The Newspaper Headlines in York UK
Heat Wave Hits York
Temperatures in the mid 70s. One day I think it was close to 80. Everyone wearing tank tops and sundresses. A great day to go to the beach.
Let me tell you it feels like spring with a breezy 73 degrees today and sunny. When the breeze stopped it did feel warm, but it also felt like spring. I have talked to several people who are from York and they talk about how hot it has been these past couple weeks and also how unusual the warm temperature are here.
Sun up at 4am and it is still light at 10:30pm. I am not sure I would enjoy the lack of sunlight hours in the winter here, but this summer is wonderful!
Cheers!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Moors
My folks and I decided to try an easy hiking excursion this week with the kids. We took a train to Thirsk and stayed at The Golden Fleece in Thirsk. The train ride was only 20 minutes, which we felt would be no problem. One might think...what can happen in 20 minutes...well let me tell you. The train was packed, but we got a table and they were thirsty. We suggested they wait until we arrive as there was only 5-10 minutes to arrival. Oliver decided not to wait and opened the water bottle without adult knowledge and did not place the cap back on and it dumped out onto the table getting our backpack of clothes damp and leaving a nice puddle of water on the table. Harrison got a nice portion on his short and was not happy about it, but we were able to keep Oliver dry. Harrison wanted to take his pants off at the table right then and there, but I was able to reason with him and we waited until we got off the train. We just laughed and laughed. We decided to walk to the Hotel...it was ONLY 1.3 miles, which seemed easy enough to begin with. I carried Lily in a backpack child carrier and my folks each had a backpack FULL of snacks, diapers, a lightweight laptop, and clothes for the family. The kids boys were real troopers, but we decided that a taxi ride on the way back would be the way to go.
We ate dinner at The Three Tuns.
It is a chain restaurant in the area and the food was very good. We had to order, pay, and tell them our table number at the bar and then they delivered it to the table. The kids devoured their dinner and quite a bit of the adults. As we were waiting for our dinner Oliver got something wet on his shorts, so he took them off. He was sitting in a booth and we were downstairs, so it was sitting in a shirt and underwear. During dinner he said he was hot, but he was encouraged to keep his shirt on. Well the 3 adults must have been distracted by eating and making sure the other 2 kids had food, when we noticed Oliver sitting at the table completely NAKED! Yes friends NAKED! Gotta love how a 3 year old thinks. He had gotten something on his shorts and he was hot, so off came the clothes. Luckily no one saw and we quickly got him dressed. Yes even mommy saw the humor in this incident.
The next day we took a taxi into the Moors for a hike, which started at the Rievaulx Abbey. The hike was 2.5 miles and took about 1.5 hours.
We had to stay on a trail and Harrison thought we should be able to go wherever we wanted to, but we discussed we did not want to get lost.
The boys were quite excited. We saw lots of animals.
COWS and Lily carried on Moooing as we walked up to the cows and walked by them.
The boys wanted to roll down a hill, which was so cute. Oliver took quite a tumble, but he did pop right back up and was just fine. It did not even phase him.
We heard and saw fighter jets fly right over head, which were really really LOUD!
We climbed through gates...
The boys walked through the long wavy grassy fields of the Moors and had so much fun!
We ended at the Rievaulax Abbey to eat lunch and then the boys wanted to explore the Abbey and explore they did. It was beautiful!
We ate dinner at The Three Tuns.
It is a chain restaurant in the area and the food was very good. We had to order, pay, and tell them our table number at the bar and then they delivered it to the table. The kids devoured their dinner and quite a bit of the adults. As we were waiting for our dinner Oliver got something wet on his shorts, so he took them off. He was sitting in a booth and we were downstairs, so it was sitting in a shirt and underwear. During dinner he said he was hot, but he was encouraged to keep his shirt on. Well the 3 adults must have been distracted by eating and making sure the other 2 kids had food, when we noticed Oliver sitting at the table completely NAKED! Yes friends NAKED! Gotta love how a 3 year old thinks. He had gotten something on his shorts and he was hot, so off came the clothes. Luckily no one saw and we quickly got him dressed. Yes even mommy saw the humor in this incident.
The next day we took a taxi into the Moors for a hike, which started at the Rievaulx Abbey. The hike was 2.5 miles and took about 1.5 hours.
We had to stay on a trail and Harrison thought we should be able to go wherever we wanted to, but we discussed we did not want to get lost.
The boys were quite excited. We saw lots of animals.
COWS and Lily carried on Moooing as we walked up to the cows and walked by them.
The boys wanted to roll down a hill, which was so cute. Oliver took quite a tumble, but he did pop right back up and was just fine. It did not even phase him.
We heard and saw fighter jets fly right over head, which were really really LOUD!
We climbed through gates...
The boys walked through the long wavy grassy fields of the Moors and had so much fun!
We ended at the Rievaulax Abbey to eat lunch and then the boys wanted to explore the Abbey and explore they did. It was beautiful!
