Deal to Winchester

I've had some good times with my family over the past few days. Got to check out a couple cool pubs and have some beer in Deal with my family, including Adam who's 18. Jealous, 18-year-old Americans?

Here's a shot of Adam playing football (soccer). It was bloody freezing!

Adam is the tall one in white, running left/center of pic

I had La Chouffe and Adam had a Delirium Tremens and we each got matching glasses for our beers. How cool is that? 

La Chouffe

Delirium Tremens

Bar at the King's Head Pub

Festive pub

Tiny front door

Me, Adam, Gma, & my aunt Julia

Then to top off our classic British pub experience, we grabbed some local fish and chips.

Gma presenting the feast.

She was told by someone in Texas last year that she sounded like the queen, which made her day :)

On Tuesday, it was off to the other side of the country. I trained from Deal to Paddington Station (I know, even the name is cute), and then on to Winchester. I've decided people in England are nicer than they used to be. I remember seeing grumpy Brits all the time. Now, when I get lost in the train station (I'm 3 for 3 on that) and I ask for help, they are so nice! I think it's mostly due to my mum (not mom anymore) and her plan to smile at everyone here so that they turn their frown upside down. Apparently it's worked for one old man who was in line for the parking meter with her. Good job, Mum!

Seeing my four little cousins in Winchester is always fun. They're the most energetic kids I've ever met, and my aunt & uncle are so great with them. I think the punching bag xmas gift is helping a lot. It was especially sweet when I walked the youngest three to school on Wednesday morning. How cool is it to be able to walk to school! You know what's cooler? Scootering to school! In Deal, every kid was on a razor scooter in the morning to get to school - adorable. Winchester is a bit hilly, so it would be a nightmare with the Ellis clan on scooters going downhill to school...

Just so you have an idea of how absolutely adorable and cool these kids are -

Left to right: Nicky, Mum, me, Ruby, & Frankie aka Gerber Baby in the front

Frankie, who'd you pick THAT up from? 

Gerber Baby demolished his noddy egg

Nicky, Ruby, Patch, and Louis - the oldest

I taught them how to hook 'em

Now I'm in Princes Risborough in my mum's parent's beautiful home. They have a view of the English countryside and rolling hills. I always have some good runs around their house - through fields, around sheep, in mud, over styles, up hills, and generally trying not to get lost. Here's some pretty pics from the run my mum & I did Wednesday evening.

The main trail

The view from the trail

Running into the sunset

Off to scare some sheep

English sheep, a few are pregnant

Hello Beeeeeccaaaa baaaa

A style to hop, next to the gate

Although I did see a guy running in a tshirt (CRAZY!) and he jumped over the fence in one go; didn't even bother with the style. Very impressive!

Mum & I leave for Amsterdam Friday morning. I register for classes, move into my own little tiny apartment, and check out a water polo practice all on Monday. I'm very excited!