Sorry it has been so long since I updated last. For the most part nothing new or exciting really happened. A few little trips, we went to Avebury which is somewhat like stone henge. But the biggest feature the past month was going to Lincolnshire. About 4.5 hour drive one way.
We left Sunday morning after loading as much of Stuart's stuff into the car as possible (in December Stuart is moving the rest of his stuff while he goes on his course at the Isle of Wight). We got there and I was given a tour of the house by Jo (Stuart's stepmother).
I totally fell in love with this house, it is huge and gorgeous. It used to be a horse stable and for the past 12 years they have been slowly but surely turning it into a house. The bedrooms are old stalls. Some of the walls have knicks from where the horses chewed it. The kitchen is huge. The living room is the size of my apt that I had when I was in Erie. The fireplace which was my most favorite part of the house was so big you could fit a double bed in it. It was 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home. Okay enough of the house...
Now what to say about Jo and Ray........ Where to begin?.. *giggles* Well first, I should tell you... (just kidding).......They were soo nice and funny. They are great cooks too. Ray spoilt me most of the week when I woke up to breakfast in bed. mmm Thanx Ray! I enjoyed talking with them about a lotta different things, they are very open and easy to talk to. I had to introduce them to Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I think they really enjoyed themselves watching it. Especially 15 Degrees off Cool with Bill Engvall with the Thunderbirds.
We also got to take a trip on tuesday to Nottingham. Ray had to go to his class so Stuart and I walked around and adventured throughout the city. We got to see Nottingham Castle, which they have turned into a museum. And we also went on a tour in Galleries of Justice. It was definately an experience I will not soon forget. I dont really want to get into all the details here, but if you wish to know more about it, just ask, I have taken a few pictures and have quite a few stories and impressions. Then after this we got hungry so we decided to go eat at a Thai resturant. I was hungry for Pad Thai. But it was nothing like what I was used to, it was good, but not what I wanted. After this we went into a few neat shops and looked around then walked back to the bus and got a ride back to the Park and Ride where we met Ray at the car. I know that I dozed off a few times on the hr and a half ride back home and I think Stuart did as well.
We also went to a place called Donna Nook. Its where the grey seals and harbor seals come ashore and have their pups. According to the records they had there was about 99 pups on the beach at the moment. It was so neat seeing all the different ages of Pups and all the seals. I have seen seals at Seaworld or the Zoo but never in the wild untouched like this. Some were right up against the fence and you could almost touch them (but wouldnt advise it). They are the largest mammal in Britain. I found out a lot about them from this trip. It only takes a few seconds for a pup to be born, and they will nurse for about 18 days at which point their mothers will leave them to pretty much fend for themselves. The pups are all white and fluffy looking. I got to see one almost right after it was born. 
When we got there we walked down the right side of the beach and then we walked up the left side, then walked back to the middle and had a lil picnic which Ray prepared. Tuna sandwiches and tomato soup which was very good. During the picnic we noticed that the Military aircrafts were flying overhead and doing pratice bomb drops. This didnt phase the seals at all. Sometimes it got very loud with the seals and the jets flying over head. But it was beautiful. Then we walked back to the left side of the beach and noticed a pup that was recently born. It was all wet still and very wobbly and the mother still had bloody stains from passing the baby. I got a few cute pictures of the baby and mother. I could have stayed there all day but we had to head back.
I fell in love with Toby and Billy (Billy didnt fall much in love with me though... especially my camera) they are Jo and Ray's dogs. So cute, they got to sleep in my room with me for the week. Billy slept at the foot of my bed, but by the end of the night took up more than just the foot (2/3 of the bed). But thats okay cuz I am used to that sleeping with Mariah. I wanted to take Toby home with me, but Madre said I would have to find somewhere else to live if I brought him home.
I also got to meet Stuart's grandparents. They were very nice and they were funny. We had some interesting discussions. Most of them revolved around the little skit of "Why when I was young....luxury.... and we were lucky.... we were happy" Quite funny! I also got to meet Ray's cousin Carol and her husband. They were really nice. We ate soooo much food though, wow. Great Food.
I just want to send out a very special thanx to Jo and Ray for having me over and for everything that they did for me during the stay. I will never forget your kindness. And I hope you were serious in your offer.. I may just take you up on that offer! If you ever need someone to take care of the place/dogs when you guys go on vacation, lemme know! hehe. I have to admit that it was hard leaving Lincolnshire, I did have a few tears in my eyes as we drove off. They truely were great people and I hope to see them again sometime. If you guys ever make it to the US, I want you to know I will try to accommodate you guys as you have done for me. I may not have a ton of little bits of useless information, but I am sure I can make some up *winks*
