My sweet boy Kermit

On November 19 we said goodbye to one of the best dogs I have ever had the pleasure of knowing! I remember how tired he made me those first few weeks. It has been three months now and I still miss and cry for him every day.
Well, dumb bunny Ardee somehow not sure yet how got involved with a very cute pup we are calling Badger (as in the Honey Badger) started out as Levi but who knows if we will keep these names.
He is a three month old puppy that was dumped in Orange County. Full tail and tri colored English Springer Spaniel. Right now we are working on house training him but his sharp razor teeth are viscous I tell you! At least I can keep a blog about how he changes and grows! He is a sweet boy even if he isn't my Kermit boy.
The thing that I find odd is we got Badger three months to the day we lost our Kermit. If only I believed in reincarnation. Then this dog would be my boy. I wish.

I guess I had to come home sooner or later?

After the war museum on Monday the three of us, Terry Albert and myself headed back to Wandsworth for a drink at the Lord Spencer pub which is now my second favorite pub where a dog is there on site.  This dog was Charlie and he is an English Pointer.  Larger then our pointers but so beautiful and sweet.

After a quick visit here Anne and I headed home while Terry and Albert sat and relaxed some more.

At home Anne once again made the most beautiful meal! It was a meat cheese Guinness pie with a pastry top. Another Jamie Oliver recipe.  She was kind enough to copy some of these recipes for me, guess I will have to make them now.

Oh my goodness I think I really made a pig of myself and ate much more then I should have. We had a few different kinds of potatoes and Anne introduced me to a Potato  ricer.    You do have to use a little back bone and I find that if I make a funny face it helps.  That little device makes the smoothest potatoes I have ever had.  She also made new potatoes and mashed a few of those with truffle oil.  Something I had never thought of using before but I think it would be nice to use that every now and then. 

We also tried a new drink called a “Black Velvet”  It is sparkling wine and Guinness.  Terry liked it more then I did.  I think that going home on Wednesday could save me from gaining a lot of weight.  For dessert we had sticky toffee pudding.  Another goodie that I have a recipe for.

 

Tuesday May 18, last full day in London.  IN the morning Anne tended to her yard, cutting the grass and making her yard even prettier then it already was. Anne actually takes her lawn clipper up and down stairs to her basement when it isn’t in use. 

Terry and Albert were off that morning to the Royal Air Force museum to visit airplanes.  I am sure they both had a great time.  We had other plans.  In the morning Anne and I went into Wandsworth for some last minute shopping.  First Terry and I got another suitcase.  We only brought 3 and could have taken 4 so why not.  Besides, between the two of us and the jams, curd and china mugs we got (for proper tea) we needed the room.  So after making my new bad choice Anne and I went to Sainsbury to buy some items to take home.  Sweet golden sponge that can be heated in the microwave, this is a new favorite of mine and I will have to look into figuring out how to make it.  A can of mushy peas, a can of golden syrup sponge dessert (a different kind) a jar of treacle or golden syrup and some other odds and ends that could be fun to have and I wouldn’t find at home.

Now we packed everything up in my new suitcase and headed back. 

After unloading the suitcase we dropped everything off at their house and then headed off to Kew Gardens.  At the Putney station we saw a nice garden dedicated to someone who loved gardens and rowing; They took the long boats and planted the trees inside them. 

I was so excited about going to Kew, and had wanted to go there for quite a bit of time.  I had seen some photos of a Dale Chaluly (sure it is spelled wrong) glass installation a few years back that Anne was able to see and I just wanted to see the Royal gardens!

Upon entering there was a beautiful larger then life seed pods that had been done in wood! this first one was a Chestnut seed (Conker as Albert called it) I like this money plant one.   I should have some of those in my yard when I get home. 

Then we were walking through the grounds.  Bearded Iris were blooming, and they are among my favorite of mine.

In one of the first houses we went to we viewed some carnivorous plants.  Some were said to even be able to digest a rat!

