This weekend we had a nice weekend. We took sometime to actually do something other then worry about the not so small details of our lives. Not that we completely ignored it, because we didn't.
Saturday, we went to the car lot and Super Handsome looked at the cars that I had found. We figured out that my car had been smoked in and Super Handsome's car smells like mold. Not a problem for normal people, but unfortunately I have family members that have issues with both. The cars still are going to be cleaned, so I am hoping between that and me spending sometime airing them out that we will be able to get by, after all, it is only a year or so. Super Handsome drove them both and we figured out that my car vibrates and his car is loud, even by diesel standards. They certainly aren't exciting and they are bare bones, but if they get the gas mileage that they claim, I won't complain!
We had left the kids at The Shack, so we headed back to get them and talked about doing something. We were having trouble figuring out what, so I looked around for a pumpkin patch or something to do, since the museums seemed out because they closed at 4pm. We found an apple orchard in Chelsmford that was having an apple tasting, so we added that to our list. First, we headed to the rental office to sign the lease. Then we did a quick tour of Oak Lodge (our house!) and then we headed to a Fish & Chips place and grabbed a bite. It was greasy, but OK and the kids can now say that they have had them. We headed to the apple tasting at Lathcoats Farm.
On the way out, we got separated. I had the GPS and Super Handsome did not. So, he took another route to Chelmsford. We met back up with the help of our cell phones. Which, was not easy, as it is illegal to drive while talking unless you are hands free. So, Mark had to answer my phone, since I do not have any way to be hands free with my pay as you go phone.
After we met back up, Super Handsome followed me to the orchard. We got there just as everything was closing up. The store was still open another hour, so we walked around a bit, and the kids got to do a few things. We also took some time to taste some of the apples. When we first walked up to taste the apples, we did not really get a lot of attention from the ladies that were there. After I explained that I was from America and that they had different apples did it become more interesting. We tasted probably about 5 different varieties. The Cornish Gilflower was a very different apple, it has a slightly fermented perfume flavor that you get in your mouth when you first take a bite. The Bleinheim Orange has a slightly orange flavor to it and was good. My favorite was the D'arcy Spice, not only because of the name (I am a BIG Jane Austen fan) but also because of the slightly spiced taste. The apple is one of the last that they harvest, in November, but they kindly got me a small bag for me to purchase.
Then we headed to the country store. We looked at the apples and other fresh fruit and foods. We ended up picking up 6 eggs and some streaky bacon for breakfast the next morning. In the UK, what they call bacon is actually more like a piece of ham. American bacon is what they call streaky bacon. We also picked up some delicious fresh baked rolls and french bread baguettes.
After we were done, we went back to Dunmow. We had been told that there was a good Indian restaurant to go to, it is the Queen Victoria. Liam has a project that he is doing in school about India. Part of the project entailed going to a restaurant and doing a section about the food. We had a very nice time at the restaurant and Liam said it was delicious and he wanted to go back. Super Handsome (who is not an adventurous eater) even said that we would be back!
Sunday, turned out to be a beautiful day and we headed to Hertford to walk around the town. I took many pictures and we saw many, many interesting things. I took the time to take photos of a few of the restaurants that we had been to that I had not taken pictures of...
After wandering some we went into a pub that we had noticed always seemed busy, The Duncombe. We grabbed a lunch and then I suggested we go to the castle that was located in Hertford, which was close to where we had been walking. I am so glad that we did, as it proved to be a very interesting visit. It is called the Hertford Castle Gatehouse. None of the original castle remains, all that is left is the Gatehouse, the motte and the walls. But it has a rich history and was used by royalty quite often in the past. If you would like to read the history, I suggest this link http://www.hertford.net/history/castle/. There is also some history about the statue that I took a picture of, his name is Samuel Stone and he founded Hartford, Connecticut with his friend Thomas Hooker. After wandering and taking some fun pictures, we ended the day by going to a pub called The Bullhead. We had eaten there once before, just about a month ago.
We are actually coming up on being in the UK for a month. The time has gone quickly for me, as I have been engrossed in the details, the details. I am hoping this coming week we get to spend some more time enjoying some of the other interesting things in the area. There is a lot to do and see!
