One quickly remembers what English weather is like. Our last couple of visits have not been timed for the greatest of weather and this week has proven to be not much different. Monday was an absolute misery. I thought the house was going to blow over on Monday night, the rain was so loud and the winds so high. We did manage to make it out of the house a couple of times on Monday though. Once down to the local Tesco to pick up some groceries (read - English treats like cream cakes, Hula Hoops and cheesecake), the second time was without Nana to another nearby town to see the new James Bond flick and have a lovely Italian dinner.
Tuesday was, of course, Grandad's funeral. It was a nice day, all things considered. The weather cleared so at least we didn't have to deal with pouring rain. All the other siblings arrived with time to spare before the limo picked us up and we headed to the crematorium for the service. The local vicar (who had the biggest smile I've ever seen) conducted a pleasant service and after a brief gathering in the courtyard, we made our way back to the local pub for a reception. It was nice to catch up with a bunch of Nana and Grandad's friends, some of which had been at our wedding and others that I have met over the years in England. It was also nice to spend a bit of time with Papa's extended family, including meeting his half-brother for the first time. The guests were all gone by 4:30pm, leaving us to a quiet evening. Papa and I went out for a quick walk around the "20 minutes" and had another stop at the pub before heading home.
Today was an excursion day. After a bit of a sleep-in (definitely one of the highlights of this trip), we got ourselves organized for a trip cross-country to an outlet mall and outside garden. Getting places in England is never quick. The trip took us about an hour. We wandered around for a bit and after perusing the lunch options (cafeteria, tea cart and pub with a limited menu) we sat down for our jacket potato and salad lunch in the cafeteria. Papa and I were amazed at the number of people....and it was only a Wednesday. We finished up our shopping with a trip to Thornton's for some chocolates and then chased the sun back home. There was still some daylight when we got back so I quickly doned my running clothes and headed off for a long over due run into the sunset. Obviously a 10 day break from exercise, coupled with many days of sitting (at work, in a car, on a plane, on a train), made for uncooperative joints. My hip did not like the run down the hill into Oakham, but seemed happier on the way back up. It was completely dark by the time I got back at 5pm. Thankfully I was running along a bike path and didn't need to worry about the traffic racing past me and the beautiful full moon lit the path along the way.
Tonight is soccer night. Papa made us a scrumptious pork and chorizo sausage stew, courtesy of Delia Smith and is now settled in to watch tonight soccer match - Tottenham vs. Liverpool. I'm in the last 1/4 of my book so will likely push through that tonight and find my way to the bookstore tomorrow for a replacement. It was fun to talk to both Auntie E and Grandma Lady today on Skype. A testament of the advantages of technology. I'm definitely missing my schmoogies, despite the sleeping in and leisurely evenings reading, but am glad to know they are having such a great time and behaving well for their Grandma Lady.
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