Friday, June 27, 2008

So far, very good

We're in Wales today, and its grey and cold (about 50), and we are loving it. Wales is full of tiny towns, green hills, and loads of sheep. We are at the Red Lion Inn, and its so old - timber and plaster walls, slightly crooked floors, BUT with all the modern amenities, like a large warm shower, big fluffy towels, soft beds, TV, and free WiFi. :-)

The flight over was pretty uneventful, smooth sailing, except try as hard as they might, the kids did not sleep at all on the flight. They were bickering bitterly as soon as they got into the back seat of our rental car. 5 miles later, both of them were asleep, slack jawed, and stayed that way until we got to Tewkesbury. Its a little village on the River Avon, and we easily found my parents and their "long boat". As I've mentioned before, its a skinny long boat, like an RV on the water. The kids did pretty well with just their backseat cat nap, and enjoyed steering the boat up the river.

The boat is a great way to see the English countryside. Anna and Colin loved feeding the geese, swans, and ducks. The second day we had some terrific Cornish Pasties for lunch, and a fabulous Indian meal for dinner. However, when we sat down for the Indian meal, Colin started eating pompadums, but soon looked like a slowly deflating balloon, until eventually his head was rolling on the table. He fell sound asleep on his Grandad's lap and didn't get to eat any of his lovely Biriyani. Well, he did go to the great park on the riverside THREE times, as well as walking all over town, and spending all morning boating in the sunshine and fresh air. I even got a slight sunburn!

Today we drove to Pembroke (as in P. Welsh Corgi - didn't see any, but I did see a mutt with suspiciously short legs). There is a huge castle there built in the 1100s. It was drizzly but the kids spent hours climbing up and down every tiny spiral staircase up every tower. The history is palpable in these old stones.

Tonight we're going to eat fish & chips, and tomorrow is the big birthday luncheon. Hopefully I'll be able to post again before leave this wonderful pub.

5 comments:

mainlyclearskies said...

Glad you're having a good time! I have no trouble sleeping on the plane. Or in a car. Or wherever. :)

Sinda said...

It sounds wonderful, and I DO wish I were there!

Anonymous said...

I love traveling vicariously through my bloggy friends. Too funny about the mutt with the short legs! And I think I'd be with the kids, running up those spiral staircases (I love those!), and falling asleep at a meal. Can't wait to read the next installment.

Alissa said...

Sounds awesome! Glad you are having a fun time.

Unknown said...

Thought of you guys so often today, wishing I were there to celebrate. It helped that it was a beautiful day here so we were busy making drip castles on the sandbar out in the water. But still, a big part of me felt the tug all the way across the Atlantic.
Keep the updates coming. We enjoy the read!