Busy W Days - Wisley - Windsor - Warwick - Wimbledon -

Saturday... Am thoroughly enjoying the days- beautiful weather.  I keep telling them I brought the sunshine with me!  Even with the kitchen all torn up we all manage quite well and K. and I headed to a local shop to pick out some floor samples.  Since I'd had enough of the big city for awhile, I ended up spending most of Saturday at home, working the vegetable and flower gardens – definitely getting some much needed exercise and prepared a bed and planted 12 tomato plants.  I found myself “surprised” as I used the pitchfork to dig the ground up… it was sooooo soft compared to trying to dig in Arizona!  K. and her “fella” D. got a chance to relax with his Dad and wife who came for a weekend visit, and later Kath took me to an amazing nearby Garden… Wisley RHS (Royal Horticulture Society).  So relaxing to walk around an already completed garden and enjoy all the plantings, and between the two of us we were able to name quite a lot of them!  Lots of amazing roses and I always enjoy Bonsai Trees. We found a small pagoda type pavilion at one end and an enormous glasshouse at the other that felt like you’d entered a jungle!  Then headed towards the sounds of jazz playing at the small café and everyone was either sitting at tables or on the grass enjoying it.   We had to dash to make it home in time for D.’s barbecue dinner!

  

At the start of the Garden Tour

Those are ... 5 blooms on one stem!

Sunday... Around 1:30 pm (or 13:30 as they use the 24 hr clock over here for everything) the 4 of us ended up at a local Pub for a “real Sunday Dinner” (I had roast beef!) and then we all went for a walk in the nearby park.  K. even had the energy to drive a bit further and take me to the town of Windsor.  We arrived after Windsor Castle closed, but I got a good sense the town and how to go so will definitely take the train over and play tourist when I can schedule it after my return from Spain.   We had fun just walking around and I spied some neat pastries in a window and thought I’d be nice and buy 3 pastries for the morning.  We were flabbergasted when he said our total was £11.85  - talk about captive audience!   That’s almost $20 for 3 pastries!!!  They were good, just NOT that good.  We also ended up walking across a small bridge and lo and behold… we’re in Eton!  Here’s a link for it if you’re interested.  Neat buildings.  Caught a snap of a young man coming out of the library in his famous robes.

 Monday, turned out to be a travelling day, as D. was nice enough to let me tag along on a business trip he had to take, to Warwick – 2 hours north of London and about 96 miles from the house. (yes, although they drive on the opposite side of the road they still compute distance in miles).   He had his meeting and I got a chance to visit the famous Warwick Castle (over 1000 yrs old!) and took loads of pictures!  Did I mention that we drove K.’s car?  A really fun TT Audi, and we even got to put the top down on the way back!

Amazing Buffet hand carved from a single tree

 

This is for you Ronni!!

Tuesday… We are all planning on taking the late train to do see some late tennis matches at Wimbledon.  Tickets cheaper after 6pm.   Went by train and walked a mile to stadium all up hill!

Wednesday… Yes, we went to Wimbledon, but “things” just sort of worked out oddly and due to MY FAULT, I misplaced K. & D. and ended up walking around it by myself while they were in a tizzy outside looking for me.  LONG story, and I feel really bad about it.  Amazing how you think you are doing something right and it all falls apart!!!  They are still talking to me, thank goodness!

Both K. & D. had long work days today and since I will be departing for Spain tomorrow morning I had a lot to do as I spent the day finishing the gardening (14 lettuce plants in!) with more weeding and 2 other beds prepared.  Had to repack and of course do some hand washing but also managed to grab a much needed NAP!   So am finishing this UK section up for now.  Not sure how I will manage to add to it while in Spain but will give it a go!  The flight only takes about 2 hours and I have a ride from the airport already set up along with 2 tours I sorted out with the AAA office, all day tours – Friday is to Toledo and then Sunday is to Avila-Segovia with a “Gastronomic Lunch” which should prove interesting!  Will have the days in-between to just relax and wander Madrid!  Then on July 2 will meet up with friend C. and head to Malaga for Photo Course.  Finally got my bank account sorted out today, so have some Euros to spend!   Ta ,Ta till later!