Again with the walking

I wanted nothing more than to sit and read my book today but I only have today and tomorrow here so I pushed myself to go out exploring. I walked all over Bristol with a map and a strong desire to find some thrift stores. I managed to find four of them - all of them uphill. They are called Charity shops here. The shops that I found were a little more upscale than the ones I frequent back home. Everything on hangers and polished up with price tags and all. Still, I found some great stuff. I got a dish rack for the flat here(one pound) . Some books- The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- I've just started it but so far it's great. I got of those ten in one game sets for the flat (2 pounds fifty). The boys have already played several games of chess. Also- a couple of shirts, a yellow teapot that I love (two pounds fifty), some old maps for collage making (50 pence each) , some odds and ends of old jewelry (five pence each piece) and one pair of checkerboard shoelaces (which both Griffin and Riley are going to want). I went in some regular stores but the exchange rate is so bad for american money that every time I saw something I might want to buy, I realized it was actually going to cost twice the price and I didn't want it anymore. Also, packing might be a problem. I'll probably start some packing tonight. I did bring some food here that I won't be bringing back. But I also bought even more food here that I want to bring home. And I have a bunch of newspapers from London, Rome and Paris. I thought I would make some cool decoupage with them. And I kinda picked through someones trash in Italy and scored some nice fat fashion mags for collages. I have no shame about garbage picking especially in other countries. Anyway, all that stuff is gonna take up some room.
Tonight is a very big Rugby match- the finals. England vs. Someone. Every man I spoke to today- at shops, asking for directions, my cabbie- asked me if I was going to watch the game. It's so huge here -kind of like the Superbowl times 100. My cabbie was going on and on about England's chances and I felt like teasing him a bit so I asked him who he was rooting for. He laughed and laughed. "Good one, my love." I really adore being called "my love" by total strangers.
Also while I was walking around I ran into a couple of members of the Bristol Parkour gang.I went up to them and told them I took a movie of them last week and posted it on my blog and they had already seen it! Small world!!



This guy came up to me while I was taking pictures of a church and told me I should be taking his picture. So I did.

For Riley- they look like your guitar!

The entrance to Diagon Alley (Harry Potter reference)

L to R - back row- Nick, Piia, John and John
front - Mai-Lys and Christina

Chicken and Dumplings! And for pudding(dessert) Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream frosting
A meal inspired by and in honor of my Nana K.


Some of my Charity Shop treasures.