Wimbledon 2009

This year, I thought it was a good time for Ed and I to go to Wimbledon together. Ed had never been, and I hadn't been in 4 years so before I headed back to Canada and Ed to South Korea we made plans to go see the tennis. Friends of ours, Chris and Serena very kindly allowed us to stay at their house which is actually in Wimbledon. Ed and I had a great time visiting with both Chris and Serena and their children so that was an added bonus to the tennis. The weather seemed promising, so on the Saturday morning we headed out with a packed lunch, sunscreen, a hat and an umbrella. From past experience and advice from the marshals, I knew we were in for a good old shlep waiting to actually get into the grounds. We arrived at about 8:30am, and got in at 5:07pm. And there were still people queuing behind us! My last experience of the Wimbledon Queue left me horribly burned so I took extra precautions this time; for one thing I applied my 60+ sunscreen way more often supplemented by hiding under my hat and big red umbrella. Secondly, I took frequent naps while in the queue. This queue is not just waiting in line, it's an event of its own! The English are well known for their queues so if you must be in one, be in the queue for Wimbledon. You get stickers saying you queued, news papers with free stuff, and best of all you meet great people. For instance, Ed and I spent most of the time chatting with an Irish teacher, a teacher couple from Kent, and a Law intern from Purdue University. However once you cross the bridge and enter the grounds you shake hands and go your separate ways. Ed and I grabbed a Pimm's (£6.30 a glass!!) and sat and watched some doubles matches. We thought of going and sitting on Murray Mound (or Henman Hill) but there wasn't a blade of grass to be spared! Nonetheless it was a wonderful experience and one I intend to repeat in the years to come. Perhaps though I'll splash out on a ticket for one of the bigger courts, or maybe I'll just get to the queue a 5am??

Welcome!!
The Grounds at 8:30am, our first glimpse.
The Queue!!
Note the Sticker (The strawberry)
Inside finally.

A Ladies' doubles match. Cristea is on the left, I saw her play on TV too.
Their score board.
Me with my pricey Pimm's!
Yes, this is a picture of Federer on a TV screen...but it's the closest I got!!
Me with Ed in the stands :)

Bluewater

For a while now, Ed has said that he would take me to Blue Water shopping center. Blue Water is Europe's largest shopping mall, and I had to see it for myself. It's located in a abandoned quarry and has hundreds of shops, restaurants, and a cinema all within the complex. The decision to go was made absolute when Ed's friend said that A&W Rootbeer was available at a sweet shop in Bluewater. I absolutely love A&W's, and have been deprived of it while living in England. I have also been trying to convince Ed that A&W doesn't taste like dentist's mouthwash (?!). After going a bit mad with the pick & mix we came away from the shop with that plus a couple cans of A&W, and a bag of Hersey's kisses. If you ever find yourself in Bluewater, I suggest using a map. I was lucky Ed knew his way round; if it weren't for him, I'd probably still be there!

The Beautiful M40

Yes, alright not your typical blog material however I felt this one deserved a special post. You may recognize the sides of the motorway from The Vicar of Dibley. Feel free to sing along!

"The Lord is my Shepard....
...I shall not want" :)

The Rollright Stones

This weekend, Ed told me he had never been to the Rollright stones! In the almost 4 years we've been together I'm very surprised we haven't been there before now especially seeing as we live less than 30 minutes from them. So after finding Dad's handy little guide book from 1977 we headed out to have a look. Both Ed and I had a go at counting the King's Men stones within the circle. The legend is that no man can count the stones three times and end up with the same number after each count. Any man who does can be granted any wish he wants. A skeptical Ed went round three times and counted 71, 69, and 70. While I counted 76, 75, and 79 so I guess the Witches win again, and non of our wishes will be granted! The weather forecast wasn't optimistic, but luck was on our side because we had bright sun and a light breeze the whole time we were there. I hadn't been there in a couple years, and actually the last time I was there was with my Dad. I guess now I have to brush up on my tour guide spiel, so this was good practice! Here are just a few photos of our little outing.

Ed in the circle of King's Men stones.
A Gorgeous view looking into the South of Oxford from the circle of stones.
Me standing in front of the Whispering Knights.
The King Stone. There's a lovely tale that goes with this one... but I'll let you look it up.
Me with my Eddie in front of the King Stone.

Congratulations Ed B.A.!

This month marks the end of Ed's University career! It's taken four years of dedication, hard studying and some help from Dad's books but he did it! I though that it was highly appropriate to celebrate the momentous occasion with a cake (surprise surprise!). So what better type of cake then a Norse helmet made out of cake (of course)? Well, any trouble I went to was well worth it cause I'm so proud of Ed. It's hasn't been the easiest thing he's ever done, but he got through with flying colours. Well done, Sweety!!

My 23rd Birthday!!

