And Away I Go (again)!

I love traveling. If you know me, you know this. The problem with travel is that it only makes you want to do it more.

So, when Ian told me he'd be in Ireland until the 21st of December and asked how I felt about celebrating Christmas in the UK, I didn't hesitate and started searching flights.
I'm looking forward to spending the time with him, seeing more of the UK and meeting more of his friends and family.
I leave tomorrow, heading to Manchester by way of Philadelphia. He'll pick me up and we'll drive to Edinburgh (a city I've already met and love). We'll spend the night there (and hopefully get to see the Christmas fair), then head North to Moray. There are plenty of places that offer wool and whisky (though not at the same place--or maybe? ) along the way, so I'm hoping to pick up some of both.
We'll spend Christmas Eve and Day with Pete and Hazel and Boxing Day with Pedro and Maz and they we'll "bugger off" on the 27th (those are Pete's words).
On the way back South we'll go through the Lake District and spend the night somewhere around there. I'm still torn about stopping in Carlisle to visit Linton Tweeds, but we just might have to.
We'll spend the last couple of days in Preston with his family, then back to Austin through Heathrow.

I'll post as much as I can, but won't have my laptop, so will likely be on Facebook.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Juliette

Just Can't Get Enough

travel, that is.

I won't be going far for the sewing conference this year, since it's in Dallas. It feels odd to be going
away, but not heading to the airport. I'll be driving up on Wednesday to see about 100 of my best sewing buddies, learn a few things and possibly do some fabric shopping.

Our conference is open to the public, so check it out if you're in the area: https://www.sewingprofessionals.org/2018-conference
It's a great group and we have way more fun that you'd expect from a bunch of stitchers.

The view from the Lossiemouth Flat

I'll be heading off again in December, this time a bit further. I'll be meeting Ian in Manchester, UK then heading to the Scottish highlands to spend Christmas with a couple of his friends. We'll spend a night in Edinburgh then up to Elgin in Moray.

We've got a holiday rental for a few days, then heading back to visit with Ian's family in Preston.

I've already got too many things I'd like to check out while we're over, but mostly looking forward to spend some time with more of Ian's mates and meet his family.

In home news, I've settled in to the new house nicely and added a couple of fur babies to my family.
Patrick, a hooded rat came a few months ago and quickly charmed everyone. He was hanging out in Ian's garden for a few weeks, peeking in the window until the door was left open and he walked right in. He was clearly a pet and familiar with dogs, so I took him in. He's a sweet character who pushes the dogs around(he actually took a chew toy away form one of them the other night) and comes when he's called.
Louis, a male Chorkie, is a more recent addition. I was worried that Gabby was missing all her buddies from doggy day care and the apartment complex, so I found Louis to keep her company. He's a bit much for her (he's only 9 mos), but they get along well and Gabby seems (mostly) happy about it.

Sorry for the lack of posts

I must apologize for anyone hoping to see my usually travel posts. I’m not working at all on this trip, so traveling without a laptop, and I haven’t been able to get photos to load in blogger on my iPad. I’ll catch up when home, but in the meantime you can follow me on Facebook.

A New England

Ian is not a big fan of London, and determined that I see the “real” England. For me this a ‘new’ England, though I know it well from a lifetime of BBC movies and tv programs.

