Quaint

quaint: adj. Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way

The heat and an evening on facebook with a few American friends got me thinking about the quaintness of Britain. It all started with Patrick's observation that windows here do not have screens and there is no area designed for the insertion of one. None, nada, zilch. They pretty much do not exist in any of our rental houses or any house we have visited during the last two years. However comma we have had a veritable heat wave and it's pretty much a necessity to open a few if not all of the windows in the house and definitely overnight. The new-fangled invention called an air conditioner exists, but is not often (read: ever) used nor does it exist in any house I have ever visited. Patrick also noted that it would cost "tens of dollars" to install screens which are pretty much necessary keep out the numerous bugs and absolutely ginormous spiders. I suggested we search for a window with a screen during a scavenger hunt and Carolyn decided that if someone found one, they'd be the winner, no contest. No screens in windows - is this a desire to remain "quaint"?

The discussion then turned to water taps. In our house, like many, we have a separate hot and cold tap in our bathroom sinks - three sinks and the bath itself in our house. The hot tap only gushes steaming hot water; the cold tap only gushes ice crystals (in the winter) and ne'er the two shall meet. The fixtures in our house are beautiful and have all been recently updated (last 10 years) in comparison to the age of the house (1920's). The technology is available because our kitchen tap is a mixed tap just like we all have at home. As Patrick stated: Why run a hot water and a cold water line and not pay that extra $2 to get the tap with the mixer in it? We all enjoy the daily morning face scald, like a sauna I suppose. And all in the name of "quaint".

I stated that in the UK's defense, this is the first summer (of my third) that I have even broken into a sweat for more than an afternoon and the first time I've worn shorts for four consecutive days, but my house is a cave since it's an older house. Carolyn added that in her mid 1700's house, the stone walls really do keep the place pretty cool. I concur. Our thick walls are invaluable but it's still hot on the fourth floor which has one window that barely opens at the top or entirely swings open on its side for Finn, any child or an adult for that matter to plummet to Earth 60 feet below because, you guessed it, there is no screen to deter said child from the inevitable descent. "Quaint".

A few more exemplars of the quaintness we all know and well, don't love: two-foot wide refrigerators with no freezer; a dorm-sized separate freezer under the counter; the lack of forethought to embrace true Mexican cuisine; the lack of ice, ice machines or space to make ice; no outlets except for a shaver in the bathroom - like I will electrocute myself plugging in the hair dryer while simultaneously trying to turn on both taps to get a hot-cold (in America, we call it "warm") water mix... Yeah, quaint.

I do love my experiences here. I mostly enjoy the quaintness that surrounds me because let's face it, this is what we should see in the Oxford Dictionary:

quaint: adj. Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way. syn. Great Britain

Double Digit Domicile

All of my children are now in the double digits. Depressed!

A Decade With Disaster

My human tornado child is 10. To his credit, he is the most innovative and creative boy I know. His mind works in amazing ways and his insights are thought-provoking. He is so enthusiatic, handsome, strong, independent, boisterous, charismatic, funny, very loving and has awesome dance moves. He also is very Type A, he worries me every time he climbs something, he collects unimaginable things and forgets them in trouser pockets, he is very loud and a mess sort of evolves all around him almost magically. The meaning of the word 'no' ('mwah wanh') completely escapes him. However, I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Happy 10th birthday, Oboe!

The World Cup - Now I Can Speak

1. Ghana deserved the win; the US was not in their best form. It was still a heartbreaker.
2. The US played so much better yesterday than England did today.
3. Germany ROCKED the house! So glad we did not end up playing them or we might have looked as bad as England, but not worse than England since I doubt that is possible.
4. Argentina v. Mexico tonight. Rooting for Argentina tonight. Both are Americas teams but I have a thing for Messi - he is magical.
5. A Germany v. Argentina game would be fabulous.

USA v. Ghana

No comment.

