Politeness, Pudding, Pubs and a Prime Minister

Politeness, Pudding, Pubs and a Prime Minister

A few observations thus far....

Politeness ~

"Lovely, thank you."  With the exception of one rather rude sales clerk at the local Sainsbury's grocery, the British have been the epitome of politeness.  In the shops, in restaurants...driving.  Who knew that people gave way rather than blocking, waved you on rather than making other, not so friendly, hand gestures.  It's just lovely.  And that word, "lovely."  It's always been a favorite of mine and I've heard it more in the past three days than in my entire lifetime.  I'm hoping its effect doesn't become dulled from overuse, but I'm simply basking in it for the moment.  

Pudding ~

Pudding = dessert.  Not that dessert is always pudding (although I've had my share of custard since we've been here).  Rather, pudding is used as a general term for dessert.

Pubs~

We went to a proper English pub for dinner on Tuesday night and I had fish and chips with crushed peas and a pint of bitter.  

Prime Minister ~

Today is election day here in Britain and it is quite the exciting contest between Gordon Brown and the Labour Party, David Cameron, the Conservative, and the LibDem, Nick Clegg.  I won't pretend to know all the issues, but it is a momentous election and you can feel the tension and anticipation in the air.

Neither Kiefer nor I have experienced jet lag (yet??) and we've adjusted to the local time just fine.  It is morning and it feels like it should be morning.  I'm here with a cup of coffee and our laptop, in a house that is twice as old as the United States.  Not a castle, more a manor house, maybe (I need to do a little more research on that).  It is an estate, really.  I don't know how many acres (or hectares, ha's), but it is quite large, with meadows and woods and streams, a public right of way path, a 400 year-old tree, hundreds and hundreds of rabbits and quite a few pheasants.  I think I'll walk the grounds this morning and take photos.  Our other friend's house is nearly as old, not as much land, but with quintessential English gardens and a meadow nearby that is home to two cows and a calf.

We spent Tuesday in Sussex County, with Kiefer acclimating to driving on the right side of the car, on the left side of the road, shifting with his left hand and me trying (and failing at first) to navigate through traffic circles and keep him moving in the right direction toward our destination.  We developed a system not too long into our first excursion, but it was rather painful for a bit.  We did make it to an 11th century castle, Arundel Castle, and had lunch in the local town.

We ditched the car on Wednesday and took the train to London.  We had a day pass for the Underground as well, so we walked and took the train all over the city to see all the major landmarks and sites.  Admission fees at all the sites is quite steep, so we just took in the buildings and surrounding areas.   The plan is to spend another day in London on Friday and we may decide on one or two places to spend more time.  I would like to tour the Tower of London, but Kiefer isn't so keen.  I may do so myself, though.

Today, I'm really not sure what we'll do, but it will be something in the countryside again.  Perhaps another castle (Leed's Castle or Bodiam Castle), perhaps Brighton, maybe Chartwell, which was Winston Churchill's home for a time.  Right now, truthfully, I'd be happy with a leisurely stroll right where we're staying!  

Now, I'm off to check the news.  Heard yesterday that the volcanic ash cloud has closed air space in Scotland and Ireland.  Please, please, please, don't let it affect our flight to Vienna on Saturday!

I'll try to post photos later today.