One month from today I will be leaving for England and the adventure of my lifetime.  As I look back over the past 30 years, I realize that everything in my life has pointed me toward this moment.  From the time I first watched Chariots of Fire on the night before my very first track meet to the day it was announced that London would host the 2012 Olympic Games, I have knowingly and unknowingly made decisions that have led me down this path to the penultimate event of my life.

December Update

This time of year continually finds me on the western plains as I make four trips back to Colorado.  The State Volleyball Tournament was as exciting as usual, thanks to good times and great fun with the CHSAA crew.  Thanksgiving continues to be my favorite holiday as I was able to spend time with my parents and so many wonderful friends.  A quick trip up the Manitou Incline was rewarded with a small Mainliner at Fargo's and a mini reunion at the Tapateria.  And of course, no visit to Pueblo is complete without a Slopper at Coors' Tavern and a Half-Special at Pass Key.

Later this week I'll get an aerial view on my way to the State Spirit Championships, followed by an extended Christmas visit that will take me into the New Year.  It's amazing how busy I am with these activities, as well as the ones back in Kansas.  Bowling tryouts are complete and we look forward to successful seasons from both the boys' and girls' teams; musical concerts and student film productions are ongoing and I keep myself involved as much as possible; and last but not least, I now have a welcomed roommate who has transformed my house into a home.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and continued adventures into the New Year!

My Local Deli

This is my favorite place to eat out in Tunbridge Wells.  Many, many visits ago, my friend Paul and I first entered this deli by chance and had a pleasant, broken-English conversation with Max, the owner.  Since then, I have made a point to eat here every visit and I've even come to know Max and his wife.  It's actually cheaper for takeaway than it is to eat in, so what I like to do is get a Panini, stop in the newsagent's shop next door for a packet of Walker's Roast Turkey Crisps and an Old Jamaican Ginger Root Beer, then walk down the road to Calverly Grounds and sit on the same bench the family has been using for generations.

L'Italia a Tavola, my favorite deli

Max socializes while his wife makes my panini

Calverly Grounds, from my bench seat

The Butcher family always gathered at this bench

Romney Marsh

This afternoon's adventure took my cousin John and I to Dungeness and Rye for some fantastic fish & chips at The Pilot Inn and a search through the marsh for the Sound Mirrors that were constructed in the 1920's, prior to the invention and development of radar.  A brief stop in Rye on the way home provided a nice walk up through the village to the castle overlooking Romney Marsh.  This area was prominent in many of the stories I read as a child and the home of my favorite 18th century smuggler, Dr. Syn.

Another of the WWII Mulberry Harbours

The White Cliffs of Dover across the bay

Original water tower

Romney Marsh, near the Sound Mirrors

Rye Castle keeping the city safe since 1249

Libations Log

At each opportunity, I have tried to sample a new and different beer.  The following list might seem a bit long, but keep in mind that my rule of thumb has been to drink only one of each and let's face it, I've had a lot of opportunities.

 

Not necessarily British, but sampled in England

Greene King IPA

Caffrey's Irish Ale

Whitbread Pale Ale

Guinness

Stella Artois

Carlsberg

Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter

Kronenbourg 1664

Chimay Péres Trappistes

Stinger Ale

Fuller's London Pride

Woodforde's Wherry Bitter

Sambrookes Wandle Ale

Stonehenge Ales - Pigswill
Humdinger Honey Ale
Spook Ale, Ghost Brew
Spitfire Kentish Ale
Bishop's Finger Kentish Ale
Ruddles County - Proper Country Ale
Adnams Broadside

ditto for Sweden
Grölsch
Åbro - Original Starkül
Falcon
Staropramen
Hoegaarden Weissbier
Nils Oscar God Lager

and again for Latvia       
Aldaris Luksus
Zelta Premium
Lux Piebalga
Tervetes Alus






And the best of the bunch . . . 

South of England

This week, I've been staying with my aunt in Storrington, West Sussex.  She has all of my grandparents' photo albums & documents and so I have been getting a nice family history lesson.  The weather has remained pretty much perfect.  Who said it always rains in England?  I've been here nearly six weeks and haven't seen a drop.  Today, we went for a walk along the South Downs and then into Littlehampton for a walk along the sea front.  It's kind of like California, where you can ski and surf on the same day.

The South Downs, with the English Channel in the distance

Footpaths get much use

The Slindon Pumpkin Patch

Littlehampton beach front flying its colours

Seagulls at low tide