Exploring the UK

Visit to Kedleston Hall

March 3, 2012

The Curzon family have owned the estate at Kedleston since at least 1297 and have lived in a succession of manor houses near to or on the site of the present Kedleston Hall. The present house was commissioned by Sir Nathaniel Curzon in 1759. 

Not your normal area rug....

Not a bad foyer... 

Nice country view from the house

Hand carved ivory chess set from India.. circa mid 1800's

They don't have to shovel snow off the driveway very often

Hiking around the Grounds

Nice backyard with lawn mowers

Wishing he was "Lord of the Manor"

Cows sharing the walking path.  This city girl not comfortable walking with the cows!!!!

A Tree with stories to tell.  Note the beautiful blue sky!!!!!  Moments before it was grey!!!!

Love the Lion statues.  Tim doesn't quite get my excitement over the lions.

Leicester

March 8, 2012

The start of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the UK

I went with 2 ex-pat buddies by train to start our adventure

Crowds outside the train station waiting for the Queen.  Everyone was so excited!!!!  The crowds were very respectful.  No loud or out of control people noted not to mention demonstrators.  Seemed pretty tame crowd by US standards.   Had the chance to talk to UK ladies that were so excited to see the queen.  Great Fun to get caught up in all the excitement. 

Really I promise the Queen is there with Kate and her husband the Duke.  I was lucky to see the Queen's hat and Kate.

 The clock Tower.  Big party planned to celebrate the Queen.  People everywhere!!!!

The Queen went to the Leicester Cathedral (St. Martins Cathedral).  The church leadership leaving the church.  Somehow I was always missing the queen!!!!

Walking the streets

The YMCA of Leicester

Having fun with Jay and Becky

My flag to wave for the queen

Sherwood Forest

March 11, 2012

The sun was shining and the temperature in the High 60's.  Just a perfect day to be outside and enjoy the sunny skies.

Little John, Robin Hood and Tim

Look no coat!!!!!!!

Legend has it, that Robin Hood shot arrows from the hollow of the tree.  They must have been a lot smaller back then.

Fascinated by the trees.  Once again can't help to think about the stories they have to tell!!!!

That's it for now, the journey continues

Life in Derby

Life In Derby

March 1, 2012

We are settling in and starting to feel at home.  Here are a few pictures we wanted to share of our new home.

The much talked about purple chandelier in our Bedroom

Our under-counter washer/dryer in the kitchen area.  It is not vented outside so it works as a condenser, removing water very slowly.  That's why it takes so long and will not allow me to open the door during the drying process.  Our unit self drains in our sink during the drying cycle.  Our friends have to empty a container after each drying cycle.  Boy, it sure is different than the US!!!  The unit is very loud and I am sure sometimes it is going to take off since it is spinning so hard.

View outside our front window.  Yes, we live in the city.  Note there are no screens.  I will keep you posted how that works out.  None of the houses have screens here.  I have been told that they're not needed.  We hope all the bugs know that as well.

Outside our flat is "Friar Gate ".  The name derives from the existence of a Dominican Friary which thrived here until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.
 

The Library

Streets Of Derby we roam

Market Place.  Check out the Jumbo TV (live Rugby game on)

River Derwent

Shopping area of choice.  Gotta love the TK Maxx!!!!!

The Ram------Derby Rams is the city Football team (soccer)

Corn Market---Indoor Market and Fish Market

Our Car at Sainsbury (The Grocery Store that we drive to)

The steering wheel is on the wrong side.. Have to get that fixed.


Walk to Darley Abbey

Darley Abbey Park-----Huge greenspace!!!!!  Great park that is easy for me to walk to 

Parish Church of St Matthews in Darley Abbey

Foot path along the Derwent river.  The path can be followed from Derby to Darley Abbey.

Fun sign along the way!!!!!  There was a huge bull in the pen.  Not thinking Tim and I would tackle the tipping thing.

Village of Darley Abbey in the Distance

You just never know what's around the next hill ........