Learning about the English in Southwest England

Just so you all can see that I actually learned something while I was over in England having fun, here are some pictures with what I learned.

Very pituresque thatched cottages, just like the ones on the calendars. Actually, they ARE the ones on the calendars!
I bet you know this place. It was very parky the whole time we were in England.
Parky- the word of the day: nothing to do with parks, though you often feel it in parks. It means chilly - a chill that runs straight through you.

This is the pub we stayed at. Life there is just like in the films. The village gathers, chats and gossips - no tv, though, thank God!

One of the hounds waiting for a pint of Old Speckled Hen (very tasty, bitter ale - and not warm). This is actually the pooch of the house, and the owner of the pub is in the background. He is a VERY good cook and treated us to Monday roast, chicken and ham pie, crumble, and spotted dick - all very British!
Posh cream tea time at the Roman Baths in Bath.
The word of the day: Clotted cream- basically sweet butter that has been whipped.
Preparation of scones: first the strawberry jam, then the clotted cream.
Preparation of tea: first the milk, then the sugar if desired, then the brewed tea. In posh places you will always be able to top off the tea (add fresh hot water to the brewed tea).

Postcard from Sardinia

Hi everyone
This is where I spent my time relaxing in the shade of the veranda. Every morning there was a spectacular sunrise over the sea, turning the dark sky into a vibrant ball of fire. Then the bells began ringing as the sheep made their way through the brush to be fed by the shepherd just on the other side of the fence.

We also ate most of our lunches and dinners here as we enjoyed the peacefulness in between swims and trips into the countryside.

I hope you also had a great time!

Yours
Illya
PS: I'd love to get a postcard from you too!

Baaa

A bad start to an even longer holiday

Seattle skyline from the ferry in the Puget Sound



Well, I tried to get on the plane today, but between fresh snow on the roads and a rule I didn't know about, it looks like I'm going to have to enjoy myself even longer here. Ahhh ;-)

Apparently, I should have taken my Swiss ID with me even though I was told not to, so they aren't letting me out of the country. After the first shock, I decided to go with the flow and join the happy spirit my mother was engaging in.

So you will have a rather jet-lagged lesson on Tuesday. I'll give you the whole story then, but until then, why don't you get back into the swing of things and leave your story of what might have happened to me and how I intend to get back here on the blog.

In the meanwhile, here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy.
This is the view taken from our balcony. This is the house mountain of Seattle - Mount Rainier.

Alligators

I missed the White House since we weren't given permission to fly over the area, let alone make a short landing to say hi, but I did manage to get a couple of pictures of alligators. They run around here freely and are protected. Since the winter is only just over, they aren't out much yet, but the temperatures have risen to 20 degrees and so we did manage to see 2!
One was pretty big and the other was just a baby. You have to look for the little one below!

Greetings from Croatia

Hi everyone
After a great time in Croatia and then a very busy working weekend, I've finally had time to come and see what's on the blog.
WOW!
I am so impressed by the posts on here and it's really thrilling to see the pictures and read about the holidays, books and other messages you've left here.

So now it's my turn.
The 2 weeks in Croatia were lovely with only rainy day. We went swimming amost every day, but it was rather chilly both in the water and in the air. The beaches are rocky or are pebbly beaches, but we did manage to find one sandy beach, as you can see :-D

Although I love Sardinia, the one thing I miss there is abound in Croatia - culture. It's everywhere! The towns and cities are just full of history and the cities went through different rulerships. Of course, Venetian towners are everywhere.

The city of Dubrovnik was a highlight. By now I've seen quite a few cities in Europe, but never anything like this. It is so old and built differently than any other city I've ever seen. It's as old as Rome too. The scars of war are still visible, however, as they are in the countryside.

On the way to the lovely national parks they have we drove by several fields which are still infested by mines from the Yugoslavian war.

The Croatian people are very friendly and you are treated as a guest there, and the seafood is delicious. I also brought home honey with nuts in it - a delightful speciality of the area, along with olive oil and good wine.