Friday, June 25, 2010
A BIG Peony and Harrison
I'm trying to figure out a way to bring one home to PA, but my dad assures me it is not possible.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The kids had a great week otherwise...
Before we left we took the kids to run around the museum gardens and they climbed all over everything.
While we were away the kids had a great week with grandma and grandpa. Each day they picked an activity.
They took a boat ride on the York Cruise Boat for 50 minutes up and down the Ouze River...
Grandpa took Harrison and Oliver to the National Railway Museum
The Helter Skelter was closed, which disappointed the boys. A helter skelter is an amusement park ride with a slide built in a spiral around a high tower. They would have climbed up inside the tower and slide down the outside onto a mat. Michael's professor friend Fraser and his wife Anne own a Helter Skelter and have converted it into a house.
Grandpa also took the boys to the JORVIC Viking Center. The highlight for the boys was they were able to try on some viking helmets, which thrilled them.
Grandma and Grandpa took all 3 kids on a bus ride around York and actually saw many things that they had not seen before. Oliver decided it was a good time to take a nap.
Harrison saw a pamplet of the York Dungeon and really wanted to go, but mom and dad did not think that would be a good idea. The York Dungeon shows some history of the various way people have been tortured throughout history. Michael and I might find it fun, but not really for a 4 year old.
While we were away the kids had a great week with grandma and grandpa. Each day they picked an activity.
They took a boat ride on the York Cruise Boat for 50 minutes up and down the Ouze River...
Grandpa took Harrison and Oliver to the National Railway Museum
The Helter Skelter was closed, which disappointed the boys. A helter skelter is an amusement park ride with a slide built in a spiral around a high tower. They would have climbed up inside the tower and slide down the outside onto a mat. Michael's professor friend Fraser and his wife Anne own a Helter Skelter and have converted it into a house.
Grandpa also took the boys to the JORVIC Viking Center. The highlight for the boys was they were able to try on some viking helmets, which thrilled them.
Grandma and Grandpa took all 3 kids on a bus ride around York and actually saw many things that they had not seen before. Oliver decided it was a good time to take a nap.
Harrison saw a pamplet of the York Dungeon and really wanted to go, but mom and dad did not think that would be a good idea. The York Dungeon shows some history of the various way people have been tortured throughout history. Michael and I might find it fun, but not really for a 4 year old.
While we were away...
My folks were in charge of the children while we were away. I left all sorts of phone numbers JUST IN CASE...well...on Friday evening after dinner I skyped my mom to see how the kids went to bed. She said well...I was not sure if I would tell you while you were gone, but Oliver stuck a popcorn kernel up his nose during movie time.
He came up to Grandma and said my nose hurts and I stuck a popcorn kernel up it. SO my mom calls the NHS direct number to talk to a nurse, who of course recommends taking him to the ER. Oliver got his backpack, some snacks, his drink, his Koala bear, and a couple toys and off they went in the taxi.
The ENT in the ER was unable to get it out of his nose, so he was admitted to the hospital. They shared a room with 4 other kids. It was my dad's turn to experience health care in England. They were planning to put Oliver under and remove the kernel in the morning.
At 7am, Oliver asked to blow his nose and out came the kernel. He had been telling the Dr and RN that he had put 2 up his nose, but they only ever saw the one, so around 10am he was sent home. Grandpa felt the care was excellent, but very very slow.
Yes we still have the kernel, but no Popcorn at the Patte house for a little while. In case you weren't counting...that makes 3 trips to the ER for Oliver since arriving in the UK in late March.
Then on Sunday evening they decided to get some take out fish and chips, so Harrison and Grandpa walked down to get it along Blossum Street. Grandma had the other 2 kids out and they were walking home, when along come 150 NAKED men and women bicycle riders. Harrison and Grandpa also got to see this event. There is a international Naked Bike Ride to raise awareness of the overuse of fuel and to encourage the use of bikes for alternative transportation. There are several rides in the UK and across the United States.
I'm sure it was a sight to see as they were of all ages...I missed it this year...maybe next year. They do have them in St Louis and Philadephia, but none in Kansas City.
He came up to Grandma and said my nose hurts and I stuck a popcorn kernel up it. SO my mom calls the NHS direct number to talk to a nurse, who of course recommends taking him to the ER. Oliver got his backpack, some snacks, his drink, his Koala bear, and a couple toys and off they went in the taxi.
The ENT in the ER was unable to get it out of his nose, so he was admitted to the hospital. They shared a room with 4 other kids. It was my dad's turn to experience health care in England. They were planning to put Oliver under and remove the kernel in the morning.
At 7am, Oliver asked to blow his nose and out came the kernel. He had been telling the Dr and RN that he had put 2 up his nose, but they only ever saw the one, so around 10am he was sent home. Grandpa felt the care was excellent, but very very slow.
