcDCYTVT4f7Qw4QhyphenhyphenzKXlZdtSv6X-3VqTi2u5gZwDQAPDOE231-942AssRAu-D_fyGplDcLRyQr5hCObrcCcs9jxlqV-1KYpjPEEUMj-u31j7ZSqCfxhXoxNiPOnC74RC0fk/s640/DSC_2774.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't be happier. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had several rather terrible experience when I first came to Durham so
I've been rather hesitant to embrace it for all its worth. But we struck
out on several walks and I'm pleased to say I've found one that will
suit even me! It's so long I could walk until I was exhausted and still
not have completed it. I adore country walks and can't wait for a dog so I can have someone who enjoys them as thoroughly as I do. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-77515349559850262222013-06-30T17:00:00.000+01:002013-06-30T17:00:00.274+01:00Harlech Castle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On Sunday we woke, packed out things, and drove through Snowdonia. I can't remember seeing such forest before in Britain. Neither England nor Scotland seemed to have as many woodlands as Wales did. We drove to meet my cousin Julie and her husband Hwyel in Harlech Castle. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_C2F4XEx18LgP6CAy17fqV176O0dLdonN4VCMEruihnYvZKTukK7onfbGDQzoUNi-lHlU9s1l9z1JzhcTrsZ1K03D5P5Zp0rqb_JErLtpRKwchRXxJykhyjkgjxw01aYmLrbk1Ew4Q/s1600/DSC_2553.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_C2F4XEx18LgP6CAy17fqV176O0dLdonN4VCMEruihnYvZKTukK7onfbGDQzoUNi-lHlU9s1l9z1JzhcTrsZ1K03D5P5Zp0rqb_JErLtpRKwchRXxJykhyjkgjxw01aYmLrbk1Ew4Q/s640/DSC_2553.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we drove through slate country. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_C2F4XEx18LgP6CAy17fqV176O0dLdonN4VCMEruihnYvZKTukK7onfbGDQzoUNi-lHlU9s1l9z1JzhcTrsZ1K03D5P5Zp0rqb_JErLtpRKwchRXxJykhyjkgjxw01aYmLrbk1Ew4Q/s1600/DSC_2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2H7E7GW6Odn0MQQgmGa1kxAiwYZz8QCp_E2rrPAp6q4rxm6NRfOJ6031WVbbl-a5UhLvapDjUHg_LGKVwa6DhgHT0RgeDNXZFag-4zAKkamxuMBoNSRHM_oqMfUgnyPxb1dUVkQP7MT8/s1600/DSC_2556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2H7E7GW6Odn0MQQgmGa1kxAiwYZz8QCp_E2rrPAp6q4rxm6NRfOJ6031WVbbl-a5UhLvapDjUHg_LGKVwa6DhgHT0RgeDNXZFag-4zAKkamxuMBoNSRHM_oqMfUgnyPxb1dUVkQP7MT8/s640/DSC_2556.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harlech is one of Edward III's castles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82m-jSx29Vo7XiagcZ_4J4c1v1WoSfeiOJ9SK0kz6dWF1sjO1Niwnk70qN6rZmiv0f81jI3cyCXmeYzWU1t1DYneM9KdIeRDsH7cM9_6tV0fSfKndqm8lfAJ_1-wee20CjVXt1XGbbSU/s1600/DSC_2558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82m-jSx29Vo7XiagcZ_4J4c1v1WoSfeiOJ9SK0kz6dWF1sjO1Niwnk70qN6rZmiv0f81jI3cyCXmeYzWU1t1DYneM9KdIeRDsH7cM9_6tV0fSfKndqm8lfAJ_1-wee20CjVXt1XGbbSU/s640/DSC_2558.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the highest tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2X7EIQHwTwaFBZYfg97yVznKY-V0RTL8ZcEBmqxVQJ5eNgrUHjV7bfqA8UFHRkYXLL_YZ4ABa6LJdNNtP2ExvTDqVKKi7Fmm6cNJeiDAfmQIe8hym0AOc-m18SgBURf_OfNT3k5tnbU/s1600/DSC_2559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2X7EIQHwTwaFBZYfg97yVznKY-V0RTL8ZcEBmqxVQJ5eNgrUHjV7bfqA8UFHRkYXLL_YZ4ABa6LJdNNtP2ExvTDqVKKi7Fmm6cNJeiDAfmQIe8hym0AOc-m18SgBURf_OfNT3k5tnbU/s640/DSC_2559.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my only photo of Hywel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Clw9Wsyjta68dFyeY6yS2qYoE0enSUcXcPzXwFby55DdqfcFxePsh_MV2b4hZ10TaHrxS4b09LRAd48RlUKJXYfli7AVcpPJvjJmW58PvPkbxSTdsKK1KY7euXM0FP0D-U-jsmDdM94/s1600/DSC_2562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Clw9Wsyjta68dFyeY6yS2qYoE0enSUcXcPzXwFby55DdqfcFxePsh_MV2b4hZ10TaHrxS4b09LRAd48RlUKJXYfli7AVcpPJvjJmW58PvPkbxSTdsKK1KY7euXM0FP0D-U-jsmDdM94/s640/DSC_2562.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hywel said, I've found Fran. Basking like a cat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlRderlpM4lbiiESiMHUl3V8KnPKJ2MzZa4x0kCwnWEmZmI8ioOt63ls1VmuV5GejnVsRNAsk9o2k-38A0u5b3newEOYeRmB6W4ahdtNfGpwHxQjEKldADWA8-9a_5NV9MOk19VlJEao/s1600/DSC_2563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlRderlpM4lbiiESiMHUl3V8KnPKJ2MzZa4x0kCwnWEmZmI8ioOt63ls1VmuV5GejnVsRNAsk9o2k-38A0u5b3newEOYeRmB6W4ahdtNfGpwHxQjEKldADWA8-9a_5NV9MOk19VlJEao/s640/DSC_2563.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that it's in ruins. Much more fun to explore. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-h64ZypgJmAEJCCRYxiK6WmIn1Vm3-W2aP2t2MYFRO1ngKToarc199i1z03RmSaxlbtBr5R7mHPCgMN0mj4xNn6HhEhHUj8NcxCmuELhFmABBLEAii5fLxY2MiWYI3wSGLSouYvjwWE/s1600/DSC_2564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-h64ZypgJmAEJCCRYxiK6WmIn1Vm3-W2aP2t2MYFRO1ngKToarc199i1z03RmSaxlbtBr5R7mHPCgMN0mj4xNn6HhEhHUj8NcxCmuELhFmABBLEAii5fLxY2MiWYI3wSGLSouYvjwWE/s640/DSC_2564.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could climb onto the walls. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLSsEH4nRl4DoSkt8Di2txDVp9TdPc_PTw-GT74Md_MlxlX-rqlGvVFHrW_EF19WvomuP9ulW1bml9dQl9xMliuzSqfyQtS8iz_c48eQwxdpUtmiOwXXo0B3kfSvexHXy5gDYSFDd9tc/s1600/DSC_2568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLSsEH4nRl4DoSkt8Di2txDVp9TdPc_PTw-GT74Md_MlxlX-rqlGvVFHrW_EF19WvomuP9ulW1bml9dQl9xMliuzSqfyQtS8iz_c48eQwxdpUtmiOwXXo0B3kfSvexHXy5gDYSFDd9tc/s640/DSC_2568.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the walls there were birds. Guess who was shat on? