17 Years and Counting
If you'd have asked Gerry and me 2 years ago - which I don't think anyone would have done - "What do you think you'll be doing for your 17th wedding anniversary?" We wouldn't have had an answer.
Two years ago Gerry was having his stem cells harvested, he was days away from his transplant, and I was days away from leaving for the south of France (nice wife, huh?)
This summer we celebrated the 2nd year anniversary of being told that Gerry had - most likely (although no one knew for sure) about 1-1/2 years.
And today he's going strong. Lots of pain, smoldering disease, but he's here and active!
So today we celebrated our anniversary by having a roasted chicken, asparagus, cous cous and a peach thing I baked with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Isn't 17 the asparagus anniversary?
And we luxuriated in the gift of a boring evening.
When Life Gives You Crap Apples..?
And I also made some jelly! I have never - as an adult - canned food. My mom used to can - she made canned tomatoes & ketchup every fall, and she made jelly and jam whenever she felt like it.
But we have this crab apple tree that keeps dropping fruit - this year it's bigger and rounder than I remember it being last year - so I thought I'd use it for one of my mom's favorite jellies, crabapple.
I remember that she used to toss other fruit in, too, to sweeten it up. So I threw in some nectarines and another secret ingredient that I'm not going to mention in case it ruins the whole thing and I'm shamed publicly.
Feel free to guess.
Guess What? I have a COLD!
I can't get rid of my current cold, I've had it for 10 days now. I finally broke down and visited the doc because we're flying on Tuesday and he gave me antibiotics because I tend to rush toward bronchitis like the mail train.
Day 2 and cold's still here - but I did feel well enough to ride my bike today, which tired me out but made me feel very wonderful.
...and speaking of bikes...
I'm afraid of missing my daily bike ride while in the UK for 3 weeks, so I've arranged to rent a folding bike from a place in London (I rode a folding bike in Paris and loved it!)
I looked and looked for a used bike I might buy on various UK used item lists, but could find NOTHING that was remotely affordable, or tall enough.
Also, if I did find a used bike to buy (and sell or give away before I left) I'd still have the problem of a bike rack. Not a problem with the folding bike!
So here's my plan: We arrive at Heathrow around noon, put our heavy luggage in our rental car and move it short term parking. Then we'll take the underground to the bike place and pick up the folding bike. Then we'll return to Heathrow to pick up our rental car and head North.
Anyone have any better suggestion? I'm open to hearing them! Once we have the rental car, is there a really good place to park it that's closer to the city so our trip in and out will be shorter? I could use your advice - So...
I would LOVE to hear your advice!
I will be a very sad woman if I can't ride my bike every now and then while I'm on the road. What will I do without my little knight AND my bike rides?
UPDATE!
The jelly "took" - it set up just fine, and I can reveal the secret ingredient: Rosewater!
Unfortunately I have this stupid head (and chest and throat) cold so I can't really taste anything but that it's sweet.
I stared at Max tasting it last night like Captain Barbossa watching Miss Swann eat an apple.
And our first tomato is turning red! They grow up so soon! And since I discovered that one should actually FERTILIZE tomatoes every now and again we have two more growing and several blooms which may become MORE little red fruit. Hooray!
Two years ago Gerry was having his stem cells harvested, he was days away from his transplant, and I was days away from leaving for the south of France (nice wife, huh?)
This summer we celebrated the 2nd year anniversary of being told that Gerry had - most likely (although no one knew for sure) about 1-1/2 years.
And today he's going strong. Lots of pain, smoldering disease, but he's here and active!
So today we celebrated our anniversary by having a roasted chicken, asparagus, cous cous and a peach thing I baked with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Isn't 17 the asparagus anniversary?
And we luxuriated in the gift of a boring evening.
When Life Gives You Crap Apples..?And I also made some jelly! I have never - as an adult - canned food. My mom used to can - she made canned tomatoes & ketchup every fall, and she made jelly and jam whenever she felt like it.
But we have this crab apple tree that keeps dropping fruit - this year it's bigger and rounder than I remember it being last year - so I thought I'd use it for one of my mom's favorite jellies, crabapple.
I remember that she used to toss other fruit in, too, to sweeten it up. So I threw in some nectarines and another secret ingredient that I'm not going to mention in case it ruins the whole thing and I'm shamed publicly.Feel free to guess.
Guess What? I have a COLD!
I can't get rid of my current cold, I've had it for 10 days now. I finally broke down and visited the doc because we're flying on Tuesday and he gave me antibiotics because I tend to rush toward bronchitis like the mail train.
Day 2 and cold's still here - but I did feel well enough to ride my bike today, which tired me out but made me feel very wonderful.
...and speaking of bikes...
I'm afraid of missing my daily bike ride while in the UK for 3 weeks, so I've arranged to rent a folding bike from a place in London (I rode a folding bike in Paris and loved it!)
I looked and looked for a used bike I might buy on various UK used item lists, but could find NOTHING that was remotely affordable, or tall enough.
Also, if I did find a used bike to buy (and sell or give away before I left) I'd still have the problem of a bike rack. Not a problem with the folding bike!
So here's my plan: We arrive at Heathrow around noon, put our heavy luggage in our rental car and move it short term parking. Then we'll take the underground to the bike place and pick up the folding bike. Then we'll return to Heathrow to pick up our rental car and head North.
Anyone have any better suggestion? I'm open to hearing them! Once we have the rental car, is there a really good place to park it that's closer to the city so our trip in and out will be shorter? I could use your advice - So...
