Cardiff Cheese Festival

This Saturday, we went via train to
in the country of Wales
to visit the
where we considered purchasing
but we were intimidated by all of the
hanging around to deter the football hooligans from their nonsense.
Instead, we headed to our intended destination which was the Cardiff Castle
and the Cardiff Cheese Festival
held within the castle walls.
While we were there, we saw
cheese
from llchester, Britain vs. Ilchester Road, Ellicott City,
most-delicious sweets
and ladybirds.
Owen and Finn played cheese rolling lawn skittles.
Then we toured the castle which was the highlight of the day. The next few photos are from the Arab Room which we were allowed to enter because the British docent was too polite to kick us out (along with a few other people).
Incredible mosaics
Locked cupboard
Amazing ceiling
Beautiful windows
The red and blue lions are special to the Bute family who donated the castle to Cardiff.
A fish out of water
A monkey searching for meaning in the library
Did you hear me?
I think the Welsh dragon is the coolest.

Top of the Bucket List

My very top of my bucket list has always been Australia. Well, Craig and I got to go in 2001 and ever since, I've wanted to return. So we were trying to plan to get there on our way back from here. Unfortunately, it is not in the cards. However, the second spot on my bucket list will soon be fulfilled. Today, Craig and I put down a chunk of change on a 14-day trip to Egypt. I've been saving like a crazy person for a blow-out trip and this is it. I honestly can't wait and the kids are even as excited as I am. Here's hoping it goes as smoothly as the booking of it did.

This is England

So today I broke down and decided to drive to the nearest base that has been recently closed except for the commissary. We needed some foodie things American and it was a buh-yoo-tee-ful day. Since the commissary is officially closing in about a month, I wanted to drive around and visit a few places that I have always passed and said, "I'd like to go there" because I am not sure I will drive this way again.

I took the Cirencester (siren sester) Road which not so surprisingly enough leads to the town of Cirencester and is known on the map as the A435. This is one of my favorite roads especially in the spring and the fall because of the gorgeous trees hanging over the road and the fields alongside it. It is also one of my least favorite roads because of this phenomenon (click ClanMcCarter) but I am over it now because pheasants are the dumbest birds ever next to the dodo and I just don't understand how enthralling pheasant hunting can be when they basically ask to be slaughtered. I digress...

My first stop was on the road to Bagendon. I have always wanted to stop here as it is so similar to the name of the village in The Hobbit, Bag End. (This is the home of Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee.) I parked in a spot that could have been above the lane of Bagshot Row if I really was driving around Tolkien's Shire to see a church I have passed a million times: North Cerney Parish Church. It was lovely from the outside and had sheep grazing in the cemetery. Unfortunately, it was locked, but the link above has some nice interior photos.
I decided to follow the lane into Bagendon and I am so glad I did because here is what I found:
HOBBIT HOUSES in Bagendon!!!!
This time the church, St. Margaret's, was open - bonus! - and I walked in to take a looksie.
The ceiling of all of the churches looked like an upside-down boat.After shopping, I stopped at the third place I have wanted to go. Yes, it's another church, this time off of the road and pretty much in the middle of nowhere. This time it is Ampney St. Mary's Church also known as The Ivy Church. I like how the link says it "stands in splendid rural isolation" - so very British and so very true! I was amazed that this church was also unlocked. I love the British countryside.
The Ivy Church is known for its painted walls. They were very pretty and very damaged/old.
Here is an interesting link to the paintings on the walls: Painted church
The interior view of the door
I like the big keyhole and the visible cracks in the door.
Looking outside through the keyhole
Some serious Norman hardware on the exterior
This country has amazing spiders.
Back to the modern world...

Been Sent to the Abbey

My friend, Nancy, and then also a friend, Elizabeth, before her both visited the Tewkesbury Abbey to help stitch kneelers. I like to sew and Nancy offered to take me and show me the ropes. Well, the universe never aligned properly and I never got the chance to go with her. Today, however, I am going solo to meet another woman, Chris, so she can set me straight. I am excited and ready to stitch on this cloudy and threatening to rain day.

Still Waiting

Still no phone call.

Still no email.

Still no update...

Back to Reality

School has been in session two weeks and we are back to the get dressed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, does everyone have their stuff, rushing out of the door, phew! we made it morning routine. Owen is taking the bus as I wrote about earlier and he said this morning, "Mom, I really like taking the bus even though I have to be faster in the morning." The bus is so worth it. Both Finn and Evan have instrument practice on the same day so I only drive them to school one day which is very nice. They could hoof it to school with their instruments, and Evan often does, but I need to have some leverage comeback against the "meanest Mom in the world" gripe. They could also take the bus that morning, but after walking to the bus stop, they'd be the same distance as halfway to their school and I would end up carrying the saxophone.

I've been walking a lot much to the chagrin of my left knee. I hurt it in the spring during tennis lessons and it's on a slow road to recovery. I am a young person in an aging body. Ugh.

It is definitely autumn here and Craig broke down and turned on the heat. We STILL owed money back to Uncle Sam this year after what we felt was a major cranking of the heat last winter with snowstorms. They overpaid us for utilities, basically, but at least we are bring "good stewards of the government's money" - the mantra with which we were indoctrinated during our pre-PCS meeting a few years ago.

This weekend we are going to the last Hail & Farewell before it will be our Farewell. Sad, sadder, saddest face ever, but it is getting to be that time. I am already psychotically planning the move back in my head.

I have some big news to spill eventually, but I am awaiting a phone call or email. So stay tuned... and no, it's nothing to do with a baby.

Bishop's Rd and Grainan of Aileach

On our last day, we drove up a twisty turny road that all of the locals recommended for spectacular views. They were right - it was beautiful and a proper way to view all we had seen previously.
They have these posts which are for walkers/bikers and tell you how far you've come and how far you still have to go.

Then we traipsed over to the Republic of Ireland one more time to see Grainan of Aileach, an ancient Iron Age open fort circa 800 BC. Fairly impressive and just one of those desolate places with minimal signage where you eventually come upon this:
We ate a quick lunch and headed to the Derry airport which was super easy to navigate as it consists of three gates. Our trip home was seamless because well, let's face it - I rock.