Final Reflections as I Prepare to Leave The Big Smoke

On May 12, I arrived to 40 degrees and steady misting rain. Now, on July 22 I will be departing and I can hardly believe that much time has gone by so fast. And the high expected...89! (3 weeks of heat and sunshine--bizarre London summer!) There have been many highs and a few lows that I didn't think appropriate for this blog and as I wrap up I am including some of the shots that I have not put in other blogs and chat a little about some of the things I have observed as well as learned about myself.

First for some discussion on food.
Poor UK gets a bad wrap for bangers and mash and mushy peas but overall, the food was good, and the country has shown an interest in new styles of food and perfecting the typical London meal is no different. 

Some of the best fish & chips I experienced was at The Marquis Cornwallis Pub in Bloomsbury--about 3 blocks away (of course there is at least one pub on every block--but this one was really good!) The batter was infused with cider and tarragon. Crispy, delicious...wonderful!

I have had some great food experiences here...Gordon Ramsey's, Jamie Oliver and one of my favourites, a gourmet Mexican place called Cantina Laredo where I will dream of the Agua Fresca made of watermelon juice and will try to recreate it when I get home! 

The Sunday Roast

Nut Roast

I went out for a traditional Sunday Roast. If you are not familiar with the concept, restaurants on Sunday have different roasts. This pub had  "Loin of outdoor reared Norfolk pork with crackling " "Half roast Shropshire chicken with parsley & butter"
And a "nut roast"--cashew, peanut, almond & walnuts, cheddar cheese, vegetables & herbs. " All served with homemade Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and & Red wine gravy.

I tried something completely different---a Nut Roast (watch it!) a vegetarian version of the roast with cashews, peanuts, walnuts, vegetables and cheese complete w/ roasted potatoes, carrots and a fabulous pea and bean mixture. All served with a red wine gravy and a Yorkshire pudding.

The After Work Pub Ritual

Each day at the end of the work day, folks leave their jobs and head to one of the hundreds of pubs in London. They fill up the streets and pour out all over the pub outdoor area. I am pretty sure that this began once pubs became smoke free. Some nights I would even see completely empty pubs--because everyone is standing outside. If your bloke is outside smoking, you might as well all stand out their so you can talk, right? 

This doesn't begin to demonstrate how many people stand outside after work.
This is just a weekend

Take away

The wonders of living in a big city is watching how many miles you acrue in such a short time. With everyone rushing and no place for "drive thrus" the city is covered with take away food in every corner. Pret A Manger; EAT, Itsu and many other franchises--are filled with fresh pre-made sandwiches and salads. Most people grab some Pret and go. Grocery stores like Sainsbury's and Tesco also offer take away meals that are usually an amazing price--3 lbs for  a sandwich or salad, crips (chips) and a drink. Not bad! Pret--not so cheap...but tasty. Same goes for fridges--there is hardly any frozen food--all is fresh and designed for quick eating. All in the refrigerated sections--and there are many! 

For the record, I have been in the UK 72 days and walked over 417 miles! I walked up and down 4 flights of stairs every day  (some days multiple times), typical days were 8-9 miles and only a few days that I was sick did I not really walk much--but to go get food, and on that day I walked over a 1.5. 

Let's talk about drinks.

Juice is the most abundant drink--small bottles of juices of all kinds and fruit juice flavored waters are everywhere. What one can't get at a restaurant is iced tea! 

I have wasted more calories on drinks than I would ever waste at home--but water just doesn't go with every meal! 

I am a true Southern Woman. I always have iced tea with my meals. This has been a part of who I am for all of my life...and I am NOT a fan of bubbles. It is has been my observation in every country I have ever been in that real ice tea (not that instant crap) is NOT to be found. I did have some lovely peach iced tea in Vienna--but that is it.

 In addition, having lived in a place where 9 months out of the year is over 90 and 100% humidity ---ICE is your best friend...and your drink needs a great amount of ice!!! To have iced tea--once must have ice--therein lies the problem.

It has been my experience any time I have been in England or been to Europe (or Asia for that matter) that people just don't have the obsession about ice that Florida folks have. On this trip, several of the students who hadn't traveled much asked me -- "What is the deal here with ice? You only get maybe 2 ice cubes when you get a drink!" I told them that the UK is very generous with their ice amount!

Since I was going to be away from home for almost 3 months, I wanted to be sure I had iced tea---I knew I would be in the land of tea...but not iced. So, I brought my own Luzianne.  Made in New Orleans, the tea that runs through my veins.

Now, what to do about ice. The first day, Sam & I looked for ice trays and could find none. So, I got creative. I left a little water in a plastic bottle and froze some. I knew I wouldn't be able to get it out without cutting it open.

Cut open the top--and ice!

Even looks like ice cubes

This was a complicated process (not to mention I had to wield a knife!) A couple of weeks later, we found ice cube trays!!! Yeah! A cause for celebration! Not so fast...They would snap and break at the slightest touch. I went through two!

