Last Saturday, Lee knew it was going to be the last hot day probably until next summer, so he suggested that we go to Formby beach. The weather was really wonderful, but the beaches here are significantly colder than America's beaches in South Carolina--which is the only place I had to compare it to besides the ones at Lake Erie. The water and breeze were pretty chilly, but the temperature was record-breaking here in England. Our journey there took two hours on the trains...later we found out that we could have easily taken a bus directly to Formby from Preston, but we didn't know to ask about the buses. It was an adventure just getting there and it was fun to people-watch on the trains. One family in particular was very talkative and I whispered to Lee, "Their Liverpool accent is really hard to understand." And Lee just smiled and said to me, "They're Polish."
On our way back to Preston from the beach, we had a train layover of about an hour and a half in my old stomping grounds of Ormskirk! This delighted me to no end and I had fun showing Lee around the town of which most of the same stores and restaurants are still in business from three years ago. We went to a 'chippy' called the Acropolis to get a quick fish and chips combo. A really good place for food and really polite, quick service there! Highly recommended.
When Sunday rolled around, it was time to for me to cook for a group of six for the first time. I stuck to an old favourite of Jamie Oliver's--chicken with creamed spinach--and used his raspberry tart recipe for dessert. We also had roasted potatoes and I am happy to say that everyone survived. The party included Lee and myself as well as his dad, 'mum,' sister, and brother. We all had a nice visit and got a chance to show them around the house that is slowly but surely get all of the 'bits and bobs' it needs to look complete.
Sometimes it feels like I'm just a Sim going through the motions when I'm home alone and doing housework. As soon as I get my national insurance number in the mail, then I will be able to apply for jobs. I'm very much looking forward to earning some money and contributing to the bills and rent payments...and my ever-mounting student loans that will be paid off in approximately 578 years.
This past week I realised why other parts of the world might think that Americans are not-so-smart. During the day in England, a couple of channels show about five Judge Judy episodes in a row and follow that up with a couple Bridezillas. Not our brightest moments, right? I wish they would choose some classier productions to showcase, but I guess we don't give them many options. Isn't that right, Jersey Shore? If we stopped putting not-so-smart people on television and had more quality, scripted choices, then maybe we could be portrayed in a better light. I do give credit to whomever chose to put Modern Family on during prime time, though.
We have arrived back to English weather--from last evening to this morning, it rained for about 15 hours straight and then intermittently throughout the daytime today. On top of that, there were whipping winds
that would have blown me away on my way to town if I hadn't gobbled up five cookies ("biscuits" in England) for a morning snack.
Below are some photos from these first few weeks for your viewing pleasure. Thank you Pat and Ed for the nice housewarming card! It was great to get mail from home and hear from two of my favourite people.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
Jamie Oliver's "Pregnant Jools's Pasta, Watercress Salad, and Little Frangipane Tarts"--the tarts are really easy and really tasty!!
Martha Stewart's magazine's recipe for Enchiladas with homemade Enchilada Sauce--a big hit!
Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches with homemade bbq sauce--delicious, but Lee said the bbq sauce tasted 'very American.'
Formby Beach around 4 o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, October 1
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