Yes we still have the kernel, but no Popcorn at the Patte house for a little while. In case you weren't counting...that makes 3 trips to the ER for Oliver since arriving in the UK in late March.
Then on Sunday evening they decided to get some take out fish and chips, so Harrison and Grandpa walked down to get it along Blossum Street. Grandma had the other 2 kids out and they were walking home, when along come 150 NAKED men and women bicycle riders. Harrison and Grandpa also got to see this event. There is a international Naked Bike Ride to raise awareness of the overuse of fuel and to encourage the use of bikes for alternative transportation. There are several rides in the UK and across the United States.
I'm sure it was a sight to see as they were of all ages...I missed it this year...maybe next year. They do have them in St Louis and Philadephia, but none in Kansas City.
LIsbon Portugal
Michael and I had the opportunity to take a trip to Lisbon for 5 days. My folks were loving enough to take care of the children, which allowed for our first couples vacation since before Harrison was born. Michael was presenting at a Play conference, which gave us the reason to go.
We stayed at the Hotel Zenit Lisboa, which provided a nice location for sightseeing and the conference. We met 2 of MIchael's colleagues and their spouses there including David and Leslie Kuschner and Jim and Karen Johnson and their son Clayton.
The first night we had dinner with David and Leslie at Cervejaria Ribadouro, which was a wonderful seafood restaurant. We found the waiters brought bread, cheese, and butter to the table, which if one was from the US they might think it is complementary, but it is not. FYI It is not expensive, but the restaurant is not going to tell you this information. We shared a large platter of a crab legs, lobster, prawns, crawfish, clams, etc for us to share. No side dishes just a little rice and Lots of protein.
The first morning Leslie and I were able to explore, have breakfast, and do a little shopping before lunch when we met up with our hubbies. We went into a pastry shop for breakfast and turned around inside to see this pigeon standing right behind us eating a pastry off the floor and nobody did anything about it. It made us laugh.
These funny ladies were in one of the shop windows. I don't think the shop lady liked having me take a photo of it.
The first afternoon we went to Belem to see the Monument to the Explorers (Christopher Columbus) and the Belem Tower on the Tagus River. Unfortunately Leslie was pick pocketed on a crowded bus, but at least it was only a pair of $2.50 reading glasses.
The is a photo of the Monestary, but we did not actually go into it.
Take note of the bridge...it is supposed to be designed to look like the Golden Gate bridge and lo and behold it does.
The conference had a traditional Portuguese dinner for those attending the conference and their spouses. They had chicken, sausages, pork, and sardines grilled outside. Inside there was salad, rice, and a large assortment of desserts. FOr entertainment there were 4 different groups playing music which allowed for LOTS of dancing all evening...7:30pm until midnight. Late night. Even MICHAEL got up to dance with me for several songs. Jim Johnson is quite the dancer as he spent a lot of time on the dance floor. This was a wonderful evening!
Friday morning Leslie and I had the opportunity to see Michael and David present at the conference. We were going to bring little signs that said "GO Michael and GO David", but we ran out of time. They only had 20 minutes each to talk, so it went quick. It was very interesting to listen to the discussion of Play, the history of play, ideas for how to get it better incorporated into the classroom.
In the afternoon we headed to Alfama to look at Tile stores and walk up to the castle. Leslie and I enjoyed the shopping much more than the men did. Leslie really appreciated having me around as I enjoyed shopping as much as she does not to mention shopping is not her husband's favorite activity.
Dinner was Portuguese again...Bar Grand' Elias. We ate with the Kuschners, Johnsons, and 2 other people from the conference. A woman from UK and a man from Brussels. 4 of us had spaghetti, but we were pretty sure it was veal. Not a great meal, but interesting. Leslie and I decided we did not need portuguese food on Saturday.
Saturday there was no conference, so we decided to go to Sintra. lt was about a 40 minute train ride.
Upon arrival we quickly found out that it was a little bit colder in Sintra. That would have been good information to know before we left. Leslie and I were in charge of planning the excursion. We picked the Pena Palace. We started walking and soon realized that it was a little bit further than initially thought.
Please take note of the lovely Portugal Sweatshirts in the following photos. All 4 of us purchased them to keep somewhat warm.
We got lucky and were able to catch a bus for the last 1/2 mile to the top. I'm pretty sure we walked about 2 miles when we caught the bus. The Pena Palace was a summer house for the Queen and King in the late 1800s until 1910 when they fled due to a revolt. It was beautiful.
I almost forgot...David and Leslie went on a tour of the city the day before we arrived, which provided them with a bus pass for 24 hours. Well...they turned out to be magic bus passes and they worked all week. It made us all giggle.
That night we had dinner with the Johnsons and the Kuschners again at a lovely Italian restaurant, Mezzaluna. The food was amazing!
Everyone left the next day. It was such a wonderful vacation! Michael traveled extremely well. It was really nice to make some new friends, but it is too bad David and Leslie live in Cincinnati.
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