My trip started a bit differently, with packing. I normally start my process about a month ahead. I’ll put my suitcase out and as I think of things I want/need to take, I throw them in. I do lists, too, but don’t rely on them as much as I used to.
With house projects and a few sewing projects taking my attention, packing didn’t quite happen this way. The suitcase came out about a week before and the actual packing happened the morning I left. No panic, since I’d still been collecting/making things to bring. This is only day 2, but so far I don’t know of anything important I left behind.
Ian and I booked our tickets a few months ago, getting round trip tickets in basic economy (World Traveler) for $640 on British Airways. Thanks to a recently added direct flight between Austin and London Gatwick, the prices have come down quite a bit. Ian’s plans changed about 2 months ago when his work decided to sent him to Ireland for 2-1/2 weeks before our planned trip.
About a week ago I decided to cough up $230 to upgrade to World Traveler Plus. I was looking forward to some decent sleep with a bit more space.
Tuesday night I checked in and printed my boarding pass, and put it in my purse.
When I went to check my bag, the gate agent asked about my plans and then pointed to the placard sitting on the counter. The flight was oversold and the airline was offering up to $1850 in travel vouchers to people willing to give up their seat. I was VERY tempted to delay (though I’m not sure I’d get on the flight the next day), so I said no. The gate agent handed me a new boarding pass and told me where the club was. I didn’t look very closely at the boarding pass, and didn’t really wonder why they were telling me to go to the club. I got a Gin & Tonic and ate the sandwich I’d made myself. It wasn’t until we were in line wating to board that I looked at my boarding pass. It said Club World, not World Traveler Plus and when I compared it to the boarding pass I had printed, the new one had me 5 rows back. I started to think I’d been downgraded and was dreading a long flight in a tiny seat and incensed that I’d probably have to spend time on the phone to get my money back.
WELL, what I didn’t realize was my original seat, though further up in the plane, was exactly one row in front of the BUSINESS CLASS. That lovely woman at the BA counter had very casually upgraded me to business class without saying a word. And business class on BA means you sit in a little pod with a seat that folds flat, a foot rest that makes it into a narrow bed, a proper pillow and a duvet. HOLY COW.
Needless to say, I was very happy about this. It even made up for the 2-1/2 hour delay due to a malfunctioning iPad. That’s right, the iPad they use to transmit the counts for hold baggage didn’t send so the plane had to return the gate while the crew waited for confirmation from Heathrow.
We finally made it here yesterday (Thursday) about 2 hours late. Once I got through passport control and had my bag, my lovely bloke collected me in the rental car and we headed to Windsor.
I’ll upload some photos tomorrow as well as some from our day at Bletchley Park today.
We ended the day by meeting our hosts Steve, Lisa, Verity and Josh at a traditional pub, followed by a curry dinner.

Tomorrow we head to Chippenham. :)

It's that time of year again...

Yep, I'm leaving on another trip. This is late for me as I usually head across the Atlantic around April/May. This trip is different for a few reasons. Firstly, I'll be joining the Bloke this time (our first time traveling together). After a few days in the Cotswolds we're headed to the Isle of Man for the TT(Tourist Trophy), a series of crazy motorcycle races, hence the timing.
We'll be staying with friends of his in England, and in a friend's flat on the isle.
Ian will be driving us around.
So I apologize for the lack of postings about apartments, public transport and getting lost in a new place.

Here are a few of the things we plan to do while in the Cotswolds:
Windsor Castle
Bletchley Park--just about the nerdiest destination possible.
Bath Fashion Museum--Ian plans on getting to know the local Pub while I'm here
Lacock Village--turns out I have a branch of ancestors who lived in this village from 1600s to 1800s

My hands hurt and I can't find my underwear...

I got a jump on the workroom before the official move date.

The move happened. I dutifully filled out the questionnaire on the moving company's site, but there was no checkbox for "slightly obsessive multi-craft practitioner.  What would typically take about 4 hours (what a normal person would have in a two bedroom apartment) took 7-1/2.
Most of my belongings have been transferred to the house from the apartment, but I am by no means moved in.
I've been pretty organized on past moves, but I think the surreal feeling that I really do own a house all my own got me discombobulated (oh wow! I spelled that right on the first try. :))

Gabby provided "feedback" while I assembled an IKEA desk and chair.

So last night, I wandered around, wondering where my toothbrush was, only slightly curious about my alarm clock (I've got today off), and very pleased that I knew exactly where the coffee and coffee maker were for the morning.

Then it dawned on me--I haven't seen the basket with my socks and underwear... I'm sure I packed it, and remember seeing it at some point during the move, but I may have foolishly put in it the closet with my files and a few fragile things I'd thought best to move myself (which I, of course, forgot). Not a huge deal, since I will go back this afternoon after (I really, really hope), my internet is up and running.

Now to get some stuff put away...

The insanity of my new house right now.

This may actually happen...

All through the process, this felt like just another project. I've done plenty of projects: sewing, knitting, technology, even building a house. I like process and projects(most of the time): planning, choosing the materials, watching the progress of something being created.

Now that I'm only less than a week away from taking possession and moving in, it seems like a dream.
The place is looking beautiful and considering everything that could go wrong, it has been smooth sailing. A lot of credit goes to K.C. Crane, my build manager. He's been on top of things and quick to jump on the few things I found.

I took a few videos last week while I checked on progress, but they don't seem to play here (I'll figure something out). I've had the final walk through and sign off, and the closing is tomorrow!!! The movers are coming on Thursday, so be this time next week I expect to be settled in pretty well, especially with so many friends planning to come help me unpack.

For those who know me well it will come as no surprise that I already have a list of projects planned: painting, new interior doors, hardware, new faucets, trim.