December 22, 2003

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  We are here! It is lovely, it is wonderful, it is beautiful and I am so in love with this country! Everywhere there are fantastic rolling hills, green meadows, stone walls, sheep, farms, charming cottages and homes, quaint little villages and at night it turns into a magical land of Christmas fairy lights!

  
  

  Our plane got in about 3 hours late on Sunday, due to our plane arriving 1-1/2 hours late at LAX and then, once we arrived in London, there were no gates free for the plane, so we sat on a runway for a good 1-1/2 hours as well. But we did arrive and I found all our luggage, nothing was lost. I did get to see Matchstick Men on the plane and enjoyed it as well as some cool documentaries from the BBC. Overall I really enjoyed Virgin Atlantic to fly on, the backseat TV screens make the time go MUCH more quickly, but god the seats were close together, worse than any domestic flight I have been on.

  
  

  So, by the time we got to our friend's house, it was around 5 pm. We managed a quick bite to eat then walked over to a church, next to their home for a Christmas Carol service. The church is the American equivalent of Episcopalian and was built in the 1300's, it was just beautiful There was a brass band playing along and it was a very enjoyable evening.

  
  

  This morning we got up, but Becca was tired and wanted to sleep and sleep, still not adjusted. I finally got her out of bed at 11am. Meanwhile, Megan was being a terribly picky eater and I couldn't get anything down her for breakfast besides a glass of grape juice and about 10 Cherrios. Then, she got sick and threw up all over my leg. Ugh! I have been worried she is getting the flu that Becca had so bad but Becca did not throw up and Megan shows no sign of a fever. After she threw up though, she seemed fine and did all right the rest of the day, but continues to be very picky about food. I am not sure if she is just being a brat with the pickiness or if her stomach really is unsettled.

  
  

  We went off to Stratford upon Avon today and it was lovely fun. We ate lunch at a tearoom called Hathaway Tea Rooms, build in 1610, and then walked over to the visitor center to see the home where Shakespeare was born. I love seeing the living history and enjoyed the guides within that gave us a lot of additional information. I have lots of pictures as well and will post later when I have more time to fuss with a photo editor.

  
  

  Then we went off to see a teddy bear museum, which the girls really liked, and also looked in a number of shops. I could spend a lot of money, easily here, but I am trying to be very good. Since we got a late start, that was about the end of the day. We headed home and had supper, then had a short trip nearby to see a retired man who makes beautiful miniatures of gypsy wagons and old horse-drawn wagons and such. His work was really amazing and he had done virtually all the metal work and woodwork himself. This is a lot, when you consider all the amazing details and relief work on the wagons of that era.

  
  

  Tomorrow we will take the train to London and we hope to hit Harrods, Westminster Abby and, of course, the Palace. We will see what we really can fit in, in actuality.

  
  

  I best get off to bed or I won't be up in time for the train! Hugs!

  • 5:39 pm
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