Girls' visit

Well, as you know, I've been expecting and anticipating the visit of 4 of my Algonquin friends for months. The time finally came ... unfortunately the weekend at the Savoy got a little ruined, but just for me, because I was really sick. They had a good time and took lots of pictures - I was disappointed that I couldn't go, but don't think I would have had much fun anyway. But, following the weekend they came back to my place (I was feeling much better), and we started our week. The first day we headed to Bath, where I've been many times, but this time we did a Redbus tour which was something different. It was fun doing some of the same stuff again anyway - like the Roman Baths. AND, the weather was actually sunny - I don't think I've ever seen Bath in the sun!


On Wednesday we had a Salisbury day where we visited Mompesson House and tea room, and the girls did some shopping. Later in the afternoon we took the Salisbury Cathedral spire tour - this is something I've wanted to do for awhile ... it was insane! There were hundreds of steps to climb up - but that wasn't even the worst part. Plus, Malcolm, our tourguide had to be at least 75 years old, so we figured 'if he can do it, we should be able to'! The worst part were the teeny weeny, super narrow, steep and winding staircases leading up into the tower! I'm not usually afraid of heights, but this was almost too much, even for me. Our guide gave us lots of really interesting information and talked about how some of the trees used in the construction of the vaulted ceiling (which we saw from the opposite side) were 1000 years old! He also pointed out some of the medieval and later construction techniques that were used, such as wooden dowels rather than screws to hold the logs together. We got to go outside at the top of the tower and saw some fantastic views of Salisbury and the surrounding countryside.Very cool.


On Thursday we drove up toward Oxford to Blenheim Palace; this is the home, rather palace, that Winston Churchill was born in in 1874. We took in an exhibit on his life, and then took a tour of some parts of the home. It is still the official residence of the Duke of Marlborough, so people live there! Pretty amazing since it is said to be one of the finest palatial homes in Britain ... following the house tour we visited the expansive gardens. There were the pleasure gardens which included a maze, a butterfly house, a huge park for kids, mini putt etc. Also, the secret garden was a smaller garden featuring small streams, waterfalls, fountains and really pretty foliage. Apart from Melanie falling out of tree and scraping up her shoulder pretty bad, it was a good time - it was a very long day - we spent the WHOLE day there to get our 16.50 gbp worth, but lots of fun.



Friday morning we drove up to Old Wardour Castle where I sat and read while the girls took the audio tour (been there, done that) ... sadly, by the time we got back home I wasn't feeling well again :( We had to cancel our plans to visit Avebury and while I slept all afternoon the girls had a movie day and a UNO championship. On Saturday they trained into Cardiff, Wales and I took it easy - wish I could have gone though. Sunday was the day for Mel and Melissa to head home, and Jen and Giselle headed off on a backpacking adventure in Scotland.

So ... I sit here alone again! Peter is home tomorrow so its not been too bad - he's been away in Brauschweig (sp.?), Germany since last Sunday. We realized the other day on the phone that he only has 2 more trips until the end of the course! One short trip in October for a few days, which he says is a 'fun' trip, as opposed to a 'work' trip. Then, a long 2 week trip in November - that will be challenging for him and for me! But, after that he's pretty much done and by early December he'll be on a month long vacation before we return home to Canada - which in case I haven't mentioned before, I am starting to really look forward too (no offence England)! Also, the end of the girls week here also meant the end of visitors coming from home ... that just reminds me how fast the time is flying! So, as always, it was great to have the girls here and we had a lot of fun :)

Team PM

Peter's a 'knight'

Peter got back from Sweden on Saturday ... he had a great time, especially the day that he got to fly in the Gripen. The Gripen is a 4th generation fighter plane made by Saab in Sweden (yes, the same as Saab who make cars). This is apparently quite an incredible accomplishment since the population of Sweden is only 8 million. During the flight, they pulled 7g, which is nothing for this aircraft as it can pull up to 9.3g! The reason they weren't allowed to surpass 7g was because recently a guy had carried out an inadvertent ejection by pulling more than that!! Needless to say, I am glad that 7g was the maximum :)


Because he was priveleged to be one of the few people who get to fly in a Gripen (under 1000 have flown it) he automatically became a knight in the 'Order of the Gripen' ... this is some weird airforce/military tradition ... anyway, as part of the process Peter was required to write a poem about his flight in the Gripen and the pilot he flew with. Then, on Friday night there had a formal dinner (Peter wore his new suit) where each person had to read their poem, and get hit over the head with a small replica of the Gripen. He now has a certificate declaring his 'knighthood' and a picture of the ETPS group who went to Sweden to fly the plane; in the background is the plane itself and its vertical tail is even painted especially with the ETPS colors and logo! Anyway, it was a pretty good time for Peter, he even got to land the plane, which was very exciting (so I hear).


On Friday, the first of my friends arrives from Canada, and then on Saturday we are training in to London to meet the other 3. We are going to have a lot of fun, we'll be staying in the Savoy hotel in London which is a really posh, swanky place! Should be a good weekend - then the 5 of us will come back to Amesbury and the girls are staying for another week and a half - two weeks.

Keep you posted!

Team PM

My parents visit

My parents flew to England last Wednesday for a week long visit. On Thursday we went to Windsor Castle for the changing of the guard, and also to tour the main parts of the castle. We visited Bath on Friday, and for the first time in the many times I've been, it didn't rain! It was really busy though because it was the last week of school holidays, it took us quite awhile to get in and parked. Saturday was market day in Salisbury and then my mom and I went to the Cathedral and hit the shops in town (the boys went home and came back to meet us later). On Sunday they came to church with Peter and I; my Dad had been before so had met many of the people, but it was a first for my Mom. While at church, John, an older man who attends the church invited us to his home, Netherhampton House, for lunch on Monday. But first, Sunday afternoon we went to the New Forest for a picnic lunch - our lunch was interrupted by some wild pigs who were trying to check out our lunch! Peter had to chase them off with a stick! Finally they left, and we were able to eat in peace. Back to John - he is a retired antiques dealer who used to use Netherhampton House to display the antiques he sold. Since retiring many of the rooms are empty, but are filled with paintings that he does in his spare time. So, on Monday at noon we headed there for lunch; John showed us around the extensive gardens and property which included a magnolia tree and a fig tree. Lunch was really good - John has a cook who comes 3 times a week to prepare his food ... she was a good cook! We sat and talked for a long time after lunch, and then once we left I took my parents up to Old Wardour Castle. It was a really sunny day and nice for exploring the castle and grounds. On Tuesday we headed to Bournemouth for the day. It was really warm and sunny out and we sat on the pier and had tea ... walked down the beach a bit, and then had lunch and did some shopping. It was a nice week, and the weather was fairly warm to my Dad's great enjoyment, but Mom enjoyed the dip in temperature at night ;)




Peter left early Monday morning for Sweden and returns on Saturday. He's there to fly the Gripen, which he was pretty excited about. Next week, I have 4 friends arriving from Ottawa for 2 weeks - so that should be a fun time ... I'm sure I'll have lots of stories and pics to post!

Team PM