If you know of a decent used bike that would fit a 5'10" woman (me) which I could buy to use while I'm in the UK (AND if you also know of a bike rack for our car...)or
If you know of a good bike rental place closer to Heathrow than the central London place I've found...or
If you have a better idea of how to get our (heavy) luggage in our rental car and get us to central London to pick up the bike and then back on the road than what I've laid out above...
I would LOVE to hear your advice!I will be a very sad woman if I can't ride my bike every now and then while I'm on the road. What will I do without my little knight AND my bike rides?
UPDATE!The jelly "took" - it set up just fine, and I can reveal the secret ingredient: Rosewater!
Unfortunately I have this stupid head (and chest and throat) cold so I can't really taste anything but that it's sweet.
I stared at Max tasting it last night like Captain Barbossa watching Miss Swann eat an apple.
And our first tomato is turning red! They grow up so soon! And since I discovered that one should actually FERTILIZE tomatoes every now and again we have two more growing and several blooms which may become MORE little red fruit. Hooray!
Feed me, baby!
19 Comments:
When will you be in the UK? I will be there from 9/7 - 9/22: in London for 4 days on the front end... It would be too funny to meet you face-to-face 3,000 miles across "the water" . . . just sayin................
Marietta, in central GA, USA
You want to avoid driving your rental car into Central London, as they charge an outrageous toll fee ($11 lbs? might be more now) -- not sure at what point they'll charge you.
The mayor of London implemented the fee as a way to cut down on congestion.
Have a wonderful time, I adore England.
Whatever you do, do not drive into central London, especially The City (there's a fee for that, don't know how much exactly but it's more than taking the Tube in and out). And driving in London is 2nd worst to driving in Florence, akin to Dante's hell.
PatB
London is vast, Annie - where is the rental place? Could you contact them to see if they can offer any suggestions re: local parking? Beware of the Congestion Zone Charges, too - ask them if they are outaide the zone. Or, let me have the address and I'll look into it for you. xxx
PS, Many congratulations on your anniversaries, and, wow, isn't Hannah growing up (into such a beautiful woman?!)
Congratulations!!
Thank you for teaching me to appreciate every day!!!! I've learned so much more than knitting from reading your blog!
Love the 'asparagus' thing- do you happen to know the other veggies associated with anniversaries????? Please let us in on it....(might make for a fun family dinner discussion).
I can't help on the UK situation, but on the cold/bronchitis front- have you ever thought of trying a neti pot? It washes out your sinuses. I started using one two years ago and haven't had a cold since. I add some liquid zinc to the water. Great for pollen, too.
Keep up your amazing story and adventures- you inspire me!
A boring evening sounds like a luxurious way to spend this special anniversary. Happy anniversary!
Neti pot is a real winner. Another easier to use solution is Xlear (pronounced clear) nasal wash/spray. Cleared my sinus troubles which had caused coughing for years. Neither of these treatments are harmful or addictive ;-)
Genie
Maybe you've already checked this out, but if you want to hire a bike in Edinburgh, the rental place http://www.biketrax.co.uk/info/bike_hire.php is very near the Bruntsfield Hotel, literally five minutes' walk. But remember that Edinburgh is full of hills and you might be better sticking to bracing walks :)
Happy anniversary! I envy your trip to England - it sounds wonderful.
Happy anniversary! I hope you have a great trip and your cold gets better soon.
You will need a cycle helmet. I think you would be NUTS to ride a bike in London, even on cycle lanes. And driving in central London? Even NUTTIER! Seriously, it isn't worth the stress! Too many vertical hills in Edinburgh for bikes. St Andrews, though - a GOOD place to ride a bike! Have a good trip!
Congratulations on your two year anniversary!! That's definitely something to celebrate. :-)
Congratulations on your anniversary! Have a safe and wonderful trip :)
Fiamma
I think your plan sounds like a pretty good one - driving into central London isn't a great idea (mad traffic and the congestion charge) so getting the tube is probably more sensible.
As for cycling in London (when you get back down this way later in your trip) - it isn't that bad if you've got your wits about you. Best to avoid the main roads where possible though, go for side streets instead. Definitely get yourself a cycle helmet too! I cycle-commute in London sometimes and its ok, although I don't travel into the centre of town.
You're going to Bristol as well aren't you? Just so you know, it's quite hilly there...
Happy Anniversary. Your dinner sounds wonderful. I would strongly recommend against driving in London - it's crazy. Also, many of the places you are going are quite hilly and not all that wonderful for casual bike riding but good for you for trying. I hope you and Gerry enjoy your trip - it sounds like you'll have a lovely time.
Hi there! I take it you're only going to London to get the bike and then leaving London, is that right? In which case there'll be pre-bookable parking at Heathrow I should think. Don't drive into London if you can avoid it! If you do have to, try and borrow a Sat Nav which will make the whole thing far more manageable.
I saw someone's comment that you're visiting Bristol. I live in Bristol so if you'd like any tips on restaurants etc or to go for tea and cake, send me an email.
Have a wonderful trip, and if you need any tips on the many MANY quirks of the UK, don't hesitate to ask!
S x
Hi Annie, Can't help with the bike or rack...but did you know there's the biggest and best bike shop in Scotland about 400yards from the Bruntfield Hotel in Edinburgh? If you're a bikie you might like to have a look. It's called the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative and it's on the opposite side of the road from the hotel, across the park.
There is also bike hire here
http://www.biketrax.co.uk/
which is a ten minute walk from the Bruntsfield hotel.
PS. Biketrax have folding Bromptons.
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