Cotswolds

For the Bank holiday weekend, I picked Clare up in Richmond on Friday and we went to meet Matt and El in the Cotswolds at the same cottage as last time. This time we left earlier and got there at roughly the same time as Matt and El, in time for food and a movie. We were all complete rock stars over the weekend and in bed by 10pm latest (often earlier). Getting old.  

The goose shed - our cottage

The cottage is lovely and very cosy. Though on Saturday morning, I stepped on a very large beetle in our living room. I didn't realise what is was until I flicked it off, still alive and it started crawling over the floor. Yes, there was some screaming involved in this.

The weather was hit and miss most of the weekend. On Saturday we went for breakfast and passed a farm shop on the way back. It has some lovely things including some nice English wines and ciders which we enjoyed over the weekend. And also Chuckleberry jam. It sounds fake but it's amazing! We are all addicted. Initially I brought some to try (given the name, how could I not?) but after we tried it, we had to got back so we could all get some. It's a cross between a recurrent, blackcurrent and a gooseberry. And delicious!

It's real.

On the afternoon we had a walk up the lane and around the fields to the bluebell wood, disturbing  a few sheep on the way.

Hello?

Lambs!

Bluebells.

Clare and Matt strolling ahead.

The bluebell field was very lovely, a thick carpet. 

We carried on walking for a bit along the rapeseed field. The weather doesn't look great but it was dry and reasonably warm.

El, Matt and Clare

We turn back at the yellow brick road. Seriously, that's its name! 

Yellow brick road.

Given that no one really uses the red phone boxes before, Grafton village have put it to another use: a library.

Given the lovely weather (and because I hadn't been to a BBQ in years), we did a BBQ on the evening. We had some slight issues as I remembered everything except matches. We are rubbish at starting fires. We tired the cigarette lighter in my car and then the grill. We got it to smoke a lot but no fire (proving where there is smoke, there doesn't have to be fire!). Clare and El gave up and went to buy matches in the end. I thought Matt and I were getting close to success. :)

Finally. Fire!

BBQ

We even remembered to buy marshmallows to roast over for desert, which is becoming a tradition. Plus it was much warmer sitting by the BBQ. We huddled back inside soon after for another movie.

Toasting marshmallows.

On Sunday we went to Cheltenham. I think we missed the nice part. We ended up walking along your average high street. We did get a nice lunch at TGIF. But we got bored of shopping and went back for more movies, and sandwiches for tea.
And Monday, the weather was not great again, so we went to the cinema and had lunch before we all had to head back. The trip back to London wasn't too bad, though my GPS has decided to start giving me directions in relation to pub locations. That is a new one.

Family BBQ

This weekend, after a very long day trip to London for a very short visit (6+ hours travelling for a 3 minute appointment), on Sunday we went over to Kerry and Craigs for a BBQ in their background. Which is very nice. They even have minions!

Minions!

We are not some exotic. Honest

chilling

 Craig did the cooking, lots of it. And all so good.

man watching fire

All action when the food is ready

They got Tilly out to play too. She loved running around and trying to climb. Though Craig is mean to her sometimes. (The red on her beak is strawberry not lipstick.)

Tortoise seflie

Tormenting Tilly

Umm, lettuce

Going for a climb. 

Desert!

4th July Celebrations.

I have been trying this weekend to get everything done that needs to be done while still having a good holiday week (my timing with the move sucks) and seeing everyone I want to before I leave. And I think I have done pretty well. I have packed the boxes ready to go next week. And I have just sold my chair which, other than the bed which goes tomorrow, was my last piece of furniture. So the next week is not going to be the most comfortable but will make me appreciate furniture all the more in the future. Plus it's a lot easier to clean! (Or would be if I hadn't covered the floor with the things that were in the said furniture.)

Anyway, Cait asked if I want to join her and some friends for the evening on Saturday, Independence Day. I jumped at the chance not to spent the evening packing! Plus, I was secretly hoping someone would ask me to do something for my last (for a while at least) Independence Day. :)

Her friends were so lovely and I really appreciate them letting me join them. The food was amazing, though I only took a photo of the best watermelon ever. (Though Cait thought it was a gun. It is the US of A after all.)

Watermelon flag.

 After nibbles, I played my first ever game of corn hole. I have seen this a lot of tailgate parties (pre-game parties using involving truck tailgates oddly enough) but have never played. The idea is, in teams of 2, to throw the beanbag onto the board (1 point) or through the hole in the board. Cait and I lost miserably - we really weren't very good. But were having too much fun to care.  :)

Playing corn hole. 