Saturday, we went to the car lot and Super Handsome looked at the cars that I had found. We figured out that my car had been smoked in and Super Handsome's car smells like mold. Not a problem for normal people, but unfortunately I have family members that have issues with both. The cars still are going to be cleaned, so I am hoping between that and me spending sometime airing them out that we will be able to get by, after all, it is only a year or so. Super Handsome drove them both and we figured out that my car vibrates and his car is loud, even by diesel standards. They certainly aren't exciting and they are bare bones, but if they get the gas mileage that they claim, I won't complain!
We had left the kids at The Shack, so we headed back to get them and talked about doing something. We were having trouble figuring out what, so I looked around for a pumpkin patch or something to do, since the museums seemed out because they closed at 4pm. We found an apple orchard in Chelsmford that was having an apple tasting, so we added that to our list. First, we headed to the rental office to sign the lease. Then we did a quick tour of Oak Lodge (our house!) and then we headed to a Fish & Chips place and grabbed a bite. It was greasy, but OK and the kids can now say that they have had them. We headed to the apple tasting at Lathcoats Farm.
On the way out, we got separated. I had the GPS and Super Handsome did not. So, he took another route to Chelmsford. We met back up with the help of our cell phones. Which, was not easy, as it is illegal to drive while talking unless you are hands free. So, Mark had to answer my phone, since I do not have any way to be hands free with my pay as you go phone.
After we met back up, Super Handsome followed me to the orchard. We got there just as everything was closing up. The store was still open another hour, so we walked around a bit, and the kids got to do a few things. We also took some time to taste some of the apples. When we first walked up to taste the apples, we did not really get a lot of attention from the ladies that were there. After I explained that I was from America and that they had different apples did it become more interesting. We tasted probably about 5 different varieties. The Cornish Gilflower was a very different apple, it has a slightly fermented perfume flavor that you get in your mouth when you first take a bite. The Bleinheim Orange has a slightly orange flavor to it and was good. My favorite was the D'arcy Spice, not only because of the name (I am a BIG Jane Austen fan) but also because of the slightly spiced taste. The apple is one of the last that they harvest, in November, but they kindly got me a small bag for me to purchase.
Then we headed to the country store. We looked at the apples and other fresh fruit and foods. We ended up picking up 6 eggs and some streaky bacon for breakfast the next morning. In the UK, what they call bacon is actually more like a piece of ham. American bacon is what they call streaky bacon. We also picked up some delicious fresh baked rolls and french bread baguettes.
After we were done, we went back to Dunmow. We had been told that there was a good Indian restaurant to go to, it is the Queen Victoria. Liam has a project that he is doing in school about India. Part of the project entailed going to a restaurant and doing a section about the food. We had a very nice time at the restaurant and Liam said it was delicious and he wanted to go back. Super Handsome (who is not an adventurous eater) even said that we would be back!
Sunday, turned out to be a beautiful day and we headed to Hertford to walk around the town. I took many pictures and we saw many, many interesting things. I took the time to take photos of a few of the restaurants that we had been to that I had not taken pictures of...
After wandering some we went into a pub that we had noticed always seemed busy, The Duncombe. We grabbed a lunch and then I suggested we go to the castle that was located in Hertford, which was close to where we had been walking. I am so glad that we did, as it proved to be a very interesting visit. It is called the Hertford Castle Gatehouse. None of the original castle remains, all that is left is the Gatehouse, the motte and the walls. But it has a rich history and was used by royalty quite often in the past. If you would like to read the history, I suggest this link http://www.hertford.net/history/castle/. There is also some history about the statue that I took a picture of, his name is Samuel Stone and he founded Hartford, Connecticut with his friend Thomas Hooker. After wandering and taking some fun pictures, we ended the day by going to a pub called The Bullhead. We had eaten there once before, just about a month ago.
We are actually coming up on being in the UK for a month. The time has gone quickly for me, as I have been engrossed in the details, the details. I am hoping this coming week we get to spend some more time enjoying some of the other interesting things in the area. There is a lot to do and see!
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