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW1OphMWNtLNE9WeWBjA8rE0g9I0Ge54gF6oMxcPb35vuRVmfY4HlsG323cjlGez1zHpDSfe1HicbOwDAL0FQM8h4ESn46119_6xg6vP2i6zWYBe6etubvNOHbjuWeT1LfLFXbG2v0-8/s1600/DSC_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW1OphMWNtLNE9WeWBjA8rE0g9I0Ge54gF6oMxcPb35vuRVmfY4HlsG323cjlGez1zHpDSfe1HicbOwDAL0FQM8h4ESn46119_6xg6vP2i6zWYBe6etubvNOHbjuWeT1LfLFXbG2v0-8/s640/DSC_2572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ahiWwwJ-R6nYTl48mtKsc2dkRQx20mbIyB4WAVppeDpLrwvBLSDJBtZre_uB0YUafYaPe12P-xm9CiRCJ8BiSBPesvTuK6GIKcktLgdGkAFhICrZt2kjgcZHbgMlwJTtFolv0OuU3qY/s1600/DSC_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ahiWwwJ-R6nYTl48mtKsc2dkRQx20mbIyB4WAVppeDpLrwvBLSDJBtZre_uB0YUafYaPe12P-xm9CiRCJ8BiSBPesvTuK6GIKcktLgdGkAFhICrZt2kjgcZHbgMlwJTtFolv0OuU3qY/s640/DSC_2573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what a view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfgFTCzqxRxJ1cOu0DQeM2Httnl6tN_otPjxVdhZEqm-PF6lULw8zjAxrvnFdHz8Feim2gurcK5Yd2ksVIoNySasW38ySw1HqqUdwm13fNPH-xrfRdUbLRAuoQQyGA-QakByNC1v-vAw/s1600/DSC_2574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfgFTCzqxRxJ1cOu0DQeM2Httnl6tN_otPjxVdhZEqm-PF6lULw8zjAxrvnFdHz8Feim2gurcK5Yd2ksVIoNySasW38ySw1HqqUdwm13fNPH-xrfRdUbLRAuoQQyGA-QakByNC1v-vAw/s640/DSC_2574.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlphbCL09jjNGeNTWhkO3xPx1vN_PFpWv0_T25nxCXmBLOoSvdu52o9kJ2XDrP6_rFAImFVfBj2TLW5M__eWhaCBb56G0vdgVe0_K3gEWjss6CYO-rLOI8KsIe787-oTslhHQZO-SDW0/s1600/DSC_2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlphbCL09jjNGeNTWhkO3xPx1vN_PFpWv0_T25nxCXmBLOoSvdu52o9kJ2XDrP6_rFAImFVfBj2TLW5M__eWhaCBb56G0vdgVe0_K3gEWjss6CYO-rLOI8KsIe787-oTslhHQZO-SDW0/s640/DSC_2579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n13k5VkdvMLShPYXEGrwo9RcxQG0nLVlmQGRy_VnMC8m3hyr_iNKN5nf4NG9PYx19wCA1oweVyhHgwtAA8p7zXwIRRjadVnu0L2_eY6E_2aq6RpjsK7ZFqt-o8VJ2QnPJpTYVdXV6Fk/s1600/DSC_2581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n13k5VkdvMLShPYXEGrwo9RcxQG0nLVlmQGRy_VnMC8m3hyr_iNKN5nf4NG9PYx19wCA1oweVyhHgwtAA8p7zXwIRRjadVnu0L2_eY6E_2aq6RpjsK7ZFqt-o8VJ2QnPJpTYVdXV6Fk/s640/DSC_2581.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Julie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuRnSkxQloY9Rp8gdRhuArN7KwWSvaORA6deCcY_TRGNE21O-KEBDdtl0N26XM3yQ64XVMcqCdTlZa7bL55yOGlyHH5VwwyaqQFKIedsA0xlLTSgx7LnJjll4NrQ0wD5lsGAZjI6hZaQ/s1600/DSC_2585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuRnSkxQloY9Rp8gdRhuArN7KwWSvaORA6deCcY_TRGNE21O-KEBDdtl0N26XM3yQ64XVMcqCdTlZa7bL55yOGlyHH5VwwyaqQFKIedsA0xlLTSgx7LnJjll4NrQ0wD5lsGAZjI6hZaQ/s640/DSC_2585.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is where the moat used to be. A real moat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Julie was
so sweet. She chose Harlech because at one point in time she found a
restaurant that had served her sweet tea there! Unfortunately the
restaurant had now closed, but the possibility that sweet tea could
exist in Great Britain was just lovely! <br />
<br />
Harlech was a great castle. Castles in ruin are loads more fun than the ones people live in. You can play hide and seek, tour the tops of towers, sentry the walls, and feel the wind and the sun. It felt more real somehow and more medieval.<br />
<br />
We ate lunch at a great little diner (lamb burgers!) and said goodbye. As they left, Julie and Hywel told me the lovely news that they were planning to come to my wedding. I was so overcome that people should travel such a distance. I couldn't quite believe it. We drove back to Durham, fixed a pasta bake, and watched Jurassic Park. What a great day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7a_C2F4XEx18LgP6CAy17fqV176O0dLdonN4VCMEruihnYvZKTukK7onfbGDQzoUNi-lHlU9s1l9z1JzhcTrsZ1K03D5P5Zp0rqb_JErLtpRKwchRXxJykhyjkgjxw01aYmLrbk1Ew4Q/s1600/DSC_2553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-60777153726074191572013-06-30T11:51:00.000+01:002013-06-30T11:51:00.618+01:00Around Conwy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch, Sanna and I wanted to wander about town and have a nosy in the shops. Fran took off to the beaches and enjoyed the sun Fran style. [I'll put <i>SG</i> on the photos Sanna took.]</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0c2lC0UsL_HY5tObPUevK-tYkI-GP07GJCx4YbV-Ym5JHBRdf7kQc4qUURL6rkO9qbbq90slKhBZKbkriO0eqbs8owCqQYzKuE0Pfr_3Jdk1fF6KXnHJx9xoUPP_aFh2VvjrtvyXzYQ/s1600/IMG-20130615-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0c2lC0UsL_HY5tObPUevK-tYkI-GP07GJCx4YbV-Ym5JHBRdf7kQc4qUURL6rkO9qbbq90slKhBZKbkriO0eqbs8owCqQYzKuE0Pfr_3Jdk1fF6KXnHJx9xoUPP_aFh2VvjrtvyXzYQ/s640/IMG-20130615-WA0004.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the beach and sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ60GTKnEUxd56LNicDSfFsNgu9-4EiC7QZJ2K4QyivIwBKiH7RlUQ3NzlWrR1oEKryoZcx47hw2mAusXY7H_jl6CMd4KDoRb2HL9UGosEtpSEfjza2pbBEe5bE5rKasM5SjcD2Sdawu4/s1600/DSC_2501%231.