After playing and eating, Cait and Lauren practice some of their Acro Yoga. Thankfully they know what they were doing and no one got hurt! It was super impressive. (I wish my balance was that good.)

Flying

The throne

No idea what this one was called but still impressive.

Deb also decided to have a go. They asked if I wanted to to and normally why not? I'd give it a go. But I have 3 flights int the next 2 weeks and really don't need any broken bones. Plus I didn't want to hurt any one! With my current weight and amazing grace (not!), that's more of a certainty than possibility.

Deb flying!

After this we went up to the deck ready for the fireworks. Thanks to the rain in the last few days, the bugs were out in force. I have (thankfully) doused myself in bug spray (I was not going through that again so soon) but I forgot to bring it with me. Cait went to extra lengths to avoid the bugs. 

The ghost that is Cait!

The fireworks were very cool. And, as usual, at the end, they just seemed to set everything off. The deck was perfect for watching the display.

After the fireworks, we rushed back inside to avoid the bug invasion and eat desert. And it was all gluten free so I was in heaven!
We spent a few hours playing card games (I now know some very cool new ones) and Taboo. It was so much fun and I spent most of the night just laughing. A great way to spent the holiday evening. I love all my friend here but I have been missing nights like this with people my own age, so it was great to do that and I really appreciate them including me. :)

Today I spent the morning skyping home, organizing next weekend and finished the boxes (now 90% ready to go - just waiting for the labels to be spent). And a few hours this afternoon with Cait and some of her friends playing Kickball and soccer at the Blacksburg Rec Centre. As there were only 5 of us, kickball was a lot more running than I have done in a very long time. It's basically a cross between baseball where you kick the ball instead of hit it, and dodge ball, so if someone can hit you with the ball you are out. So a lot of fun but with our small numbers, much running.

After kickball. we tried soccer. Much better as I installed myself in goal as soon as possible. You may get hit with the ball a few times (which I am fine with) but a lot less running. Plus they were very competitive. And like I said, broke bones = bad!

group photo, post soccer

We were all pretty tired (and hot) at the end. And I am definitely the less fit. :( they all do cross fit etc so this didn't come as a surprise.  But it was nice to get out.
now I get to spend the rest of the evening doing some more packing. Oh the joy! :(

Floyd jamboree

The past week has been crazy. My travel plans changed when I got the new job contract and I am now leaving the US two weeks earlier than planned. Which means I only have one week left to sort everything out. So crazy stressful. I have managed to sell nearly everything and early Friday morning finally got everything inventoried and the paperwork (excessive amounts of paperwork!!!) sent and shipping sorted. 

My apartment is a mess. (And actually now looks even worse as I have sold even more furniture so there is more on the floor!)

Chaos!!!!!

However the YMCA must love me. They got a ton of stuff and I still have more! It all has to go.

1/4 of the YMCA donations. 

 So Friday, after finally getting the shipping sorted, I took a bit of time off to chill out and watched some of Game of Thrones (playing season 5 catch-up). And on the evening I meet up with Steve. He was teaching in Floyd for a few hours in the evening, so I tagged along. We headed out early and went to get BBQ. We have been hearing about this place and it did not disappoint. It was only a truck stop really but the food was so good.

True south BBQ

With Beans, Sweet potato fries and the required sweet tea!

It was a bit uncomfortable as there were a group of guys standing by the truck near where we were eating, showing off their guns to each other. It was a true complete American experience. :-/

We had a bit of time before Steve's class so we grabbed a glass of wine, true southern style.

In the mason jar.

As Steve had to teach, I amused myself at the Floyd Country Store where they have a Jamboree every Friday night. The first band was gospel. The music was very pretty but I'm not really into religious music or gospel. 

Gospel

It was standing room only which was actually great as I found a stop near an AirCon vent. As it was so hot in there, it might have been the best spot!

Enthralled. 

I chatted the the couple in front of me who were lovely. And when they found a seat, they snagged me one too. :-)

The country is still a store, with the front section selling all sorts of interesting foods and cute signs.

The store

The second band were more to my taste, with some great mountain music. And at this point the dance floor was packed. I am not really sure about the dancing. It was, for amateurs, hopping from one foot to the other, and for the more advanced, doing the same with a few tap shuffle steps throw in. I decided to just photo it and not join in .

Second band.

Dancing

Having a great time.

Fiddle on fire.

Waltzing.

I chatted to lot of people and just lost out for the free cap for the the furthest travel to someone from Norway. :-( But the people were all so lovely and the music was fun. 

It was a good way to spend my last Friday night in the US. (This time next week I will be home!) I am hoping to weather improves before I leave. With the UK in a heat wave, it really doesn't seem fair we are having heavy rain!