American Pride

We are so excited about the World Cup. I mean when are we ever going to live in Europe during the World Cup again and have bragging rights that a) the USA came in first in our group over England and b) the USA went further in the competition than England when we beat Ghana and they lose to Germany? (I hope I don't have to eat those words.) So to show our American pride, Craig has rigged three US flags and hung them in our back garden for everyone in the park behind us to see.

We are total geeks and took photos of our flag flying because we have never hung our flags while living here for a variety of reasons - the most prevalent one being that there is nowhere to put a flagpole on the house since the British don't ever fly their flags unless it's a sporting event (see previous post ClanMcCarter).
C'mon USA, let's win this one!

Craig heard something funny at work:
This World Cup is shaping up like a World War.
France buggered off early.
Italy proved incompetent.
America showed up late and left Britain to fight it out with Germany.

And as an aside, the roses are blooming like crazy all around us. They smell delicious and look so lovely.
Ditto for the lavender...

Owen's Year 5 Concert

Today, I spent most of the day driving or stuck in some horrible traffic mess. It is a full moon and people are just driving like idiots. Fortunately, and thanks to the recommendation of my neighbour, Val, I made it home in time to get to Owen's Year 5 concert. It was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Here's one of Owen's performances.
Enjoy.

CANNOT Believe I Forgot This - The Alli Family's Visit

Okay, so I really have no excuse why this event escaped my radar; I am just lame. About a month ago, our very dear friends, the Alli family, flew over to visit Scotland and the UK. We caught up with them in London for a day. We spent most of the day at the Tower of London. Patti and John had seen it before but their kids and all of us had not. I think I need to go again because Patti and I talked pretty much through the entire tour! The kids really seemed to enjoy it which allowed the adults to chat and be negligent parents here and there. It was so good to see some friendly faces we knew and love.
John and Craig at the Tower entrance
Owen is happy to see friends, Danny and Luke. The Beefeater was hysterical and the kids paid great attention to him.
Luke and Owen trying on the Crown Jewels
Funky old coin
First ever London taxi ride

Junior School Sports Day

So last year, I bagged going to Owen and Finn's sports day. It just seemed lame. Sports Day is a competition among the three school "houses": Blyton, Lewis and Dahl. All of the houses are named after childrens' authors. Owen is in Dahl house. They have spectator chairs set up on the field, an announcer calling all of the events and the results, a podium and medals. A very professional presentation.

This year, Owen specifically asked me to come since he was excited to participate in his events: the Year 5 Boys Cricket Ball Throw and the Year 5 Boys Baton Relay. I still had no desire to go but I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was. I obtained a program in the morning and arrived right on time to see Owen's events. His first event was the cricket ball throw. I know many of you are chuckling at this one at its pure Britishness and well, I don't blame you. We figured that having a baseball background would assist Owen in this event and we were right!
Owen placed third overall and first for his house. USA! USA! USA!
Next was the baton (pronounced "bat" "on" v. buh-tahn) relay. It was one lap around the track divided by four boys. Owen was the first to go. He did a great job and his hand-off was stellar.
His team came in second and he was very happy.

Wanh wanh wah WANH wah

You know that voice in Charlie Brown movies when an adult was speaking? Lately, I think it is coming from my mouth every time I speak to a male in my family. I also think you, as readers, are going to hear it in your head when I start writing this: It is SUCH a beautiful (wanh wanh...) day here in Cheltenhem. The sun is shin(wanh wanh...)ing and the roses are in full bloom.
I can't believe (wanh wanh) the string of gorgeousness we are experiencing. In the almost two years since living here, we've never had this much sun. I HAVE A TAN! Unfortunately, the honeysuckle and elderflower are also in full bloom and Craig and Evan are suffering but it's worth the suffering. Gosh, what a day, what a month, what a Spring! Today is also the first official day of Summer. Thanks for the sunshine.

