July 11, 2007
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What Is England Like?
When I had my first glimpses of England, I thought, “Gee, it’s like Texas, but greener.” TGD thought, “This reminds me of Toronto.” Of course, England is really not like either place. The reason we thought of those comparisons was because to us, Texas and Toronto are “Someplace Else.” England, also being “Someplace Else” reminded us of those places.
Beautiful brickwork in Reading
Fancy chimneys
England, while it reeks of history, is really not the England of Becky Sharp any more. It’s Becky Bloomwood! I’m so glad that I have regularly read Sophie Kinsella and Hester Brown in addition to Jane Austen and the Brontes. I understand this modern England and am not disappointed.
The Sapphire, a modern office building in Reading
TGD and I must look like natives, or at least we look non-threatening and helpful. Four different people have asked us for help/directions since we’ve been here. (No, I don’t think they were staking us out as a “mark” for a further robbery.) Once, we were at an outdoor restaurant where you have to go inside to order and give your table number. A lady sat at our table with her toddler in a stroller and a 17 day old baby in arms. We told her that we had already given that table number, but she could sit at the open table beside us. “Oh,” she said, jumping to her feet, “Could you watch my bag while I pop in and tell my friend our new table number?” And she left–purse on table and toddler in stroller. I said to TGD, “Either we look trustworthy or this isn’t a high-crime area.”
The gate from the Oscar Wilde Memorial Walk. Wilde spent 18 months in Reading Gaoul (jail) for his “bedroom preferences.” The brick wall you see behind separates the jail from the walk. On the other side of the walk is the Kennet River.
The walk itself–short but pretty
Part of the fence on the non-jail side of the walk.
Comments (20)
It’s quite a privilege to be the first to remark on any of Teacherperson’s blog entries, so I feel quite honored.
All has gone well here, especially now that we have our luggage. The people, the hotel, the conference, all has been wonderful. We are off to Windsor Castle this afternoon – should be a glorious outing!
Cheers.
so glad you have your luggage and are having such a lovely trip! i like those fancy chimneys!
Thanks for the virtual tour! It looks beautiful.
I hope you enjoy Windsor Castle. I will say that I would never think of comparing Texas and England except for perhaps the funny accents.
The is a great photo of the walkway with the trees on each side.
I love the pictures! Keep them coming!
They think you look trustworthy? Just goes to show what kind of judgement the English have. And I wouldn’t really have thought it possible to eat healthy food in an “erotic way”, but I guess I’m behind the times.
You must be resting your feet again to blog so much! lol Looks like your having a great time!
Sooo glad you bags arrived!!! And all the pics are WONDERFUL! Thanks for sharing your trip! I am loving it! RYC-You made me laugh! My old friends might have been more “toasted” than smoked. * snort *
I’ve been enjoying all the pictures!!
I’m so glad that your bags finally arrived – I was praying for them! It must have been quite nerve wracking, though. 
=) I love this! It’s like my own mini-vacation right in the middle of the busiest work time of the year. Love the pictures!
Been reading of your adventures in England. Looks like a marvelous time! Glad your fresh undies arrived
I am loving the pictures and commentary. Keep ‘em coming!
You really have a knack for sharing the adventure. Perhaps we could get someone to pay us and start a travel show. I’ve always wanted to!
Hey you commented to me! I did not expect comments while you were gone. How thoughtful!
We would love to see the new HP today, but will probably wait for the dollar theater just because of the money.
The book however we will be getting at midnight when it comes out!
Oh how wonderful that you shared the photos with us! Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into your life.
Looks like you all are having a great time!! Enjoy!
Today at the Art’s Fest it was nice and sunny, but then, it started to rain. It was just a sprinkle at first, but then it was a very hard rain. Well, I have to go!
Libby
Thanks for the tour. These pictures help a lot in imagining it. I would take pictures of chimneys that looked like that too. For goodness sake, change those shoes! What are you going to do about a blister on your toe? Wear flip flops? I’ll tell you, I have been known to cut holes in my shoes in appropriate places for reasons like this. Do the people who ask you for help have British accents? Prima got asked for directions in Berlin by a German woman.
Enjoying your posts. Nice to have your dream come true!
It’s fair week and it’s about to kill me. We had 19 chickens butchered today and they are now safely tucked in our freezer. My summer has not been too relaxing so far. I keep seeing people with Bahamas t-shirts and waiting for my summer dream to come true.
Enjoy every minute.