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ60GTKnEUxd56LNicDSfFsNgu9-4EiC7QZJ2K4QyivIwBKiH7RlUQ3NzlWrR1oEKryoZcx47hw2mAusXY7H_jl6CMd4KDoRb2HL9UGosEtpSEfjza2pbBEe5bE5rKasM5SjcD2Sdawu4/s640/DSC_2501%231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a right bumbler [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ60GTKnEUxd56LNicDSfFsNgu9-4EiC7QZJ2K4QyivIwBKiH7RlUQ3NzlWrR1oEKryoZcx47hw2mAusXY7H_jl6CMd4KDoRb2HL9UGosEtpSEfjza2pbBEe5bE5rKasM5SjcD2Sdawu4/s1600/DSC_2501%231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUgRINDl56tWXL1KHY43LiRfpC86zyq106otiEuZ5nodXjBiTqM57GO7w24I-ry6Abue_SZ1CWzbZ_qs61qiMoX4oigrMfOgotEzmgv_wJeQdf8IPejJIg0jkHSq_d-2proF_justRAQ/s1600/DSC_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUgRINDl56tWXL1KHY43LiRfpC86zyq106otiEuZ5nodXjBiTqM57GO7w24I-ry6Abue_SZ1CWzbZ_qs61qiMoX4oigrMfOgotEzmgv_wJeQdf8IPejJIg0jkHSq_d-2proF_justRAQ/s640/DSC_2502.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of the town wall [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutoMiBS_F5xcaRqK5xZ8BxPReRKWi9PVJ2bp4341VEGPQWtaslBG2_ZPbx9JppzBCiBbrdRQh3-eGUObKVyu6qJjW1ez3QgUHLcCW26CZAryBo_nRQO7Fcjx5KyO4dD1taS-RK-jZOSc/s1600/DSC_2506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutoMiBS_F5xcaRqK5xZ8BxPReRKWi9PVJ2bp4341VEGPQWtaslBG2_ZPbx9JppzBCiBbrdRQh3-eGUObKVyu6qJjW1ez3QgUHLcCW26CZAryBo_nRQO7Fcjx5KyO4dD1taS-RK-jZOSc/s640/DSC_2506.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a lovely restaurant, the shakespeare, that we meant to come back to [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tBY5p17Bod2x12b6P_oR4XIDH8Q5Jk-7_Ck0Z8y5kFifRfsEBEja_v-xcaY-QMwO_r_34fjtAqt2CYc5ykLG5l1HPqc7Y09ZoX6q8WSBgt_mXJOa6fmwC7JLyQ-4yxHWGxbXPuzjqeI/s1600/DSC_2509%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tBY5p17Bod2x12b6P_oR4XIDH8Q5Jk-7_Ck0Z8y5kFifRfsEBEja_v-xcaY-QMwO_r_34fjtAqt2CYc5ykLG5l1HPqc7Y09ZoX6q8WSBgt_mXJOa6fmwC7JLyQ-4yxHWGxbXPuzjqeI/s640/DSC_2509%231.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH6sJLHB5S7uB_reApQoeEIIzbYEqGAQ2mhu8uLXWgCLkf2pOQhyphenhyphenYPUxxO5sEv93Izym2bXI-KPz4OPR0Hgy9KH4drmmeAi7XMS5jwqcnBCvofRUzDWt2nSZzQIEdVklRYLMZXahHvBs/s1600/DSC_2512%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH6sJLHB5S7uB_reApQoeEIIzbYEqGAQ2mhu8uLXWgCLkf2pOQhyphenhyphenYPUxxO5sEv93Izym2bXI-KPz4OPR0Hgy9KH4drmmeAi7XMS5jwqcnBCvofRUzDWt2nSZzQIEdVklRYLMZXahHvBs/s640/DSC_2512%231.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to the harbor [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEtgDzfR3oBUGwz7k0P6Q10AQYiofBBKdIspavzqLURe5v5hKuKZPDfX-tMsZA8RuF-pgt4FGmfiZONOvbjxzc5UaXze4wZY4GqTvufyXHXFnMcYDEF8yTNyVV44e8T6NrCGKaUwaxjI/s1600/DSC_2513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEtgDzfR3oBUGwz7k0P6Q10AQYiofBBKdIspavzqLURe5v5hKuKZPDfX-tMsZA8RuF-pgt4FGmfiZONOvbjxzc5UaXze4wZY4GqTvufyXHXFnMcYDEF8yTNyVV44e8T6NrCGKaUwaxjI/s640/DSC_2513.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBagYtBQNfRJtlFSLLphYpvb5E2uKjDL9QlhaPgCEh5dx4HWyuu2JZBBz7Z7FfFnvcMJTw34j10k2w4zKo_S47JgPZZSAk6M6dPfgkSgqcpUTPqAVfPnd8pdoaImehFw9eIEmHEB7PJT8/s1600/DSC_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBagYtBQNfRJtlFSLLphYpvb5E2uKjDL9QlhaPgCEh5dx4HWyuu2JZBBz7Z7FfFnvcMJTw34j10k2w4zKo_S47JgPZZSAk6M6dPfgkSgqcpUTPqAVfPnd8pdoaImehFw9eIEmHEB7PJT8/s640/DSC_2516.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we met fran, saw the smallest house, then walked back to our hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-gZgsZ9AHNGbafyokTPXJoEqrg9oKShecYGQ_5NQ5rTNRewtPzaR4DT_hlld4efP1URNiIHByNyZeEg7VTk2g5cEB1T8f-7xapKdBibtyXTAsWkPYNbYCZRReYWWPfPpzKu416qpZkM/s1600/DSC_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-gZgsZ9AHNGbafyokTPXJoEqrg9oKShecYGQ_5NQ5rTNRewtPzaR4DT_hlld4efP1URNiIHByNyZeEg7VTk2g5cEB1T8f-7xapKdBibtyXTAsWkPYNbYCZRReYWWPfPpzKu416qpZkM/s640/DSC_2537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these amazing town walls [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnnVVr4ZCo7SK50jWTVcgZwj4imyKVRh1UMcllDFZJdGpL-bD8mYNtaau-EAHw3BGzgn61Sx0zlTjn_BIPlWfJLzesLDvHQZyQkjPAXeiSgGV_aeCe-sUElEKu8tyUiG6Q-_g2Tgf0o0/s1600/DSC_2539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnnVVr4ZCo7SK50jWTVcgZwj4imyKVRh1UMcllDFZJdGpL-bD8mYNtaau-EAHw3BGzgn61Sx0zlTjn_BIPlWfJLzesLDvHQZyQkjPAXeiSgGV_aeCe-sUElEKu8tyUiG6Q-_g2Tgf0o0/s640/DSC_2539.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the town walls [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCxh-a_rDe_2_V_mWxIRcE1Eu_MoU4zovn6_30VnlrIAk8VdADdG6HnksI9CDD4AM3lLUf28e6g9zWLvGWdVQqkT8wCbtGjPehhsBp_bys-PUlWwGfXnMIw8whxGe75EpPtQXnVc4OpA/s1600/DSC_2545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCxh-a_rDe_2_V_mWxIRcE1Eu_MoU4zovn6_30VnlrIAk8VdADdG6HnksI9CDD4AM3lLUf28e6g9zWLvGWdVQqkT8wCbtGjPehhsBp_bys-PUlWwGfXnMIw8whxGe75EpPtQXnVc4OpA/s640/DSC_2545.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of ivy towers [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy4gldMNxX8YL2GMsFGEe58OLiERUESR8cwZJeLdqLBK_Sgc5ZGvc6PYc6JT-ugkb_5wxpd4QlGN5A8Mnjek7D-RQQYjfhckxFh4Po0-5iZIxAh_Rlz1wAf7ZvX76Pdfqm_KXlcMxQN4/s1600/DSC_2549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy4gldMNxX8YL2GMsFGEe58OLiERUESR8cwZJeLdqLBK_Sgc5ZGvc6PYc6JT-ugkb_5wxpd4QlGN5A8Mnjek7D-RQQYjfhckxFh4Po0-5iZIxAh_Rlz1wAf7ZvX76Pdfqm_KXlcMxQN4/s640/DSC_2549.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet gate houses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NhpNwKNR3SW5uQGUFv2Zfg0YlE5ctOS_YhdzpUTj5GF0TOvX41MpTyi376B7hF1AmPWp1aex6cro1oZiBHDxgWJoS9y7x05HTNJ5ynN2-5QoGHFHQMrNJh7KBigYLYuVeJBYyWMkgm8/s1600/DSC_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NhpNwKNR3SW5uQGUFv2Zfg0YlE5ctOS_YhdzpUTj5GF0TOvX41MpTyi376B7hF1AmPWp1aex6cro1oZiBHDxgWJoS9y7x05HTNJ5ynN2-5QoGHFHQMrNJh7KBigYLYuVeJBYyWMkgm8/s640/DSC_2547.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I be tired. let's go home. [sg]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
