It is the day after the royal birth, what a scene....
But more on that later. My Midland's country retreat sadly ended yesterday. Saturday was spent with the Jacksons, Greg, Louise, and the Jackson's neighbors formally blessing the new addition of the Jackson home in Peatling Magna. When I say new, it is kind of new, in that it is a gradual construction project that will double the size of their home on Western Farm. This has been Caroline's project for over two years, and it is getting close to finished, she believes it will be fully functional by December, in time for Christmas dinner. Dinner was a combo of grilled tuna/sword fish, sausages and burgers, accompanied by some great vegetable dishes, and some awesome European wines Phil acquired earlier in the day from his wine merchant in Birmingham. George Jackson has just wrapped up the English equivalent of high school, and is taking a gap year, during which he hopes to land a cooking job at a ski resort in France or Italy. In preparation for that, he has taken an interest in cooking, and it seems as if he may have a natural culinary skill - he prepped the fish and helped grill, the marinade on both fish were outstanding. We had lots of laughs and fun. George then kindly offered to drive Louise, Greg and me back to Foxton, where the evening ended around midnight.
Louise, Tom, Caroline in the emerging kitchen....
Sunday I hosted lunch, which in the UK is essentially a big end of week meal, more like a dinner event but at 2pm. In addition to the five Jacksons and Greg/Louise, Caroline's brother Rob, his girl friend Juliet and their friend Carmen from Romania joined us, last guests left around 8pm. I then proceeded to clean up the cottage, do a load of laundry, and finally hit the hay around 10pm.
Juliet, Tom and Carmen at Foxton Locks
Sunday Lunch Crowd, from left to right: Rob, Juliet, Louise, Greg, Phil, George, Caroline, Carmen
Cottage on the last day....
The weather here has been highly variable. All last week it was hot and humid during the day, but cool and pleasant, almost chilly, at night. Saturday and Sunday were cloudy and cool, I woke up yesterday to a very foggy scene that looked more like October than July. By the time I got down to London, it was 93F or 34C, very humid, felt like I was in Washington DC! Last night there were big thunder storms, today it is much cooler.
I packed up and rolled out of Foxton around 9:30, dropped off the borrowed pots and utensils at the Jacksons, and was on the train from Birmingham to London by about 11:45. As I assume all of you know, the royal baby emerged yesterday at 4:24pm approximately, although that wasn't confirmed until later in the evening, however I am pleased to boast that I was standing at St. Mary's hospital at 4:24pm yesterday with the masses and press, enjoying what could only be described as setting for a Fellini style movie. There was one fellow who had been camped out there for a week, determined to be adjacent to the hospital when the child arrived. Another woman had baked a cake, and held noble aspirations of delivering it to the royal couple as a gift (the cake by 5pm in the heat looked kind of pathetic, but her spirit was infectious). Most of you know that I tend to disdain these kind of things, however I really enjoyed hanging out there yesterday, watching the journalists from all over the world try and occupy their time waiting, talking to an Italian reporter about why an American would be interested in this (he was from Milan, if you get that paper, I may be quoted...), and helping two young Australian guys on holiday position themselves strategically in front of the ABC (that's Australian Broadcasting Company) crew and cameras in hopes their parents would see them on the evening news.
They say it may be a week before we know the young fellow's name, I was hoping for Thomas, but I think that wish may be in the same category as that wonderful woman's cake!
Bench where the fellow who had camped out for a week (also pictured, he's wearing the Union Jack themed outfit) slept....
NBC news cameras, and board where they had a football type pool betting on birth date, time and names...and the masses gathered to await the blessed event outside of St. Mary's hospital
Today I had a lazy morning, went down for breakfast, exchanged something I bought at Marks and Spencer, and will likely head over to Hyde Park this afternoon. Tonight, Rob, Juliet and Carmen are coming into London, and have invited me to join them at a cabaret/burlesque dinner venue called Volupte, should be lots of fun. Tomorrow its back up to Birmingham and dinner with Phil, then Thursday I head out to Washington, DC to meet up with Will.
On a closing note, some have asked me if I have disengaged from the various emotions associated with my wrap up at Blue Shield, and if I am fretting/worried about what's next, etc. As far as disengaging, it got started in Australia, however I think that moment completely arrived on a canal walk Friday morning, and I have been blissfully enjoying it ever since. As far as what comes next, I am curiously not concerned, and am kind of excited about the possibilities, while enjoying an extended break. I find inspiration in my Dad, who in the mid 1970's had the courage to get out of a job he didn't like, and find a situation that he enjoyed professionally, and gave him the time he wanted with his family. He landed well, I intend to mimic his navigation!
That's it for now, next entry the UK Top 10, stay tuned....
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