Happy Fathers' Day at the Three Counties Show Part II

We liked it here so much last year, that we went again - sort of a tradition I suppose. The real reason we went was because for an entire year, Craig has been dreaming of a plaid wool vest to finish out his Brit kit for walking the moors like a real British aristocrat. He found one pretty much immediately and is a happy dad on Fathers' Day.

If you want to read about our adventures at the Three Counties Show last year, click on this link: ClanMcCarter

This year, the weather was gorgeous (we are really getting spoiled) and it was all about the birds. We stumbled upon a showing of a great barn owl and then meandered over to a bird tent that had a peregrine falcon (Finn's favorite).
After eating, the kids did a 'lucky dip' at the Parrot Rescue tent. [I should explain a 'lucky dip' here. You pay a small amount of money (50p, 1 pound) and either get to reach into a covered bin to grab a prize or you get a numbered ticket which then sometimes corresponds to a prize.] Finn won two dog-related items (a short leash and a tug of war toy) at the parrot tent (yes, odd...). Here's a question for you all: How does one rescue a parrot, really? I think it's a way to take money from others in order to pay for the expense of caring for one's own parrot. Anyway, I suggested to Finn that we offer the dog stuff to our friends, the Andrews, and promptly ran into them like five minutes later! Uncanny!
Our next stop was the main arena where we awaited a parachute landing that didn't seem like it would ever happen but it finally did as we were leaving. We Americans really ARE impatient compared to the entire group of patient Britons surrounding us. It's the 'queue mentality'. The landing was impressive and I am glad we watched.
I think this guy is trying to spell out "SURRENDER DOROTHY", maybe in Chinese?
Our last stop was the chicken tent. Owen has adored chickens since like forever, really. So we spent a good 45 minutes to an hour looking at them. Who knew there were so many different breeds of chickens?? We are very excited to have chickens when we return to the US. It is definitely in our future.
Lavender Pekin (or something like that)
Partridge Dutch
Silver-laced Wyandotte
Wyandotte
Something (no, not Foghorn) Leghorn
This rooster was gigantic! The photo does not even do it justice.
After that, the kids rode a few last rides. Finn showed some good aim in the "Shoot the Star" rifle challenge and Owen showed some real tenacity on the rock climbing wall. Evan was just happy to find the exit. Craig zonked out in the car on the ride home because he and Owen awoke at 0337 this morning with hopes of seeing Comet McNaught grace the skies. Their attempt was all for naught because they didn't see it however, they both agreed that the sunrise was beautiful.

Buscot Park = Heaven

If I was to be reborn into the British aristocracy, I would like to be part of the Faringdon legacy.
Yesterday, after getting my two new tires placed on the car and seeing my first ever other Honda Pilot at the base garage - sister solidarity - I went to Buscot Park which is a National Trust site. I feel like I got my entire National Trust yearly fee's worth in this property. For any of you ex-pats reading this, it is a right turn off the A417 if you continue through the towns of Fairford & Lechlade and so worth the extra 20-30 minute drive but it's only open WThF afternoons from 2-6 pm and then sporadic weekends in the summer. This place was awesome and had everything a tourist or garden freak would want. The grounds are amazing and the house is also spectacular. The Faringdons were/are huge art collectors so the house is chock full of phenomenal paintings, sculpture and ceramics. One note: wear appropriate and comfortable shoes; there's a lot of walking to be done.
Clock tower above the stables/entrance
The pool house through the hedges
Ahoy, matey!
English rosesI call this one "Lily and Dragonfly".
I love how they get things to creep up and across walls.Long pathway vistas
That silver shiny thing at the end of the path is a mirrored waterfall sculpture.
A most beautiful walk through what they called 'The Water Garden"
Sculptures throughout the property
This one is for Owen.
I loved this little guy and his twin across the water way. The one below has what I think is an ermine on top of his head. It reminded me of Lyra in The Golden Compass.
Hand's down, the BEST expression on a stone sculpture
More art:
Wishing well iron work