We did have ice cubes! For a short time!

At Waitrose one night I found these bags. They were called ice cube bags. 

They were a pain to fill, but you poured water into the spout at the top--and then simply froze it. 

Great concept--but a great deal of work! 

Then I went to Waitrose and found in a tiny freezer section...ICE. I BOUGHT ICE. Tiny bags--but ice!
I never looks at the price--it didn't matter. (later I looked--it wasn't bad.)

I know--sad but a girl MUST have her ice tea.  

Now for just a few random pictures. 

Flowerboxes always beautiful 

One huge advertisement I saw on the 2nd day. Looks like Sully, my friend Stephanie's PRT.




Student outings for myself and other classes were very interesting. The two best were at the Hindu Temple and Innocent Drinks. 

Wembley Stadium--Football (Soccer for the Americans
 who don't recognize soccer as football.

Innocent Drinks has knitting days --started
by their fans

And some interesting places to take a meeting

I attended 8 shows. Here's a few below:

Saw 6 films at the cinema--including this amazing IMAX. Sadly, Man of Steel was terrible! 

The best was Populaire...a lovely French film! Put it in your Netflix when it's available. 

My last walk across the Thames toward home...There's the Elizabeth Tower and Ben inside the Eye. 

Near 7 Dials--one of my favorite
neighborhoods

Anne Hathaway's cottage

There are a million more pictures--but time to end...

So, goodbye to Bedford Place. Our pretty block with a park on each end. 

Bedford Place

It's been a great time. Some really big highs, a few lows but I learned several things:

My flat

• The London metro (Tube) is the easiest metro ever--but I would rather walk. 
• The Paris metro is horrible. But French people--very nice. 
• A person cannot eat too much fish & chips and Pimm's lemonade. Well, maybe they could. 
• Crossing the street in a country that drives on the "wrong side" can be tricky but mostly--just common sense. 
• The British are obsessed with anything caramel/toffee--and I hate them for it. OK---I love them for it. 
• I can live almost 3 months without my dogs, but I would rather not ever have to again. 
• I truly enjoyed walking 8-9 miles a day--and was really disappointed on the rare occasion when I only did 3 or 4. 
• I can navigate a capital city on my own and enjoy doing it. 
• I still absolutely love all things Brittania...and Scotland is worth doing again!!! 

The English School of Falconry and Birds of Prey Centre--Fabulous

I finally got to go on my Birthday Excursion--I chose to go to the English School of Falconry and Bird of Prey Centre. It was brilliant!
I left from King's Cross Station one last time....Not going to be much talk on this blog---but lots of nice pictures. 

Beautiful

And ended up in Biggleswade. I then walked into town and took a cab to the centre.

Great name! 

When I first arrived we were allowed to look at all the birds that were tethered and would be shown to us later. 

Eagles, Owls, Falcons & Hawks! Really amazing variety. 

Very nice!

 

Heart shaped face--UK barn owl

We were allowed to "handle" quite a lot of birds. These have all been hand raised.  We started small and worked our way up. Started with smaller owls and then on to larger ones.






The Falcon Show---She is beautiful and amazingly fast! If I get back to London, I am going to go back and do a half day hunt with a falcon!!

 Don't look if you are squeamish!

Reward! Baby chick.

After the show we went back to handle more birds. And do some flying. (Well, we provided the landing. )





Who knew owls were so big and so heavy? 

South African Spotted Owl

Tawny

South African Eagle Owl. 
Pink skin over the eyes--represents maturity...it will 
eventually turn brighter red.

If you look closely--almost level with my hand Earl is taking off. 

Landing

Landed & Settled

A few other birds at the centre that are a little different. 

Cute pelican! Quite large!

Stork

More owl handling!

OK--so a little talk---learned something new. Owl eye color is based on what time they hunt. Owls with dark eyes hunt nocturnally. The yellow eyes--hunt during the day (diurnal), orange they hunt at dawn or dusk. (Learned a new word: crepuscular). 

Important and Pretty.

 The only ones that we could actually stroke their feathers--babies--because these feathers are not permanent. Owls feathers are not waterproof and are designed so that they fly silently--since they aren't fast like the raptors. (The bird lessons are done now. I promise.)

South African Babies

Last in line...the big eagles!

REALLY heavy!!! I am trying so hard to look like it is
easy to hold this bird up!

My body language is really awkward in the picture below...but I was really comfortable with all of them. Maybe I was turning toward the camera...and not wanting to disturb this beautiful eagle. Weird. 

Yep! That's my hand and those are some big talons!

African Fish Eagle

And to close a couple more owls:

Are not those the funnies legs you have ever seen? 

Cute Tawny Owl!! 

When do I hunt? 

Even the middle size Tawny has amazing talons. 

It was a great experience. The falconers were all very well educated and kind to both the eager (like me) and the timid. Everyone was given lots of time with all the birds. A really incredible experience.