Back to Bristol...

We made our journey back to Bristol on Sunday. We picked up the dogs from the kennel on our way back to my house from the train station. They didn't eve blink that Baynes was in the car. Basically had an attitude of yep, we know him.

Once in Portishead, we of course, had to take Baynes for our usual walk. That means 1/2 mile up hill to the downs [green space], then across the fields and through the woods. There were plenty of other dogs about, and when we came out of the woods, the calves were waiting for us. Mind you, the calves are now old enough to have horns. AND, the bull was around. I had not ever seen him before and was happy to know what the heck he looked like!

On Monday, it was raining, of course. I had a boat-load of meetings to participate in, so Baynes entertained himself on the High Street in Portishead. Not much going on here, I have to be honest. Just a newly opened Cosco Coffee. It kind of throws the balance of the High Street completely off. Anyway, Baynes found it.

On Monday night, we made our way into Bristol to the new Cabot's Circus http://www.cabotcircus.com/website/CentreMap.aspx?currentSectionId=50b3b743-7178-4a88-ac76-e0cb2df83210

It brings Bristol into modern UK [finally]. We stopped in a store called Dwell. I think Baynes fell in love. I bought a pair of salt and pepper shakers, white and black dogs, all for £4.95. And then we headed to the Welsh Back for dinner at the Severn Shed with one of my staff members, Caroline. Baynes peppered her with questions about the monarchy. I had only just realised that the Prince of Wales [Charles] and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall [Camilla] live in Gloucestershire! After my nine months of nearly daily travel there, I could have stopped by for tea!

Tuesday, we took a drive to Wales. Baynes wanted to see what it looked like, and thanks to Mother Nature, it was a beautiful day! We took a drive to Chepstow and the Wye River Valley. In Chepstow, we stopped for a walk with the dogs outside of the castle. Then we headed for a bit of a drive up [North] the Wye River Valley. Then back to Portishead.

Later in the afternoon, Baynes and I headed into London for the Champions League game, Chelsea v. AS Roma. It was a great opportunity to see a real European football game. Only one problem ... it wasn't until Wednesday night. Yep. That's right. I bought tickets for the game thinking it was on Tuesday night, and it was actually on Wednesday. Dang!

We had a nice dinner at the pub across from the very empty stadium. Headed back to the hotel. And the next mourning met at 5:15 to make the trip to Heathrow.

It was GREAT to have Baynes here. His first trip to the UK. And for the most part, the weather cooperated!

Baynes does London

I should actually let Baynes do this blog update so that you are getting his views on London. Think I'll prime a few things and let him chime in.

Looney's words:

Friday night dinner at Rules. In the same year Napolean opened his campaign in Egypt, Thomas Rule opened an oyster bar in Convent Garden. Rules still flourishes, the oldest restaurant in London and one of the most celebrated in the world. Rules serves traditional food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings. Rules is fortunate in owning an estate in the High Pennines, “England’s last wilderness”, which supplies training in game management for the staff, exercising its own quality controls and determining how the game is treated.

We sat under this painting of "Maggie Thatcher", victorious in the Falkland Islands and for dinner had game pie with Savoy cabbage. The painting was commissioned for Rules by artist http://www.johnsprings.com/

Baynes' words about Rules:

I made a goal to experience the local cuisine. Hence, I ordered the "game pie"! As open as I wanted to be, the glorified Banquet pot pie filled w/ grouse (gross), rabbit (sorry Bugs) and a plethora of other creatures seemed to be something Granny might serve on the Beverly Hillbillies! Nonetheless, the ambience and the company were sublime!

Looney's words: We also spent time on the London Eye on Friday afternoon, which I briefly mentioned before. The London Eye, also known as the Millenium Wheel is 135 metres (443 ft) tall. It is the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe, and has become the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3 million people a year. It is no longer the tallest in the world. It was surpassed by the Star of Nanchang (160m) in May 2006, and then the Singapore Flyer (165m) on February 11, 2008.

We couldn't get our friend, Barb, to go on the Ferris wheel. Barb works as the receptionist at the Minneapolis campus of St. Kate's where Baynes works. Tracy, who did go with us, is Barb's daughter. They were in London on day 1 of their own European adventure. It is pretty cool. It took us about 30 minutes to go all of the way around.

Baynes' words:

Although I was still a little "under the weather" from the previous evening's activities, I managed to make it through the merry-go-round-orama w/ ease. The views of the city were unbelievable and it was so fun to be able to connect w/ the La Chance's on the other side of the pond!

Looney's words: On Saturday, we had a bit of a lie-in [I slept until 830], and then we headed to the market on Portabello Road in Notting Hill. I have not been there since 2001, my first trip to London. When it's not Saturday, this is a a quaint neighborhood with plenty of antique shops to explore. On Saturday, it has the added attractions of vendors whom have set up booths on the sidewalk. There are street performers. Food booths. A farmer's markets. And PEOPLE!

We walked down the hill and back up the hill again. It was a bit like being a salmon swimming up stream. Not so easy.

Whilst we were on Portabello Road, we found one of Baynes' favourite attractions in the world: Woolworth's.

Woolworth's is still open here, which always cracks me up. I have distinct memories of running errands with Dad on Saturday mourning and going to Woolworth's. I have no idea what he was there for, but the pets were in the basement, and I always made my way to visit the big cage with the Magpie to see if I could get it to talk.

After Portabello Road market, we headed to Kensington to see Kensington Castle, Princess Diana's former home. We toured through the gardens a bit and then headed into Hyde Park. We covered the whole park and headed to Buckingham Palace. It was a beautiful day and the Palace was buzzing with people.

After Buckingham, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe', of course. The London location is the original Hard Rock after all.

Baynes' words:

Yes, it's true, I was as excited to see a Woolworth's as I was to find a store dedicated to Andy Worhol goods! All in all, the scene @ PR was so cool. I could hang out there every w/end! Thereafter, our venture to Buckingham Palace et. al. was grand too. I found it very surreal to be so near to the royalty I grew up hearing about 24/7! Alas, there were no Liz, Phil, Charlie, Cam, Wills or Harry sightings to be had!