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Lakenheath
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I've arrived and it's traditional English weather. Dreary, cold, foggy, damp and dark by 4:30! I'm vehicularly challenged and have on more than one occasion attempted to enter my car on the wrong side. I've been practicing looking as if I purposely opened the passenger door and drop my purse in languidly before I close the door and proceed to the other side. Clive has reviewed the operations of the car after gallantly suppling me with an automatic, a fabulous map, and a GPS although I also brought my own. I drove to a local Thai restaurant tonight and terrified my rider as I hugged the left side of the road in an attempt not to lose my right rearview mirror. At one point she said, "It looks like that ambulance is coming at us in our lane." I didn't have the heart to tell her it was in our lane and hugged the left curb even tighter. At this rate I'll be replacing the two left tires. At least I have not tried to run any of my rental diesels on regular petro - yes, several consultants have done just that.
I made a quick trip to the local town of Brandon for fish and chips. The waitress apologized for suggesting the senior portion. It was great and more than enough food - she obviously knows her business. I was in good company and figure all I will need is a skirt, dark/heavy hose, and some orthopedic shoes to fit right in with the rest of the crowd (what happens to those spiked haired, pierced nosed, heavily made up, high heeled and booted young English women?) Then I headed to the local bakery where I picked up a well browned wheat loaf and several pastries vowing to come back until had sampled the whole lot. Several quaint and picturesque towns surround the base and my plan is to start exploring them as I fine tune my driving skills. GB/TB I have perused the groceries and found them filled with succulent chutneys and marmalades - including Rose's Lime. Send me your favorite and I'll pack them for the trip home. I'm currently indulging in some dark rich orange marmalade and ginger chutney.
Treg, my driver was a delight and chauffeured me with a running commentary from Heathrow to the base. He pointed out the local sights and when I saw the hairy wild ponies of the gypsies he explained their antics not without a good measure of criticism. It seems that in addition to squatting on the local lands tax free they lay pavers for local residents frequently staking out the area for treasures to lift from the locals. They use the horses for trade, traveling now in white vans - equipped with ladders - rather than wagons. Yosef, when I inquired about their exotic music the driver just turned around and looked at me. I think somthing has been lost over the years. We passed an entire area devoted to war vehicles and machines. I thought about you Chuck and will probably go back and tour the museum. We passed the town of Newmarket which claims to have bred, birthed, trained and sold more race horses then any other place in England. I can't verify that but I can say that it is also the home of a horse racing forensic laboratory.
The base seems to go on forever. I think the air bases seem large because of the airstrips. As on other AF Bases there are planes situated around the grounds as memorials. The F15's take off regularly and the sound is deafening. Alas, no Raptors. The adjoining base of Mildenhall is where the jumbo planes used to refuel the jets are located. Pilots stroll by in their jump suits with an air of confidence and competence. Like Ken said to me when I was flying the Black Hawk at the simulation center. Great pilots are born.
I have perused the local and the base grocery stores and found to my delight that I have more than enough supplies to host a dinner party in my 4 room apartment with working Internet albiet a little slow. The table and chairs for 6 will come in handy. Last night I settled in with a roasted chicken accompanied by new potatoes, carrots, and fresh asparagus. And of course some beer. I'll have to get to the pubs to get the real skinny. I've also found a source for some affordable Cote du Rhone and Neuf du Pape so probably, at the risk of a killer headache, will give them a try. I'm hoping, like the wines I had in France, they are missing whatever it is that brings me to my knees.
I am also trying to figure out the local language. Yes, it is English with a wonderful sound but some of the phrases pass right over my head. I remember the terms "bonnet" and "pissed" that have no resemblance to any meaning we would have for them in the US but was flummoxed this morning when I open a product that the previous consultant left. It read "30% less fat than single cream" and showed a picture of a luscious strawberry oozing with the product on the front of the container. It did say that I could "drizzle" a bit in my coffee. It also read I should feel free to "spoon some on my pud" or add a "splash to my mash". Well, I didn't spoon any on my "pud" but after trying some in my coffee I read the ingredients. Looks like it is buttermilk and hydrogenated vegetable oil. Probably a step up from the evaporated milks and "whiteners" of Germany but I think I will stick to black coffee. I'll keep you posted while I am "topping up" my phone card.
I'm also right at home with AF Network TV (the apartment sports 2 TV sets). Anyone who has never had the pleasure of AF Network will not appreciate the endless and repeated advertising of the military. You can sing along or mouth the words to the commercials within a week without missing a beat. It is nice to have some American programming but they too are repeated and you never know what schedule they are adhering to. Lynn, I did catch a couple of episodes of Boston Legal as well as a couple of old movies.
I'm off to exercise and will try to get some pictures this week of my new temporary home. Brandon offers karaoke on Thursday nights and Disco on Friday and Saturday. The local pubs (and this is not the correct term for them) offer beds for those who wish to stay after Discoing and drinking the night away. A good concept. I have your list Vanessa and have been checking out theater in London. I was disappointed to find that I have missed Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov and just weeks after I depart Judi Dench is playing the lead in Madam de Sade followed by Jude Law in Hamlet. SIGH. Timing is everything.
I am working with two delightful young consultants. We are planning some joint events but, alas, they are scheduled to leave soon. Heather will return to Barcelona to join her French husband who is missing her and Lanette to Utah where I have a feeling she is a dynamic skier. We have already engaged in the ongoing conversation and debate about the toll these assignments can take on relationships. So keep me posted about the happenings at home and I'll see all of you in February before I head to Florida. To all my buddies let's get some dinners, golf, and conversation on the calendar.
A healthy and happy New Year to everyone.
By the way. Golf wasn't half bad in Cabo but Mary, I need to try that Taylor driver. I'm still awed by the drive over the green on the 191 yard hole. WOW, what a woman! Terry your brute strength is beyond comment. In our wildest dreams we hit the ball like you. My regards to the family. Same time next year? Save a beach chair for me.
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