Busy, Busy, Bumblebees!

The last few weeks have really flown by! I can't believe it is already Tuesday night (well here, anyway) and I haven't updated the blog from this previous weekend. Things have been going really well for us over here. I think we both feel completely comfortable and living normal, daily lives.  I've been finishing up my online course for my 4th graders, and soon I'm going to start being a student again as I take a few classes to add to my educational license.  Jeff is busy, busy at work! Have you noticed he has yet to write his V.I.P blog post? I'll get him to do one, although I only have 10 more months to do so! 

As for this past weekend, we were planning on going to an outdoor cinema at one of the local historical spots...but the weather wasn't cooperating.  We did learn that the UK is being hit hard by Hurricane Bertha, so we've been getting a crazy amount of rain here in the last week or so.  The newscasters say "It is monsoon-like." ha! It makes me laugh, but we have had some hard rain. 

Jeff and I just chilled on Friday, and on Saturday we woke up to drive to Cambridge (just north of London) to visit our very good friends, Andrew & Julie.  Now if this isn't a small world, I'm not sure what is...they are on a job relocation assignment for the next year. So we are lucky enough to have some close friends to hang out with from America for the rest of our time over here. Crazy, right? So I'm sure you'll hear a lot more about the two of them and our travels together.  In Cambridge we walked the city, stopped at a few local pubs, and basically just spent some quality time with everyone.  We played some frisbee and had a nice dinner. 

 The boys are reunited...

 

Julie & Andrew

We stayed the night in Cambridge, but woke up early to head to Newbury where we visited the Highclere Castle.  Doesn't ring a bell? This is where the famous PBS show, Downton Abbey is filmed.  The exterior of the house and the grounds were amazing. We did go inside the castle, and I hate to burst many of your bubbles...but it was a letdown.  The house is currently owned and lived in by a family, so we were unable to take any photographs.  Along with the "No photography" rule, we were disappointed as the rooms were so much smaller than T.V. makes them seem.  We also realized that the show is not 100% filmed there so we were only able to see the library, entry way, Lady Sybil's bedroom, Lady Grantham's bedroom, and the dining room.  The rest of the interior is filmed off the grounds on a set.  We definitely do not regret going there, as this was on our bucket list. I am thinking we may have just put a little too much excitement on the visit. 

I was laughing pretty hard in the car when the road's name was "Road". 

Selfie. 

Part of the gardens. There was a sign that said not to touch any of the plants, as some of them are poisonous. 

Love this artsy shot Jeff got in the weeds because it reminds me of the intro to the show. 

Off I go, short post this week! It is fajita night, and some friends are coming over...so I need to get to preparing! Woohoo...Mexican food!

We're Going to Kentucky, We're Going to the FAIR, to see the Senoritas with Flowers in their Hair....

...Anyone know that nursery rhyme? It always comes into my head when we're going to the fair or a festival.  Maybe that's what I get for being around kids all the time...or my mom. hehe

Anyway...I definitely felt like a local this past weekend.  Saturday, Jeff had to work for the majority of the day, so I went to the gym & ran some errands.  When he got home we ordered pizza, then headed to a couple bars later that night.  Interesting crowds, might I add.  We felt old, as people can drink over here starting at the age of 18.  They might be able to drink at 16 even...there is always discussion/confusion among locals with the rule. Although you definitely can't get into clubs/bars at that age...who knows?!

Yesterday, Nottingham was putting on the Riverside Festival.  It was exactly like a state or county fair only a little smaller, of course.  We walked 1.7 miles to get there, although it was a beautiful day so it didn't seem like much of a walk.  The festival was located next to the Trent River, which was the first time we had ever been down near the River.  The festival had all of the same big items you'd have in a fair in the states: games with large stuffed animals, rides, entertainment, and loads of food.   

We missed the Duck Race, but we think they tossed them off this bridge. Oh wait, not real ducks. It was the rubber ducky races for a local charity.  They do this in the states, too!

Speaking of food...it was really interested to see the choices of "fair food" here in England.  When I go the fair, my choices are always a corndog, fried pickles, elephant ears, walking tacos, and Jeff loves the fried candies (Oreos, Snickers, Reese's).  Here in Nottingham (and assuming nation-wide), you could get different roasts, burgers, donuts, of course coffees/teas, chips (fries), and the oddest one....hot peas.  I was really intrigued by this, and no I didn't try it, but it basically looked like thick pea soup.  People were lining up to get it, so it must be a treat around here.  I love peas, but just not enough to enjoy them at the fair.  They also like stands called Pick & Mix.  These stands are at every festival we go to and they are filled with a variety of candy.  Basically people just pick the different kinds (and can even mix....get the name, now?) and take that variety of candy home.  Anyway, those were all over the festival as well.  

There were many carnival games that were a play-on things in America. Basketball games, Kentucky Derby, shooting games, & more! 

 Jeff and I were both getting a little woozy after watching this ride go for a little bit.  It traveled in a full circle...gag.  

 When you first walked up to the festival area, they had at least 10 different trucks that were playing carousel-type music.  It was a little overwhelming, and I'm not sure the point of having 10 in a row playing creepy music. 

It was pretty impressive to have a real roller-coaster at their festival.  Hard to believe all of this work for just a 3-day event... 

Some of the entertainment.  We passed at least 3 stages, each playing something different.  These guys were playing the guitar.  

Overall, it was a great afternoon out.  We were happy to be able to see more of the city as well! Have a great week & thanks for visiting the blog!