Pheasant Phight!

I went rambling on my day off through the forests of East Sussex. We stopped by a Saxon church for lunch (featuring a pre-1066 chapel and an original Medieval food jar) and then on the way back found some entertainment along the way. Just a phew pheet phrom the road, two male phesants were walking across a phield. They began to phight, and I got some great phootage and photographs and of it! Very exciting to watch and they are beautiful birds. Included also is a photo of one of the headstones in the cemetary by the church (Arlington) which will definitely be a bulletin cover someday.

Brad and Alison's Visit- Wales & Battle

And finally, at the end of the trip, Brad found what he was looking for- a postbox and a telephone booth next to each other. Unfortunately, the sun had set and this is the best picture we could get.



After church on Sunday we went to Battle (site of the Battle of Hastings, 1066), where they were holding their annual Knight's Tournament. It was an incredibly rainy day, but we still saw some falconry and jousting and listened to some medieval music.




I thought this rock was kind of cool at the bottom of the mountain lake on Mount Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales- looks like a mask for the Greek chorus.







Stacey came and joined us for an early weekend trip up to Snowdonia National Park on the north coast of Wales- here are some pics from that excursion including a few adorable sheep.


Viva la Dover! I was able to take a day off whilst my friends, Brad and Alison, were visiting from the States, and we went to Canterbury and Dover, stopping through Rye and Bodiam Castle on the way back. Apparently I took one picture- here it is- from the top of Dover castle looking down on their 11th Century church and Roman lighthouse (France is in the background if you squint really hard).

My Dad's Visit

My Dad (Gary) came to visit from the States for a short week, which was a lot of fun. We stayed mostly in the local area, with a surprise (for him) trip to Brighton to see the Lost & Found Orchestra, the world premiere of the sequel to the broadway show Stomp. Check it out at http://www.brightondome.org/events/eventdetails.asp?id=1928 We toured Eastbourne, played a song for the Gamelands Fayre and the Hailsham Women's Group, and visited my churches. His camera was acting up a bit, so some of the pictures had to be converted to black and white, so for your viewing enjoyment, I present Old-Timey Eastbourne, Cross in Hand, Gamelands, Pevensey Castle Wall (built 293AD), and my shiny car after a full afternoon's work.

Living the American Dream

What's wrong with these pictures? I'll give you a clue from the website for The Hungry Monk, a restaurant in Jevington, England (only a few miles from my house): "Invented at the Hungry Monk in 1972, Banoffi Pie is still as popular today as it was the first time it appeared on the menu. There have been many imitations as far and wide as Russia and the United States; it is even rumored to be Mrs Thatcher's favourite pudding! Below is the original recipe as it first appeared in 'The Deeper Secrets of the Hungry Monk' in 1974." American Dream? But it's made in the England! :)

Alfriston

Everybody together: "Aul-frist-en" Very good- just like the locals! The beautiful lady featured in these pics and I went to this tiny village on May 1 and witnessed the celebrations and saw the 14-century Clergy house and the church (previously featured in the painting I bought and posted a picture of on this blog). It was a great day! (Guest appearance by the Peeps at the teahouse courtesy of http://peepsineurope.blogspot.com)

Spring Has Sprung!

Hooray- Spring is here! High of 71F today and sunny and beautiful. The flowers are in full bloom and I'm starting to understand the appeal of England :) Enjoy the pics!