[In addition to that, here's a little video Sanna accidentally took. I know I'm scowling, but I just love it.]<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dws_WFPdmLO_76rXPURBiMT_Dt4KlGWDkPabKSi3KPd8TpR5YFxQi9DMxi7tFd-AZ0wwDoFj5bxwWKlPA8Wew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-56370054172097150492013-06-29T11:39:00.000+01:002013-06-29T11:39:00.135+01:00Conwy: the smallest house in Britain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After our wander around Conwy, we all met up at the smallest house in Great Britain. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMQ5a1Bmy9gNWHXWv2i2jJygLI8eq72rKMgSmarqBC6zY_21BTjRCwS8HCr1oOHy87-GkUs75KdkI0sCJykV1-DKj9J1cpKIL92PT9g7UF8JniBjkfvUs7pmnLPmQwVZ2IAw9335XXcQ/s1600/DSC_2524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMQ5a1Bmy9gNWHXWv2i2jJygLI8eq72rKMgSmarqBC6zY_21BTjRCwS8HCr1oOHy87-GkUs75KdkI0sCJykV1-DKj9J1cpKIL92PT9g7UF8JniBjkfvUs7pmnLPmQwVZ2IAw9335XXcQ/s640/DSC_2524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bem-J1C1vBl2Y6q8w5I3n5GyTumI_elKODR13nWjZUAzhWEMXApt_ogIg-kwkBrK1a3gPAawWbRstHUV9qp158CGyxL5q-1aXubcuYkI77kosavcvrEj3WxpGwcUlVPr2TdaWaw6fDU/s1600/DSC_2533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bem-J1C1vBl2Y6q8w5I3n5GyTumI_elKODR13nWjZUAzhWEMXApt_ogIg-kwkBrK1a3gPAawWbRstHUV9qp158CGyxL5q-1aXubcuYkI77kosavcvrEj3WxpGwcUlVPr2TdaWaw6fDU/s640/DSC_2533.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRg6eTuUKS0uPZUJQQWdiOeIjQGMHpJDmvgl1FPbw_ZoyjMSY2-0gFymMWcWeO-fvxjIaHZdiHX0SPzNqxCxoRfAagBa0KHYCjyuOUO9Mi9XbBn7wF3ZbKkK_CJX5gvkwYjirnC-cuI/s1600/DSC_2527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRg6eTuUKS0uPZUJQQWdiOeIjQGMHpJDmvgl1FPbw_ZoyjMSY2-0gFymMWcWeO-fvxjIaHZdiHX0SPzNqxCxoRfAagBa0KHYCjyuOUO9Mi9XbBn7wF3ZbKkK_CJX5gvkwYjirnC-cuI/s640/DSC_2527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the downstairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRg6eTuUKS0uPZUJQQWdiOeIjQGMHpJDmvgl1FPbw_ZoyjMSY2-0gFymMWcWeO-fvxjIaHZdiHX0SPzNqxCxoRfAagBa0KHYCjyuOUO9Mi9XbBn7wF3ZbKkK_CJX5gvkwYjirnC-cuI/s1600/DSC_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRg6eTuUKS0uPZUJQQWdiOeIjQGMHpJDmvgl1FPbw_ZoyjMSY2-0gFymMWcWeO-fvxjIaHZdiHX0SPzNqxCxoRfAagBa0KHYCjyuOUO9Mi9XbBn7wF3ZbKkK_CJX5gvkwYjirnC-cuI/s1600/DSC_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CwjJM_mFqndTNyqN3vo3TSyF6r-6P3awlbmVzi5NHG_i_23t5waIj9jMjJZ11tdWJYBSFMfyGIyMKYnrQegvyL4Q4UCJX5bQVSBe9UN5fHrg9TSAZzys88GAMjqzNgFuZ3C_Ol5NtUM/s1600/DSC_2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CwjJM_mFqndTNyqN3vo3TSyF6r-6P3awlbmVzi5NHG_i_23t5waIj9jMjJZ11tdWJYBSFMfyGIyMKYnrQegvyL4Q4UCJX5bQVSBe9UN5fHrg9TSAZzys88GAMjqzNgFuZ3C_Ol5NtUM/s640/DSC_2531.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the upstairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bem-J1C1vBl2Y6q8w5I3n5GyTumI_elKODR13nWjZUAzhWEMXApt_ogIg-kwkBrK1a3gPAawWbRstHUV9qp158CGyxL5q-1aXubcuYkI77kosavcvrEj3WxpGwcUlVPr2TdaWaw6fDU/s1600/DSC_2533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTpGCbRZPlzK_cZfeRPcR6PP5vz9SubjM_kwpsWUy_TRSy7U_VeJCE_tXrYq5CI04gRb1Z9PWds-emTNOhmNEs_vextB4ActX3rbjUfjzrXuFr0nfxiodDf1qDqwf9Tjl-0LFl-1lVGY/s1600/DSC_2534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTpGCbRZPlzK_cZfeRPcR6PP5vz9SubjM_kwpsWUy_TRSy7U_VeJCE_tXrYq5CI04gRb1Z9PWds-emTNOhmNEs_vextB4ActX3rbjUfjzrXuFr0nfxiodDf1qDqwf9Tjl-0LFl-1lVGY/s640/DSC_2534.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fran upright in the wee house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of my pictures didn't exactly turn out as it was so dark inside. But it had a cooking range inside the fire place, a small table, and then a ladder that led upstairs. Upstairs was slightly bigger with a bed and wash stand. It was very cute. I think I'm a fan of small houses. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-39743347111647644532013-06-28T11:29:00.000+01:002013-07-02T14:53:03.255+01:00Conwy: Anna's tea room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By the time we finished climbing the mountain, we were absolutely famished. So we headed to the town centre and began the prowl for lunch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarCUvVIPRcTeRT5NIeLeYsuFeFLPLIG47b6lqqLb4mI2GqAnYGdqhdsJV1vW4HxMVfgJIZLREN_0XGb80NLUyhlDzK_prgqcSn9hfC7X30EJq1UVgajTSCrxUqafIvyjRjNX7kD9ahdY/s1600/DSC_2453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarCUvVIPRcTeRT5NIeLeYsuFeFLPLIG47b6lqqLb4mI2GqAnYGdqhdsJV1vW4HxMVfgJIZLREN_0XGb80NLUyhlDzK_prgqcSn9hfC7X30EJq1UVgajTSCrxUqafIvyjRjNX7kD9ahdY/s640/DSC_2453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy town center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarCUvVIPRcTeRT5NIeLeYsuFeFLPLIG47b6lqqLb4mI2GqAnYGdqhdsJV1vW4HxMVfgJIZLREN_0XGb80NLUyhlDzK_prgqcSn9hfC7X30EJq1UVgajTSCrxUqafIvyjRjNX7kD9ahdY/s1600/DSC_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarCUvVIPRcTeRT5NIeLeYsuFeFLPLIG47b6lqqLb4mI2GqAnYGdqhdsJV1vW4HxMVfgJIZLREN_0XGb80NLUyhlDzK_prgqcSn9hfC7X30EJq1UVgajTSCrxUqafIvyjRjNX7kD9ahdY/s1600/DSC_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarCUvVIPRcTeRT5NIeLeYsuFeFLPLIG47b6lqqLb4mI2GqAnYGdqhdsJV1vW4HxMVfgJIZLREN_0XGb80NLUyhlDzK_prgqcSn9hfC7X30EJq1UVgajTSCrxUqafIvyjRjNX7kD9ahdY/s1600/DSC_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUePrDJ7h_sZsWc_fNmdkIHy4GRytTOYM9IZ1LiuyOil5dVgQsBNV6oH53xnHU_p9A-E8KYXyFyoT7PvH0EHgQQ8veSbSVYQOTH7WKu4iE50-agDrVrwY00-R1CP1Ad4SNQxAgWeHd8Js/s1600/DSC_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUePrDJ7h_sZsWc_fNmdkIHy4GRytTOYM9IZ1LiuyOil5dVgQsBNV6oH53xnHU_p9A-E8KYXyFyoT7PvH0EHgQQ8veSbSVYQOTH7WKu4iE50-agDrVrwY00-R1CP1Ad4SNQxAgWeHd8Js/s640/DSC_2455.