July 2006: Barcelona

John & I headed to Barcelona, Spain in July. We met up with our friends Matt & Dutch to spend the weekend in the sun exploring the city. Barcelona has not changed since I studied law there a few years ago. Still the same crazy street performers, loads of tourists, amazing melting buildings, friendly locals, and great food.

More flowers from the Old Rectory

Hollybocks have finally started to bloom. They are slowly coming in all around our front door in many different colors!

The Flowers of the Old Rectory

Our Garden is bloomin!

May 2006: Royal Air Force Summer Ball

In Early May, our friends from London, Erin & Lindsay headed out to the countryside for a visit and to attend the Royal Air Force Summer Ball. For one night only, the RAF transforms the Officer's Mess into a multi-room party. They even had bumper cars!


Lindsay, Erin & Mary

Lindsay, Erin, Mary & John

Erin & I in the bumper cars...

Yes, a mechanical bull straight from Texas.

More 4th of July Pics

More Pictures from the 4th of July party!


Me & my friend Kim.

Hudson was visiting from London. He is a city dog and loved a week in the countryside.

My neighbors and friends Linda and Kim.

February 2006: Erin Riley comes to Visit!

My college roomate Erin Riley came for a visit in February. After some confusion at the airport with regards to the arrival date (yes I showed up a day early!), we finally got Erin and enjoyed a week of touring around our area, eating good food, shopping in London, and visiting museums. After John left for training, Erin and I took the Eurostar to Paris and had a great time in such a beautiful city. We saw all the sights (translation: ate amazing cheese, crossiants, and drank delicious french wine) and I still can not believe what an amazing city it is!

March 2006: Belgium & Germany

John had to go to a work conference in Germany the first week in April. We decided to make a weekend trip out of it and headed to Brussels with our friends Dutch and Dano. After a very early Eurostar reservation, we were in Brussels in less than two hours and had plenty of time left in the day to tour the city. Brussels was interesting, but the best part of the trip was the chocolate, the beer, the waffles, and the pots of mussels! We then spent a day and a night in Bastogne and were fortunate to have a local historian take us on a tour of the battle of the bulge. It was incredible to see where the battle took place. After our tour of Bastogne, we went to Germany, toured castles, and took a cruise on the Rhine.

June 2006: Dutch comes for a visit!

June 2006

June started with a visit from our friend Dutch. He is currently in Portugal and was happy to visit his old stomping grounds in England. We had a great time enjoying the first weekend of Summer weather, punting on the River in Cambridge, losing the punting pole, and navigating the traffic jams. The weekend was lots of fun and way too short. It, of course, ended with the world famous Ringo BBQ and some of the wine Dutch brought from Portugal.

June 2006: Dave & Tawnia Visit!

June 2006

John's brother Dave and his girlfriend Tawnia came to visit us in early June. John & I met them in Edinburgh, Scotland and after a few days of eating (the Witchery) and drinking (Pimm's at Harvey Nichols) we headed up to the Scottish Highlands and the West Coast. The first night we settled into a great B&B with beautiful views of Loch Ness. There was only one problem with the visit... no water. So, needless to say, we headed out the next morning and did not stick around to see if the pumps for the town would start working anytime soon. After sightseeing all day and a hike we stayed the night at the Old Inn in Gairloch. It was a tradition Scottish Pub with great atmosphere and very quiet. We were so far north that we all were up early and hit the road for more touring of the West Coast. After two more great days along the west coast we headed to Prestwick Airport near Glasgow (airport slogan: "Pure Dead Brilliant"?!) to fly back to Stansted. Dave & Tawnia only spent one night with us at the Old Rectory before heading to London and Paris to round out their short European break. We are looking forward to the next visit!