UNITED KINGDOM TRAVELS, JULY AND AUGUST 2002

DOIN’ THAT TOURIST THING

Now it was Monday, July 15.  We were well rested when the sun popped up, and got up and made our coffee.  We found the milk and eggs and bread our hosts had left for us, and made a breakfast.  Then it was off to Safeway for some grocery shopping.

Don and I agree that prices here are high.  The food prices appear to be on a par with the US until you remember that a pound is equal to $1.55.  So, when the orange juice price is L1.50 for a quart, it seems ok, until you recalculate and realize it is really $2.25.  A restaurant meal seems to be a fair price at L15 until you remember that it is really $23. Also, home prices seem very high.  We think that prices are equivalent to prices in Santa Clara County, however, most houses appear to be much smaller than an average house in our area, so you don’t get as much square footage or land.

Also, while we found most of what we wanted at the grocery store, it is interesting to notice things that are not easily found here.  We usually buy iced tea in bottles, like soda pop, but in the UK it does not exist.  Also, pickles mean something completely different than cucumbers in brine.  No black beans, tortillas or salsa, of course. 

Our Maverick crew arrived at 10am, and we headed out to visit some lovely gardens, Rococo Gardens.  I had a great time exploring the vast kitchen garden, which is made up completely of authentic vegetables and fruits, which were grown there in the 17th century.  I had a lovely visit with the head gardener, who was supervising a crew of volunteers who were pruning the espaliered apple and pear trees.  In addition to these fruit trees, the garden included all sorts of beans, peas, chard, kale, cabbage, swede (some kind of green), spinach, root vegetables, all kinds of herbs, a cousin of the artichoke, blackberries, gooseberries, and raspberries.  I decided that this garden is just about the size that I would like to have for my own garden.  The head gardener, who was sweating profusely in that hot English sun (I don’t believe they have any rain!), reminded me to arrange for a large staff of assistants if I did get a garden that big.

After the gardens we drove on to the lovely little town of Painswick.  There we went to the posh hotel for a round of Croquet.  Those of you who know Don know how much he loves to play games---NOT!!!  We knocked the ball around a bit for the movie, and then removed to a nice, cool terrace for lunch.  I had salad and Don had a fancy sandwich, but the film crew, who claimed they weren’t hungry, ordered tea and scones.  These were the best yet, large, plump, slathered with lovely whipped cream and delicious fruit preserves.  We four ate them all!!

Enough lazing around with the rich people!  Off we went to Winchcombe to be potters.  At the pottery factory (? I am not sure this is the right description) we were given a brief lesson, and then I took my turn.  Lump of clay, lots of water, step on the treadle to turn the wheel, more water, keep that thumb down, more water, now use the fingers to draw the sides up—oops!  My whole creation flopped to one side.  A true flop.

Then Don had his turn, and he perfectly plopped his lump of clay, perfectly dribbled water on it, perfectly twirled the wheel, perfectly molded his lump, and perfectly drew it up into a lovely little bowl.  Artistic talent, of which I have none, comes out naturally in him.  We made arrangements for his little bowl to be fired and sent on to us in 6 weeks.  If it really does come I am going to make a little bonsai garden in it.

At last we were done with the filming.  Kate and Simon said their goodbyes and drove away, and Don and I turned our car out of the lane and into the Monday rush hour traffic.  Don used his GPS gizmo to navigate us across Cheltenham and home to our cozy little hideaway in Abbeymead, so he was happy.