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