Today, my Mum had to come to terms with her Baby turning 23. And I had a wonderful day to help her along with it! My day started when I arrived at work and was sung Happy Birthday by two of my colleagues. My work was painless and went by quickly, which was a treat. At the end of the end of the day my colleagues surprised me with cake and gifts! Ed was spending the week at my house, so came to pick me up from work. Mum had invited Gill and Sara with Polly, Graham and Dorothy, and Catherine and Mark for dinner, so we had to get a few things done. Mum had got a crown of venison, so it was roasting in the oven when I got home and it smelled gorgeous. I made shmam potatoes, and Ed served wine to all. Catherine provided the cake- She made her famous black forest gateau, and it was sublime! After dinner, we all enjoyed coffee and tea, and chocolates in the living room while I opened my pressies :) I really enjoyed myself, and felt very satisfied after the house was quiet. However things didn't end there. Thursday I went to the quiz night and met my friends there as usual, only this time bringing Ed with me to meet them. Much to my surprise they had baked another cake for me!! This one with our team logo on it, Gus the Orangutan! Though we didn't win the quiz, it didn't matter I had a great time nonetheless. The following night, Ed treated me to a Chinese take out (my favourite of course) so we ate that at home with Mum, who had an egg, while watching one of the movies Ed got me for my Birthday. I had a wonderful Birthday, every moment of it, and thank everyone who contributed!!

Easter 2009!

Happy Easter and happy new beginnings to all! This is a tricky season for us now as it was always one that revolved around church services and therefore reminds us of Daddy. However instead of cutting out church completely, we tried something different. For the first time in a few years, Mum and I went to a Sedar supper at Bloxham church, and it was lovely. It reminded us both of the good times we had at St. George's Sedars. On top of that, we had our own version of the First Light service when the power suddenly went out on Saturday night, plunging us into darkness. We brought light back into the house with candles spread throughout the livingroom. Easter Sunday instead of lamb, we ate whole salmon Mum had baked in the oven, accompanied by lots of fresh veg and new potatoes. And of course, what would Easter be in our house without the army of Easter eggs we've traditionally made throughout the years. As you may know, Mum started making these years ago as a fund raiser for the church. A few years ago I took over, but just made them for our friends and ourselves so made significantly fewer than Mum did! In the end another year done, and another year enjoyed! Hope the Easter Bunny was good to you all.

Squatter in the Bath

One fine sunny day, Mum called down to me from up stairs saying "quick Sarah, look out at the bird bath!!" So, I went straight to the window and saw a humongous pigeon consuming the entire width of the bird bath, and looking very pleased with himself! He remained there for sometime, too. I couldn't resist getting a couple snaps of the latest bath resident, and thought I'd share them.

Spring Time Blossoms

I will never get over how amazing Spring is in England. All the rain this country gets sure does help when the foliage wakes up again after winter. Already there are blossoms all over on cherry and apples trees, and tulips, daffodils, snow drops, forget-me-nots, lobelia, grape hyacinth, regular hyacinth, blue bells, wisteria....and so on and so on are over flowing in gardens and on road sides. The air smells of pollen and nectar and if a breeze picks up it takes thousands of petals from trees with it. Lawn movers are busy everywhere and hedge trimmers are joining in now too. Best of all though, the birds are in full song chirping in the warm sunshine. If only I could show you all of this, but unfortunately I'll have to settle for giving you a glimpse.

Catherine's 27th Birthday!!

Another year....wiser? That'll come later.

To celebrate Catherine's birthday, Mum and I joined Catherine and Mark in Woodstock for dinner at the Woodstock Arms. Everything about the meal was wonderful: the ambiance, our waitress, and of course the meal. Our waitress even managed to find birthday candles especially for Catherine's dessert! The four of us had great catch up, and we got a couple of nice photos to mark the occasion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THING!!!

Shrove Tuesday

Easter and Lent in our house are always filled with many traditions including a meal on Shrove Tuesday. Within our Christian household we saw this as one of the days leading up to Lent, and a time when we should start thinking about what we can do without for Lent. Originally, the name Shrove Tuesday came from the verb shrive, or obtain absolution from sins by making confessions and doing penance. So in order for English Christians to start Lent complete absolved, they were require to shrive. Shrove Tuesday is given other names in other households such as Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras. But whatever you decide to call it, the idea behind the celebration is very similar: Mardi Gras of course is a celebration where you eat rich foods, wearing wonderful costumes, playing music and being joyful and thankful for what you have in life. Pancakes are eaten on Pancake Day as they use up ingredients like fat, sugar, and flour that were often not allowed during the Lenten period.

Pancakes are a classic dish in our family, as we ate them for our Sunday lunch, therefore we gladly ate them on Shrove Tuesday as well. Mum would get out Aunt Jessie Lapworth's electric frying pan, and make the pancakes from a recipe that was taped to the inside of the cupboard door above where the batter would be mixed. There are pale circles in the corner of this frying pan where four pancakes would be poured out to cook, and once tiny one fit perfectly in the middle. This would usually be thrown to us children, to keep us quiet while the rest of the meal was being prepared. All the ceremony surrounding the meal and its meaning are ingrained in me, and I was very much looking forward to our pancakes this year! Mum and I certainly enjoyed our pancakes and Oscer Mayer bacon (you can't usually get that brand over here in England so it was a treat!), but regardless of what you call this day and even what you all do on it, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!