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is my prowling for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdW0hPaieHKzJ1xBMSVCxLAAB13JSlm5D60_bpv8l7UWF-e55V22rK_o4S8fm7QKpIlt8JFBe_JQ9PsJoBB4XjZK4SQhFD5Qf7MgW4W6dpKyR0cEl_fqxHs6n3lAO8oE7bU8Doax6Rcs/s1600/DSC_2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdW0hPaieHKzJ1xBMSVCxLAAB13JSlm5D60_bpv8l7UWF-e55V22rK_o4S8fm7QKpIlt8JFBe_JQ9PsJoBB4XjZK4SQhFD5Qf7MgW4W6dpKyR0cEl_fqxHs6n3lAO8oE7bU8Doax6Rcs/s640/DSC_2475.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we settled on Anna's and couldn't have chosen better if we tried!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBrgwNQnNlexL8tC5-GQmuZO42U0sidW8QjdWMbBQxTDYWDa5mAuUJP52DMlKVkUTkEzBpS8xUjgviaxyiaNGkPuiRzrSjztLda5MUWfbnVBCIQ4-GRmcNca7GOL4vhSYM6THMlDFIeI/s1600/DSC_2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBrgwNQnNlexL8tC5-GQmuZO42U0sidW8QjdWMbBQxTDYWDa5mAuUJP52DMlKVkUTkEzBpS8xUjgviaxyiaNGkPuiRzrSjztLda5MUWfbnVBCIQ4-GRmcNca7GOL4vhSYM6THMlDFIeI/s640/DSC_2476.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was set on the second floor of a camping shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3YqtzWKGutnXmMR0It82eVYrmK4F7VAlB_XcsVM6xqZE3zskDu4DWCuwSm6P1esCrBavHhtxBlVG7UfF36J18ay623Oydc2idBen3WOOC6MaqWq9rqF4-wqrs96NrElElWk9uLuLd_I/s1600/DSC_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3YqtzWKGutnXmMR0It82eVYrmK4F7VAlB_XcsVM6xqZE3zskDu4DWCuwSm6P1esCrBavHhtxBlVG7UfF36J18ay623Oydc2idBen3WOOC6MaqWq9rqF4-wqrs96NrElElWk9uLuLd_I/s640/DSC_2478.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was the sort of lovely place the sold its own jams and coffees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl7A9H2jq3e4tHqchSjcrd0nE_bNlwl3piVyZfPMg_zwBf3-pcV0GyEL9k9tXUYuu5d2g_2b6DkB-Bxma0OmNGXfP5nGKUyOsSK91beY8m-sB-2aLrz0kt_WabkPZ3BKFpiqdCC6zqTg/s1600/DSC_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl7A9H2jq3e4tHqchSjcrd0nE_bNlwl3piVyZfPMg_zwBf3-pcV0GyEL9k9tXUYuu5d2g_2b6DkB-Bxma0OmNGXfP5nGKUyOsSK91beY8m-sB-2aLrz0kt_WabkPZ3BKFpiqdCC6zqTg/s640/DSC_2480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of of course had its old-world elegance, complete with lace and doilies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBkJ1BMezvwFu6BAapjzh46GtvnNf8_hWlPXgQ5vdV_8IU0LHMosfrx_w49xfX8lW4t9aIZDvzc7pgmubRAQwP1sbz1mnZ2zche0haijK8RqEIHhyFUtt8_5LuOWiWbMtj60pcMaKTis/s1600/DSC_2490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBkJ1BMezvwFu6BAapjzh46GtvnNf8_hWlPXgQ5vdV_8IU0LHMosfrx_w49xfX8lW4t9aIZDvzc7pgmubRAQwP1sbz1mnZ2zche0haijK8RqEIHhyFUtt8_5LuOWiWbMtj60pcMaKTis/s640/DSC_2490.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">striking a pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtYBxXSMd1THwJlObZkpO_wwdltScjaKqyj7rlOV_0Gby1-KaIOABaPeDdxEmNPh5qW_kZ4AkpfpvDZDgHhuWadqMhQeCxuy3ldHEqBZF_7iX16IMG5fJs2ikOicJ_PbrT-KEgXXgJ_U/s1600/DSC_2491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtYBxXSMd1THwJlObZkpO_wwdltScjaKqyj7rlOV_0Gby1-KaIOABaPeDdxEmNPh5qW_kZ4AkpfpvDZDgHhuWadqMhQeCxuy3ldHEqBZF_7iX16IMG5fJs2ikOicJ_PbrT-KEgXXgJ_U/s640/DSC_2491.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ever photo-genic Sanna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKeBLLQHVZSXhTBmxN_nauPnlDxAwv3Ecy2GPn0HZgbgLNJE9KCmt2Uc2iprL5hm3oB2_33N-fSUhQZXhVc0SlEA8Wk_Y-dIuYNwY0rYcgRgtckmIl5-sG1vGF9jSEypjms0PuwpXbrs/s1600/DSC_2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKeBLLQHVZSXhTBmxN_nauPnlDxAwv3Ecy2GPn0HZgbgLNJE9KCmt2Uc2iprL5hm3oB2_33N-fSUhQZXhVc0SlEA8Wk_Y-dIuYNwY0rYcgRgtckmIl5-sG1vGF9jSEypjms0PuwpXbrs/s640/DSC_2492.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for our food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The food was delicious. They even had a whole selection of proper coffee and in my experience of tea rooms, that is a valuable find. I didn't take pictures of the food, mostly because I detest pictures of food and besides, we were so hungry, it hadn't stayed on our plate half a minute before we hoovered it up. But it was lovely, and if you go to Conwy, I recommend this one! NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-1336817870654908292013-06-27T13:43:00.001+01:002013-06-27T13:43:39.105+01:00S.G.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisea9KrmGKmB7ceTEZpCPtCJjj51NYAf88_5F5v0y_9qOYfu2StZeRq4xB4T8aAWvpC-Q1VGJZxnn2QHAHdfSBa1xApRReoA3BfIFNraL2xLjGVFHpI2Z3FaUUPxFxvk82BAMao08orvQ/s1600/DSC_2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisea9KrmGKmB7ceTEZpCPtCJjj51NYAf88_5F5v0y_9qOYfu2StZeRq4xB4T8aAWvpC-Q1VGJZxnn2QHAHdfSBa1xApRReoA3BfIFNraL2xLjGVFHpI2Z3FaUUPxFxvk82BAMao08orvQ/s640/DSC_2421.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For the past ten days, I've had the pleasure of Sanna's company. We met in middle-school in Singapore and have faithfully corresponded across countries for over twelve years. Over the years we have been together in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, America, Sweden, Scotland, England, and Wales. Within minutes of seeing each other we were tossing clothes back and forth ('Here try this on', 'Oh, I brought this for you, it doesn't fit me anymore'), tossing around story ideas, and planning our escapades of what to do while she was here. At times I get caught in these silly mental ruts, like, being afraid of being excited about getting engaged because it might offend my single friends. Sanna pulls me out of them with her usual wit: <i>Nat, you're being stupid.