May 4, 2008
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Where Everybody Knows Your Name…
Okay, so the whole place doesn’t shout, “Norm!” when we walk in (mostly because no one in our family is named Norm), but we do have a local pub. It’s a common thing–so we’ve been told and read–for English folk to have a pub they call their own. And we are no exception.
Most of our Sunday lunches are eaten at Lloyds, aka, The Regal Wetherspoon. We are on nodding acquaintance with almost all the staff. But, I didn’t realize how well they knew us. Today when I placed our usual order:
Me: I’d like a cottage pie and a chili con carne with rice.
Lady: Yup
Me: And I’d like two beef burgers with cheese
Lady: One with absolutely no salad.
Me: (with a big grin) Yes, that’s exactly right!
Lady: I really should get more of a life. You want to upgrade your Pepsis to pints, right?
Me: Yes, thank you!
(Side note: “Salad” refers to any lettuce/tomato/etc. that comes on a burger)
We are also having a good time because we are making more and more friends here. Of course, we leave in 23 days, so that’s a bit sad to be making friends now when we are just going to pack up and leave.
Yesterday, LibbyK and two friends went out to lunch at Pizza Hut and shopping. Then, we went to dinner with a family with six children, matching up in age and gender fairly well with my own. And, they had a trampoline. And the mom is a Stephenie Meyers fan. And we all watched Doctor Who together. Much fun!
Today, we took two teen friends (Robin and Fiona) with us to the pub. The kids are now all hiding in the dark, shooting each other with Nerf guns, even the girls. And I have a pile of books to read, including the newest Stephenie Meyers book and a pile of Francine Rivers novels given to me by MJ last night (our hostess). Life is good.
What good things have come your way this weekend?
Another nifty sight near our England house.
Comments (28)
That’s great. Everybody there seems to know you more than you thought. hahah! And I see you’re all having fun there. Life’s good indeed. God bless you!
We haven’t found a local as yet…. I am sure it wont be too long tho’
x
Sounds like GREAT fun!!! The new Stephanie Meyer book is out?!? My brother ordered it, so I guess I will get it when it comes to his house.
The weather here has been gorgeous, I just went grocery shopping, I’ve had some time to read in between chauffering ds#2 around, dh and ds#1 get back from D.C. tonight…it’s good. 
What’s a cottage pie?
So would an all vegetable sandwich be called a salad or a sandwich? I hope you enjoy your novels – I really like Francine Rivers.
It is hard to believe you will be home soon. The windmill is so pretty.
is that the back of a windmill? cool. Yes, we have a favorite pub that we eat at but no alcohol so it’s just an place but they know what we like also and if one of us comes in for an order to go they will ask about the one not there. You sound like you are really enjoying your time there.
@tinybutterfly -
Cottage pie is ground beef mixed with veggies in sauce topped with mashed potatoes. Hunter loves it! The new Meyer isn’t in the series (that one comes out in August). I wonder how it will be? I guess I’ll know soon enough!
@TrapDoorSpider -
Ha ha! I think they still call sandwiches by their proper names. In Subway, it’s still a Veggie Sub. At the pub, it’s a tomato and cheese panini.
I can’t believe you’re getting ready to come home again! The time went so quickly! (maybe you don’t think so…) You’ll come home with a pile of photos, a load of memories, and a host of new friends and things you’ll miss and be asking me to bring back when I go to Scotland next time!
Blessings,
Karen
You’re going home in 23 days?! Wow, your time in England has gone fast. However, I’ve noticed you’ve made every minute count.
God bless you!!
My grandma always orders a bagle with a side of grapefruit and extra cream cheese for breakfast at the cafe … they don’t even ask her for an order anymore.
OK, anyone who is a Stephanie Meyers fan and a Dr. Who fan, can’t be bad, and the fact that they own a trampoline, that’s just gravy right there. I had no idea the SM had a new novel (an ADULT novel) out – how exciting. And Twilight the movie will be released in December, and August 26th for New Dawn, it’s a SM kinda of year.
I am glad you guys are making friends, while it will be sad to leave them what a fantastic experience you’ve been given! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us!
What good things, you ask? Why, I found an entire patch of 4-leaf clovers in my yard this evening!
I have a similiar relationship with the people at the sandwhich counter in my cafeteria. I know how many kids they have.
Just wanted to say hi and nice posts! Visited your site via ElizabethDNB. What a wonderful trip you all are having!
Enjoy the last weeks there!
My good things: I found clovers with 4 leaves this weekend.
Oh the same as DandelionBall, that’s funny! lol
Oh, how nice to be a “regular” somewhere! We were almost to that status at a place around here before Baby J was born…but after her arrival, we went out a lot less, and we’re not back quite that often anymore. Oh well.
I was recently wondering if you were going to be in England for a year or for a semester. I guess you’ve answered that question for me. Enjoy your last few weeks!!
I want my own English pub now. That was amusing. But what’s wrong with salad, pray tell? I take it you don’t like your veggies. Cheese curls, M&M’s, and pepsi for you.
How long do you have left in England?
Sigh…love that photo of yours. I know you’ll saver each of your last days there!
Lots of good things this weekend. My husband got to spend the entire weekend with my parents and me. We took my dad to Mexico on Saturday for his birthday and I had the most awesome chicken mole. I’ll be craving that dish again soon. Then we took my parents to our once-a-month neighborhood Bible study and we had a huge turnout. They met most of our friends and we surprized dad with a birthday cake there. They love getting to know our friends, so we stayed for dinner. Sunday, my parents got to see our church, our routine of taking the dogs swimming at the lake, and we gave them a tour of where my husband works. Oh, and we watched my current favorite movie, August Rush. My dad cried! I’ve never seen him cry in a movie…few things choke him up. My mom said it made her want to run out and adopt a ton of kids (which we may end up doing some day, so I’m glad she’s approving).
Doctor Who! Now, that’s a blast from the past! I love Francine Rivers…who is Stephenie Meyers? What does she write?
@i_was_there_and_back_again -
Stephenie Meyers wrote three (so far) books in a series about a vampire who falls in love with a high school girl. Despite the fact it sounds like a horror story and all campy, its excellent. (His vampire family only hunts animals, not people; he and his “siblings” attend high school; and his “dad” is a medical doctor!) She just wrote a new book not in the series.
So soon? The time has gone fast. How neat you have your own “pub”.
I saw you at a clothing store today. I was stepping aside for a lady to walk through a narrow aisle, and I looked up and thought “it’s teacher person!” At least I didn’t say it out loud.
So, have you read the latest from Stephanie Meyers?
@LaDamedeShallot -
I have a double! How cool is that?
LOVE the windmill!
You have had the most interesting experiences! I would love to see England, except for one thing…. It involves travel.
@AggieSoonerMom -
You aren’t much of a travel fan? I would not have guessed that.