VACATION ~ LONDON ~ PART FOUR

(Please remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Wednesday June 15, 2011 and Thursday June 16, 2011

Wednesday - London to Worcester

I didn't sleep well. I can tell you that since we left home Friday the 10th I have had little sleep. Never slept on the plane. Next night I think I got about 4 hours, next night about 6 and last night about 4 again. I don't know how I am able to do all that I have done the last few days on so little sleep. It's mainly about the beds.

We got up and ready to leave. Phil went to get a rental card, picked us up and we did the two hour drive to Worcester. What beautiful countryside we saw. Rolling fields with sheep, just what you would expect. Actually there was one sheep with one sleeping next to it leaning over with it's head in the fluffy fur of the other sheep. It was an aww moment. Saw lots of cows too. Living in California for so many years you forget how the cows lived in Illinois and Wisconsin. They may say that California cow are happy but really they are not in my opinion. Got checked into this quaint hotel called the Diglis House Hotel and the guys took off to the office for a meeting.

I am not really good at doing somethings and couldn't get myself hooked up with internet. I kind of got tears in my eyes. That I am sure came from exhaustion. So I went out for a walk. We are right on the waterfront but I am going to do that tomorrow and also head to the Cathedral. What I need to do is laundry and find the laundromat. I walked over the the famous Museum of Worcester Porcelain. I didn't do the tour, which I should have, so I just shopped. They no longer make the porcelain, the economy closed them down a few years ago. That is just so sad. I really wasn't going to buy anything because I told myself that I would not bring breakable items home. I did however break that rule and got Amber an small plate.

I decided to sit and get my notes down from yesterday, along with some from today. I will be going to their charming restaurant to eat. I think I will spend the evening reading. Not much on TV and I need an evening of quiet. Mark had a dinner out with his office.

So this was my delicious dinner.

Thursday June 16, 2011 - Walk around Worcester, UK

So Mark and Phil dropped me off at a shopping area in the town of Worcester where we are staying. I shopped for 4 hours. Didn't by a lot of things but found some things for the kids. Lots to carry home! Had a great little sandwich for lunch. Took lots of pictures of the little shops and Church's. Oh and at the little candy shop I bought Flying Saucers. Do you remember those? I almost bought some at Harrods but didn't think I could take them home. Then I saw several little packages but I figured they would get crushed. So I ended up finding some in town today and they are in a plastic container that is pretty light. Just maybe I might have to go to the P.O. in France and ship our treasures home. Check out White Stuff and Fat Face online. Two really awesome stores where I found some gifts for the kids.

Worcester is know for the Cathedral. I never did get inside but I walked around it and got down to the River Severn walk which took me back to the Diglis Hotel. Stopped and had a glass of white wine. The day started out cool and rainy but it turned into a lovely day. I loved all the brickwork on the walk and took pictures of swans, the Worcester Bridge and the people in the water rowing. I am sure there is a name for it but I don't know off hand. I haven't had any internet access. Got onto my email with Mark's computer for a short time yesterday.

Some things that caught my attention and needed a closer look.

A little bird came and visited with me as I sat on a bench.

So I wanted to do laundry today. I thought Mark and Phil could drop me off and I would just walk back or find a taxi. Mark insisted that we do it at the hotel. Before we came here, maybe six week ago I told Mark that maybe I should/could do laundry at Phil's parents house. Mark said absolutely not, that would be terrible. So now all he is saying is that Phil thinks you should do laundry at his parents house. I said no since Mark put the hex on that weeks ago and I pointed that out to him today. So anyway we had maybe two loads of laundry to be done. Take a guess what it cost? 100 pounds! Now I know we are not paying for that but that's just stupid. That is like $160. in US money. I must admit it was nice walking into the room and having all your clean clothes laid out on the bed! I know in Paris I am going to the laundromat that is 1/2 a mile away from the hotel.

Here is a mixture of things. The bags from the two stores I mentioned. A For Let sign, I love how they say certain things. The painted ceiling moulding in the bar area where they painted the ivy. Some sidewalk art, the Worcester Porcelain Museum, wine on tap, the bar and a delicious dessert we had while we waited for Phil to pick us up on Friday morning. See the coin? Ali, Phil's friend, works at a coin mint shop and was able to get me the engagement coin. I was thrilled and so happy to have it.


Tonight we are going out to dinner and will be meeting Phil's parents. They have lived in Worcester since Phil was 2, I believe he is in his 40's now. His mother brought me a card welcoming us to Worcester. I will have to get a picture of it to show you. You open it up and the whole front and back is a beautiful painting of the town. Then tomorrow we travel to Paris. I should get my second stamp. The stamp I may not get is Italy because we are driving over the boarder but I am certainly going to ask!

After dinner, which was a lot of fun and delicious Chinese food, we went to a very old bridge where a war was found many, many years ago. That's all I know.



So 14 more days to go!