Monday, March 7, 2022

Monday

 Today was a nice day, spent close to home. Both Cara and Colin worked, so it was a chance to explore their little town on my own. Armed with directions, I set off. 

I found the town center easily enough, and enjoyed the sights as I walked along. Flowers blooming everywhere.  The screaming of school children at recess. There was a man walking a white ferret on a leash. He scampered at the man's heels like an excited puppy.

When I got into town, I was trying to find a bank. I finally asked a woman who explained that the last bank branch closed a few weeks ago, so the town no longer has one, but she was going to a grocery store too, so we walked together decrying current affairs. I kept my thoughts to myself, but she did not hold back. She sees Putin as a victim of powerful oligarchs who forced him to attack. I listened an offered no more than 'hmmmmmm.' She was very friendly though.

I don't think I will ever get over how inexpensive food is. Cornflakes for 89p. Triple that for home. I bought a package of 3 Portobello mushrooms and something called 'chestnut' mushrooms, which are noted for their flavor, according to what I read. I bought a bag of onions and a pot of cream to make a nice pot of cream of mushroom soup. I got a small chocolate cake for Cara and Colin's sweet tooth. It was not even six pounds for it all. Portobello mushrooms are a luxury item at home. I would have spent $4+ on those alone. 

When I came out of the store, I asked an elderly man which exit led me back to the street I needed. He pointed out a nearby 'snicket' that would lead me right. Tickled me that I knew exactly what he was talking about. People really are so very helpful.

(P.s. If I die in this place it will be because I looked the wrong direction and stepped in front of a car headed right at me. An improvement, I guess, since last week I would die from intestinal issues.) 

(P.p.s my epitaph should read: 'She said she would travel if it was the last thing she did.')

Planning a trip to Liverpool and Chester next.

23 comments:

  1. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, and i thank you for the chuckle.

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  2. Be careful! When I watch those house-hunting shows filmed in England, I'm stunned at how close the roads are to the front door. Linda in Kansas

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  3. It is so much fun to walk in the small towns or villages. We loved walking in Germany, the people were so friendly and the villiage so clean. Most Germans spoke enough english to talk a bit with us. I love the markets and the new things we never see in the states, sounds like a wonderful day.

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  4. Looking the wrong way when crossing roads was my biggest problem in England too. I did drive there on one trip but it was scary as hell and only in the countryside.

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  5. You are such a wonderful traveler. I’m glad everybody is being helpful and friendly, even though you have to bite your tongue occasionally.

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  6. Wish I could go to Liverpool with you. A blogging friend from there has made me want to visit with all her posts about things to see and do (and eat...vegan!).

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  7. If you visit the Liverpool Docklands area (Liver Building etc) turn around and give the Isle of Man a wave 👋 across the sea.

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  8. There are Roman artefacts in Chester. It was called Deva. It's a walled city like York.

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  9. There are Roman artefacts in Chester. It was called Deva. It's a walled city like York.

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  10. It's so good to hear you are having a wonderful time over here.

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  11. Yes, correcting the way I looked over there was very very hard to do. The other thing was backing out of a parking space into the right side of the parking lot aisle. I didn't have problems driving on the left side going forward but for the life of me, I never could back up out of a parking spot into the left lane.

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  12. Loving your travel adventures! Had to chuckle about looking left vs. looking right. In high school, we had an exchange student from Australia. Every time we got to a corner we ended up looking at each other! LOL! Don't know if he ever broke that habit in the year he was here! Good memory!

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  13. Ed, I don't think I would dare to drive here until I master walking here. Which seems to be taking longer than a sensible person would think.

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  14. The good news is that when you finally get to London, they have large lettering on the roads at most curb crossings reminding you to "Look Right". Enough tourists have come a cropper in the city that they felt compelled to remind folks to watch their step.

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  15. I have roots in England and Scotland as well. Someday I wish to visit as you are doing. I love to hear your details about the town. Enjoy yourself and be careful with crossing the streets!

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  16. Glad you are getting so much fun out of everything now your illness is over.

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  17. I am really enjoying your travel stories. I will never get there so it is nice to share your experiences! Stay safe! and Thanks!

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  18. As Mary said, at many intersections in central London there are signs on the pavement reminding us which way to look. This isn't just for tourists, because some of the streets are one-way with traffic coming from an unexpected direction -- and even Londoners can be surprised by that!

    It's funny you find food inexpensive. That is not my experience at all. Maybe it's different in London? (Certainly everything else is more expensive here!)

    What on earth is a Snicket? If anyone said that to me I'd have no idea what they were talking about.

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  19. It is lovely to hear of your adventures.

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  20. A snicket is a little alley way. I seem to remember that from Cro's post

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  21. A snicket is a little alley way. I seem to remember that from Cro's post. We aren't eating out, really. I am talking about grocery store prices.

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  22. I am on holidays and not blogging but I can't help remarking that the English US Australian money rates mean food is cheaper in England. That is weird. For us US food is so cheap.

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  23. Loving "travelling" with you. It sounds like my kind of adventure - I went to visit V's family in San Diego - my most memorable moments were the grocery store and walking around the suburb - which raised many eyebrows, because NOBODY walked there. Even got cruised by a police car a few times who were probably wondering what my (and my at the time 5yo) game was.

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I'm glad you're here!

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