Friday, June 28, 2013

Leaving London to France Today

We have walked MILES and MILES aound London and are ready to take on France. London was great with so much to do and see. Pictures usually don't upload here for some reason, but they seem to upload on my Facebook account. Check there for pics.
I looked out of the tent the other day and a fox was looking at me from 4 feet away. He had Stacey's sandal in his mouth! He took off with Stacey in hot pursuit. Looks like we will be show shopping.

Chelsea's Birthday

We toured London as a whole family yesterday and will go back today. Chelsea was so into the whole London scene. Truly in her element! We are planning on the Sherlock Holmes museum, Harry Potter Studio Tour, and Speedy's for lunch. She is 18 now, and may have a legal pint. Lord help us.

Blessings to all of you. Prayers for the family of Paul Teixiera too. We just got news of his passing. Paul served with us on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. What a great man.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

We Made It!

We are all together again in London. A super long day of racing to get to the same place at the same time. We are enjoying camp dinner and cards.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Dublin & Race to London

Nate and I had a great last day in Ireland but missed our ferry to meet Stace & Chelsea at Heathrow. This means we take a late ferry and overnight train to London. We missed it because dad insisted on taking the Guiness tour...my bad, but hey, when am I ever going to get the chance again!

All Around Ireland

We rented the car in traveled completely around Ireland from the ferry terminal to the West Coast and back up to Dublin.  This country is absolutely beautiful. I would move here in a minute. The people here are so friendly and helpful. The picture does not do it justice even though it is beautiful. We will travel today to Dublin and visit the Guinness Storehouse then back to London to meet Chelsea and Stacey. Can't wait. We miss them terribly.
"Dia duit" (God be with you, Gaelic)
Ron

News from Nate in Ireland

We got in of the ferry at 6:30 in the morning in Rosslare. We took a bus to the first city that sounded good which happened to be Wexford. We hit up an atm then headed across a super windy bridge over to a caravan park. Seeing how it was 8 o'clock, the reception lady was not in so Dad wrote a note and put it in the door way saying we were pitching our tent. We set it up then went to bed
exhausted. When we woke at around noon, Dad payed for the spot and we set off into the small and old town. After passing through a carnival, listening to some music, and talking to a gentleman who was very pationate about his model rc boats, we finaly found a small place to eat. Dad got fish n' chips and i got a burger and onion rings wraped in paper and 2 cokes to finish it off. We took our food out to the sea side to eat and over heard a play being done by "Americans" dresses as indians re-creating the Boston tea party. HUGE festival honoring Commander John Barry from Wexford. He is the "Father of the US Navy" and helped us become independant!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Wexford Ireland

Today was one of the best days. We got to sleep in a little bit and then went into the town of Wexford Ireland. It is the oldest town in Ireland and was founded by the Vikings. It is also the birthplace the Kennedy family. John F Kennedy came here exactly 50 years ago today to honor commander John Barry. The whole town came out do are a lot of band. The mayor of Annapolis Maryland came over also. Tomorrow we will try to get to Cork Ireland and move our way up the west coast from there.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Poole, UK

Rainy Poole UK

Good morning from rainy Dorset this is the place at my family came from in 1620 when they came to America beautiful place but Nathan and I woke up at 5 a.m. to a lot of rain and cold typical for this region that's why it is so green. We will be traveling to Ireland today if we can stay dry enough.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

London today Ireland tomorrow.

Nathan and I toured London today scouted out some places for Chelsea and Stacy. Tomorrow Nathan and I will go to Ireland and on the way we will see the birthplace of my family in Somerset Dorset England.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Touring London Today

Even with little sleep Nate and I woke up at 4 am. Showered and ready for the day. Our bodies tell us it is
5 pm! Feels weird like those afternoon deep naps where you wake up and it's dark not knowing where you are. Oh well. We will adjust.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Friends at the Airport!

So we come around the corner and Nathan and I are sitting in a little cafe. All of a sudden Tori and Jamie Hay show up to say hi they're on their way to Africa on a medical mission trip what a coincidence!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Leave Tomorrow!

Okay we are apparently ready to go for tomorrow. Nathan and I will arrive first and spend a week in England and Ireland.  Stacy with Chelsea will arrive a week later. We have people staying at her house Alex so thank you and also Grace. If there's any problems shoot me an email Ron@2daywebsite.com . Most of the time I'll be dictating from my phone so if there's grammatical problems or lack of punctuation please forgive me I'm a bit lazy on the typing anyway gonna miss you all bye!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Almost There!

So here's the latest. Chelsea'a passport is still not here so Nathan and I (having non refundable tickets) have to leave on Tuesday. We will spend a week in England, Scotland and Ireland. Stacey will arrive a week later with Chelsea. That means Nathan & I will have 5 weeks in Europe instead of just 4  I guess its a silver lining. Anyway Stacey and Chelsea should be arriving on the 25th and we will pick him up at the airport in Heathrow

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Training day

ORCUTT HILL East side.

Preparation

Holy smokes. I had no idea it takes so much planning to go for this kind of trip. Stacey is finishing up work and I spend my time getting ready and trying to motivate kids. They seem to want it to just "happen". I guess they need to detox from school for a while.

I have found some great apps that should help us on our trip;
  • Rail Planner gives offline info about train schedules. A must have.
  • Obviously Google Translate will help. You can download language packages for the ones you know you are going to use a lot.
  • Rick Steves' Europe. He gives guided audio tours with maps.
  • Spotted by Locals. Where do the locals recommend? Pick your counrty!
  • Viber. I am not sold on this yet. I want easy, free texts. We'll see.
  • Tango. Again, we will see how it works on campground Wi-Fi.
  • I also downloaded TuneIn Radio to keep up on my fave's during coffee time. I am a creature of habit as anyone knows that has joined me on the front porch.
Off to the next checklist item!
Ciao.