</i> I have been having a hard time with Indy and Felix (they basically hate me) and she coaxed and cooed them until they were eating out of her hand. Literally. She infuses me with confidence to be the person I want to be. During the week I was with her, I was more creative and explored my own bit of earth more than I had in the past eight months. I even had better posture. She's a Mary Poppins type figure. I can't wait to see her in January for my wedding, and I'm dead excited about the prospect of going to see her in Sweden next summer. <br />
<br />
Sanna, thanks so much for coming to visit me! I love you. And you forgot your Bible in my living room. Send me an address and I'll send it to you. xo<br />
<br />
-----<br />
This morning my adviser cancelled an appointment so I've finally had a chance to catch up on the blog! This coming weekend I'm off to Northern Ireland to visit Louise McConnell Foster in the celebration of her wedding. I've also known Louise since middle school and will look forward to their celebrations in a castle! NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-76753536820058748922013-06-27T11:11:00.003+01:002013-06-27T11:11:53.359+01:00Conwy Mountain<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Doing a little catch-up on our weekend in Bangor. After the conference, we headed to Conwy and stayed there for two nights. The first morning we climbed Conwy Mountain. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO4yo8XQfcxzUGoq9G6-2OBamFtIK60apPXvojkLOa3UZPgKm8Ifvc42-mJFKQ55-bmg9UISDXMjQF9CY1rz1eP1ZM6ek1BuPdIlhqp-35063rdQdnxVVhIWkG8EOkQF37gTog2N6L7U/s1600/DSC_2405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO4yo8XQfcxzUGoq9G6-2OBamFtIK60apPXvojkLOa3UZPgKm8Ifvc42-mJFKQ55-bmg9UISDXMjQF9CY1rz1eP1ZM6ek1BuPdIlhqp-35063rdQdnxVVhIWkG8EOkQF37gTog2N6L7U/s640/DSC_2405.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaU7GgXL3oMKhA2W7D2q8BRjwK1A12q8DfOXwnHSp3FpybF_y7XMiFNU37AzU1xK7tMHBwi2rQcoEfcf9uZiZ82vwgE3fb8eJtaZao2dpM5Zyi2Q_RCUPyaM0Y-liNJcdpGhXeRXf6sM/s1600/DSC_2407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaU7GgXL3oMKhA2W7D2q8BRjwK1A12q8DfOXwnHSp3FpybF_y7XMiFNU37AzU1xK7tMHBwi2rQcoEfcf9uZiZ82vwgE3fb8eJtaZao2dpM5Zyi2Q_RCUPyaM0Y-liNJcdpGhXeRXf6sM/s640/DSC_2407.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a path to a castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAAIheffvLZM3Pr_ALm2Lj2G-uVp5mFXGB0ZFQVQb-pdBF6PieUo8A8jux8BJqoaJ91a_Kqur0ddRBOwZplWXwADesJeRU_SJeCQUkGgTIe_S6vuH2giYQCRfswSO_eMFVTzt16vdWuI/s1600/DSC_2409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAAIheffvLZM3Pr_ALm2Lj2G-uVp5mFXGB0ZFQVQb-pdBF6PieUo8A8jux8BJqoaJ91a_Kqur0ddRBOwZplWXwADesJeRU_SJeCQUkGgTIe_S6vuH2giYQCRfswSO_eMFVTzt16vdWuI/s640/DSC_2409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip-RjSLoj9jUDY6GFALsXspxei6VZFE9_FjbVrIfmt33FdKN5ZP-ABN-KKH_z05mkydDBQKRx4ziYwMXLyRC5S8P1XqgkGpYxay4opu_3db4Gi0DD6oNxi1YBrQGaWl0tQ_Txfydh_X4/s1600/DSC_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjip-RjSLoj9jUDY6GFALsXspxei6VZFE9_FjbVrIfmt33FdKN5ZP-ABN-KKH_z05mkydDBQKRx4ziYwMXLyRC5S8P1XqgkGpYxay4opu_3db4Gi0DD6oNxi1YBrQGaWl0tQ_Txfydh_X4/s640/DSC_2411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgackN-oUMVdEqiBM8AzuLimVmQYGdYrV0y2ZUYLh3DTjE1uz6drAYEBBIEw7dyn0Jnr2QDjocEZAlHWihWMvSXHkeWaodILdZype_mLHZZJLdE6LMZXhNx4SFMjNz5wQxXgltT_RyZAaw/s1600/DSC_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgackN-oUMVdEqiBM8AzuLimVmQYGdYrV0y2ZUYLh3DTjE1uz6drAYEBBIEw7dyn0Jnr2QDjocEZAlHWihWMvSXHkeWaodILdZype_mLHZZJLdE6LMZXhNx4SFMjNz5wQxXgltT_RyZAaw/s640/DSC_2412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcms3yOfTguAq90q09XQsDWqTFAEUXJRYhI1_weZIv_QkRWr8qGk-jnmBpWcgnYJJGZmcF3FWd8LNtqWLBQFLXQBoHpGWAgE40uaKcSryMmSHFmwh9bO0sWjmZEdHFG1KIrLHtcMolbE/s1600/DSC_2414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcms3yOfTguAq90q09XQsDWqTFAEUXJRYhI1_weZIv_QkRWr8qGk-jnmBpWcgnYJJGZmcF3FWd8LNtqWLBQFLXQBoHpGWAgE40uaKcSryMmSHFmwh9bO0sWjmZEdHFG1KIrLHtcMolbE/s640/DSC_2414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9esVLIwyUog3U2mttRfuHc3Csp6XAFl9CIvKKKgwgitsFztElPHQBJr6b8aYFvBvCmVoKPJ9mZ6ycaMbdq4AA8yMCk6g3xxjgpoAHjcP4n3Mu6G6S5jSILYI16iJdkKos8bTIl_seHEA/s1600/DSC_2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9esVLIwyUog3U2mttRfuHc3Csp6XAFl9CIvKKKgwgitsFztElPHQBJr6b8aYFvBvCmVoKPJ9mZ6ycaMbdq4AA8yMCk6g3xxjgpoAHjcP4n3Mu6G6S5jSILYI16iJdkKos8bTIl_seHEA/s640/DSC_2416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little LOTR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ahk7DzpsfCpM9CUNFYOGFQB_lz6GR3J3sbstkfagSkxT07EAL1PGe25EfJCWKPu4TyX3XuwC4NeJGRbXua8x2-5YyycdSp9Hd3ussWSbXQb9g-Kaak3jtapqcdQJkuxVCGh7TN8d90Q/s1600/DSC_2418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ahk7DzpsfCpM9CUNFYOGFQB_lz6GR3J3sbstkfagSkxT07EAL1PGe25EfJCWKPu4TyX3XuwC4NeJGRbXua8x2-5YyycdSp9Hd3ussWSbXQb9g-Kaak3jtapqcdQJkuxVCGh7TN8d90Q/s640/DSC_2418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll help you. Right off a