Props to Brandon and Abbey (Abby)

Well, this is my farewell post. I have long wanted to be a blog poster, but never seemed to have any news to warrant a blog. This week afforded me the chance to live the wandsworth life which of course tends to be a little more interesting than everyday life.
Yesterday I alluded to our boat ride briefly. This was a boat ride along the Jurassic coast from Bournemouth to Swannig. Swannig happens to be a beach where M& B have camped. The water and the cliffs were very beautiful. We then ate at a world famous fish and chips restaurant called Harry Ramsden.
Before the boat ride, B and I were treated to a wonderful facial at a salon. This was a special European experience for us and a first for each of us.
Our day ended yesterday with a trip on the train back to Wandsworth.
Today we attempted to see as much of London as possible as it was our last day here. We began our adventure - where else of course, but on a bus. This is a quite handy way to get around. We headed to Westminster Abbey and read many a tombstone while in there. It was quite impressive. We worked up an appetite for a pasty at Cornish Pasty Co. No these were not pastries. Pasty has meat and vegetables inside a baked folded crust. We were entertained outside by a street entertainer while we ate. We then headed off to the National Gallery. B agreed to be the tour guide as she led us to the highlights - this took about an hour and a half. You can ask us which painters are our favorites if interested but this might be one of those times when only MLJ would want to know such details. We did see Renoir, Monet, Gaugin ,da Vinci and many others.
Now it was time to head to Buckingham Palace - a long walk down the mall, which they are already preparing for the queen's birthday parade in 2 weeks. Today was very warm and sunny and people were out everywhere in Green Park and Hyde Park. We snuck a peek at 10 Downing Street as we passed by that. After looking at Kensington Palace and Gardens, we rode the tube back over to the river where we ate at an Italian restaurant overlooking the river at Putney. We feel like we got to see quite a bit today and our feet feel like it too. We are so glad to see where M&B live and get a taste of their european life. It was so interesting to hear english accents for a week as well as hearing people speaking french and german all around you. We sadly leave you now, blog reader as we must depart in the morning for US of A. KJ

Having a lie in at Bournemouth

(mom, we were sans internet in Bournemouth, hence no blog last night)
Well, we just arrived back from our anniversary surprise trip to the coast 2 hours away. Heard of Isle of Wight? well we didn't go there but we did see it by boat today!! But I get ahead of myself. May I explain the blog title first. the british refer to sleeping in as having a lie in, so that is what we got to do this morning before we had our full english breakfast of bacon, sausage, egg on fried toast, toast, tea, tomato and mushroom.
Yesterday when we arrived in Bournemouth via train, we got a map and walked to our hotel. It is called the Langtry Manor. (MJ, for more details on this hotel, you can visit www.langtrymanor.com. Maybe it will have pictures.) I definitely recommend it if you have a special anniversary coming up and you happen to be on this side of the ocean.
As we arrived we were immediately served hot tea and homemade biscuits (cookies). Then we were surprised to learn we would be in Room 22 - the date of our anniversary. After we looked at our beautiful four poster bed/jacuzzi room we walked a short way to the beach where we spread a blanket and ate a picnic lunch which M and B had packed.We then strolled along the beach for a while and then through the town where there were lots of flowers and parks and shops. Then back to the hotel to hang out until our 8:00 dinner reservations at the hotel. This was to be quite the fancy meal. As we sat in the lounge area, we were served an appetizer tray of olives, cheese tray, and avocado relish by our host in suit and tie. He then handed us the menus so that we could choose our starter and main course. B and I had seared yellowfin tuna with artichoke and coriander salad. M had goat cheese and R had one ravioli with ham hock and mustard sauce.All of these were very decorative to look at. The main course for B and R was lamb and K and M had sea bass with artichokes.
Then as planned by M and B but unbeknownst to us, we were presented with a special anniversary dessert that was a meringue in the shape of two swans. At this time the servers delivered us a parchment wishing us a happy silver anniversary that had our name printed on it. We are planning to frame it as a memento of a very special evening. Then came our other dessert!! M, B and I had chocolate and cherry fondant (the cherries seemed to have a little kick to them) with ice cream. This was definitely the best chocolate anything I have ever tasted. R had a raspberry souffle. As another special surprise two older English couples stopped on their way out of the dining room to inquire about our home of origin and what anniversary we were celebrating. This turned out to be quite the memorable and romantic dinner.
I increased my knowledge of some more British words - trainers means tennis shoes.
You are now filled in up through this morning's breakfast. Alas, since it is after midnight I will have to tell the 2nd half of the bournemouth blog tomorrow. Pictures will hopefully be added tomorrow. KJ