In other houses we saw large plants in full bloom.  I couldn’t believe how big some of them were.  I have to confess I took almost 200 photos that day, we went into some green houses that were full of water lily’s   but on our way into one location we saw this peacock just showing off for fun!  He was posing and beyond beautiful! he even gave us a view of his backside, There were families of geese that had young chicks of all ages. The Palm house was so large and the views from inside were beyond description; you could climb high above the trees and look out over the grounds of Kew as well as over the tree tops. After visiting the treed area we saw a class of beautiful young school girls outside in their summer uniforms.  Made me think of the books Madeline that I read so much as a child.

As you can guess we spent quite a few hours there.  Right before we left we had some lovely tea ad scones with clotted cream and some yummy jam, then off to the Water Lily, GIANT water lily’s  Unbelievable!

Anne told me the giant ones are so big you could even stand on them.  We even had the chance to see the bluebells in bloom, the colors were just wonderful.

After meeting the guys for a drink at the Adelaide, where the temperature couldn’t have been nicer we headed off to a Greek restaurant for a last meal together.  

What a great trip it had been.  Good friends, beautiful locations and memories that I will keep forever.  At the end of the evening we gave Albert a big hug that said until next time.  Terry and I look forward to a future gathering at locations unknown. 

 

Wednesday there was no ash cloud to prevent our departure and after a last full English breakfast we had an hour to spare before we departed.  Off to the Allotment where Anne had a plot of land with her neighbor Laurie.  I was glad to get to see the plants that were going to take up so much time but were so worth it. 

I guess the real world beckons us and when my brain catches up to my body, after a bit of time I hope to do a book and use some of the close to 1,200 photos that were taken on this great trip!

 

Thanks Anne and Albert for a trip that was wonderful and of beauty and  many many laughs.  I never imagined that I would be able to see so much of the UK in 3 weeks.  Annes plans were beyond great!  Cheers till next time.

War Museum

So off Terry, ALbert and I went to the  Imperial War Museum.  It is in a beautiful old building but very modern inside.  Out in front are great big guns that I am sure terry could tell you all about, but I can’t.

Inside were actual planes, tanks etc. used in various conflicts.  we also saw the very old motorcycle once owned by T. E .Laurence of Lawrence of Arabia

In the museum we were able to go into the Trenches and experience what it might have been like and a simulated Blitz.  It must have been very hard.

The museum also host a wonderful exhibit on the Holocaust.  It took about 3 hours to visit that and was very moving.

To be continued…

How can it be almost time to come home?

Got back to London on Sunday.  Rained a bit of the time coming back and Terry did more driving then Albert!  I couldn’t have done it, the driving.  Made me a bit crazy. I did scare him when I took the photo.  The flash went off and he thought it was a camera flash for the traffic lights.  Just realized I didn’t give you any update after Scotland!

Well we went down on Friday May 14 to the Edmond’s friends Mark and Sarah.  They are a very nice couple that have known Anne and Albert for years!  They live near Knutsford which is where Anne and Albert lived prior to London.  They have the cutest dog Archie who is a working Spaniel.  Very smart and so cute.  Made me miss my Kermit! Sara made a nice dinner and we had great birthday cake. 

The next morning we were off to a great walk nearby. Marbary county park.  We walked for almost 2 hours and also went to see the Anderton Boat lift which is the only one of its kind here. it was nice to see the boats along the canal again.  I think I would want to walk out here every day!  After we went to the Spinner and Bergamot for some great lunch.  I love that pubs allow dogs to come in. We really enjoyed Mark and Sarah’s company and getting to meet them. Went out to dinner that night and stayed up much later then I should have.

 

 

The next day we went on a little walk with Archie near Mark and Sarah’s home.  Odd to see cows right next to a golf course? Met some of Archie’s litter mates from the breeder  What a pretty breed.

 

Drive home to London. 

Got back to London wet and cold, but it looks as if it is our last bit of rain! after getting back we hit the pub before dinner (which Anne made another wonderful one)

 

Yesterday, May 17 Terry Albert and I went to the war museum.  To be continued…