cliff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH4Nr02bNxkwWcVKg3l4R3kRDVHvwfJLIpRoGZTjSODhNKtZaV1a8Fwd-vgYeZMJHBDE8JARAAS33SsS82m01di2c8osmwmPPv4Vt2O6UMxY2VXN8QNEQTmqMsvAXtWmDohL372okZU0/s1600/DSC_2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH4Nr02bNxkwWcVKg3l4R3kRDVHvwfJLIpRoGZTjSODhNKtZaV1a8Fwd-vgYeZMJHBDE8JARAAS33SsS82m01di2c8osmwmPPv4Vt2O6UMxY2VXN8QNEQTmqMsvAXtWmDohL372okZU0/s640/DSC_2421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my old friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdi7D_hGrJ36pHP7fdXzirkUV5k9uokLFbZeI35_c_3so6diwVQ9JWX4opXVtYLZTCJR1em_637Wi4W5DLMTlTfdlbk8P5W90bnzX6ok8YRI7ExnFreIv1FX_zEJ42ttNVPBAB3v6-5E/s1600/DSC_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdi7D_hGrJ36pHP7fdXzirkUV5k9uokLFbZeI35_c_3so6diwVQ9JWX4opXVtYLZTCJR1em_637Wi4W5DLMTlTfdlbk8P5W90bnzX6ok8YRI7ExnFreIv1FX_zEJ42ttNVPBAB3v6-5E/s640/DSC_2426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGqZFSaG6q-NCFdecorXumlLXvJa32PT9jtZ9DaxwDilDkKP1LxJJ_KGlqzgkgVjqCP06jJrMf40HmyW1-KkfrnflEHZZ6cVypAntb02EA5Il3D3TT6GNAIJvw-io_qAbW6F6jA08E84/s1600/DSC_2428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGqZFSaG6q-NCFdecorXumlLXvJa32PT9jtZ9DaxwDilDkKP1LxJJ_KGlqzgkgVjqCP06jJrMf40HmyW1-KkfrnflEHZZ6cVypAntb02EA5Il3D3TT6GNAIJvw-io_qAbW6F6jA08E84/s640/DSC_2428.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiUJ7r9HkppJohJrDaKoqIVbpyB_RgFyaTbNfMD74FGyfKNs4BFwkNYARQ0BFJbWKp91gjYLfO0N-wWxI53xmo31bEcQX7v8Y6WpENGtzk2Md59TNKIUQTBUl1eg-8U5aE2OnIr9G6Ew/s1600/DSC_2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiUJ7r9HkppJohJrDaKoqIVbpyB_RgFyaTbNfMD74FGyfKNs4BFwkNYARQ0BFJbWKp91gjYLfO0N-wWxI53xmo31bEcQX7v8Y6WpENGtzk2Md59TNKIUQTBUl1eg-8U5aE2OnIr9G6Ew/s640/DSC_2430.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6PJcIbC4bsS_DtxjBCtozGNuyadcJNlxhCHg0_UPWIFoSo4s7saUhZm7U6FSPrlJaMGj0cYCWT1mvQUsk4emO-0cBdr-dbRiVj-E-7nMYV0iQb7f8Z5ImAu4P-5PusLYnKYGMsEAZw0/s1600/DSC_2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6PJcIbC4bsS_DtxjBCtozGNuyadcJNlxhCHg0_UPWIFoSo4s7saUhZm7U6FSPrlJaMGj0cYCWT1mvQUsk4emO-0cBdr-dbRiVj-E-7nMYV0iQb7f8Z5ImAu4P-5PusLYnKYGMsEAZw0/s640/DSC_2431.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN_sripiUoaEXO_M9dQj3iQItqhFFsUlb3NrQmcliR0W04_S7006QhCGJxk0tTLVi_lVBbqvLomEVJV9Lqkd8-PL15bkOmAyvOiqLeZ6BEk7bgeq2lANcpqWRWlIRetz5fyWZVBSj4c/s1600/DSC_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN_sripiUoaEXO_M9dQj3iQItqhFFsUlb3NrQmcliR0W04_S7006QhCGJxk0tTLVi_lVBbqvLomEVJV9Lqkd8-PL15bkOmAyvOiqLeZ6BEk7bgeq2lANcpqWRWlIRetz5fyWZVBSj4c/s640/DSC_2433.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RrtArbVUUs9Q-maRWFBp09uvVZMS12bHRzb5k2rYxGz9KPJuxCwmDNzYq7A2tuBWQahbEiePkUYPzBOHrT_6qUQR2GbCn2ojDg1f1fh96vMCv7jTaD1eHBLNbpGqJ2h0e-CHmgtKHLk/s1600/DSC_2434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RrtArbVUUs9Q-maRWFBp09uvVZMS12bHRzb5k2rYxGz9KPJuxCwmDNzYq7A2tuBWQahbEiePkUYPzBOHrT_6qUQR2GbCn2ojDg1f1fh96vMCv7jTaD1eHBLNbpGqJ2h0e-CHmgtKHLk/s640/DSC_2434.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We climbed a tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpKbstP6gzu5v14t5G7ioMLYqd9wBSB2QjgURK3KWXcLUlcpwvQxr6gEBJyNT6XdFgGVkVoZzWoujjIrrhVzmDSyiyQwqeojHMsT4RaBptuZrNQx5hEs80qbqnnb_TPsFxg-9Wze2S8g/s1600/DSC_2439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpKbstP6gzu5v14t5G7ioMLYqd9wBSB2QjgURK3KWXcLUlcpwvQxr6gEBJyNT6XdFgGVkVoZzWoujjIrrhVzmDSyiyQwqeojHMsT4RaBptuZrNQx5hEs80qbqnnb_TPsFxg-9Wze2S8g/s640/DSC_2439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">climbing trees in scarier than I remember</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xpu9jGVVj5f2V0APlkYkkPzcM-487vc0gWvIIZjIo0Hpl0QrT4Z6W6efqd7QBXHEHJ9cQzMW3ZmPV7LUwWOuEwG618FJP5SsOR8OJdOF7l6qSMKeYSmJZ5RqcI_xzBBzUh3JGbXsZP4/s1600/DSC_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xpu9jGVVj5f2V0APlkYkkPzcM-487vc0gWvIIZjIo0Hpl0QrT4Z6W6efqd7QBXHEHJ9cQzMW3ZmPV7LUwWOuEwG618FJP5SsOR8OJdOF7l6qSMKeYSmJZ5RqcI_xzBBzUh3JGbXsZP4/s640/DSC_2443.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North by NorthWest, anyone? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjczxN8cWjn93NAEu5gdQls3XGAXjinIIQy24v1VXtM1teiezv1LUAZJg17CknKrJmcf9kGo7RmnhrPLOIT687LHq4eIlmjafJq6nd-m4YPgD6jM0j3lvH-5qkLAASUPxD4Y0gMdWbLs/s1600/DSC_2445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjczxN8cWjn93NAEu5gdQls3XGAXjinIIQy24v1VXtM1teiezv1LUAZJg17CknKrJmcf9kGo7RmnhrPLOIT687LHq4eIlmjafJq6nd-m4YPgD6jM0j3lvH-5qkLAASUPxD4Y0gMdWbLs/s640/DSC_2445.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We clomb the mountain, which was a bit like Arthur's Seat. It had magnificent views of Snowdonia mountain range, a beach, and a castle. We could even see off-shore wind-farms. Very beautiful weather. We made our way into the city center of Conwy some well-earned lunch! NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950995463984981338.post-56016583290451541392013-06-25T12:14:00.000+01:002013-06-27T13:44:42.403+01:00Bangor University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAK68Z3xJ-41eprZTWbrQc5Adv7A5qqKPS6IgbZLUiD5Pf2VFxBLSwpMsUhQASN0-6nqGgEHCgvA46Z8vDZPH1ZDbnyJ7ZPxvZslDJPMubhKHDwY1Rdgt8wPb_t8vHO3Vzkbq6m5BSqk/s1600/DSC_2404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
