ENGLAND

This could also be titled: Be careful what you wish for.

I was looking forward to a break from being in a country where I don't understand most of the language, but now we are in a country where I (usually) understand the language, and it rains most of the time. I now know that it would be difficult for me to voluntarily live somewhere without a lot of sunshine. Oh, how I miss my California weather!

On the plus side, we are enjoying the wonderful history and beauties of England. After we made it across the English Channel on a ferry (car and all!), we found some interesting views from our "flat." On one side, we have a view of a castle:

On the other side, we have a view of a marina. It also has a lock, and it is fascinating to watch ships go through the lock.

As I was walking recently, I found some swans in the marina. They were obviously disappointed when I didn't have any food for them.

Eric and I just signed up at a "Leisure Center" nearby where we will be able to get some exercise, no matter what the weather is like! It also has tennis courts available. We recently went to a drop-in tennis night and had a good game of doubles. I was so happy to get back to doubles -- I have really missed it!

For Thanksgiving, we went to a restaurant and tried to get some traditional U.S. food. We were not very successful with that, but we both had decadent desserts:

A few days later, an American (married to a man from the UK) invited us to a more traditional Thanksgiving meal, so we didn't miss out at all. Eric had his pumpkin pie, and I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed some chocolate pie (not usually my favorite). Since it is apparently impossible to find typical graham crackers, she made the pie crust with English biscuits, and it was very tasty!