A few Thursdays ago, I took off to Wales. It was one trek of a journey. Something like five hours with three changes. I arrived just as it was dusk, so I sadly missed most of the lovely scenery of gentle hills that envelope Bangor. I found my way to my little five-and-dime hotel room. It wasn't much of course, but it made me feel rather grown up. What this image does not show you is my frantic writing of my paper, or rewriting and rewriting. I revised my paper so much, I ended up having to speak off of hand-written notes. The original print-out was nothing to what I ended up reading, and while, at first disconcerting, I have a hunch more academics do this than I think. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUC3VmFVQvTklr0yoiT_Q4tJV4s_gpid8y9qrH-49VQaR8Gq9Ks3CdYBvSmH_Qd1wuaI4nZsFGwan-PaikjAW2wSgSnHwUEMAqJW_jKr1Vlt3pbv5l_2H22WB0pey55UA9s65hH_N6lI/s1600/DSC_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUC3VmFVQvTklr0yoiT_Q4tJV4s_gpid8y9qrH-49VQaR8Gq9Ks3CdYBvSmH_Qd1wuaI4nZsFGwan-PaikjAW2wSgSnHwUEMAqJW_jKr1Vlt3pbv5l_2H22WB0pey55UA9s65hH_N6lI/s640/DSC_2397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the five and dime. small, but all mine. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning I woke up at dawn to rewrite this paper, barely had time for breakfast, no chance of ironing my shirt, scuttling out the door in the midst of rain. Fortunately Bangor University was ever so close. I loved the beautiful architecture. It reminded me a lot of St. Andrews. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfHmCU1Eovqg5X7kYRma3hYLwkJ0aHb5l-yVDn20jKsSlSGQDbgeI9tN-KyubbaA9glHOcQERYBINT11gFLLQRNzagqrtOSeCtT93_4oOtceCmIKGzSHNACC8w9S9RTltuC6ZhXKOorg/s1600/DSC_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfHmCU1Eovqg5X7kYRma3hYLwkJ0aHb5l-yVDn20jKsSlSGQDbgeI9tN-KyubbaA9glHOcQERYBINT11gFLLQRNzagqrtOSeCtT93_4oOtceCmIKGzSHNACC8w9S9RTltuC6ZhXKOorg/s640/DSC_2403.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glimpse of Bangor University. so lovely. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hurried through the front doors of my conference, and my stomach had the clenched feeling you get when you enter a room where you know absolutely no one. I registered, took my seat, attempted to place names with faces. An eminent scholar gave a brief introduction and another gave an opening address.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxTqStiRUgIU_nNxGYNRx8PFVWgLiLnqKz7FfTJh3nVhtJMG2vkFmyUVEvewCfePpWKM0Lft0g78BU4OnQAHYdqUPXcDrOu8542amdLhE9Fd0bgW1hk5mp2ThJ13rYFh3gjy-PdczMR8/s1600/DSC_2781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxTqStiRUgIU_nNxGYNRx8PFVWgLiLnqKz7FfTJh3nVhtJMG2vkFmyUVEvewCfePpWKM0Lft0g78BU4OnQAHYdqUPXcDrOu8542amdLhE9Fd0bgW1hk5mp2ThJ13rYFh3gjy-PdczMR8/s640/DSC_2781.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le programme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then, guess who waltzed in the door, looking like something out of a painting? Red hair, elegant, well dressed. My old friend. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVyejABYVbSjO68pIbX4atY8iE5xvM9f6C0fL-EDpMBEfxUfTGa-x3hu-ka6NaHrmVAKmdB99tlA7dmaxugl-_uY3KpxxiPZ2VsWWizx9F60w7HLbtBa3ZMDNFB9yhSXdUkBTH7xfEZ4/s1600/DSC_2396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAK68Z3xJ-41eprZTWbrQc5Adv7A5qqKPS6IgbZLUiD5Pf2VFxBLSwpMsUhQASN0-6nqGgEHCgvA46Z8vDZPH1ZDbnyJ7ZPxvZslDJPMubhKHDwY1Rdgt8wPb_t8vHO3Vzkbq6m5BSqk/s1600/DSC_2404.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAK68Z3xJ-41eprZTWbrQc5Adv7A5qqKPS6IgbZLUiD5Pf2VFxBLSwpMsUhQASN0-6nqGgEHCgvA46Z8vDZPH1ZDbnyJ7ZPxvZslDJPMubhKHDwY1Rdgt8wPb_t8vHO3Vzkbq6m5BSqk/s640/DSC_2404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanna!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hardly slept the night before I was so worried about Sanna not making it, or having difficulty with train connections, and each time I woke up, would pray, and roll over for a few more fitful hours. Sanna had flown all the way from Singapore. Singapore to Doha, Doha to Stockholm, Stockholm to Oslo, and Oslo to London. She overnighted on a bench in Heathrow (brave, pioneering soul), awoke at 4 a.m. to catch a 5 a.m. train to Bangor. I was so delighted and pleased to see her!<br />
<br />
Sanna attended the whole conference and watched me give my paper. She was the spirit of reassurance and compliability. At one point, shes gave me this stern teacher-look she's acquired during her year of teaching, and told me in no uncertain terms that I was to leave her and to go network with the others present at this conference. A right kick in the pants. I'll never know where she finds her stores of energy and good health. If I had just made the journey, I'd bet you both my bunnies that I'd be snivelling and sniffling and running a fever.<br />
<br />
The conference was great. I was able to meet so many lovely people and see such a beautiful University. The biggest thing that I discovered is that I now had confidence. At times with this PhD business, one can just creep along, slower than a snail, and thinking, <i>I'm not getting anywhere, I haven't done anything. I'm chasing my tail</i>. But looking back at my mental attitudes toward my research this time last year, I am simply amazed. This is from the person who was so nervous at giving papers she would physically shake and sweat through her shirt, voice shaky and uneven. If I didn't know better, I simply wouldn't know myself. NJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881293339755641165noreply@blogger.com1